tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10123493466826835772024-03-14T01:27:24.177-04:00Virginia's Life, Such As It Is!Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.comBlogger595125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-64852812606261537462022-06-26T16:01:00.019-04:002022-06-26T19:30:59.481-04:00Sign of the Dove<p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVnexeZenBY0vBhwemalGYDDH3phJeBjJ9dAwJg7oONKjrEiI-0AA6_MU7wkK73Axt18th64vDSIdRli1tsk8AsqmQYkRKFzR15hHtwgdlHk2dVqfBiT8X8jQzbS_vEMb6PZ-6zXGkWz1dPemB7huuDy67aC-DQMIWx9DM15W6ifh9RdzMIXFiEpINQ/s1731/Dove%20on%20a%20pole%20at%20cathedral.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1731" data-original-width="1165" height="561" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVnexeZenBY0vBhwemalGYDDH3phJeBjJ9dAwJg7oONKjrEiI-0AA6_MU7wkK73Axt18th64vDSIdRli1tsk8AsqmQYkRKFzR15hHtwgdlHk2dVqfBiT8X8jQzbS_vEMb6PZ-6zXGkWz1dPemB7huuDy67aC-DQMIWx9DM15W6ifh9RdzMIXFiEpINQ/w376-h561/Dove%20on%20a%20pole%20at%20cathedral.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Lora;"><b>"Sign of the Dove"</b></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am a country chapel girl sitting in a magnificent cathedral</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Waiting for a friend’s glorious ordination in which</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">By some extraordinary grace, I am reading a lectionary Scripture.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The service begins with pomp and pageantry all around:</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pipe organ and choir, vestments and chalices.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">It seems so formal that I hope I don’t make a mistake</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">When I ascend to the lectern at my appointed time.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then I see, at the front of the grand processional</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">A sign of divine grace that makes my heart leap:</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">A man in a robe swirling a beribboned pole </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">With a white fabric dove swooping and bobbing </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fluttering along wherever it will.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">That dove is the sign of the Holy Spirit</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Who is not at all tethered to a pole with a silken cord.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">I instantly know in my own spirit that</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>The Holy Spirit moves where the Holy Spirit wants to move.</b></i></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>The Holy Spirit does what the Holy Spirit wants to do.</b></i></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Holy Spirit is not bound by human plans.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Holy Spirit sets me free to worship and love and serve</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I am filled to the fullness – <i>alleluia</i>!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">I ascend to the lectern with confidence</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">To speak forth the Word of the Lord (Thanks be to God!)</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">With exuberance and joy among his holy saints</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Knowing that the Holy Spirit who has led us all to this place</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Is the Holy Spirit who still moves all around the world</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Doing the mighty work of the Lord far beyond</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">All we could ask or even imagine – <i>alleluia</i>!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;">~~~~</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='429' height='357' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwwOwFE5QqAl-FMBuzcaeJwHsRwhtw2PCh9HWbdtA6_wNFO5vdgIt2JCBEvNRWzrLs0RAXrUxl5_qaUt1doWg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a video of the dove on the pole during the recessional after the ordination. </div><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">In my last poem, </span><a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2022/03/echo-of-sacred-story.html"><span><b>Echo of the Sacred Story</b></span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span> <span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">I reflected on an Advent sermon by my dear friend Patricia Orlando. This newest poem is inspired by her ordination on May 22, 2022, at the same place, The Cathedral Church of St. Luke in downtown Orlando.</span></span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsTtSq9iHfouJpbo2tHatfRj19CHcec7MEWnoOuLaYrPdqkRP8Ltz0LjmPj0pxRLEXwN4IlwlSqUm1hv8jXiKS_-wQPbFBAIRHQpNO2yvoXj8l5wcrNyxawLMbCV5E27tp26TUdQiG3E39MP4-bFEWm0XteMh-0E6rOYCe_yji16YRVTKrAhoAtL89ag" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="465" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsTtSq9iHfouJpbo2tHatfRj19CHcec7MEWnoOuLaYrPdqkRP8Ltz0LjmPj0pxRLEXwN4IlwlSqUm1hv8jXiKS_-wQPbFBAIRHQpNO2yvoXj8l5wcrNyxawLMbCV5E27tp26TUdQiG3E39MP4-bFEWm0XteMh-0E6rOYCe_yji16YRVTKrAhoAtL89ag=w375-h256" width="375" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Lora;">(In this photo, the people I recognize are Bishop Greg Brewer who is seated, Patricia in the white robe, and her husband Michael in the black suit.)</span><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was absolutely thrilled when Patricia asked me to read a lectionary passage at the service. She knows how much I love to do this at our "country chapel" which is actually at a retreat center overlooking a lake. Beyond that, though, it is just such huge honor for me to be chosen</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; white-space: pre-wrap;"> out of all of the people she could have picked. The Old Testament p</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; white-space: pre-wrap;">assage was read so marvelously by Dr. Jeff Frymire, professor of preaching at our own Asbury Theological Seminary. I was assigned to </span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #222222;">1 Peter 5:1-11, which is about the responsibility of a pastor to serve </span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #222222;">a congregation </span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #222222;">with humility and grace. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I did feel nervous! I practiced before the service at the lectern and tried to listen carefully as they gave me liturgical instructions such as, "Bow to the verger before you start reading." Of course, I forgot that entirely once I got up there to do my thing. My mind was only on the Word, my friend, and the rest of the precious saints in the beautiful building. The video below begins when I start my reading.
</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iYAYf8VnFaU?start=1890" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></span></div><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">So it was the dove on the pole -- and the glorious liberty of the Holy Spirit -- which set my mind at ease and reminded me why we were all really there: to worship and glorify the Lord, who is Spirit.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFwc1agtPgsu9gqeQJHwR_-C2mpXtw9aItgwzesi-D4WqbVteT---LJcixU60m1VxQGWSPfB5LtNn-NJ8yzpky2Zdkc8yy8ZkfjhPwLPOkwu-ZTVixYffHnTQSqS0cNPZIk6hw-cTHtKyefwcIaxoJhmknF-ZMXunXQ2rxpch-MJzW0b0uJWMJsxeTmQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="333" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFwc1agtPgsu9gqeQJHwR_-C2mpXtw9aItgwzesi-D4WqbVteT---LJcixU60m1VxQGWSPfB5LtNn-NJ8yzpky2Zdkc8yy8ZkfjhPwLPOkwu-ZTVixYffHnTQSqS0cNPZIk6hw-cTHtKyefwcIaxoJhmknF-ZMXunXQ2rxpch-MJzW0b0uJWMJsxeTmQ=w264-h352" width="264" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Apparently, the dove on the pole is often used during the season of Pentecost (which marks the descent of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2) in liturgical churches. This service was just before Pentecost, so I guess they broke theirs out early at the cathedral. The video above is from the recessional. Our small Episcopal chapel (below) had a dove on a much shorter pole on actual Pentecost Sunday. </span></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYisSSODOI4_rLWs21Xg2tmxmqb289TgljVaP--pCkQdnZzjmA-2aer7cXUSU6D3z_m7kemIkjYVoB6ONUk2cEr8FH6-iuu5m7C5bnf_JCNfrnMiNI2B5hrjpsFGvQzbJxSO3jyaTDPtiz1zUZv63ZoHf6vYVvuY8gyHZXDvo_s-IDA2AZAOtY0rWwNQ/s1560/Dove%20on%20a%20pole%20at%20Incarnation.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="1170" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYisSSODOI4_rLWs21Xg2tmxmqb289TgljVaP--pCkQdnZzjmA-2aer7cXUSU6D3z_m7kemIkjYVoB6ONUk2cEr8FH6-iuu5m7C5bnf_JCNfrnMiNI2B5hrjpsFGvQzbJxSO3jyaTDPtiz1zUZv63ZoHf6vYVvuY8gyHZXDvo_s-IDA2AZAOtY0rWwNQ/w298-h398/Dove%20on%20a%20pole%20at%20Incarnation.jpg" width="298" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">A word about <i>alleluia</i> in my poem: I wrote this in there first because it seemed so fitting in worship, but then I realized that it's also an inside joke. In our liturgy, we don't say the usual <i>alleluias </i>during the season of Lent, saving it for Easter. But I'm a bit of a rebel, so most weeks I would still whisper it loudly at the regular spots, and Patricia would nudge me and whisper it back to me. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, <b><i>ALLELUIA</i></b>! And congratulations, Mother Patricia!</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><div><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #030303; font-family: Lora, serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><p><br /></p>Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-73486691310942847042022-03-28T14:15:00.014-04:002022-03-28T15:02:37.968-04:00Echo of the Sacred Story<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjP9OJt4CxWvBd_aOFqblF0ROEKklw35zRr8oQ7SOvPR3lVcddVMPUZOt4PT8ZWpYtXOxqCdB3CCi8TYOuZpaAZ7xdOCc6mGDLruUYb9Ko2sKZhfYCxC2M_1zJHVpfmVnVN_4DMsVJtiboWWPXKdMJ4v0uRUBOYiJSGAcoCvfzX0fCA24Qo7cfHdnRaw/s3814/St%20Luke%20Cross.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3814" data-original-width="2906" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjP9OJt4CxWvBd_aOFqblF0ROEKklw35zRr8oQ7SOvPR3lVcddVMPUZOt4PT8ZWpYtXOxqCdB3CCi8TYOuZpaAZ7xdOCc6mGDLruUYb9Ko2sKZhfYCxC2M_1zJHVpfmVnVN_4DMsVJtiboWWPXKdMJ4v0uRUBOYiJSGAcoCvfzX0fCA24Qo7cfHdnRaw/w488-h640/St%20Luke%20Cross.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">In the resounding Echo of the Grandest Narrative,<br />Hear your own invitation to the Sacred Story.<br />Say along with the saints:<br />“Be it done to me according to your Word!”<br />Imagine and realize what this means:<br />What wonder and honor<br />To be an ambassador of grace and mercy <br />On a mission of redemption in this world!<br />Then be filled with joy in your eager heart,<br />For in this moment, <br />The God of Glory becomes bigger than the world around you<br />You will find your purpose or, shall we say, </span><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">Your Purpose will find you <br />As you listen within the quiet and within the noise.<br />Listen for that echo!<br />Enter his Mansion of Joy:<br />Explore each doorway, gaze out each window,<br />Dwell in each new place you find,<br />And feast at each table, sharing the riches of the Word <br />Singing a Magnificat of praises with thanksgiving <br />And inviting others into the Sacred Story <br />Welcome home!</span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">~~</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">I wrote this poem as a reflection of a sermon by Rev. Patricia Orlando, my dear friend and mentor. A transitional deacon awaiting her ordination as an Episcopal priest this spring, she is on the pastoral staff at the Cathedral of St. Luke in downtown Orlando. I visited there the Sunday before Christmas 2021 when she was preaching this message on the ministry and Magnificat of Mary. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0giZgZQgTeSTa8TNweJEcKtHROtC6HVjrRhQQ_69yq6f0hAiYIRyRqy_ifTbAhqfgsOLBUKL4nMePYyNNjyc2luu58026pxZniEqM_Rbg3NmfjbylHO1mYV4tjA3AWQbmpSzqynwkuXjoXDzityEpZurNfzlmbHTiVNwJv6VZbahIZ0dd6ensjrHxdA/s3468/St%20Luke%20Patricia%20preaching.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="2312" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0giZgZQgTeSTa8TNweJEcKtHROtC6HVjrRhQQ_69yq6f0hAiYIRyRqy_ifTbAhqfgsOLBUKL4nMePYyNNjyc2luu58026pxZniEqM_Rbg3NmfjbylHO1mYV4tjA3AWQbmpSzqynwkuXjoXDzityEpZurNfzlmbHTiVNwJv6VZbahIZ0dd6ensjrHxdA/w426-h640/St%20Luke%20Patricia%20preaching.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">In some ways, this is a "found poem" since I wove in the words from the notes I scribbled on an offering envelope.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszKNrF7hQ0X7KBEmkQ7fNPPvJfuoBW-ea6FDLZ1g3OvOQFOaipQHrGEMQkUZ_EwockruLCaxF_vsk_1fYdp1aZFOf9aokUBOIdWY2mRatJm-6gf3Yv_FlBUV4vQ3mh-cS_l9Ele94L5UvVWYMg8zE-gVCVaa0Te5kCP-3WEoxuYiyGaVpxnmuyE_x7w/s4032/Echo%20sermon%20for%20poem.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszKNrF7hQ0X7KBEmkQ7fNPPvJfuoBW-ea6FDLZ1g3OvOQFOaipQHrGEMQkUZ_EwockruLCaxF_vsk_1fYdp1aZFOf9aokUBOIdWY2mRatJm-6gf3Yv_FlBUV4vQ3mh-cS_l9Ele94L5UvVWYMg8zE-gVCVaa0Te5kCP-3WEoxuYiyGaVpxnmuyE_x7w/w480-h640/Echo%20sermon%20for%20poem.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8DA1erZV9GxTIw7Fe19uBhqupRBM6mD7yqq-gHYhcNcghQ0wgf_u2usH_7Lbp5V9I6TQeXQYhSDhJel07fKBgZiDRe4kYg7YcrPIEyeLoSC0iSurSNM-cc-nTcHZYQQJEFn0pipniTtQY_aPrOHoOJI284cqenRhJzr7Sh7ZZRLo-EcraYnsehQUxg/s2834/St%20Luke%20Virginia%20and%20Patricia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2834" data-original-width="1889" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8DA1erZV9GxTIw7Fe19uBhqupRBM6mD7yqq-gHYhcNcghQ0wgf_u2usH_7Lbp5V9I6TQeXQYhSDhJel07fKBgZiDRe4kYg7YcrPIEyeLoSC0iSurSNM-cc-nTcHZYQQJEFn0pipniTtQY_aPrOHoOJI284cqenRhJzr7Sh7ZZRLo-EcraYnsehQUxg/w426-h640/St%20Luke%20Virginia%20and%20Patricia.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRXUK5pYF57nl798chcGqGByN3BDePsrCyTu7bpR-2jWpGIj-VKA49_Eh_KxrgXuzEpU6H-jw1lk5VI1AUXloCQ7wO9lW7ASNej18KevCXGMPNjYpEWS5hyntFafkAwxbR4JkrZ8d340vt9Nm11yftPQpu5vh17V-ROoK1uRRx2mPWSGjA_O24BebzQ/s4032/St%20Luke%20toward%20altar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRXUK5pYF57nl798chcGqGByN3BDePsrCyTu7bpR-2jWpGIj-VKA49_Eh_KxrgXuzEpU6H-jw1lk5VI1AUXloCQ7wO9lW7ASNej18KevCXGMPNjYpEWS5hyntFafkAwxbR4JkrZ8d340vt9Nm11yftPQpu5vh17V-ROoK1uRRx2mPWSGjA_O24BebzQ/w480-h640/St%20Luke%20toward%20altar.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPjbsielI9MAzURRd_Fn55aD1kj-sqx_2Zh6yWUg6fef6DPaLIp_rjnT0VWQDKRVBSwxpRRmpWHniA0Aw0aKqFcS6xFt7WdTdCTF1ZB0ldgGvvqLIEGnupaogWqwccIEsBY6D7yvIP9BrzJMnW9uJlZn-K9gf7MCtHGYzzNNlxFV6arrqilQfNbbnOQ/s2483/St%20Luke%20arch%20window.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2483" data-original-width="1655" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgPjbsielI9MAzURRd_Fn55aD1kj-sqx_2Zh6yWUg6fef6DPaLIp_rjnT0VWQDKRVBSwxpRRmpWHniA0Aw0aKqFcS6xFt7WdTdCTF1ZB0ldgGvvqLIEGnupaogWqwccIEsBY6D7yvIP9BrzJMnW9uJlZn-K9gf7MCtHGYzzNNlxFV6arrqilQfNbbnOQ/w426-h640/St%20Luke%20arch%20window.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I usually write an Advent poem each year. This one would have been perfect for 2021, but I didn't write it until earlier this month. </span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">These words encourage me today as I contemplate where I fit in with the Grand Narrative, what my specific ministry is as I move forward. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Echoing my poem, I know I am "an ambassador of grace and mercy on a mission of redemption in this world."</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> I have always said that God leads me in unusual ways, with unexpected twists and turns. I continue to wait, work, and pray as he shows me what is next in my life. As this stained glass window reminds me, the Lord is my Shepherd and he leads me on the path. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQnHlPgkPTnfPJ2vRpzxTs_DMTd0EaCjcPrS7FYvz-iPDNDxQXQMjIp-Qx3AO4ACqK3Dl_zVmSLZykFEduPVUwqBWT_V0t3a5GMzyBDCZDp-4VToLd1NTHbFrors9VV2PBrB1Uy38TjgkNt5R6sWts2P57MuZgzHlXLxs3_zidv89ToHr2J5COhVqSQ/s3139/St%20Luke%20Psalm%2023%20window.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3139" data-original-width="2711" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQnHlPgkPTnfPJ2vRpzxTs_DMTd0EaCjcPrS7FYvz-iPDNDxQXQMjIp-Qx3AO4ACqK3Dl_zVmSLZykFEduPVUwqBWT_V0t3a5GMzyBDCZDp-4VToLd1NTHbFrors9VV2PBrB1Uy38TjgkNt5R6sWts2P57MuZgzHlXLxs3_zidv89ToHr2J5COhVqSQ/w552-h640/St%20Luke%20Psalm%2023%20window.jpg" width="552" /></a></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Grace and peace,</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">You may also like to read some of my more recent Advent poems. </span></div><div><br /></div><ul><li><a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2019/11/dear-bezalel-advent-poem-for-artists.html"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Dear Bezalel (An Advent Poem for Artists) - 2019</b></span></a></li><li><a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/12/we-can-rise-advent-poem-2018.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>We Can Rise - 2018</b></span></a></li><li><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/12/god-of-joy-i-see-thee-advent-2017-poem.html"><b>God of Joy, I See Thee - 2017</b></a></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2015/12/bring-me-advent-poem-2015.html"><b>Bring Me - 2015</b></a></span></li><li><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/12/pure-devotion-advent-poem-2014.html"><b>Pure Devotion - 2014</b></a></span></li></ul><div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEv2wbzcmpkD_ke-ojwfcyvWWs5ULsicYhkTRBexuyB1D48kNgxpgnd0t3GpCvLzPAMVlGkPjBgB_QlF3GXhMTdL8YuRpcUSpvgPgUZJwrgJkIMhokwIwHQIm7XO5rs4EWEzPtO99haHlWFG0NfqjwjwVdaHdBD2ZQq9RSepdw3DbdGYXvYI__hDuF4A/s499/Radical%20Hospitality.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="357" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEv2wbzcmpkD_ke-ojwfcyvWWs5ULsicYhkTRBexuyB1D48kNgxpgnd0t3GpCvLzPAMVlGkPjBgB_QlF3GXhMTdL8YuRpcUSpvgPgUZJwrgJkIMhokwIwHQIm7XO5rs4EWEzPtO99haHlWFG0NfqjwjwVdaHdBD2ZQq9RSepdw3DbdGYXvYI__hDuF4A/s320/Radical%20Hospitality.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">At Church of the Incarnation (where I attend), we are studying the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Hospitality-Benedicts-Way-Love/" target="_blank"><b>Radical Hospitality: Benedict's Way of Love</b></a> on Wednesday evenings. (We eat soup together first!) I read this poem during our breakout group at the last meeting. I wrote it many years ago, but it seems to fit not only with that study but with this current poem. Here's the link: </span><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2013/03/bella-sophia-lady-wisdom-sets-her-table.html"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Bella Sophia (Lady Wisdom Sets Her Table)</b></span></a><span style="font-size: xx-large;">.</span></div><div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div>Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-8304091673103205912021-07-19T22:56:00.010-04:002021-10-15T09:12:46.570-04:00Virginia's Life: Summer 2021 Update!<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D8TMIjHoCjA/YPYSwPRwueI/AAAAAAABogQ/cJO77f4rrJcpULlPBV3837NgPqlED5S9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s469/Graduation.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="469" data-original-width="368" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D8TMIjHoCjA/YPYSwPRwueI/AAAAAAABogQ/cJO77f4rrJcpULlPBV3837NgPqlED5S9QCLcBGAsYHQ/w502-h640/Graduation.jpeg" width="502" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Dear friends,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It's been over a year since I've written here on this blog, except for the poem and road trip photo journal I just posted today. I thought I'd give you an update!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Asbury Seminary</u></b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The biggest thing that has happened in the last year is that I graduated from <a href="https://asburyseminary.edu/" target="_blank"><b>Asbury Theological Seminary</b></a> with a <a href="https://asburyseminary.edu/academics/degrees/master-of-arts/ministry/" target="_blank"><b>Master of Arts in Ministry</b></a> on May 15 at the Orlando campus ceremony! I wish we could have had our guests come in person but at least they could watch the live stream. Seminary took me just three years since this degree is only 48 credits. Since I didn't have to take Greek or Hebrew or any of the other most difficult classes, I managed to maintain a 4.0 GPA. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZEKd8n_ODo/YPY2eItV7_I/AAAAAAABoh8/a7SbJ6BeeTUmvRu3Qgt-kJfrm3xpdVtCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s515/Graduation%2Bdiploma.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="487" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZEKd8n_ODo/YPY2eItV7_I/AAAAAAABoh8/a7SbJ6BeeTUmvRu3Qgt-kJfrm3xpdVtCQCLcBGAsYHQ/w379-h400/Graduation%2Bdiploma.jpg" width="379" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I have always said, and still say with all my heart, "Asbury gave me my life back!" I met amazing people, learned so much about theology and ministry, raised abuse advocacy awareness among students and faculty, and gained confidence in my calling. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I also had the wonderful opportunity to work for two of my professors for two semesters. I was a Practical Theology course assistant, which meant grading papers, interacting on the discussion boards, teaching a Zoom session on research methodology, and coaching students on their writing projects. For the other professor, I evaluated doctoral ministry student term papers. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I flew up to the Wilmore, Kentucky campus this spring for my Transformative Teaching class. This dear professor, Dr. Beverly Johnson-Miller, taught my Practical Theology class last spring and had hired me as her course assistant in the fall. She pulled me aside after class to commend and commission me for my ministry, especially with empowering those in crisis situations. Her words were priceless. I wish I had a recording of them. I am so blessed.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dzrPcEXltk/YPY2GEaH2oI/AAAAAAABohw/MhGiGjpHaocPyI-WqaY73ti3PkWN4UGIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Professor%2Bin%2BWilmore.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="834" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dzrPcEXltk/YPY2GEaH2oI/AAAAAAABohw/MhGiGjpHaocPyI-WqaY73ti3PkWN4UGIwCLcBGAsYHQ/w348-h400/Professor%2Bin%2BWilmore.jpg" width="348" /></span></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">What's Next?</span></u></b></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Many people have asked what I will do with my seminary degree. I was tempted at first to try to find some big new thing, like church employment or training in spiritual direction. However, the more I contemplated this, the more I realized that right now I just need to quietly focus on what is already in front of me, which is more than enough. I'd rather go deep and do it well than spread myself too thin. In a few years (when my youngest graduates from high school) I will be able to reassess my direction and pursue more "ministry" opportunities.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">So here is what I am doing for now:</span></p><span style="font-size: large;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;">I am almost done writing another book, <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"><b>Burned: Rising from the Ashes of Spiritual Crisis</b>.</a> It's filled with restorative spiritual practices, mainly for people who have been burned up or burned out with their religious experiences but really for anyone who wants a closer connection with God. I started writing it last summer after hearing, "It's time to write another book!" while I was praying. This was a surprise to me. People have been telling me I should, but I kept answering, "I just don't have time right now!" But I took it as a word from the Lord and started writing. I knew it was going to take an awful lot of careful preparation, so I only took one class that fall semester: an independent research course on crisis and spirituality. I read about 2,200 pages and wrote half the book. I also attended the Florida Christian Writer's Conference as my "field trip" for the class. In the spring semester, in addition to the two other classes I needed to graduate, I did a second independent research course and continued to read (another 2,200 pages!) and write. Now I've got about four chapters and an extensive appendix left to write. Please check out the website and hit the subscribe button! If this book launches well, I will continue to write other books.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I am active in my own congregation with the Scripture, prayer, and greeting ministries. I also teach Transplanted, a women's Bible study on the Psalms, every other week on Zoom.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span>I still work part-time from home for the United Way 211 crisis and referral helpline, which also serves the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in our area. I've been there for three years and recently passed my AIRS certification.</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Next month I start teaching middle school and high school language arts in a local homeschool program one day per week. I love teaching this subject at these grade levels, and I am so grateful for the extra income. It's been several years since I taught in the classroom, so I'm also glad I took a Transformative Teaching class in my last semester of seminary.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I am still homeschooling my youngest daughter for the rest of high school, which is another three years. I think this makes about 30 years of homeschooling so far if you count preschool with my oldest.</li></ul><div><b><u>My Kids</u></b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>My almost 16 year old daughter will be in my language arts class, as well as a studio art class in the homeschool program. She has done an amazing job getting her bedroom in order this past year with mega-organizing. Her dad came over to help her paint, and she's redone all of her decorating as well. I am so proud of her!</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>My 18 year old son graduated from public high school in May and is joining the Navy. He leaves for boot camp in Illinois at the end of this month and then will train in aircraft mechanics in northwest Florida. I'm going to miss him so much! Wahhhh! Though raised in our Protestant home, he was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic church at Easter. He now has quite a collection of icons, rosaries, crucifixes, and beautiful things which reflect his faith. We have the loveliest conversations.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>My 20 year old daughter is a college student and a customer service manager. She has taken a lot of very hard science courses but hasn't yet decided on her major. She is very active in student leadership on her campus and enjoys frequent trips to the beach. She still lives at home.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>My 22 year old son, who joined the Navy last year, finished his course at the Defense Language Institute in California last month and is awaiting orders for his next assignment. He continues to compose amazing music.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>My 24 year old son works full-time and lives nearby; he had COVID last year and was out of work for a month but has made a full recovery. He is an excellent chef. I think he should open a catering business someday.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>My 26 year old daughter is a ceramics artist and restaurant server. She and her husband are building a house near St. Augustine and will be reclaiming her dog Persephone who has been living with me for several years.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>My 28 year old daughter, a licensed marriage and family therapist just started in private practice specializing in religious trauma. She and her husband live in Melbourne, Florida. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>My 30 year old daughter is a hospital RN and lives nearby. I was hospitalized for a few days last year and was lucky enough to get a bed in her cardiovascular progressive care unit. She took some time off and monitored my care from my room. She loves to travel with her next younger sister. They went for a western national parks adventure this past year. She lives with her kitty and housemates.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>My 32 year old daughter has been managing a legal office but has reduced her hours. She and her husband have two children and three cats and live nearby. They frequently also visit his family's cabin in North Carolina. I love that she is well connected with great friends. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>My 34 year old daughter started her own business from home with public relations, writing, editing, and web design. She and her husband both homeschool their four children. They all live nearby with their dog.</li></ul></div></span><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Travel</u></b></span></p><p></p><span style="font-size: large;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;">My two youngest children and I took a road trip last month to Maryland and back. You can see my photo journal of that here: <a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2021/07/road-trip-2021.html"><b>Road Trip 2021!</b></a></span></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hVjzoOP-9xc/YPY3BMKmM7I/AAAAAAABoiE/bO4pWY7IpCEjNvxwu9l8jq2o1hWLUBsdACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Natural%2BChimneys%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hVjzoOP-9xc/YPY3BMKmM7I/AAAAAAABoiE/bO4pWY7IpCEjNvxwu9l8jq2o1hWLUBsdACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Natural%2BChimneys%2B1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;">My youngest daughter and I also took a trip to St. Petersburg, Florida for two days to see art museums. We especially loved the <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"><b>Imagine</b></a> and Chihuly glass art museums.</span></li></ul><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-alPrDPqOjzQ/YPY15g3IpQI/AAAAAAABohs/I7VqjpcjJ20lxpHd8ULMqhVPhuogjP0AACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Imagine%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="882" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-alPrDPqOjzQ/YPY15g3IpQI/AAAAAAABohs/I7VqjpcjJ20lxpHd8ULMqhVPhuogjP0AACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Imagine%2B2.jpg" /></a></div><br /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">Right now I am scrambling to get as many house projects done as I can before school starts in just a few weeks!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">One last thing: I just posted a poem about a mourning dove on this blog today. It's in honor of my mother, who passed away eight years ago today. You can find it here: </span><a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2021/07/what-do-i-know.html" style="color: #2a84df; font-family: "Mountains of Christmas"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What Do I Know?</b></span></a></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">That's all for now folks!</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Grace and peace,</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-19030809752482215202021-07-19T16:56:00.005-04:002021-07-19T16:56:36.587-04:00Road Trip 2021!<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xUgAdn-uHyA/YPXXBHLYwSI/AAAAAAABoc4/oKrhgzzGlMMZlFMBaYTzUi9JTknTtfYMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Natural%2BChimneys%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xUgAdn-uHyA/YPXXBHLYwSI/AAAAAAABoc4/oKrhgzzGlMMZlFMBaYTzUi9JTknTtfYMgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Natural%2BChimneys%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Road Trip 2021!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Last month, my youngest daughter and I embarked on 15 day road trip to Maryland to see my dad and my sister. We drove three days to get there, visiting family and friends and cool stuff along the way. My youngest son flew up halfway through our trip and spent a few days with us in Maryland. Then the three of us spent three days driving home, visiting even more family and fascinating sights. This is my photo journal of the trip which includes Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland -- and back through the same states again. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">On the Road</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our first stop, St. Augustine, is only 100 miles from home. My fifth daughter lives there with her husband. I'm not sure why we didn't get any pictures of them, but I did snap one of the spicy potato tacos they made for us!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-msx9YmMbGWU/YPXGCqCdh7I/AAAAAAABoYM/URkFeqDoJvYmXXjyFSzG4JlEQ8fA53BAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s261/Tacos%2Bin%2BSt.%2BAugustine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="261" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-msx9YmMbGWU/YPXGCqCdh7I/AAAAAAABoYM/URkFeqDoJvYmXXjyFSzG4JlEQ8fA53BAwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/Tacos%2Bin%2BSt.%2BAugustine.png" width="400" /></a></div></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Side Trip to Greenville, South Carolina!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We spent the night in Orangeburg, South Carolina so we could make it to Greensville by lunchtime. </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">About a week before we left, I commented on a random Facebook post about survivor advocacy.</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: center;">Kristi (on the right), was intrigued by what I wrote a</span><span style="text-align: center;">nd invited me to lunch </span><span style="text-align: center;">if I was ever in Greensville, South Carolina. </span><span style="text-align: center;">As it turned out,</span><br style="text-align: center;" /><span style="text-align: center;">we'd be driving within a few hours of there on our road trip </span><span style="text-align: center;">-- so we took a detour! </span><span style="text-align: center;">We were joined by our mutual friend Rebecca, an author whose books I love. </span><span style="text-align: center;">These two women are the force behind the survivor advocacy group <a href="http://bjugrace.com/" target="_blank"><b>BJU Grace</b></a>. </span><span style="text-align: center;">I am so grateful for our time talking about our work and lives.</span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e_ft4PD97gA/YPWwcXHegTI/AAAAAAABoWI/7cEvBf43980OYEuhxYu3TdRaS4fucr2BQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Rebecca%2Band%2BKristi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="960" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e_ft4PD97gA/YPWwcXHegTI/AAAAAAABoWI/7cEvBf43980OYEuhxYu3TdRaS4fucr2BQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/Rebecca%2Band%2BKristi.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Durham, NC</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We drove from Greenville to Durham, North Carolina to meet up with my second cousin Jean for pizza. Jean has been my dear friend for the past fifteen years since we reconnected at a family reunion. I appreciate her emotional support during some of my tumultuous times since then!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4n6A82Ja1g/YPW2UUjVXAI/AAAAAAABoX0/zMLiIzlKP9wF9V165yAHMPtZKr3Yx0KGACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Jean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="802" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4n6A82Ja1g/YPW2UUjVXAI/AAAAAAABoX0/zMLiIzlKP9wF9V165yAHMPtZKr3Yx0KGACLcBGAsYHQ/w534-h640/Jean.jpg" width="534" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We spent the night in Durham and then visited the <a href="https://gardens.duke.edu/" style="font-family: Geogia, serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><b>Sarah P. Duke Gardens</b></a> at Duke University in the morning. It was hot so we only stayed about two or three hours. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bNwvc3ZLjp4/YPWwcCRQtaI/AAAAAAABoWA/gkayhc8O8TgZe2gInX13QsmTv4i15AYeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Duke%2BGardens%2Bterraces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bNwvc3ZLjp4/YPWwcCRQtaI/AAAAAAABoWA/gkayhc8O8TgZe2gInX13QsmTv4i15AYeQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Duke%2BGardens%2Bterraces.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hZppGy0-2L8/YPWwcb2fesI/AAAAAAABoWQ/-B_2hTh3PWchob1eYZIKuIag0avYoG7CACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Virginia%2Bat%2BDuke%2BGardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="960" height="522" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hZppGy0-2L8/YPWwcb2fesI/AAAAAAABoWQ/-B_2hTh3PWchob1eYZIKuIag0avYoG7CACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h522/Virginia%2Bat%2BDuke%2BGardens.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQigGHtzCgU/YPWwbrGU4hI/AAAAAAABoV4/kJagmolSWs8zIsWFB39G2nVNzhvO5zSJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Cone%2Bflowers%2Bat%2BDuke%2BGardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQigGHtzCgU/YPWwbrGU4hI/AAAAAAABoV4/kJagmolSWs8zIsWFB39G2nVNzhvO5zSJwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Cone%2Bflowers%2Bat%2BDuke%2BGardens.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s_YKlw2fV7Y/YPXcdr7yv-I/AAAAAAABodc/yTtAFgq9UJE23z-iQ7_9AEMYWbLj24okACLcBGAsYHQ/s261/AA%2BFlower%2Bat%2BDuke%2BGardens%2B%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="201" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s_YKlw2fV7Y/YPXcdr7yv-I/AAAAAAABodc/yTtAFgq9UJE23z-iQ7_9AEMYWbLj24okACLcBGAsYHQ/w493-h640/AA%2BFlower%2Bat%2BDuke%2BGardens%2B%25282%2529.png" width="493" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I love cathedrals and had been wanting to visit Duke Chapel. Unfortunately, it is closed to visitors right now so we had to be content with driving by. <span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zyOJTT2esUo/YPXc58oW4cI/AAAAAAABodk/W74Wn5Oq1HwwC3WrGJlfZIh3emQ1rxNEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s728/Duke%2BChapel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="728" data-original-width="554" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zyOJTT2esUo/YPXc58oW4cI/AAAAAAABodk/W74Wn5Oq1HwwC3WrGJlfZIh3emQ1rxNEwCLcBGAsYHQ/w488-h640/Duke%2BChapel.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Long Road, Tired Mama!</b></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>By this time, after our long hot walk in the gardens, exhaustion started to set in. I realized as we were driving through Virginia that I needed to recharge. We stopped at a rest area where I took a short nap. The traffic was so bad when we finally got to I-95 that we had to skip a planned visit to see my friend Karen that evening. </span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZVuQOBp0Fc/YPWwcUqqgII/AAAAAAABoWM/M7g_pLvRKYAwIabpalxw0OUKGvNoMIZUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Resting%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bvan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZVuQOBp0Fc/YPWwcUqqgII/AAAAAAABoWM/M7g_pLvRKYAwIabpalxw0OUKGvNoMIZUwCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h400/Resting%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bvan.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPnP5QWYhV4/YPXdWa1XAcI/AAAAAAABods/Anq38CwCgmkq1f-7_te3kNS46YUqK6AjwCLcBGAsYHQ/s259/LOVE%2Bsign%2Bat%2BVirginia%2Broad%2Bstop.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="259" height="309" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPnP5QWYhV4/YPXdWa1XAcI/AAAAAAABods/Anq38CwCgmkq1f-7_te3kNS46YUqK6AjwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h309/LOVE%2Bsign%2Bat%2BVirginia%2Broad%2Bstop.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">Maryland at Last!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of our 15 day trip, we spent nine days in Maryland, mainly visiting with my Dad and his wife Anny, as well as my sister Barb and her family. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our visits to my sister's house included a lot of kitty cuddling for my daughter.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GPSgkXontM8/YPXdsKu_n7I/AAAAAAABod0/yqWeanw-4OkuhH-W-mMg-7z5cm0F0VTvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s735/Daughter%2Band%2Bkitty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="512" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GPSgkXontM8/YPXdsKu_n7I/AAAAAAABod0/yqWeanw-4OkuhH-W-mMg-7z5cm0F0VTvQCLcBGAsYHQ/w446-h640/Daughter%2Band%2Bkitty.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am so happy that I got to visit with my friend Sharon just north of Baltimore. We hadn't seen each other since our sophomore year in high school!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lov7oQ5-kjc/YPXC1Fx3NLI/AAAAAAABoX8/q1gvVzLHmOs9YVhZ5fVkblYmlzj0Ve8GQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Old%2Bfriend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lov7oQ5-kjc/YPXC1Fx3NLI/AAAAAAABoX8/q1gvVzLHmOs9YVhZ5fVkblYmlzj0Ve8GQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Old%2Bfriend.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><p>We also had a belated Father's Day dinner at Bob Evans the day my son flew up to join us.</p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5CTDDVOj6l8/YPWwb5bUVbI/AAAAAAABoWE/Y51W8HPeqoY1aMVXzdkwAbM5yTKenL1LgCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Dinner%2Bat%2BBob%2BEvans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5CTDDVOj6l8/YPWwb5bUVbI/AAAAAAABoWE/Y51W8HPeqoY1aMVXzdkwAbM5yTKenL1LgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Dinner%2Bat%2BBob%2BEvans.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><p>Anny (at left in the photo above) feeds the deer in the backyard every day!</p></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qRja52xDqQE/YPXDFGZ84QI/AAAAAAABoYE/gFLd3okGCPo1gNg8oNPYa5ScGnIvMDgXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="960" height="502" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qRja52xDqQE/YPXDFGZ84QI/AAAAAAABoYE/gFLd3okGCPo1gNg8oNPYa5ScGnIvMDgXQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h502/Deer.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We visited a park at the Patuxent Branch for a short walk.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-08tcKKwSgeo/YPXJlDBkyyI/AAAAAAABoY0/yuWuorjbc0sDCnLXrE8e8PrR2-tnQRnWACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Patuxent%2BBranch%2Bwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-08tcKKwSgeo/YPXJlDBkyyI/AAAAAAABoY0/yuWuorjbc0sDCnLXrE8e8PrR2-tnQRnWACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Patuxent%2BBranch%2Bwater.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMLrrJC7JiY/YPXap5gVhrI/AAAAAAABodA/kXVXGG5w8Y0eWjCbp9rTilFr0gQpO6NCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/AA%2BTree%2Bat%2BPatuxent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMLrrJC7JiY/YPXap5gVhrI/AAAAAAABodA/kXVXGG5w8Y0eWjCbp9rTilFr0gQpO6NCwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/AA%2BTree%2Bat%2BPatuxent.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DHzxnxOEito/YPWwcrkpsGI/AAAAAAABoWU/AtIb-RtiFP0SDsruI6TIBzyTX9yDPYmbwCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/dad%2Bon%2Bbridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DHzxnxOEito/YPWwcrkpsGI/AAAAAAABoWU/AtIb-RtiFP0SDsruI6TIBzyTX9yDPYmbwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/dad%2Bon%2Bbridge.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I brought home the family Bible that belonged to my great-grandparents, Lily and William Brazier. It's got all sorts of goodies tucked in, many in Lily's handwriting.</span></div><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jEcGYqtuoK8/YPXKC6PzxoI/AAAAAAABoZI/3KBLzHf5Prw9zRLP9kLNTgKKZJnbwVW9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Family%2BBible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="804" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jEcGYqtuoK8/YPXKC6PzxoI/AAAAAAABoZI/3KBLzHf5Prw9zRLP9kLNTgKKZJnbwVW9gCLcBGAsYHQ/w536-h640/Family%2BBible.jpg" width="536" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mo_7ngW4hFY/YPXKJIo9zFI/AAAAAAABoZM/XNlu3qAWRZkwU6Qq8BxvPrILPTVyU-GCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Papers%2Bin%2Bfamily%2BBible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mo_7ngW4hFY/YPXKJIo9zFI/AAAAAAABoZM/XNlu3qAWRZkwU6Qq8BxvPrILPTVyU-GCgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Papers%2Bin%2Bfamily%2BBible.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another religious artifact from my dad's house, a little more modern, is the Jesus poster I gave to my late mother when I was a teenager. I brought it home, of course.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_4BqDSQYL0/YPXh5Uvg72I/AAAAAAABoek/Q2bCqIg2zOMF4qzFMzZKe6SxboPeEI13gCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/AA%2BJesus%2Bposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="594" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_4BqDSQYL0/YPXh5Uvg72I/AAAAAAABoek/Q2bCqIg2zOMF4qzFMzZKe6SxboPeEI13gCLcBGAsYHQ/w397-h640/AA%2BJesus%2Bposter.jpg" width="397" /></a></div><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">While we were in Maryland, my kids went down to Washington, D.C. with my nephew and his girlfriend. They visited the museum at <a href="https://www.fords.org/" target="_blank"><b>Ford's Theatre</b></a> (where Lincoln was assassinated), the <a href="https://americanhistory.si.edu/" target="_blank"><b>Smithsonian National Museum of American History</b></a>, and the Lincoln Memorial. The museums both require timed entry tickets reserved in advance.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>A Little Mishap While Loading the Van!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">While I loaded the van for our trip home the next morning, I accidentally stepped on a bottle of motor oil which slid out from under the seat. It spilled all over the place. We (mainly my son) spent hours cleaning it up using baking soda to soak up the oil. Lots of scooping and scraping, then layering plastic bags and luggage over it to cover the residual stickiness and smell on the way home! I still need to take it to be professionally cleaned. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HqK0X4x6iiA/YPWxmhWB7-I/AAAAAAABoWw/WCBysK1eLA4dlW4RpT9iSBqA2mSoj4nNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Motor%2Boil%2Bon%2Bvan%2Bfloor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HqK0X4x6iiA/YPWxmhWB7-I/AAAAAAABoWw/WCBysK1eLA4dlW4RpT9iSBqA2mSoj4nNwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Motor%2Boil%2Bon%2Bvan%2Bfloor.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></span><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTM92IFQxS0/YPWxmlqcIBI/AAAAAAABoW0/Lq-6XSLmM4g49nh1ZvQMRh8sx6sZCDDhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Cleaning%2Bup%2Bmotor%2Boil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xTM92IFQxS0/YPWxmlqcIBI/AAAAAAABoW0/Lq-6XSLmM4g49nh1ZvQMRh8sx6sZCDDhgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/Cleaning%2Bup%2Bmotor%2Boil.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finally on the road back home! We had big plans for the day but didn't get to do everything since we got a late start. The first item on the agenda was to drive 30 miles of <a href="https://visitskylinedrive.org/" target="_blank"><b>Skyline Drive</b></a> in the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm" target="_blank"><b>Shenandoah National Park</b></a>. The speed limit is 35 miles an hour, but we went much slower since we stopped at most of the overlooks!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">But before we even got to the park, we stopped at the Apple House for souvenirs and yummy apple donuts.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6F-ILRvslMA/YPXkRVGVEBI/AAAAAAABoe4/OHtEepIR5T4NOZGgbDZL5DVtfDRbk5p7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Apple%2BHouse%2Bin%2BVirginia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="960" height="558" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6F-ILRvslMA/YPXkRVGVEBI/AAAAAAABoe4/OHtEepIR5T4NOZGgbDZL5DVtfDRbk5p7QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h558/Apple%2BHouse%2Bin%2BVirginia.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k2ffOQRg9Ew/YPXLx0PO1NI/AAAAAAABoZY/zYvSg2mGLuoqi0YZpigUDOo84MnMrXWMwCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Donut%2Bat%2BApple%2BHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="650" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k2ffOQRg9Ew/YPXLx0PO1NI/AAAAAAABoZY/zYvSg2mGLuoqi0YZpigUDOo84MnMrXWMwCLcBGAsYHQ/w434-h640/Donut%2Bat%2BApple%2BHouse.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tkaevx69VF4/YPWxyjIdPbI/AAAAAAABoW8/cMSaymgjfec7Y11dCHi-mVucklqngF_zgCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Shenandoah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tkaevx69VF4/YPWxyjIdPbI/AAAAAAABoW8/cMSaymgjfec7Y11dCHi-mVucklqngF_zgCLcBGAsYHQ/w534-h640/Shenandoah.jpg" width="534" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eKTRjTuLJQ/YPWxy5NDT_I/AAAAAAABoXI/aaqptadNXP8j-kAZ-c4nZYdQ5IBeSuUZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Trees%2Bat%2BSkyline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8eKTRjTuLJQ/YPWxy5NDT_I/AAAAAAABoXI/aaqptadNXP8j-kAZ-c4nZYdQ5IBeSuUZwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Trees%2Bat%2BSkyline.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FAi_g39H5A/YPXa-tnEhII/AAAAAAABodM/OLS48th0Ue4yi84v6CPL_m8vFKlI2IfDACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Skyline%2BDrive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2FAi_g39H5A/YPXa-tnEhII/AAAAAAABodM/OLS48th0Ue4yi84v6CPL_m8vFKlI2IfDACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Skyline%2BDrive.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7oDjW9kL-Q/YPXeUToQJII/AAAAAAABoeE/48ph1cp2_k0UwCWDDpjLCSfkNmxoWDp4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Son%2Bat%2BSkyline%2Bdrive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7oDjW9kL-Q/YPXeUToQJII/AAAAAAABoeE/48ph1cp2_k0UwCWDDpjLCSfkNmxoWDp4gCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Son%2Bat%2BSkyline%2Bdrive.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be Strong and Courageous!</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h606HrQxJxo/YPXgXc4u3qI/AAAAAAABoeQ/B8rM_9nOXiIkY723bMMoQzWhqC8n0zQ4QCLcBGAsYHQ/s792/AA%2BShenandoah%2Bt-shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="678" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h606HrQxJxo/YPXgXc4u3qI/AAAAAAABoeQ/B8rM_9nOXiIkY723bMMoQzWhqC8n0zQ4QCLcBGAsYHQ/w548-h640/AA%2BShenandoah%2Bt-shirt.jpg" width="548" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Natural Chimneys in Virginia</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our next stop was <a href="https://dwr.virginia.gov/vbwt/sites/natural-chimneys-regional-park/" target="_blank"><b>Natural Chimneys Regional Park</b></a> in Mt. Solon, Virginia -- a bit off the main highway but worth the trip!</span></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0lVl2mhRZI/YPXMhkir0rI/AAAAAAABoZw/SubE8uIAqNkJMS8zZZLgxOzycWTaArnCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Natural%2BChimneys%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O0lVl2mhRZI/YPXMhkir0rI/AAAAAAABoZw/SubE8uIAqNkJMS8zZZLgxOzycWTaArnCQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Natural%2BChimneys%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BrTGaofUYkM/YPXMhYEl91I/AAAAAAABoZo/aIYo4KEiq101UkSKSLypOvnmos9hXEsqACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Natural%2BChimneys%2B2%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BrTGaofUYkM/YPXMhYEl91I/AAAAAAABoZo/aIYo4KEiq101UkSKSLypOvnmos9hXEsqACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Natural%2BChimneys%2B2%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BtVPbfs6kD4/YPXMhl9-HjI/AAAAAAABoZs/s1vL6XyhcyUAa4JvmsIyAG1bbTCy1tCLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Natural%2BChimneys%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BtVPbfs6kD4/YPXMhl9-HjI/AAAAAAABoZs/s1vL6XyhcyUAa4JvmsIyAG1bbTCy1tCLgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Natural%2BChimneys%2B3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Oops! Another Van Mishap!</span></b></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">On our way back to the main highway, my son was having an allergy attack. I pulled over into a parking lot to find the medicine in my supply kit. I just didn't realize I parked too close to the concrete base of the sign for the country store. As soon as I started to pull out, it tore a long slice into my tire. Fortunately, three men came over pretty quickly, and two of them changed it out with my spare. My son drove us carefully into Staunton, where we arrived at the Walmart Auto Center just half an hour before closing. I tell you, if you have to have a tire blow, this is the best you can expect! Plus, I found a Virginia hat at Walmart. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-suyl3jbcvKw/YPXgxaX3t0I/AAAAAAABoec/IYbeqL7jumEPmOeKaPfvYYxHDzggqv5sQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Country%2Bstore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="960" height="568" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-suyl3jbcvKw/YPXgxaX3t0I/AAAAAAABoec/IYbeqL7jumEPmOeKaPfvYYxHDzggqv5sQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h568/Country%2Bstore.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U4qRZFc16zw/YPWzfm3uDMI/AAAAAAABoXc/qqkxeCOgi60drU07yDCnOBxggCCl0Om6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Flat%2Btire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: 400; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U4qRZFc16zw/YPWzfm3uDMI/AAAAAAABoXc/qqkxeCOgi60drU07yDCnOBxggCCl0Om6QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Flat%2Btire.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BSPrOJT72LY/YPWzfmXl-BI/AAAAAAABoXk/xlSwrj2B7rIYHOYkld-pfCjDtvbWB2E_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Fixing%2Bthe%2Bflat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BSPrOJT72LY/YPWzfmXl-BI/AAAAAAABoXk/xlSwrj2B7rIYHOYkld-pfCjDtvbWB2E_gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Fixing%2Bthe%2Bflat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NtMv5xHUOpQ/YPXOtJHmiWI/AAAAAAABoaQ/rJK0FAqAhYUU8cXpdfOqWsyWJ8m8cqIpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Virginia%2Bhat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="790" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NtMv5xHUOpQ/YPXOtJHmiWI/AAAAAAABoaQ/rJK0FAqAhYUU8cXpdfOqWsyWJ8m8cqIpwCLcBGAsYHQ/w526-h640/Virginia%2Bhat.jpg" width="526" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Surprisingly, even after our flat tire, we still had just enough time to visit <a href="https://dwr.virginia.gov/vbwt/sites/natural-chimneys-regional-park/" target="_blank"><b>Natural Bridge State Park</b></a>. No, we hadn't had enough geological formations for the day! Though we were there less than an hour and the sun was setting, the three of us agreed it was worth the $9 each to get in. Believe it or not, this is really a bridge. There is a highway that runs along the top of it!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x4In6RLjFMU/YPXPpKsXnVI/AAAAAAABoac/EBEL4T73gTY-k1axh_P66110uHgP0zYJACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Natural%2BBridge%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="718" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x4In6RLjFMU/YPXPpKsXnVI/AAAAAAABoac/EBEL4T73gTY-k1axh_P66110uHgP0zYJACLcBGAsYHQ/w478-h640/Natural%2BBridge%2B1.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yinmXpafs9c/YPXPpDSH2JI/AAAAAAABoag/nr1rKxiBk-IWB6T392IZCk3a46JeCj1-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Natural%2BBridge%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yinmXpafs9c/YPXPpDSH2JI/AAAAAAABoag/nr1rKxiBk-IWB6T392IZCk3a46JeCj1-wCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Natural%2BBridge%2B2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4T489QGXPco/YPXPpJ8u0fI/AAAAAAABoaY/lF-SJsIdFP49s3fKDR7r6jDQ0h0BGagFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Natural%2BBridge%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4T489QGXPco/YPXPpJ8u0fI/AAAAAAABoaY/lF-SJsIdFP49s3fKDR7r6jDQ0h0BGagFwCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Natural%2BBridge%2B3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zguz9YLFHoM/YPXPpv64HEI/AAAAAAABoak/q5QWkFh2rgIaBsHgX7IN7OHPcU7alu0RQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Natural%2BBridge%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zguz9YLFHoM/YPXPpv64HEI/AAAAAAABoak/q5QWkFh2rgIaBsHgX7IN7OHPcU7alu0RQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Natural%2BBridge%2B4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yx52w3GMW_8/YPXPpwYSYFI/AAAAAAABoao/Q4I_ZgC8DB4lNDaEm-0Bvr4zQVbDoN_jACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Natural%2BBridge%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yx52w3GMW_8/YPXPpwYSYFI/AAAAAAABoao/Q4I_ZgC8DB4lNDaEm-0Bvr4zQVbDoN_jACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Natural%2BBridge%2B5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gGqXW2FI_HU/YPXPqd5RUOI/AAAAAAABoas/DKc7aKkSPs8cxM9BgQoogheVxdsHKbt2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Natural%2BBridge%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="744" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gGqXW2FI_HU/YPXPqd5RUOI/AAAAAAABoas/DKc7aKkSPs8cxM9BgQoogheVxdsHKbt2ACLcBGAsYHQ/w496-h640/Natural%2BBridge%2B6.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>North Carolina</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">After spending the night in Virginia, we headed toward Greensboro, North Carolina to have lunch with my second cousin Margaret (the sister of Jean, whom we visited on our way up). </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gkMw0ec0K40/YPXQTtGGYHI/AAAAAAABobA/ToeOyzQp4ngH-k1UbxR9CU90nhU5K2zsgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1982/Margaret.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1982" data-original-width="1586" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gkMw0ec0K40/YPXQTtGGYHI/AAAAAAABobA/ToeOyzQp4ngH-k1UbxR9CU90nhU5K2zsgCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h640/Margaret.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I always love talking to Margaret. Not only is she incredibly sweet, she also is a wealth of knowledge about history, including our shared ancestry. She recommended that we route our map app through a town called Cheraw to stay away from highway traffic. We stopped in Cheraw to photograph the building of St. Peter's Church. My son, who is a devout Catholic, had been visiting churches in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. as much as he could on our trip. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Z_EOocln-s/YPXbve4AOzI/AAAAAAABodU/g8fJdiKH31Yg5GR_QUyZZQAZS0spgwyVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s188/AA%2BSt.%2BPeters%2Bin%2BCheraw.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="146" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Z_EOocln-s/YPXbve4AOzI/AAAAAAABodU/g8fJdiKH31Yg5GR_QUyZZQAZS0spgwyVQCLcBGAsYHQ/w249-h320/AA%2BSt.%2BPeters%2Bin%2BCheraw.png" width="249" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We spent that night in Walterboro, South Carolina. We arrived at our hotel, where we had confirmed reservations, and they had no record of us whatsoever. I'm glad we found another room just down the street. Of course, we had our traditional last day of vacation breakfast at Cracker Barrel!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AcrXhnGW4vM/YPXgJpyHSMI/AAAAAAABoeM/sf18nHcjSHchyg-QgVQdKciJDA-pKIZjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/AA%2BCracker%2BBarrell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="960" height="506" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AcrXhnGW4vM/YPXgJpyHSMI/AAAAAAABoeM/sf18nHcjSHchyg-QgVQdKciJDA-pKIZjgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h506/AA%2BCracker%2BBarrell.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Savannah, Georgia</span></b></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">In Savannah, we visited two places: the <a href="https://savannahcathedral.org/" target="_blank"><b>Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist</b></a> and the <a href="https://www.shipsofthesea.org/" target="_blank"><b>Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum</b></a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GXKMaKan_E4/YPXSrMhg1cI/AAAAAAABobw/kYeDmEt94oAyz6u3QNuq6P2_vX8iaxWqACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/CSJB%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GXKMaKan_E4/YPXSrMhg1cI/AAAAAAABobw/kYeDmEt94oAyz6u3QNuq6P2_vX8iaxWqACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/CSJB%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Zzditm1xoI/YPXSrP2q8bI/AAAAAAABobs/utYyopTNbDMXpn2E5zERhVa38WcHKgMUgCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/CSJB%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Zzditm1xoI/YPXSrP2q8bI/AAAAAAABobs/utYyopTNbDMXpn2E5zERhVa38WcHKgMUgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/CSJB%2B2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T1XI6dy2kks/YPXSrND26NI/AAAAAAABobo/8s5UHJWCWLUZepzkspS27ykzFO0TXzoFACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/CSJB%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="642" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T1XI6dy2kks/YPXSrND26NI/AAAAAAABobo/8s5UHJWCWLUZepzkspS27ykzFO0TXzoFACLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/CSJB%2B3.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s_PEXsxxYSo/YPXSrfLvuaI/AAAAAAABob0/rX1_CgtZ_TocoxZMoZVAIwQTQAOlpAEpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/CSJB%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="822" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s_PEXsxxYSo/YPXSrfLvuaI/AAAAAAABob0/rX1_CgtZ_TocoxZMoZVAIwQTQAOlpAEpQCLcBGAsYHQ/w548-h640/CSJB%2B4.jpg" width="548" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uw5zujZ7UEk/YPXSrsfMrdI/AAAAAAABob4/HCkl2TgFTIMpeGvYj18WRNfZz5cAXYjdQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/CSJB%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uw5zujZ7UEk/YPXSrsfMrdI/AAAAAAABob4/HCkl2TgFTIMpeGvYj18WRNfZz5cAXYjdQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/CSJB%2B6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zb1AZCuw9uc/YPXSsHq5ldI/AAAAAAABob8/VvLLyjDgyRIFJYYZxV5cTm30ZNmlSKlnQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/CSJB%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zb1AZCuw9uc/YPXSsHq5ldI/AAAAAAABob8/VvLLyjDgyRIFJYYZxV5cTm30ZNmlSKlnQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/CSJB%2B7.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8zr9DpH_Smg/YPXSsNd0IbI/AAAAAAABocE/BR3t92rXl0Q94COnG5poaUjx2GXfx2L6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/CSJB%2B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8zr9DpH_Smg/YPXSsNd0IbI/AAAAAAABocE/BR3t92rXl0Q94COnG5poaUjx2GXfx2L6ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/CSJB%2B9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.shipsofthesea.org/" target="_blank"><b>Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum</b></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-52jwLKZILa4/YPXTYeFhtfI/AAAAAAABoco/LxcvFf8qJeo-__yLBzPqGJVXmaM96x_fQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Ship%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="960" height="466" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-52jwLKZILa4/YPXTYeFhtfI/AAAAAAABoco/LxcvFf8qJeo-__yLBzPqGJVXmaM96x_fQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h466/Ship%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oYimnDGN5rA/YPXTYey0dmI/AAAAAAABocg/tFZ53SjYSNIKsyClNCWP7ZTZwTl4I5jIACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Ship%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oYimnDGN5rA/YPXTYey0dmI/AAAAAAABocg/tFZ53SjYSNIKsyClNCWP7ZTZwTl4I5jIACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Ship%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0o-Zk2NZyXQ/YPXTYcemqNI/AAAAAAABock/DWBnfk4LZMQha8gFhAHLm7xOM1TVQMGuQCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Ship%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0o-Zk2NZyXQ/YPXTYcemqNI/AAAAAAABock/DWBnfk4LZMQha8gFhAHLm7xOM1TVQMGuQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/Ship%2B3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KzVGymdVo_w/YPXTYpFj-vI/AAAAAAABocs/RfrpJz3rHbM7LOD6GQT1GWVPcsu-cvxgACLcBGAsYHQ/s960/Ship%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="624" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KzVGymdVo_w/YPXTYpFj-vI/AAAAAAABocs/RfrpJz3rHbM7LOD6GQT1GWVPcsu-cvxgACLcBGAsYHQ/w416-h640/Ship%2B4.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">We would have loved to see more in historic Savannah, but we were tired and still had several hours of driving to get home. It's a good thing we didn't leave any later because we hit heavy rain on the way home and were completely worn out when we finally pulled into our driveway.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll end this photo journal with a sign I saw at the Apple House in Virginia. I take it as a reminder that even though I didn't get to do and see all that I wanted, I am so grateful for the experiences we did enjoy!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLO3ODSOHK4/YPXjEouHTUI/AAAAAAABoew/JDu7WVTZvSgnF43rzdomNkRqpKyBkqb3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1467/AA%2BHappiness.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="1467" height="620" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLO3ODSOHK4/YPXjEouHTUI/AAAAAAABoew/JDu7WVTZvSgnF43rzdomNkRqpKyBkqb3wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h620/AA%2BHappiness.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;">Grace and peace,</span><div><span style="font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-72546321125811481032021-07-19T11:21:00.008-04:002021-07-19T11:26:14.714-04:00What Do I Know?<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Yq7KOweT-E/YPWTKFwWTtI/AAAAAAABoVE/DFlg8wShdmM2X9eAggMeRlsWT4RYfUEFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s843/Mourning%2Bdove.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="843" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Yq7KOweT-E/YPWTKFwWTtI/AAAAAAABoVE/DFlg8wShdmM2X9eAggMeRlsWT4RYfUEFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Mourning%2Bdove.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">What do I know?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">I saw a mourning dove yesterday morning</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">hopping along the sidewalk near me.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">My mother taught me of mourning doves</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">so I knew this one by her shape, color, size -- </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">though then she did not speak. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-54b833c6-7fff-0500-aa63-c9b0586b8a82" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">I crept up quietly, but she knew and flew. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">The roof was a safe place; the roof and the sky, </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">because she has wings and I do not. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">I could see only her silhouette there</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">but it still said mourning dove to me.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">This morning I heard her plaintive call: </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Coo ah coo coo coo.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Coo ah coo coo coo.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">That was all she ever said, over and over again. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">But now I only hear the chirping and trilling o</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">f other smaller birds. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wait with my ears open. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now I hear her again: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Coo ah coo coo coo.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday I did not hear. Today I do not see. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">So tell me, is there a mourning dove around?</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Tell me what you know.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /><br /></span></p><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">~*~*~</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wrote this as a simple Facebook post last year, not even as a poem. It came up in my Memories feed. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; white-space: pre-wrap;">I did not mention in that post that this day, July 19, is the anniversary of my mother's death in 2013. The image of a mourning dove is so relevant here.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2qXe-W6gpTI/YPWVMECL2FI/AAAAAAABoVM/4qYUjbnpXVwNswWvULn8ktRl9Jb9ojOPwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2qXe-W6gpTI/YPWVMECL2FI/AAAAAAABoVM/4qYUjbnpXVwNswWvULn8ktRl9Jb9ojOPwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am writing a book now, <a href="https://www.virginiaknowles.com/burned-rising-from-the-ashes" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #04ff00;">Burned: Rising from the Ashes of Spiritual Crisis</span></b></a>. In my chapter on the restorative spiritual practice of Lament, I tell a "small story" about the grief of losing my mother after a long hospitalization due to surgical complications. It is my mother who taught me so much of what I do know, about nature and so much more. I am so grateful for her life, even as I still mourn her death eight years later. The grief is quiet, like a mourning dove, but it is still there, even if I do not always see or hear it.</span></span><div><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">So tell me, what do you know?</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Grace and peace, </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Virginia</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">P.S. #1: It's been over a year since I've written on this blog. I'll do a new update post soon. So much has happened!</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">P.S. #2: </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Other posts related to my mother:</span></div><div><br /><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2015/10/new-england-road-trip-3-thunder-hole-in.html">Thunder Hole in Acadia National Park</a></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">Brookside Gardens</a></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">A Eulogy is Also a Begnning</a></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/07/radiant-nurturer-recent-photos-of-my.html">Radiant Nurturer: Recent Photos of My Mother</a></span></li><li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/06/in-garden-when-caregiver-needs-care.html" target="_blank">In the Garden: When the Caregiver Needs Care</a></span></li></ul></div>Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-86607180631692660042020-05-26T01:24:00.009-04:002020-06-24T21:58:35.939-04:00Virginia's Life: Springtime & Quarantine Edition<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pd4C6xWJfZI/XsyyQbNIK3I/AAAAAAABmNs/heaVILulIiMgYt3WkEwIbIvFb6QuCIlkACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Hibiscus%2Bblossom.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font size="5"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="886" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pd4C6xWJfZI/XsyyQbNIK3I/AAAAAAABmNs/heaVILulIiMgYt3WkEwIbIvFb6QuCIlkACLcBGAsYHQ/w461-h500/Hibiscus%2Bblossom.jpg" width="461" /></font></a></div>
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Welcome to Virginia's Life: Springtime & Quarantine edition!<br />
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It's been six months since I posted here, so it's time for an update! We've been in coronavirus-lockdown-of-sorts for over two months now. What does that look like for me?<br />
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The main thing is that I am working from home (WFH) for the foreseeable future. My employer sent us all home with laptops and headsets. We don't have a definitive word on when my department (crisis hotline) is going back to the office, but I suspect it won't be anytime soon. I don't miss the hour long round trip commute, I like working at home, and it's not so bad with teenagers who respect the need for privacy and quiet. </font><div><font size="5"><br /></font><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZoCiViJzP8/XvP5w9ZY6sI/AAAAAAABma0/C_ZSOXhCQ-E41zXLTdXp9dG66lzKu7c7QCK4BGAsYHg/s960/desk.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><font size="5"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="796" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZoCiViJzP8/XvP5w9ZY6sI/AAAAAAABma0/C_ZSOXhCQ-E41zXLTdXp9dG66lzKu7c7QCK4BGAsYHg/w414-h500/desk.jpg" title="My desk with snack station off to the right" width="414" /></font></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font size="5">My desk with snack rack to the right</font></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="5"><br /></font></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><font size="5">I miss seeing my adult children and my grandchildren as often. We did a drive-up-and-stand-on-the-sidewalk greeting when my second daughter turned 31 in April and some of us have cautiously seen each other at various other points in time. Easter was really quiet with only my three teens who still live here, as well as their father, who lives nearby and came over to the house to join us for the meal. (He kindly planted the hibiscus bush that you see at the top of this post.) Our family also keeps in touch and sends photos via a group thread in the Messenger app. One of my sons joined the Navy in February, survived quarantine in boot camp, and is in another training school for the next year. We're glad that he could rejoin the family conversations once they returned his phone!</font></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QE4jAZZWesA/XvPyPaJZPuI/AAAAAAABmZ0/CO-KBQzhXzA_AE7zy9x6Jqq6dTvnWQIbACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Ten%2Bkids.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><font size="5"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="960" height="307" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QE4jAZZWesA/XvPyPaJZPuI/AAAAAAABmZ0/CO-KBQzhXzA_AE7zy9x6Jqq6dTvnWQIbACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Ten%2Bkids.jpg" width="640" /></font></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font size="5">All ten kids together before one brother left for bootcamp!<br /></font></td></tr>
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<font size="5"><br /></font><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D6IQQkcBSuA/XvP65FYq3jI/AAAAAAABmbc/89j5jK_MU2cBDsTSun2O6rhWZN5sbirIgCK4BGAsYHg/s206/Son%2Bafter%2Bboot%2Bcamp.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font size="5"><img border="0" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="206" height="404" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D6IQQkcBSuA/XvP65FYq3jI/AAAAAAABmbc/89j5jK_MU2cBDsTSun2O6rhWZN5sbirIgCK4BGAsYHg/w404-h404/Son%2Bafter%2Bboot%2Bcamp.jpg" width="404" /></font></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="5"><br /></font></div><font size="5"><br />For my Mother's Day present, my sweet kids hired <a href="https://www.facebook.com/imdanielmorris" target="_blank"><b>Daniel Morris</b></a>, a violinist in California, to do a splendid virtual serenade concert for me. I especially love his rendition of Andra Day's "Rise Up" and I've been playing the recording frequently! It's also such a cool way for him to support his family during quarantine! Check out his page (clink on his name above) to listen to his beautiful music, leave a tip, or hire him for an online gig! A YouTube of Andra Day's vocal version is at the end of this post.<br />
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I am also super proud of two of my daughters who were featured on the news recently - one as a hospital cardiovascular PCU RN and the other for fundraising and delivering meals to nurses in her sister's unit and what was then the COVID-only floor where her sister-in-law is a nurse. Watch it here! <span style="background-color: white; color: white;">Sister's Project Helps Siblings, Nurses Care for Othe</span><b><a href="https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/everyday-hero/2020/05/18/nurses-care-for-their-patients-each-other" target="_blank">Sister's Project Helps Siblings, Nurses Care for Others</a></b> <span style="background-color: white; color: white;">er's Project Helps Siblings, Nurses Care for Others</span><br />
<br /><br /></font><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QtEzlx2qBms/XvP7rFoBh7I/AAAAAAABmb0/Xb4UY8EdSkoeUwYtkoXSG9J_qi_Y2i0_QCK4BGAsYHg/s960/Church.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font size="5"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="958" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QtEzlx2qBms/XvP7rFoBh7I/AAAAAAABmb0/Xb4UY8EdSkoeUwYtkoXSG9J_qi_Y2i0_QCK4BGAsYHg/s320/Church.jpg" /></font></a></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><font size="5">Besides my family, the other thing I really miss is in-person church services. Our congregation, <a href="https://www.incarnationcfl.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Church of the Incarnation</span></b>,</a> started out with live-streaming on Sunday mornings (with just several people in the chapel to run the show), but then switched to pre-recording on Fridays. Though we could officially start in person services, we are holding off and don't have a return date set yet. I have been able to take part in two of the recordings as the Scripture reader. Here is the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/incarnationoviedo/videos/966331790452903" target="_blank"><b>Facebook video link for April 26</b></a>, with my part starting at the 9 1/2 minute mark. I will be even more involved in services in whatever format) all summer since I am interning at the church for my Mentored Ministry class at Asbury Seminary. A team of 14 from our church was scheduled to go on a "listen & learn" mission trip to Honduras for a week in July, but that got cancelled because of the virus, so we're especially having to improvise to replace those internship hours I would have accumulated there. My pastor and I have brainstormed about expanding our use of virtual & digital ministry. We are already using Zoom for weekly prayer and Bible study meetings, but we are evaluating the opportunities for more online liturgy, mentoring, encouragement, and congregational care.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font size="2">Zoom Bible study! I'll be leading one on Philippians soon!</font></td></tr>
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</font></div><div><font size="5">I have been practicing for all of this by making some quarantine-care videos which you can see on one of my other blogs here:<br />
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<li><font size="5"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2020/05/talking-about-time-video.html" style="font-weight: bold;">Talking About Time</a> (time management framework)</font></li>
<li><font size="5"><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2020/05/time-and-time-again.html" style="font-weight: bold;">Time -- and Time Again!</a> (kairos time: noticing, waiting, listening)</font></li>
<li><font size="5"><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2020/05/brainstorming-and-problem-solving.html" style="font-weight: bold;">Brainstorming and Problem-Solving</a> (especially related to Zoom meetings and video making)</font></li>
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As for shopping, for groceries I am mostly using Walmart's online ordering with curbside pickups once or twice a week. This usually works well, but my last try was a 70 minute wait even after they said my order was ready. I also put on my mask (which a sweet friend made for me) and venture into Aldi for a quick socially-distanced grocery trip every few weeks. I order frequently from Amazon Prime, like my favorite lemon protein bars, toiletries, tripod and mic for video making, printer ink, and curtains and decor lights for my daughter's newly reorganized bedroom. I got the Prime service for six months free as a student, and now pay only half price for it. I also order Kindle books for seminary and for personal reading. Why Kindle? Lots of reasons! Saves space, immediate delivery, no paper or packaging, adjust font size for my eyes, color-coded highlights, search function, copy & paste with citations, and read anywhere on phone or laptop or tablet!<br />
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Speaking of school, this semester I had two classes which were mostly online with just five full days in a real classroom: Practical Theology and The Theology and Practice of Equipping the Laity. I had originally signed up for different ones but due to a cancellation, I reworked my whole plan to ensure that I can get my required Ministry major courses as soon as possible and leave the electives for later. The two courses I chose both met for the hybrid classroom sessions at the Kentucky campus during the first week in March. I found a beautiful room to rent in a vintage home a few blocks from campus, and it was like taking a personal retreat. I even got to visit for a few hours with a beloved aunt who lives a few hours from there. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience despite a bit of emotional overwhelm on one of the days. One interesting realization is that all of the campuses were shut down just a week after I got home; if I had taken the original courses, I would have missed out on the classroom portion since they were scheduled later in the semester. I am so very grateful the way it turned out for me. I just finished my second year there, still with a 4.0 GPA, and I only have one year left if I can hold the pace!</font></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iLm0HYZKn3U/XvQB31FRjiI/AAAAAAABmfA/0ew8wucOOHsQ-ziey991lH4YkakSLYP2wCK4BGAsYHg/s960/Asbury%2Bmission.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font size="5"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="456" height="781" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iLm0HYZKn3U/XvQB31FRjiI/AAAAAAABmfA/0ew8wucOOHsQ-ziey991lH4YkakSLYP2wCK4BGAsYHg/w373-h781/Asbury%2Bmission.png" width="373" /></font></a></div><div><font size="5"><br />
<br /></font><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-to2_y_iohW0/XvQCAR0FVNI/AAAAAAABmfM/3LgCt1ebmu8chWwLKOtBMg3sujeCcTYagCK4BGAsYHg/s960/Blue%2Bhat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font size="5"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="722" height="625" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-to2_y_iohW0/XvQCAR0FVNI/AAAAAAABmfM/3LgCt1ebmu8chWwLKOtBMg3sujeCcTYagCK4BGAsYHg/w470-h625/Blue%2Bhat.jpg" width="470" /></font></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font size="5"><br /></font><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L5rk7YZq-KY/XvP1JripM2I/AAAAAAABmag/1PW8cTKj0isC3U7zFTGqE1DTQxH4yTpXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Asbury%2Bcampus.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><font size="5"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="375" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L5rk7YZq-KY/XvP1JripM2I/AAAAAAABmag/1PW8cTKj0isC3U7zFTGqE1DTQxH4yTpXwCLcBGAsYHQ/w500-h375/Asbury%2Bcampus.jpg" width="500" /></font></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><font size="5">Beautiful campus!</font></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aud6INuSJ44/XvP0Q14YUpI/AAAAAAABmaY/JKTupp6qUJADIAWBJLNa8znhx1AZI7aNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Romans%2Bin%2Bcalligraphy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><font size="5"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="960" height="396" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aud6INuSJ44/XvP0Q14YUpI/AAAAAAABmaY/JKTupp6qUJADIAWBJLNa8znhx1AZI7aNwCLcBGAsYHQ/w500-h396/Romans%2Bin%2Bcalligraphy.jpg" width="500" /></font></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font size="5">Calligraphy notes for my classmates</font></td></tr>
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<font size="5"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GjDiRLmPTVw/XvQDK4MS_qI/AAAAAAABmf8/enQKfufZ6gEHEhTkdoztwE4ZHbROUQDegCK4BGAsYHg/s206/Door%2Breflection%2Bnear%2Bchapel%2Bat%2BAsbury.jpg"><font size="5"><img border="0" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="206" height="404" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GjDiRLmPTVw/XvQDK4MS_qI/AAAAAAABmf8/enQKfufZ6gEHEhTkdoztwE4ZHbROUQDegCK4BGAsYHg/w404-h404/Door%2Breflection%2Bnear%2Bchapel%2Bat%2BAsbury.jpg" width="404" /></font></a></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption"><font size="2">Leaving the building after evening chapel feeling bittersweet,<br />suddenly captivated by this reflection in the glass doors.<br />"Strength for today, bright hope for tomorrow."</font></td></tr></tbody></table><font size="5"><br style="text-align: center;" /></font></div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;">My sister arrived from Maryland the day after I got home. She rarely travels or even leaves her home due to her disabilities. We spent a long-anticipated day at EPCOT's Flower and Garden Festival and a night in a Disney hotel just a couple days before they shut down all of the Orlando theme parks. We also enjoyed visiting with my six grandchildren, most of whom she hadn't met yet, just before quarantine started.</span></div><font size="5">
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</font><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8RwRIB-IBA/XvQD1fq9P4I/AAAAAAABmgU/iUBti6p5HBgQx0_CDqG1rM59F0zOtfWOgCK4BGAsYHg/s960/Sisters%2Bat%2BEPCOT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font size="5"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="960" height="479" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z8RwRIB-IBA/XvQD1fq9P4I/AAAAAAABmgU/iUBti6p5HBgQx0_CDqG1rM59F0zOtfWOgCK4BGAsYHg/w625-h479/Sisters%2Bat%2BEPCOT.jpg" width="625" /></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="5"><br /></font></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><font size="5">The only cultural outing I've had recently was going to <a href="https://www.leugardens.org/" target="_blank"><b>Leu Gardens</b></a> with my youngest daughter. Just what my soul needed! We had masks with us but didn't need them because everyone was spread so far apart.<br /></font><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="5"> </font><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkyc9OaVb2c/XvQA26lnvhI/AAAAAAABmek/AnxATibuHBQVaNX-Z6R45h0ELydcVmTrQCK4BGAsYHg/s960/lily.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font size="5"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkyc9OaVb2c/XvQA26lnvhI/AAAAAAABmek/AnxATibuHBQVaNX-Z6R45h0ELydcVmTrQCK4BGAsYHg/w500-h500/lily.jpg" width="500" /></font></a></div></div>
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Other than that, I've just kept busy in my house, organizing My Blue Haven (my bedroom), cleaning up other messy areas, and decorating my foyer for summer with Americana.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQcrW_6zHrw/XvPz4N-RkSI/AAAAAAABmaQ/KnajJgToVcwYuyXFS1gecCaBJljunMEzACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Refinishing%2Bblue%2Bwriting%2Btable.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font size="5"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="960" height="317" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQcrW_6zHrw/XvPz4N-RkSI/AAAAAAABmaQ/KnajJgToVcwYuyXFS1gecCaBJljunMEzACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Refinishing%2Bblue%2Bwriting%2Btable.jpg" width="400" /></font></a></div>
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I also created a prayer reminder, adapting the concept of the Anglican prayer beads. I knew I needed actual words to prompt my prayers, so I bought alphabet beads at Walmart, arranged them into words on my blue table, and put them together into a long strand. Later, I bought more beads and restrung them into two strands. There is nothing magical or even mystical about my prayer beads. They are just a tangible and creative reminder of what is important enough to me to pray about. It's another way for me to turn my heart toward God.</font></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font size="5"><br /></font></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-roKPolWwoLo/XvP-z9oqlLI/AAAAAAABmdE/_rxuwDqfcv8SXox60hBmwK8TA7in_hnnwCK4BGAsYHg/s960/Beads%2B1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><font size="5"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="960" height="338" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-roKPolWwoLo/XvP-z9oqlLI/AAAAAAABmdE/_rxuwDqfcv8SXox60hBmwK8TA7in_hnnwCK4BGAsYHg/w625-h338/Beads%2B1.jpg" width="625" /></font></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption"><font size="5">This strand is for worship, confession, and communing with God, <br />and the next one is for intercession about things important to me.</font></td></tr></tbody></table><font size="5"><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YPMRDy4GI98/XvP_UxZ9FnI/AAAAAAABmdo/SavZd0EWUV4Alce26eH1-tEonjCuqzUBwCK4BGAsYHg/s960/Beads%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="960" height="356" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YPMRDy4GI98/XvP_UxZ9FnI/AAAAAAABmdo/SavZd0EWUV4Alce26eH1-tEonjCuqzUBwCK4BGAsYHg/w625-h356/Beads%2B2.jpg" width="625" /></a><br /><br /><br /></font></td></tr></tbody></table><font size="5"><br /></font><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NPVW4BDv8pM/XvP-03owL5I/AAAAAAABmdM/CTHyN-N76Nwu9SdKYoU-g5KtfpsrMdWmgCK4BGAsYHg/s960/Beads%2B3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><font size="5"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="960" height="600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NPVW4BDv8pM/XvP-03owL5I/AAAAAAABmdM/CTHyN-N76Nwu9SdKYoU-g5KtfpsrMdWmgCK4BGAsYHg/w625-h600/Beads%2B3.jpg" width="625" /></font></a></div><div><font size="5"><br /><br /></font></div><div><font size="5">
Since I also love liturgical and classical prayers, I've been copying many of them into a yellow journal. I find them in the Book of Common Prayer, John Baillie's Diary of Private Prayer, Celtic Daily Prayer, A Guide to Prayer for Ministers, Field Guide to Daily Prayer, and of course the Bible (as you can see from my Romans 15:13 calligraphy earlier.) These pages seemed particularly relevant to this time of global crisis we are experiencing right now. "Give peace, O Lord, in all the world." "Lord, keep this nation under your care." "Let your way be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations." "Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor be taken away." "Jesus help me to give myself away to others, being kind to everyone I meet." (I found the last prayer in the <a href="https://www.24-7prayer.com/dailydevotional" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Lectio 365 daily prayer and Scripture app</span></b></a>, which I <i>highly</i> recommend.) I also have a blue prayer journal which I use to write my own prayer-filled thoughts and reflections.<br />
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And that's pretty much been my life these past two months of quarantine! All in all, it hasn't been too difficult for me since I enjoy being home and still have a job, but I do know that the virus and the shutdown has caused so much grief for others. My heart goes out to them. So many of the calls I get on the 211 community referral and crisis line are related to this, and it's always difficult to hear their stories. I am grateful that I can play a small part in helping them find resources to get through the crisis, and in giving them an empathetic listening ear. Though I can't pray for them audibly on the phone, I sure do it in my heart.<br /><br />I also know that food pantries need donations. If there is one in your area which serves the Hispanic community, consider buying several varieties of Goya brand non-perishable foods and dropping them off! (Near downtown Orlando, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Healing-Hunger-Food-Pantry-616343425409768/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Healing Hunger Food Pantry</span></b></a> is a joint effort of Christ the King Episcopal and Iglesia Episcopal Jesús de Nazaret. I will be working with them for part of my internship.) With quantity limits for each product for any one customer, sometimes the pantries have a hard time getting enough of what they need. So having lots of people buy a few of each is a good method for restocking their quickly emptied shelves. It's so easy to do on the Walmart grocery shopping app, and if you got a stimulus check this is one very effective way to share beyond your own household. Two of my prayer bead words are COMPASSION and COMMUNITY. This is a way to put those prayers into action.</font></div><div><font size="5"><br /></font></div><div><font size="5"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="442" height="318" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4owYzaJjBXA/XvQAI0V9pMI/AAAAAAABmeM/gxNIkPd3sNYWmRc815IlC4I38VZ0YoQRACK4BGAsYHg/w500-h318/Goya.jpg" width="500" /><br />
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As Andra Day sings:<br />
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You're broken down and tired of living life on a merry-go-round<br />
And you can't find the fighter but I see it in you so we gonna walk it out<br />
Move mountains, we gonna walk it out and move mountains<br />
And I'll rise up, I'll rise like the day<br />
I'll rise up, I'll rise unafraid<br />
I'll rise up, and I'll do it a thousand times again<br />
And I'll rise up, high like the waves<br />
I'll rise up, in spite of the ache<br />
I'll rise up, and I'll do it a thousand times again<br />
For you, for you, for you, for you<br />
When the silence isn't quiet<br />
And it feels like it's getting hard to breathe<br />
And I know you feel like dying<br />
But I promise we'll take the world to its feet<br />
Move mountains, bring it to its feet, move mountains<br />
And I'll rise up, I'll rise like the day<br />
I'll rise up, I'll rise unafraid<br />
I'll rise up, and I'll do it a thousand times again<br />
For you, for you, for you, for you<br />
All we need all we need is hope<br />
And for that we have each other<br />
And for that we have each other<br />
And we will rise, we will rise, we'll rise, we'll rise<br />
I'll rise up, rise like the day<br />
I'll rise up, in spite of the ache<br />
I will rise a thousand times again<br />
And we'll rise up, high like the waves<br />
We'll rise up, in spite of the ache<br />
We'll rise up, and we'll do it a thousand times again<br />
For you, for you, for you, for you</font></blockquote>
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(My friends, it is time to rise up for one another, in every way we can.)<br />
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Blessings to you and yours,<br />
Virginia Knowles<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sUyT-P78Gbg/XsynLp5S4fI/AAAAAAABmNg/LIZbVHLfSI8NxrcyPEuvhqaWDPQojWyMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Virginia%2Bin%2BAsbury%2Btshirt%2B%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><font size="5"><img border="0" data-original-height="1167" data-original-width="721" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sUyT-P78Gbg/XsynLp5S4fI/AAAAAAABmNg/LIZbVHLfSI8NxrcyPEuvhqaWDPQojWyMgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Virginia%2Bin%2BAsbury%2Btshirt%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="246" /></font></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><font size="5">"I'll rise up, rise like the day!"</font></td></tr>
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OH! One last thing! This song has been such a blessing to me. We sing it at church, but I adore this version sung quarantine-style all over the United Kingdom! I've played this over and over again. What a prayer! What a benediction! Be blessed!</font><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-1357223850808672792019-11-30T14:33:00.002-05:002019-11-30T14:33:44.278-05:00Dear Bezalel (An Advent Poem for Artists)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dear Bezalel,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">May I write to you from many millennia hence?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am in awe as I think of your life:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You were a man of exiled Israel, enslaved in Egypt</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Miraculously rescued in the Exodus through the Red Sea</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sojourner in the wilderness with Moses and all your people.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is said that you were filled with the Spirit, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The very first person of whom this was written.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And that God himself, the great Creator and Redeemer</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Called and gifted you as a master artist and craftsman and designer</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To create a tabernacle with beauty and excellence in the desert.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So along with Oholiab and your company of skilled women and men,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You hammered, chiseled, carved, engraved, and set in patterns</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These things: gold, silver, bronze, wood, and sparkling precious stones </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You also spun, wove, dyed and embroidered cloth for </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The walls coverings and liturgical linens and priestly ephods.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And so arose the tabernacle, that moveable sacred space</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For the Glory of God to dwell in the midst of his people</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As you all wandered your way to the Promised Land</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For forty years, gathering manna to eat, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Following a pillar of cloud by day, a pillar of fire by night.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Your very own hands built the Ark of the Covenant</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Reliquary for all the Holy Things in the Most Holy Place.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And the angelic Mercy Seat to be sprinkled with the blood of sacrifice.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What was it like, Brother Bezalel, to bring into existence</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The very first earthly dwelling for the Most High God?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is why I am in awe all these thousands of years later.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Your work was an act of worship, an example of devotion</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yet now you and your beautiful and sacred holy tent are long gone. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So are the Jerusalem temples that came later.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Yet the Glory of God abides! Where?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Glory dwells not in buildings made of human hands.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For God himself came down to earth in human form, Incarnate.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tabernacled for a time in Mary’s womb,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This Jesus, too, sojourned in a desert wilderness</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But he, the Bread of Life, had no manna to eat.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Walking among us, face to face, hand to hand, heart to heart</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Divine Son taught and healed and prayed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And when he had offered himself as the holy sacrifice </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And was resurrected from the dead, he ascended to Heaven</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To build a house for us, a beautiful glorious home.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And then he sent the Holy Spirit to fill all of us</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So that we, as his people, might be </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The very tabernacle of God’s holy presence on earth.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Did you dream of this, dear Bezalel? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Could you even imagine what your tabernacle foretold?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And so in grateful remembrance of you, I think of how </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I too can create spiritual space for people to meet with God</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In the work of my hands, in the labors of my heart and mind</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And like you, may I be freshly filled with the Spirit of God</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And know the Glory of his presence in this place.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">~*~*~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;" /><br style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;" />I write an Advent poem each year, missing only one year in the last 12 or so. Each year, I muse on what I will write, and each year, it comes to me on its own.<br /><br />This morning, I was laying in bed reading a fascinating and inspiring book on my phone's Kindle app for one of my seminary classes. Streams of Living Water by Richard Foster explores several faith traditions in Christianity: Contemplative, Holiness, Charismatic, Social Justice, Evangelical, and Incarnational. For each one, he sketches a Biblical character, a historical example, and a more contemporary person who exemplifies that theme. I am in the final section, which includes the stories of Susannah Wesley (Mother of Methodism), Dag Hammarskjöld (Swedish diplomat who was head of UN), and Bezalel. I sighed with satisfaction when I saw his name as one who brought God's presence into daily life through tangible means. Though obscure, he's always been one of my favorite Old Testament heroes, appearing in Exodus 31-37 as... an artist! Here are excerpts from the Scripture: </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand— and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.” Exodus 31:1-11</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers. Exodus 35:35</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I got interrupted while reading Streams of Living Water. Then, inspired by what I'd read of Bezalel there so far, I wrote the poem. Later I went back to finish the chapter in the book, since I have a paper to write on it this weekend. I was quite amused to see that Foster had also picked up on the idea of Jesus "tabernacling" in Mary's womb, as well as God's presence now dwelling in his people through the Holy Spirit. Sweet affirmation of my poetic thoughts. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I wrote the last stanza trying to bring it even further forward to the <i>now</i>. Yes, God's presence is available to each of us, but I wanted to acknowledge the role that creativity (especially the arts) still plays in the Christian faith tradition. I am not a professional "maker" but I dabble in many forms. I painted when I was in high school and college, and have tried to pick that up a little bit in my fifties. For visual arts, I mostly do calligraphy & lettering, photography, word burning/dyeing, and tie dye. I am also a poet, but I guess you know that already since you just read one of my poems. Most of my artistic/poetic work also reflects my faith, since I do really want to, as I said, "</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">create spiritual space for people to meet with God." </span></span><br />
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another facet of the Incarnational stream of Christianity is the use of liturgy and the arts. Last December I visited an Episcopal congregation, Church of the Incarnation, with a friend. We both stayed, and both now serve at the prayer altar and as Scripture lectionary readers. I love the liturgy. I love the small lakeside chapel in the woods with the Jesus icons on the wall. This past summer, I even attempted to make a very small icon painting of my own.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_AfK5p8Wtc/XeK7DVG4LtI/AAAAAAABlJw/O6vdErIzazUIhri9lOfFdGlwnn_NKb-uQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/icon%2Bof%2BJesus%2Bfrom%2BIncarnation%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="937" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p_AfK5p8Wtc/XeK7DVG4LtI/AAAAAAABlJw/O6vdErIzazUIhri9lOfFdGlwnn_NKb-uQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/icon%2Bof%2BJesus%2Bfrom%2BIncarnation%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="312" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Icon from Stations of the Cross series<br />-artist unknown-<br />St. Augustine Chapel (Church of the Incarnation)<br />Canterbury Retreat Center</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFd3jM1hxig/XPhCDcLDR1I/AAAAAAABjFg/cTnlero17z0bj8eICyvx1SXHQFMhv-GFQCLcBGAs/s400/icon%2Bpainting%2Bof%2BJesus%2Band%2Bcross%2Bby%2BVirginia%2BQuarrier%2BKnowles.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">"Icon: Incarnation"<br />by Virginia Knowles, 2019<br />Water color creams</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Speaking of Sacred Space, I am also a cathedral lover. You can find many cathedral photo posts on this blog (mostly from Paris and Geneva) but these two actually have liturgical poems that I wrote. </span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/12/god-of-joy-i-see-thee-advent-2017-poem.html" target="_blank"><b>God of Joy, I See Thee</b></a> (photo on left, Washington National Cathedral in D.C.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/03/sainte-chapelle-nouvel-esprit-feed-your.html" target="_blank"><b>Sainte-Chapelle, Nouvel Esprit</b></a> (photo on right, Sainte-Chapelle in Paris)</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YeWAZuA3Syo/Wj2HvPWaUsI/AAAAAAABfdE/PdSfuFhlihEPLmKiufzmYd0W1x4eZp3vgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_8311.JPG" width="213" /> <img height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fYoYUc6GxF4/WLbSO7mPHZI/AAAAAAABejo/BXFzyvwSaiYLp6K_CF0z5CmljynX7to5QCLcB/s320/97%2BSainte-Chapelle.JPG" width="240" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you'd like to read my other Advent poems, you'll find them in the links below.</span><br />
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<li><a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/12/we-can-rise-advent-poem-2018.html"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We Can Rise - 2018</span></b></a></li>
<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/12/god-of-joy-i-see-thee-advent-2017-poem.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">God of Joy, I See Thee - 2017</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2015/12/bring-me-advent-poem-2015.html">Bring Me - 2015</a><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/12/pure-devotion-advent-poem-2014.html">Pure Devotion - 2014</a></span></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/12/peace-and-joy-advent-poem-2013.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Peace and Joy - 2013</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-note-wedged-into-window-on-my-van-and.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Jesus Poem - 2012</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-in-malawi-christmas-inamerica.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Christmas in Malawi, Christmas in America - 2011</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2010/11/invitation-to-stillness.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Invitation to Stillness - 2010</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/12/grace-will-lead-me-home-advent-poem.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Grace Will Lead Me Home - 2009</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/12/advent-poem-2-story-did-not-start-with.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Story Did Not Start with a Stable and a Star - 2008</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/12/advent-poem-5-candlewick.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Candlewick - 2008</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/12/grace-will-lead-me-home-advent-poem.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shepherd's Tale - 2008</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/12/advent-poem-7-corpus-christi.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Corpus Christi - 2007</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/12/advent-poem-4-rhapsody-in-m.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rhapsody in M - 2006</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/12/advent-poem-3-psalm-to-sweet-jesus.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Psalm to Sweet Jesus</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/12/advent-poem-1-paradox.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Paradox</span></a></b></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you would like to see some of my other liturgical art, you'll find it here:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><b><a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2019/06/my-art-and-my-heart.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My Art and My Heart</span></a></b></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's a painting I did in college, depicting how the sacrifice of Jesus opened the way into the Most Holy Place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/zz284dTUnz76Aby8KEipzFUBje1_bJUwhvEoFyckKQ4EQCeZ8EEexhY8dMSxoZ1MiIikQG6-pJg9hR0lK3eT8n0VR3kt0GrBHfjtfIBQKeN1rLaBMaM4UiTVQpLiZrGxqS9AwgZLDrzRup7PXC4XCwKflPgWOlI4nQQLiVMd0tqz=s0-d" width="257" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Did you know that when Jesus died on the cross, the heavy curtain in the temple (which separated the worshipers from the direct presence of God in the Most Holy Place) tore from top to bottom. So we can enter in, receiving his abundant mercy and grace! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="text Matt-27-50" id="en-NIV-24180" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. </span><span class="text Matt-27-51" id="en-NIV-24181" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">At that moment the curtain of the temple<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-24181BE" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24181BE" title="See cross-reference BE">BE</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-24181BF" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24181BF" title="See cross-reference BF">BF</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span> <span class="text Matt-27-52" id="en-NIV-24182" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. Matthew 27:50-52</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:19-25</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">And finally, here are links to some of my seminary posts from my <a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Watch the Shepherd blog</b></a>. </span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2019/10/lectio-divina-seminary-notes.html"><b>Lectio Divina</b></a></li>
<li><a href="https://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2019/01/inductive-bible-study-on-discipleship.html" target="_blank"><b>Inductive Bible Study on Discipleship in Matthew 8-9</b></a></li>
<li><a href="https://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2019/02/revelations-of-divine-love-by-julian-of.html"><b>Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich (Primary Source Analysis)</b></a></li>
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<b style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #222222; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></b>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">(Note: The colored woodcut at the top of this post is listed as </span><span style="background-color: white;">"Bezalel and Oholiab Making the Ark of the Covenant" from the Nuremberg Bible Biblia Sacra Germanaica.) </span></span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-84433543034960756352019-09-04T18:49:00.000-04:002019-09-04T18:51:24.651-04:00Travel 2019: Maryland, Pennsylvania, DC, Virginia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello! Ready to travel to Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington DC and Virginia with me - in photos, that is? This post is a bit belated. I'm writing it in September, but it's all about July!</div>
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My late mother's family has been having Hess reunions in Pennsylvania for several decades. The first I remember was 1976, which is when and where I became a Christian. Other more recent reunions in 2006, 2012, and 2014 have also been important to me. And this time, the older generation, my mother's cousins, decided to pass along the responsibility for organizing it to someone younger. I gladly volunteered! We started planning last year.</div>
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Fortunately, I found round trip tickets from Orlando to Baltimore for under $100. I took my three teens and my daughter's friend.</div>
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I always travel with my scarf / shawl, a present from one of my daughters a long time ago.</div>
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Butterflies in the front yard as soon as I get to Maryland! I didn't even make it into my dad's house before I was snapping photos!<br />
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The day after we arrived, I drove our rental SUV up to Philadelphia to retrieve my sister from Jefferson Memorial, where she had gone for a week of migraine treatment. She wanted to take a short diversion to get our photo at LOVE Park but she was disappointed by the size of the iconic statue.<br />
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Another adult son flew up the day after us. We headed down to Washington, D.C. on the Metrorail for the day. The older ones split off on their own while I took my youngest to the National Archives and the National Gallery of Art. I took a lot more photos, but my phone met an unhappy demise a few days later and I lost whatever I didn't upload to Facebook along the way.<br />
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Of course the kids were ready to play cards with their three cousins while we were in Maryland. By this time, two other adult daughters and a son-in-law had also arrived.<br />
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These two look and act like twins, but they were born 10 years and two days apart!<br />
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On Friday, we split into three cars with kids and my dad, and headed to Pennsylvania for the reunion. One son lost his glasses out the van window on the highway. Oops. We had a buffet dinner scheduled for the evening with our relatives before the main reunion picnic the next day.<br />
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Here's the whole clan - 70 or 80 of us?<br />
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I'm with my sister, who due to her migraines didn't last very long at the picnic. She's still glad she came to see our relatives.<br />
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I was the MC, and since I was counting my work at this reunion as my community service project for a seminary class, I also shared some of our family's faith heritage. This started with two tales of Puritans-behaving-badly, but there were some positive ones, too! We have a long Quaker and Methodist heritage which I've written about elsewhere.<br />
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These are my mother's remaining cousins, all grandchildren of Charles and Mary Hess, who were married in 1904. These are their grandchildren, and with all the new babies, there are another four generations after that! Unfortunately, one of my duties was also to report the many deaths in the family since the last reunion. Sigh.<br />
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I planned a "fun" hike for the next day. I remembered back to my college days when we had hiked at Rickett's Glen State Park, where there are gorgeous waterfalls. I invited anyone who wanted to join us... My daughter tried to warn me how steep the trail would be, based on the web site. Well, about that! We started with my aunt, my father, my cousin's family, and another of my mother's cousins, as well as my own kids. Three of our hikers were over the age of 80. Remember that.<br />
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It started well. Let's just say it all went downhill from there. Literally.<br />
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I asked my son to take a photo of my sitting at the edge of this small waterfall. Unfortunately, in the process, I lost my balance and tumbled headfirst over the waterfall into the water, miraculously missing the rocks. Two of my children saw me go over and thought I'd be dead. But I popped back up and climbed out laughing, just a bit shaken. We eventually located my glasses and my phone. The glasses were fine. The phone was not.<br />
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So I thought I'd be OK....<br />
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But I wasn't. The trail descended 1000 feet in the next mile, and it was filled with slippery mud, tree roots, and loose rocks. My legs were wobbly from my waterfall woman-fall. I kept falling on the trail. Over and over. Eventually, two of my sons had to walk me down by the hand. I still barely made it I managed to make it out of there! I did some damage my backside! Don't laugh.<br />
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My daughter who is a nurse coached me down the trail too, keeping a close eye on me.<br />
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By this time, my mom's cousin had turned around, and my aunt and cousin's family had gone on ahead. My elderly father kept trucking along. He's in amazing shape. Better shape than me, actually.<br />
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We were supposed to climb up the 1000 feet along another path to the parking lot where our cars were. I knew I couldn't make it. My daughter discovered an alternate flat trail out to the road. We split the group, and four of us went the easy way, while the others, including my dad, went up up up. They retrieved the cars and picked us up later. Thus ends the exciting hiking saga. Remind me about the trails next time, will you?<br />
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The next day, the kids took off for King's Dominion (an amusement park in southern Virginia) in the rental SUV. My dad took me to Verizon to buy a new phone, then dropped me at the Metrorail station so I could carry on with my original plans for that day. I wanted to go to the Museum of the Bible, especially to see their Tapestry of Light exhibit, and then visit with friends in northern Virginia, where I had gone to high school.<br />
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I was limping all the way. I exited the subway station, walked six blocks in the wrong direction, and ended up calling Lyft to get me to the museum. The museum, which is six stories, is absolutely gorgeous. I was running so late that I only had about 2 hours there. I could have spent the whole day, and I will when I go back to Maryland next time. I'll have to give it it's own blog post!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pA1WR0dh8E/XXA0jjtO3jI/AAAAAAABj18/GXyyMlmywhM2ODuYyvpqAZ4KeTzMoMWXACLcBGAs/s1600/Tapestry%2Bof%2BLight%2Bat%2BMuseum%2Bof%2Bthe%2BBible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_pA1WR0dh8E/XXA0jjtO3jI/AAAAAAABj18/GXyyMlmywhM2ODuYyvpqAZ4KeTzMoMWXACLcBGAs/s640/Tapestry%2Bof%2BLight%2Bat%2BMuseum%2Bof%2Bthe%2BBible.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tapestry of Light exhibit created by Irene Barberis with glow-in-the-dark thread</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0sptCq38yU/XXA0kDwlq4I/AAAAAAABj2E/bPIMnTDpPMYNLrIQjq_liOzegNdyk5OwwCLcBGAs/s1600/Tapestry%2Bof%2BLight%2Bpanels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0sptCq38yU/XXA0kDwlq4I/AAAAAAABj2E/bPIMnTDpPMYNLrIQjq_liOzegNdyk5OwwCLcBGAs/s640/Tapestry%2Bof%2BLight%2Bpanels.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tapestry of Light exhibit </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k9c-8PfdNT8/XXA1oAZF9zI/AAAAAAABj2g/ABj5J6MsVU45PI3_jqT8M-Xr8aHYltHjgCLcBGAs/s1600/Painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="712" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k9c-8PfdNT8/XXA1oAZF9zI/AAAAAAABj2g/ABj5J6MsVU45PI3_jqT8M-Xr8aHYltHjgCLcBGAs/s640/Painting.jpg" width="474" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Good Samaritan by Egbert Modderman</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-44zJ2x4Ob08/XXA8b1opgLI/AAAAAAABj3k/oklzqnCwXlU8Xf8q7TEk9gXoNfRmBF7WACLcBGAs/s1600/Luther%2527s%2BBible%2BTranslations%2Bat%2BMuseum%2Bof%2Bthe%2BBible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-44zJ2x4Ob08/XXA8b1opgLI/AAAAAAABj3k/oklzqnCwXlU8Xf8q7TEk9gXoNfRmBF7WACLcBGAs/s640/Luther%2527s%2BBible%2BTranslations%2Bat%2BMuseum%2Bof%2Bthe%2BBible.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luther's Bible translations</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bible translation exhibit</td></tr>
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I stayed at the museum until closing, then took a Lyft back to the L'Enfant Metro station, then took another train out to Vienna, Virginia to meet up with my friends whom I knew in high school. We reconnected on Facebook a while back, and I knew I wanted to see them! They picked me up and drove me past our high school, W.T. Woodson, before going to their house. Then another high school friend came a bit later. We had an amazing time. I am so very thankful for their friendship. My kids picked me up that night on their way back from King's Dominion.<br />
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And the kids and I flew home the next day!<br />
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Phew! What a week! What a trip!<br />
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Thanks for coming along!<br />
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Family Reunion & Legacy Links:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/07/hess-family-memorial-reunion-road-trip.html"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Hess Family Memorial Reunion 2014</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-story-of-liberty-in-1976.html"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">My Story of Liberty in 1976</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/07/weekend-gratitude-family-reunion-in.html"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Hess Reunion 2012</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/07/coal-miners-great-great-granddaughter.html"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Coal Miner’s Great-Great-Granddaughter</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/07/memoir-of-heinrich-hess-my-german.html"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Memoir of Heinrich Hess, My German Immigrant Ancestor</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-quakers-up-my-family-tree.html"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">The Quakers Up My Family Tree</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="https://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-puritans-quakers-and-little-old-me.html"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">The Puritans, The Quakers, and Little Old Me (Reflections on A Measure of Light)</span></b></a></li>
</ul>
Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-7093062020607829612019-09-04T16:31:00.000-04:002019-09-04T16:31:38.614-04:00Simple Woman's Daybook, September 2019<span style="font-size: large;">Hello friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's another <a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Simple Woman's Daybook</span></b></a>! (Check out my posts from <span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-simple-womans-daybook.html">April</a>, <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/06/simple-womans-daybook-june-2018.html">June</a>, <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/07/simple-womans-daybook-july-2018.html">July</a></span>, and <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/08/simple-womans-day-book-august-2018.html">August</a> 2018 and <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2019/01/simple-womans-daybook-january-2019.html" target="_blank">January</a> 2019.) I guess it's been a while? As always, I'm linking this up to the <a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/p/httpthesimplewoman.html">TSW Daybook blog hop</a>. Maybe you'd like to give it a try too? It's pretty simple! </span><br />
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">For Today...</span></b></u></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Looking out my window...</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We've just had a mild brush with Hurricane Dorian. Our power went out around 9 last night, so I opened the windows to let the cool breeze in. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The power came back on before 7 this morning, while I sat in my van charging my phone and chatting via Messenger with an American friend in Japan.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">And now it's an easy breezy Wednesday afternoon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>In my garden...</u></b></span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">I am thinking and I am thankful...</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My daughter Lydia's wedding is in two days. I am so glad our area didn't have much storm damage, and we should be able to proceed with preparations! Here we are at her bridal shower with her fiance's mother, Beverly, on the left. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've known Bev for 17 years (though not nearly well enough!) since we went to church together until about 10 years ago. I'm touched that she suggested driving over to Clearwater together soon to see the Ringling Museum of Art. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile, let's get this wedding going! I'll be at the church tomorrow prepping the sanctuary and reception hall. </span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">I am wearing...</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9YoxenajOpQ/XDVCkDuFX5I/AAAAAAABh_I/z_1ICi6pOJgrKJzYKomYgWT58yKMeJMnACLcBGAs/s1600/Grace%2BUpon%2BGrace%2Btshirt.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9YoxenajOpQ/XDVCkDuFX5I/AAAAAAABh_I/z_1ICi6pOJgrKJzYKomYgWT58yKMeJMnACLcBGAs/s200/Grace%2BUpon%2BGrace%2Btshirt.jpg" width="114" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">...the exact same thing I wore in my January post. So I'm using the same photo from then. Grace upon grace. Still so true!</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6vGvpjMAOik/XW_vc4PeWBI/AAAAAAABjxg/hsKYsPaE2VMgikPhdKLjjq6xKkutdHrpQCLcBGAs/s1600/helping%2Bwith%2Bwedding%2Bdress.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="316" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6vGvpjMAOik/XW_vc4PeWBI/AAAAAAABjxg/hsKYsPaE2VMgikPhdKLjjq6xKkutdHrpQCLcBGAs/s400/helping%2Bwith%2Bwedding%2Bdress.JPG" width="227" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">What I <i>will</i> be wearing at the wedding is the "little black dress" that I wore to Joanna's wedding two years ago, as seen here.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">One of my favorite things...</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My CPAP machine, which I didn't get to use much last night. Amazing what you take for granted until you can't use it! I did get a few hours in with it this morning, though. Breathe! Oh, and I keep it in a hatbox on a side table wedged between my bed and my wall. Not glamorous, but quite functional!</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">I am creating...</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Most of my art work lately is either photography or some sort of lettering. It is often calligraphy on paper, but I also like to do seasonal chalk art for my front hallway. I've already decorated this area for autumn. It is my tradition to put up some of the decorations before my birthday on September 7. It's also a way of wishing against the heat and humidity of Florida in summer...</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">I am listening...</span></u></b></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Waymaker by Sinach</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Old Church Choir by Zach Williams</span></li>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/-cRh8NqmXoE" width="560"></iframe>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Breakup Song by Francesca Battistelli (about fear)</span></span></li>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">I am reading...</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">...<b><i>Eat This Book </i></b>by Eugene Peterson, who is brilliant of course. It is on reading Scripture as a narrative and bringing it to the interior of our hearts. <b><i>Eat This Book</i></b> was assigned for my Biblical Narrative class that I'm taking online at Asbury Theological Seminary this semester, along with a discipleship class called Gospel Catechesis. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I checked the syllabus ahead of time and got an early jump on my text and Scripture readings the week before I was scheduled to start. I still had a lot of online work to do yesterday afternoon before the power went out. I watched lecture videos and posted on the discussion forums and then BLINK! Darkness! I was just in time!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's are a few of my books for this semester. Most of my texts are on Kindle. I read and write at my tilting table, which I dyed turquoise blue and wood burned along the bottom edge to say: "Fill your soul with all good things and let the beauty pour forth." That's one of my mottoes for life.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">I am hoping...</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">...and completely trusting, that God will continue to guide my paths as he has done in rather unusual ways until now. In my Vocation of Ministry class during the summer we had to develop a "Rule of Life" (a plan for consecrated living), as well as a "Vision of Ministry" (what we think we will do with our seminary education). People often <span style="text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">ask me about my ministry plans after I finish, and I usually reply, “I would like to work on a church staff as a versatile resource. I want to teach, disciple, mentor, and encourage women, as well as minister to those who are in vulnerable situations.” I believe that professional goal, or something similar to it, would fit my fluid, poetic, empathetic personality and giftings. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I also realize this is a challenge since I am a divorced older woman with 10 mostly grown children. I was talking about this with a friend earlier this year, and she prayed that God would show me a "divinely elegant solution" - I love that phrase so much! It's been running through my head ever since I recalled this conversation a few days ago. What's it going to be, God? What's the plan?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Right now the plan is to slow down a bit. Instead of taking three classes as I've done in previous fall and spring semesters, I'm down to two. This is for two main reasons. I'm home schooling my youngest teen again, which was not in my plan when I started seminary a year ago. But she needs me, and she takes priority right now. I'm not giving up my life, but I am purposely adjusting it. The second reason is so that I can fully absorb what I'm learning by focusing my study time more intently. I love the ministry philosophy in this video, which happens to feature the aforementioned Eugene Peterson: </span><a href="https://vimeo.com/200206468">Godspeed: The Pace of Being Known</a>. It's funny that I saw this video last year and wished I could be part of the Anglican communion. And last December I did, quite unexpectedly, end up in a small Episcopal church with a dear friend and her husband, and so many sweet saints who love the Gospel, the Scriptures, prayer, and service to the community. The priest is also a graduate of the same seminary I attend. I'm so blessed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was reading this section from my January post and noted what I'd hoped then: "that my shoulder stops hurting." And it did! I went to an orthopedist for a cortisone shot which he said might last a few months, and it's been over six, and I'm so pleased. I did, however, fall off a waterfall this summer and hurt my back again, but that's another story.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">In my kitchen...</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Here is what is left of my hurricane stash. I think I'll be donating a whole lot of granola bars to a local community pantry, Hope Helps, via our church's Food on the Fourth program!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is not <i>my</i> kitchen, but my daughter Mary's. I had stopped by after church last Sunday to bring birthday presents for my grandson, and while I was there, they were making pasta from scratch. I tried my hand at it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I brought some of the yummy pasta home and froze it, and finally enjoyed it with butter today!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Christians feed on Scripture. Holy Scripture nurtures the holy community as food nurtures the human body. Christians don't simply learn or study or use Scripture; we assimilate it, take it into our lives in such a way that it gets metabolized into acts of love, cups of cold water, missions into all the world, healing and evangelism and justice in Jesus' name, hands raised in adoration of the Father, feet washed in company with the Son." Eugene Peterson, Eat This Book, p. 18</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Stories suffer misinterpretation when we don't submit to them simply as stories. We are caught off-guard when divine revelation arrives in such ordinary garb and mistakenly thing that it's our job to dress it up in the latest Paris silk gown of theology, or to outfit it in a sturdy three-piece suit of ethics before we can deal with it. The simple, or not so simple, story is soon, like David under Saul's armor, so encumbered with moral admonitions, theological constructs, and scholarly debates that it can hardly move. There are, of course, always moral, theological, historical elements in these stories that need to be studied and ascertained, but never in spite of or in defiance of the story that is being told." Eugene Peterson, Eat This Book, p. 43</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Post script...</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In this section, we share a link! </span><span style="font-size: large;">So here's a good blog: <a href="https://healthyspirituality.org/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Healthy Spirituality</b></span></a> with Jean Wise. Recent favorite articles have included <a href="https://healthyspirituality.org/the-spiritual-practice-of-wonder/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>The Spiritual Practice of Wonder</b></span></a> and </span><a class="entry-title-link" href="https://healthyspirituality.org/visio-divina-the-practice-and-resources/" rel="bookmark" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: center; transition: all 0.1s ease-in-out 0s;"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>Visio Divina – The Practice and Resources</b></span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you enjoyed reading my daybook and would like to create one of your own, <a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/p/httpthesimplewoman.html">HERE</a> is the link to the format, guidelines and complete list of prompts. </span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Closing notes...</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I pray all of God's abundant blessings on all who read this. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Grace and peace,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-45249046439703839222019-06-29T00:03:00.000-04:002019-06-29T00:03:09.489-04:00Questions for Self-Discovery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Questions for Self-Discovery</u></b><br /></span><ol>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How would you describe yourself to someone who doesn't know you?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What are your core values?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What do you feel is your life purpose? If you don't know , what will you do to find out?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In what ways have you integrated your core values and life purpose into your daily experience?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If you have taken any personality inventories, such as Myers-Briggs or the Enneagram, what were the results, and how have they been helpful (or not) to you?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What are you pleased to have accomplished in your life so far?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What three goals do you most want to accomplish with your life in the future? Why?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What opportunity do you regret not taking? Why?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Who are your role models and what do you admire about them?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What have your in-real-life mentors taught you by example?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What are your talents?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What are your best character qualities?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What are your weaknesses?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Describe three incidences of failure, what led to them, and how you dealt with that?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If you could write a letter to your past self, how old would the recipient be, and what would you say?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What do you believe about God? </span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What does it mean to be a real Christian?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What role does the Bible play in your life?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What role does prayer play in your life?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What does an ideal healthy spiritual life look like to you?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What doubts haunt your spiritual life? How do you deal with them?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What beliefs (religious or not) hold you back from progress? How can you replace them?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How have your church experiences shaped you?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What do you value in a friend?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What do your friends appreciate most about you?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What are deal breakers when it comes to friendship?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In what ways have others told you that you annoy or anger them? Do you think this is valid?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How has your educational experience affected you?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How do you feel like your gender, and its cultural expectations, have shaped your life?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How has your race or ethnicity affected your experiences?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How has your family of origin (especially your parents and siblings) shaped you?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How have your intimate relationships shaped you?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What qualities do you (or would you) value most in an intimate partner?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What is your parenting philosophy?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What have you done to improve your relationships?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If a friend comes to you for help or advice with problems, how do you respond?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How willing are you to ask for help or advice when you have problems?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Is there someone with whom you have an unresolved conflict? What will you do about it? </span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What makes it difficult for you to trust someone?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How do you set personal boundaries for what you allow in your relationships?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Would you describe yourself as usually dependent, independent, or interdependent?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Would you describe yourself as assertive, passive, or aggressive in your interpersonal relationships?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Who has made you feel especially valued or loved, and how?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What makes you feel rejected? How do you respond to rejection?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What makes you sad? How do you respond to sadness?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What makes you angry? How do you respond to angry feelings?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What makes you afraid? How do you respond to fear?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What makes you feel like you aren't in control of your own life? How do you respond to that?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What makes you happy? </span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What makes you excited in positive way?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What calms you?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How do you motivate yourself to do difficult or boring things?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Where do you fall on the needing safety vs. willing to risk continuum?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How have you shown resilience in your life?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What do you like about your own body?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What makes you feel self-conscious about your body?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How do you feel about your style of clothing, hair, makeup, etc.?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How does your physical health affect your life?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What are you doing to improve your physical and mental health?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What has been your experience with counseling?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In what ways do you self-sabotage your own well-being?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What do you like to eat, and what does that say about you?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What are your favorite forms of exercise?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What kinds of experiences drain your energy?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In what ways are you introverted and/or extroverted?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In what ways are you flexible and/or structured?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What do you do to cheer yourself up?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What is your dream job?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What do you value about your current job or career?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What frustrates you about your current job or career?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What are your views on morality and social justice issues?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What are your political and economic views?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If you could make three laws to improve society, what would they be?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What organizations have you joined, and how do they add value to your life?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What does your schedule look like for a typical day or week?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What would you like to change about your schedule?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How do you handle a challenging project when you're not quite sure what to do?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What do you enjoy doing in your free time?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How does being outside in nature affect you?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What natural setting do you enjoy most? Why?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What new day trip would you like to take? Why?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What three places would you like to travel to in your own country? Why?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What three places would you like to travel to in the world? Why?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What role does creating art and/or music play in your life?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What role does appreciating the arts play in your life?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What are your favorite games or sports?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What are your favorite books or other things to read?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What are your favorite movies, TV shows, or other things to watch?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What are your favorite songs, or genre of music?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How do you use technology, and how does this affect your life?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What are your favorite apps on your phone or other device?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Where do you go for trustworthy world and national news?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How do you manage your finances?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What are your three most valued physical possessions?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What do you like most about your current home?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What would you like to change about your current home?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Describe your dream home.</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As you anticipate the rest of your life, what do you fear most? </span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What is your "happily ever after" in your hopes for the rest of your life? </span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If you could change one major facet of your life, what would it be?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If that change is impossible, what would be an acceptable, attainable substitute?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What could you do now to move in that direction?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If you could take any class or finish a new degree, what would it be and where would you go for it?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What three charitable organizations or causes are most important to you?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What legacy do you want to leave for the future generations?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Which of these questions made you most uncomfortable?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Which of these questions revealed the most to you about yourself?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3507019b-fb62-4db3-d8db-9d01ae9a4c24"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Which questions do you need to answer more completely or authentically?</span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;">I compiled this list of questions several months ago, but they've been sitting here on my blog in draft form. I'm thinking hard about who I am and what I want in life right now, so I figured I'd dust these off, go through them myself, and share them with y'all. You're welcome.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;">Grace and peace,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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</span>Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-50014538536804717152019-06-05T18:49:00.000-04:002019-06-05T21:35:41.085-04:00My Art and My Heart<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFd3jM1hxig/XPhCDcLDR1I/AAAAAAABjFg/cTnlero17z0bj8eICyvx1SXHQFMhv-GFQCLcBGAs/s1600/icon%2Bpainting%2Bof%2BJesus%2Band%2Bcross%2Bby%2BVirginia%2BQuarrier%2BKnowles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="770" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFd3jM1hxig/XPhCDcLDR1I/AAAAAAABjFg/cTnlero17z0bj8eICyvx1SXHQFMhv-GFQCLcBGAs/s400/icon%2Bpainting%2Bof%2BJesus%2Band%2Bcross%2Bby%2BVirginia%2BQuarrier%2BKnowles.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Icon:Incarnate" ~ watercolor cream ~ 2019</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vF8TQzf1FYk/XPhCHgSJX3I/AAAAAAABjFo/iJPAxjgJMk0luF_1U01rXdzlMLtlMa-awCLcBGAs/s1600/00%2BSanctuary%2Bpainting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vF8TQzf1FYk/XPhCHgSJX3I/AAAAAAABjFo/iJPAxjgJMk0luF_1U01rXdzlMLtlMa-awCLcBGAs/s400/00%2BSanctuary%2Bpainting.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/08/sanctuary-new-blue-painting.html" target="_blank">"Sanctuary"</a> </b>~ acrylic paint ~ 2016</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X5V_14PA9cA/XPhCOvOGI2I/AAAAAAABjFw/GAIcH21FcZMCMYkgjZg7fMZ10wxPVAYjACLcBGAs/s1600/I%2BArise%2BCeltic%2BChalkboard%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="315" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X5V_14PA9cA/XPhCOvOGI2I/AAAAAAABjFw/GAIcH21FcZMCMYkgjZg7fMZ10wxPVAYjACLcBGAs/s400/I%2BArise%2BCeltic%2BChalkboard%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="393" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2019/01/arise-one-word.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">"I Arise"</span></b></a> ~ chalk ~ 2019</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zerOTmRaKzU/XPhCSjcwoOI/AAAAAAABjF0/0W1kJNqxTmw-MCGKBlo7ydfMs21kOKGAwCLcBGAs/s1600/Focus%2Btie%2Bdye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="640" height="312" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zerOTmRaKzU/XPhCSjcwoOI/AAAAAAABjF0/0W1kJNqxTmw-MCGKBlo7ydfMs21kOKGAwCLcBGAs/s400/Focus%2Btie%2Bdye.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2018/02/focus-one-word.html" target="_blank">"Focus"</a> </b>~ tie dye ~ 2017</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_PHINNkCJVw/XPhCeFt0CZI/AAAAAAABjGM/TgzIl9324VwXnW9OmSLwZaOP-mW9EICcACLcBGAs/s1600/blue%2Bword%2Bplate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="578" height="370" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_PHINNkCJVw/XPhCeFt0CZI/AAAAAAABjGM/TgzIl9324VwXnW9OmSLwZaOP-mW9EICcACLcBGAs/s640/blue%2Bword%2Bplate.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/05/my-new-blue-art.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">"Full Plate"</span></b></a> ~ ceramic ~ 2016</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-87gcLwUZCZw/XPhCduVpq2I/AAAAAAABjGE/n2_zWM5ccCwqIGNSP7PAYIQnclUYAZbVQCLcBGAs/s1600/Hebrews%2B11%2Bcalligraphy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-87gcLwUZCZw/XPhCduVpq2I/AAAAAAABjGE/n2_zWM5ccCwqIGNSP7PAYIQnclUYAZbVQCLcBGAs/s400/Hebrews%2B11%2Bcalligraphy.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Faith" ~ hand lettering ~ 2019</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U-aeuektUgM/XPhCdvyl0BI/AAAAAAABjGI/Aj4eXKNZ7pY5ege9JA8F9YtJkIJFaWXlwCLcBGAs/s1600/Mesmerized%2Bby%2Bwords%2Bcalligraphy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="694" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U-aeuektUgM/XPhCdvyl0BI/AAAAAAABjGI/Aj4eXKNZ7pY5ege9JA8F9YtJkIJFaWXlwCLcBGAs/s640/Mesmerized%2Bby%2Bwords%2Bcalligraphy.jpg" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-simple-womans-daybook.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">"Mesmerized"</span></b></a> ~ calligraphy quote ~ 2017</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0XxKarVKUeQ/XPhCdsO4vSI/AAAAAAABjGA/EffdKeCJhvMB1IZ4yi_DjfLo3ggUpdC8gCLcBGAs/s1600/Micah%2B6%2Bwood%2Bburned%2Bsign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0XxKarVKUeQ/XPhCdsO4vSI/AAAAAAABjGA/EffdKeCJhvMB1IZ4yi_DjfLo3ggUpdC8gCLcBGAs/s320/Micah%2B6%2Bwood%2Bburned%2Bsign.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/10/what-about-privilege-justice-and-social.html" target="_blank">"What is Good?"</a> </span></b>~ wood burning ~ 2017</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cRLAyaKGEyg/XPhCk0mtzMI/AAAAAAABjGo/xAPJg6PftrEyTRVISSwW67JUjDyoa1bhwCLcBGAs/s1600/05b%2Bwindows%2Bat%2BSainte-Chapelle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cRLAyaKGEyg/XPhCk0mtzMI/AAAAAAABjGo/xAPJg6PftrEyTRVISSwW67JUjDyoa1bhwCLcBGAs/s400/05b%2Bwindows%2Bat%2BSainte-Chapelle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/03/sainte-chapelle-nouvel-esprit-feed-your.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">"Sainte-Chapelle, Nouvel Esprit"</span></b></a><br />
Paris ~ architectural photography ~ 2016</td></tr>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-udtoRL4X9Fc/WDfb1cjSzjI/AAAAAAABdsA/s3UlXqDJDgcfqA_uVrP0leg6DbqQAanJQCLcB/s320/00%2BTrummelbachfalle.JPG" style="border: medium none currentcolor; color: #2a84df; font-size: 18.06px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; padding: 8px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: underline;" width="320" /></div>
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<a class="external" href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/11/trummelbachfalle-ten-waterfalls-in-big_25.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="margin-bottom: 0px;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">"Trummelbachfalle in Switzerland"<span aria-hidden="true" class="ui-icon ui-icon-extlink ui-icon-inline" style="background-image: url(""/dist/images/jqueryui/ui-icons_222222_256x240-a2c05c5e96.png""); background-position: -32px -80px; background-repeat: no-repeat; display: inline-block; height: 16px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-indent: -99999px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;" title="Links to an external site."></span></span></b><span class="screenreader-only" style="border: 0px none currentcolor; clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); color: #008ee2; height: 1px; margin: -1px -1px 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; transform: translateZ(0px); width: 1px;"> (Links to an external site.)</span></a></div>
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nature photography ~ 2016</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bCTrd76SpkE/XPhCkko_tmI/AAAAAAABjGk/1mxOmhsE0JgOiusPHPtH2BGR_uwA33CIgCLcBGAs/s1600/flower%2Bfrom%2Bfound%2Bnature%2Bobjects.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="960" height="318" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bCTrd76SpkE/XPhCkko_tmI/AAAAAAABjGk/1mxOmhsE0JgOiusPHPtH2BGR_uwA33CIgCLcBGAs/s320/flower%2Bfrom%2Bfound%2Bnature%2Bobjects.jpg" width="320" /></span></b></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/03/ptsd-pain-that-keeps-on-giving-while-we.html" target="_blank">"Bloom Anyway"</a> </span></b>~ found object photography ~ 2018</td></tr>
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I uploaded these photos of my artwork as part of a "getting to know you" assignment for my Vocation of Ministry class that I'm taking online at Asbury Seminary this summer. I thought you all might enjoy them as well. You can also click on most of the titles to see related blog posts.<br />
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This is my art.<br />
This is my heart.<br />
<br />
Virginia<br />
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<br />Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-29239316154542786002019-01-08T22:39:00.000-05:002019-01-08T22:39:12.023-05:00Simple Woman's Daybook ~ January 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vaU_cpVQJzA/XDVBr6aMT7I/AAAAAAABh-w/62_L_TJi3kkxucYkcRNsZiir9gS8NV40wCLcBGAs/s1600/01%2Bbouquet%2Bon%2Bdoor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1585" data-original-width="1600" height="316" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vaU_cpVQJzA/XDVBr6aMT7I/AAAAAAABh-w/62_L_TJi3kkxucYkcRNsZiir9gS8NV40wCLcBGAs/s320/01%2Bbouquet%2Bon%2Bdoor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hello friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm back with another <a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/">Simple Woman's Daybook</a>! (Check out my posts from <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-simple-womans-daybook.html">April</a>, <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/06/simple-womans-daybook-june-2018.html">June</a>, <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/07/simple-womans-daybook-july-2018.html">July</a>, and <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/08/simple-womans-day-book-august-2018.html" target="_blank">August</a> 2018.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://bettiegsraseasons.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/simple-woman-daybook-large1.jpg?w=1100" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://bettiegsraseasons.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/simple-woman-daybook-large1.jpg?w=1100" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm linking this up to the <a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/p/httpthesimplewoman.html">TSW Daybook blog hop</a>. Maybe you'd like to give it a try too? It's SIMPLE! I'm just following the prompts! I must confess, though, that I have rearranged the sections due to what I'm writing about and how each part connects with the others this time around.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For Today...</span></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Outside my window...</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9I8zxRtS24U/XDVBsgoTzxI/AAAAAAABh-4/TlhWnm8sA7cdyB13DfvhhdHAoXFcUwPLACLcBGAs/s1600/02%2BGarden%2Bflag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9I8zxRtS24U/XDVBsgoTzxI/AAAAAAABh-4/TlhWnm8sA7cdyB13DfvhhdHAoXFcUwPLACLcBGAs/s320/02%2BGarden%2Bflag.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bukmnVHB-tc/XDVBsbWDtEI/AAAAAAABh-0/lQ7kPM0hCDgSx2rYgHZRRiYd1ILMdjkJQCLcBGAs/s1600/03%2BHibiscus%2Bflower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bukmnVHB-tc/XDVBsbWDtEI/AAAAAAABh-0/lQ7kPM0hCDgSx2rYgHZRRiYd1ILMdjkJQCLcBGAs/s320/03%2BHibiscus%2Bflower.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<b style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am thinking...</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...there is always so much to do, and not enough time to do it, and I need to guard my moments. On the one hand, I need to savor the small things and not feel like I have to be in full grind mode all the time, but on the other hand, I need to also evaluate whether each activity is adding value to me or draining my life away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I like to play Freecell, but it's a big time hog, so I often take it off my phone for days at a time. I put my Kindle app on my main phone screen so I can be motivated to read instead. This semester I bought nearly all of my seminary text books on Kindle using Amazon gift cards from several of my children. (They asked what I wanted for Christmas!) With Kindle I can change the font size for my old eyes, and I can read it anywhere, whether it's on my phone while waiting somewhere else or on my computer at home. And they don't take up space on my bookshelves. Yay. School doesn't start for another few weeks since I didn't take any January term classes, but I'm already getting a jump start.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I only work at United Way every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I try to get most of my housework and school assignments done on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. It's always a juggle.</span><br />
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<b>One of my favorite things...</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...is my fuzzy soft blanket. I don't usually make my bed. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-23og_2qfiFc/XDVeIpDd6sI/AAAAAAABiBA/0gbDfnNEaAkMihkXIslQgeP-TDF_b6Z_gCLcBGAs/s1600/A%2Bfuzzy%2Bblanket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-23og_2qfiFc/XDVeIpDd6sI/AAAAAAABiBA/0gbDfnNEaAkMihkXIslQgeP-TDF_b6Z_gCLcBGAs/s320/A%2Bfuzzy%2Bblanket.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<b style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am wearing...</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9YoxenajOpQ/XDVCkDuFX5I/AAAAAAABh_I/z_1ICi6pOJgrKJzYKomYgWT58yKMeJMnACLcBGAs/s1600/Grace%2BUpon%2BGrace%2Btshirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="915" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9YoxenajOpQ/XDVCkDuFX5I/AAAAAAABh_I/z_1ICi6pOJgrKJzYKomYgWT58yKMeJMnACLcBGAs/s320/Grace%2BUpon%2BGrace%2Btshirt.jpg" width="183" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Available <a href="https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/grace-upon-grace-teal-v-neck-M00000842" target="_blank"><b>here at Lifeway</b></a>.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am thankful...</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...for lovely holidays with my family. My oldest daughter offered to host Christmas at her house so I was spared a last minute cleaning frenzy here. Here's the clan: mom (that's me), dad, 10 kids, 3 sons-in-law, and 6 grandchildren.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--_XOfrVRJnM/XDVEjUd3NdI/AAAAAAABh_U/wr4QiAr3R1UW-S-pv88arJEJ717uCEw2QCLcBGAs/s1600/Knowles%2Bfamily%2Bphoto%2BChristmas%2B2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--_XOfrVRJnM/XDVEjUd3NdI/AAAAAAABh_U/wr4QiAr3R1UW-S-pv88arJEJ717uCEw2QCLcBGAs/s400/Knowles%2Bfamily%2Bphoto%2BChristmas%2B2018.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today I put away many of our remaining Christmas decorations. I still have to do the tree and two nativities later this week, but that should do it. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Christmas village came down from the cabinet in our front hallway...</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3EOj7CZjcs/XDVFLqCiGLI/AAAAAAABh_k/UXgRUCpl-zcNKdnQDfM_YLzWOVj7pDaWgCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2Bvillage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3EOj7CZjcs/XDVFLqCiGLI/AAAAAAABh_k/UXgRUCpl-zcNKdnQDfM_YLzWOVj7pDaWgCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2Bvillage.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...and the spring decorations went up in the same spot. We don't really have too much winter in Florida!</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N5ZKWK43uhg/XDVFLqBKtjI/AAAAAAABh_c/inWbtuOZH84XuJ_RG5Yo5o7-6ckpLM55QCLcBGAs/s1600/Pink%2Band%2Bwhite%2Bbouquet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N5ZKWK43uhg/XDVFLqBKtjI/AAAAAAABh_c/inWbtuOZH84XuJ_RG5Yo5o7-6ckpLM55QCLcBGAs/s320/Pink%2Band%2Bwhite%2Bbouquet.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The plaque is from Cracker Barrel, where I ate lunch with my 15 year old son this weekend. I love the gift shop there, which is probably why I agreed to take him when he asked. Oh, and great food.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><br />I am creating...</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...this chalk art for my front hallway. I actually did this last week.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HeC-O9XRKAM/XDVGmVzFJUI/AAAAAAABh_4/qLE9BgFwciIqGZhB2sGOeQ4iPIO_2lqyQCLcBGAs/s1600/I%2BArise%2BCeltic%2BChalkboard%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="315" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HeC-O9XRKAM/XDVGmVzFJUI/AAAAAAABh_4/qLE9BgFwciIqGZhB2sGOeQ4iPIO_2lqyQCLcBGAs/s1600/I%2BArise%2BCeltic%2BChalkboard%2B%25281%2529.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This goes with my "one word" for 2019: <a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2019/01/arise-one-word.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">ARISE</span></b></a>. Check it out! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm also busy blogging today. Sometimes I go weeks between posting on any of my blogs, but today I'm cranking out three posts: the Arise one, this one, and one from a seminary assignment: </span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2019/01/inductive-bible-study-on-discipleship.html">Inductive Bible Study on Discipleship in Matthew 8-9</a></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am listening...</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Francesca Battistelli's "The Breakup Song" about overcoming fear. So GOOD!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Also just started listening to podcasts, asking for recommendations from friends on Facebook. I'll recommend some when I decide which ones I really like.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am reading...</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...and...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of my seminary texts on Kindle </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">for my Vocation of Ministry class.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We're supposed to have it done during the first week of class but it's a long book so I'm already reading it.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am hoping...</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...that my shoulder stops hurting. It's an old injury that has flared up. I have an appointment with an orthopedist next week. Some days it's excruciating but it's been a bit more tolerable lately. It's still hard to get dressed, drive, do housework, and sleep. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Speaking of hope, I often do Scripture lettering projects in the evening, taking my verses from The Beautiful Word book that my daughter gave me a while back. Even if my shoulder doesn't stop hurting, I have hope in the Lord that he will take care of me and empower me to do whatever he has called me to do.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In my kitchen...</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I decorate many of my rooms by theme. The kitchen is butterflies.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jmSITWqgSwU/XDVHgFba4pI/AAAAAAABiAI/Pyrdo0nr4ns4JnliJu4lIwCFN3PVrhabwCLcBGAs/s1600/Butterfly%2Bcalendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jmSITWqgSwU/XDVHgFba4pI/AAAAAAABiAI/Pyrdo0nr4ns4JnliJu4lIwCFN3PVrhabwCLcBGAs/s640/Butterfly%2Bcalendar.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Several of last year's calendar pages grace the inside of my cabinet doors with butterflies and Bible verses.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rDy8mj-sSrs/XDVHhyWa7MI/AAAAAAABiAQ/V6guXbQyjYM2CV8aqHFVwFv1zBIblNu-wCLcBGAs/s1600/Old%2Bcalendar%2Bpages%2Binside%2Bcupboards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rDy8mj-sSrs/XDVHhyWa7MI/AAAAAAABiAQ/V6guXbQyjYM2CV8aqHFVwFv1zBIblNu-wCLcBGAs/s640/Old%2Bcalendar%2Bpages%2Binside%2Bcupboards.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today I was trying to get the kitchen under control again. It's always a challenge. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From this...</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sg-QJI2iAWU/XDVHgKFYvdI/AAAAAAABiAE/5V1___YyA2cIcRw94O7eReBwmHFGV9N-wCLcBGAs/s1600/Messy%2Bkitchen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sg-QJI2iAWU/XDVHgKFYvdI/AAAAAAABiAE/5V1___YyA2cIcRw94O7eReBwmHFGV9N-wCLcBGAs/s320/Messy%2Bkitchen.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">...to this today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also threw away several rusty old baking sheets and bought some new ones on sale.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G3u1E5iGdmg/XDVIdFj6UKI/AAAAAAABiAg/77q0WuqmeTsyB4f-abKudIiVrHq-xUydACLcBGAs/s1600/New%2Bcookie%2Bsheets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="1600" height="203" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G3u1E5iGdmg/XDVIdFj6UKI/AAAAAAABiAg/77q0WuqmeTsyB4f-abKudIiVrHq-xUydACLcBGAs/s320/New%2Bcookie%2Bsheets.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A moment from my day...</span></b><br />
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The hum of the delivery truck outside. The ding of the Amazon notification.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5gjLNZKdEXk/XDVlTPht6TI/AAAAAAABiBU/VpxPovPMNhg21qNh-48yQIZSOuk730NGgCLcBGAs/s1600/Amazon%2Bdelivery%2Bnotice.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5gjLNZKdEXk/XDVlTPht6TI/AAAAAAABiBU/VpxPovPMNhg21qNh-48yQIZSOuk730NGgCLcBGAs/s400/Amazon%2Bdelivery%2Bnotice.PNG" width="223" /></a></div>
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Yay! It's here!<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-URQ1n2etdt4/XDVlTI96FOI/AAAAAAABiBY/GFN3KMavMjwV4xz90PVO7alB53e8sjF-gCLcBGAs/s1600/Celtic%2BDaily%2BPrayer%2BNorthumbria.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1338" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-URQ1n2etdt4/XDVlTI96FOI/AAAAAAABiBY/GFN3KMavMjwV4xz90PVO7alB53e8sjF-gCLcBGAs/s400/Celtic%2BDaily%2BPrayer%2BNorthumbria.JPG" width="333" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shared quote...</span></b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CFb_CHruj-c/XDVqh24K9iI/AAAAAAABiBo/bI8RC-wnUCoviUq2c5dhz8tFYwy0YXD4ACLcBGAs/s1600/Quote%2Bfrom%2BCeltic%2BDaily%2BPrayer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="1600" height="211" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CFb_CHruj-c/XDVqh24K9iI/AAAAAAABiBo/bI8RC-wnUCoviUq2c5dhz8tFYwy0YXD4ACLcBGAs/s320/Quote%2Bfrom%2BCeltic%2BDaily%2BPrayer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">Celtic Daily Prayer: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">Prayers and Readings from </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">the Northumbria Community</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Closing notes...</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I pray all of God's abundant blessings on all who read this. Sweet dreams, my friends.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Post script...</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.4px;">If you enjoyed reading my daybook and would like to create one of your own, </span><a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/p/httpthesimplewoman.html" style="color: #00633a; line-height: 22.4px;"><b><i>HERE</i></b></a><span style="line-height: 22.4px;"><i> </i>is the link to the format, guidelines and complete list of prompts.<span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: #00c675; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: medium;"></span></span><br /></span>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MUgbMuWDHHE/SRblNnUubfI/AAAAAAAAIlA/gxqm9TVaMusM99yPF3JiA4h27qGy0JSeACPcB/s1600/simple-woman-daybook-large.jpg"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MUgbMuWDHHE/SRblNnUubfI/AAAAAAAAIlA/gxqm9TVaMusM99yPF3JiA4h27qGy0JSeACPcB/s320/simple-woman-daybook-large.jpg" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Grace and peace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-55870973221104589472018-12-23T16:18:00.000-05:002018-12-23T16:24:46.575-05:00We Can Rise (Advent Poem 2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BuGmXbptSko/XB_yPVMIMPI/AAAAAAABh2c/dJBK4V0y2nM1d3WHw7UtQGso8NyIW9LygCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2Blights%2Bthrough%2Btranslucent%2Bwindow%2Band%2Bnet%2Bcurtains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="960" height="242" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BuGmXbptSko/XB_yPVMIMPI/AAAAAAABh2c/dJBK4V0y2nM1d3WHw7UtQGso8NyIW9LygCLcBGAs/s400/Christmas%2Blights%2Bthrough%2Btranslucent%2Bwindow%2Band%2Bnet%2Bcurtains.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-size: x-large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>We Can Rise</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico";"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>by Virginia Knowles, Advent 2018</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>We can rise because he descended</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Glory upon Glory dwelling in a tiny child</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Meek and mild in a manger.</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>This is the exquisite mystery of</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>The Son of God and Son of Man</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Redeeming the ashes of death through his birth</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>And so we rise to new life</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>We can rise because he descended</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>The Shepherd Savior rescuing his lambs</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>From the dark and rocky crevices</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Where evil lurks and thorns entangle</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>He longs to lead us home to safe haven</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Gentle yet strong arms free us, lift us up</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>And so we rise in new liberty</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>We can rise because he descended</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>As the Great Physician tending the sick</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>He heals the wounded heart and yet much more</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>He brings a fullness and wellness</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>By sacrificing himself, his very life, body and blood</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Then rising victorious over sin and death</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>And so we rise in new strength</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>We can rise because he descended</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>As the sovereign Head of his new body</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Gathered together from saints made new</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Living temple, royal priests rising to serve</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Rising to descend as he did</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>To lift others to his life and liberty and strength</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>And so we rise in new love.</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>And though we too descend again and again</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Still we rise and rise and rise and rise.</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: "pacifico"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>My other Advent poems:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "pacifico";"><span style="font-size: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "pacifico";"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/12/god-of-joy-i-see-thee-advent-2017-poem.html"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>God of Joy, I See Thee - 2017</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "pacifico";"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2015/12/bring-me-advent-poem-2015.html"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Bring Me - 2015</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "pacifico";"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/12/pure-devotion-advent-poem-2014.html"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Pure Devotion - 2014</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "pacifico";"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/12/peace-and-joy-advent-poem-2013.html"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Peace and Joy - 2013</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "pacifico";"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-note-wedged-into-window-on-my-van-and.html"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>The Jesus Poem - 2012</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "pacifico";"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-in-malawi-christmas-inamerica.html"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Christmas in Malawi, Christmas in America - 2011</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "pacifico";"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2010/11/invitation-to-stillness.html"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Invitation to Stillness - 2010</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "pacifico";"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/12/grace-will-lead-me-home-advent-poem.html"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Grace Will Lead Me Home - 2009</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "pacifico";"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/12/advent-poem-2-story-did-not-start-with.html"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>The Story Did Not Start with a Stable and a Star - 2008</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "pacifico";"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/12/advent-poem-5-candlewick.html"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Candlewick - 2008</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "pacifico";"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/12/grace-will-lead-me-home-advent-poem.html"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Shepherd's Tale - 2008</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "pacifico";"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/12/advent-poem-7-corpus-christi.html"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Corpus Christi - 2007</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "pacifico";"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/12/advent-poem-4-rhapsody-in-m.html"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Rhapsody in M - 2006</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "pacifico";"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/12/advent-poem-3-psalm-to-sweet-jesus.html"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Psalm to Sweet Jesus</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "pacifico";"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/12/advent-poem-1-paradox.html"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Paradox</b></span></a></span></li>
</ul>
<br />Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-20380056281932318592018-10-05T13:31:00.001-04:002018-10-05T18:32:47.601-04:00My Birthday Weekend in Maryland in September<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm a little late posting this, since it's been almost a month! I just didn't get finished editing. Not that you were holding your breath or anything...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So anyway, in my <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/08/simple-womans-day-book-august-2018.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">Simple Woman's Day Book post for August</span></b></a>, I mentioned that I planned to go to Sarasota and St. Petersburg, Florida for my birthday weekend in September to see art museums and botanical gardens. I booked my hotel room and planned my itinerary - and then I changed my mind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Instead, I found a cheap flight on Frontier and decided to go "up home" to Maryland to see my sister Barb and my dad and their families. Dad and I share a birthday, so we were able to celebrate together! I got there on a Thursday evening and left there around Sunday noon. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">En route, in Orlando airport -<br />with only my backpack for luggage.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On Friday, my birthday, I spent the day with my sister. She had an appointment in historic Sykesville, so I wandered the boutiques and the indie bookstore A Likely Story until she was done. Then we enjoyed crepes at the French Twist cafe.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A Likely Story</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My sister Barb at the French Twist</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">St. Paul's United Methodist Church</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Next we went to Barnes & Noble to get some presents for my dad. She and her kids and I all bought him magazines, because she remembered he once told her the birthday cards were a waste of money when you could buy a magazine instead. She bought him an ancestry one, and I bought one on military heritage - both of them are interests of his. I splurged on copies of <a href="https://bellagracemagazine.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Bella Grace</span></b></a> and Southern Cottage. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We all met up at Bob Evans for our birthday dinner!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">my Maryland family</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On Saturday, my nephew Doug (a high school English teacher) kindly drove me down to the <a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/12/god-of-joy-i-see-thee-advent-2017-poem.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><b>Washington National Cathedra</b></span>l</a> in Washington, DC. He loves it as much as I do. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The cathedral is full of creative beauty - so I still got my art fix. I accomplished my goals <i>and</i> got to see my family!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Behind the Scenes tour was full, which is just as well since we could instead go to the very first ever African-American tour there. One thing that made a profound impression on me is that Ms. Williams would simply say, "Walk with me," when it was time to go to the next part of the cathedral. It was like she was saying, "Come along on this journey and learn with me..."</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Doug and I with tour guide Jackie Williams -</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">note that I am wearing my rose window T-shirt from</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Notre Dame, since I am a cathedral & stained glass lover.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mosaics portraying Biblical characters<br />as people of color (which they were)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Needlepoint kneeler pillow honoring the legacy of<br />African-American educator Mary McLeod Bethune</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Francis Asbury</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Early Methodist circuit riding preacher</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Namesake of my seminary and my church.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">After our visit at the National Cathedral, Doug surprised me with a trip to the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America. The buildings and gardens are beautiful and inspiring!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We picked up Chipotle on the way back to my sister's house, where I hung out for the evening with her family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The next morning, I attended </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">New Hope Lutheran with my dad and Anny. I love to see what they have created with their hands recently: blankets, quilts, baby kits, school kits, homeless outreach bags, and much more. They will be donated to both global and local community relief organizations. Anny personally knitted up a bunch of baby hats and I think she worked on the blankets, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And then, shortly after that, it was time to go back to the airport to fly home to my Florida family!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hope you enjoyed the pretty pictures!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Blessings,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia</span><br />
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-4122172543406636132018-08-10T23:36:00.000-04:002018-08-10T23:39:28.187-04:00Simple Woman's Day Book ~ August 2018<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hello friends!<br /><br />I'm back with another <a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/">Simple Woman's Daybook</a>! (Check out my <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-simple-womans-daybook.html">first one from April</a> and <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/06/simple-womans-daybook-june-2018.html">my second one from June</a>, and <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/07/simple-womans-daybook-july-2018.html" target="_blank">my third one from July</a>)</span><br />
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<a href="https://bettiegsraseasons.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/simple-woman-daybook-large1.jpg?w=1100" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://bettiegsraseasons.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/simple-woman-daybook-large1.jpg?w=1100" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm linking this up to the <a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/p/httpthesimplewoman.html">TSW Daybook blog hop</a>. Maybe you'd like to give it a try too? It's SIMPLE! I'm just following the prompts! I must confess, though, that I have rearranged the sections due to what I'm writing about and how each part connects with the others this time around.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For Today...</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Looking out my window...</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Looking out through the arch window in our front door, I can stand on tiptoe and see who's there after our faithful watchdog Persephone starts barking.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am thinking...</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">...that it's been a long day. A really long day...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My three teens started back to school this morning. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The one in the middle is starting 7th grade, and returning to public school for the first time since 2nd grade. (I've been home schooling her.) It's quite a transition for her, but she's handling it as confidently as she can! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">She didn't have to leave the house until 8:30, but she was up at 5:30 with a plate of yummy scrambled eggs for me. We took this photo around 6:30 , when her older brother and sister (a sophomore and senior) left for their bus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">...a cute banana print skirt that I found at Forever 21 (Ha! I'm 54!) while school shopping with my kids last week. I've also got on a scoop neck black shirt that I bought at Walmart to wear with it. Funny thing is that two of my children used to be banana-phobic. Yes, that is a thing. It's gotten better, but they're still like, "Ewwww!"</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am thankful...</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pdFjYWHgd-0/W247Chor8-I/AAAAAAABg0U/0OM9qI7Y82sffqXU5s6syu88I6nwxoBjgCLcBGAs/s1600/battery%2Bin%2Bvan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pdFjYWHgd-0/W247Chor8-I/AAAAAAABg0U/0OM9qI7Y82sffqXU5s6syu88I6nwxoBjgCLcBGAs/s320/battery%2Bin%2Bvan.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My van battery was dead when I went to drive my youngest daughter to her new bus stop. Her oldest brother drove her instead, helped me jump the van, and then picked her up at school later when she missed her bus home and I was delayed at work because my battery died again. Their dad scouted out battery deals and helped me get it replaced at AutoZone in the evening after it died the third time. I'm now good to go, and thankful for their help.</span><br /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Little metaphor here: the first time I jumped it, I had a hard time determining which terminal was the positive one because I couldn't find the + sign. My son was looking from a different angle and found it tucked under the edge of a terminal. So I guess I can say I was looking for the positive - and found it with a little help and a new perspective. After that, jumping the van was easy peasy lemon squeezy.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am creating...</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">...photographic memories to encourage others. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">These are from last night's "table church" - a delicious meal, Bible study, worship, prayer, and communion with friends in a home near downtown Orlando.</span><br />
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<b><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am listening...</span></b></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">...to a song we sang at table church last night!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am learning...</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am also listening to a lot of people on the phone in my job on the United Way 2-1-1 crisis and referral line. So much heartache and difficulty out there! </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On Tuesday, I had a class on handling suicide calls, which was the ending session of two weeks of formal 2-1-1 training. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On Wednesday, I supplemented that by attending an 8 hour <a href="http://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/" target="_blank">Mental Health First Aid</a> workshop sponsored by </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><a href="http://www.afsp.org/cfl" target="_blank">American Foundation for Suicide Prevention</a> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">and the Rollins College Psychology Department. This class was not required for me. I just want to be more equipped to temporarily assist people through crises (such as suicide contemplation, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, psychotic episodes, substance abuse emergencies) until they can get professional help. I have so much more to learn. I'm glad they provided us with a workshop book to read at home, which also has dozens of web sites for further information. These classes, originally developed in Australia, are available all over the USA and in many other countries. Check to see if there are any scheduled in your area!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Marie Dudek Brown</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I am hoping...</b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Chihuly collection in St. Petersburg, Florida</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">...and actually planning to go to the Florida gulf coast for a weekend next month to see art museums, botanical gardens, and the beach. I'd love to be able to travel much farther (Europe!) to see world class museums, but I realize there is so much to see within driving distance right here in Florida. This trip, a birthday present to myself, will also commemorate some of the transitions in my life this year, including going back to work and starting seminary.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's my plan...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sarasota:</b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.ringling.org/museum-art" target="_blank">Ringling Museums</a> (art, circus, mansion) </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>St. Petersburg:</b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.moreanartscenter.org/" target="_blank">Chihuly exhibit</a> (glass art!) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://mfastpete.org/" target="_blank">Museum of Fine Arts</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://thedali.org/" target="_blank">Dali Museum</a> </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love taking photos with light and shadow... In this one in my darkened kitchen, the pattern on the glass pie plate is projected onto the mixing bowl sitting on top of it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“I live my life in growing orbits which move out over this wondrous world, I am circling around God, around ancient towers and I have been circling for a thousand years. And I still don't know if I am an eagle or a storm or a great song.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“She who reconciles the ill-matched threads of her life, and weaves them gratefully into a single cloth— it’s she who drives the loudmouths from the hall and clears it for a different celebration where the one guest is you. In the softness of evening it’s you she receives. You are the partner of her loneliness, the unspeaking center of her monologues. With each disclosure you encompass more and she stretches beyond what limits her, to hold you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ranier Maria Rilke, Book of Hours: Love Poems to God</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A moment from my day...</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">...sitting in my bedroom, with my daughter cross-legged on my bed, telling me about her first day of school. Despite all of the challenges and transitions, I think we're going to make it this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is me about 40 years ago. Times sure have changed. I didn't even imagine then that I'd have 10 teen and adult children or six grandchildren. I'm a blessed mama.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wherever your own life is taking you, or wherever you are taking your life, I pray you will be abundantly blessed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 22.4px;">If you enjoyed reading my daybook and would like to create one of your own, </span><a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/p/httpthesimplewoman.html" style="line-height: 22.4px; text-decoration-line: none;"><b><i>HERE</i></b></a><span style="line-height: 22.4px;"><i> </i>is the link to the format, guidelines and complete list of prompts.<span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grace and peace,<br />Virginia Knowle<span style="background-color: white;">s</span></span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-44157944981145794252018-07-09T22:51:00.000-04:002018-07-09T22:51:02.431-04:00Simple Woman's Daybook - July 2018<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hello friends!</span><br /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm back with another <a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/" style="color: #00633a;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Simple Woman's Daybook</span></b></a>! (Check out my <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-simple-womans-daybook.html" style="color: #00633a; font-weight: bold;">first one from April</a><b style="color: #38761d; text-decoration-line: none;"> </b>and <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/06/simple-womans-daybook-june-2018.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>my second one from June</b></span></a>) </span><br /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><a href="https://bettiegsraseasons.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/simple-woman-daybook-large1.jpg?w=1100" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #00633a; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="simple-woman-daybook-large.jpg" border="0" src="https://bettiegsraseasons.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/simple-woman-daybook-large1.jpg?w=1100" style="border: none; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm linking this up to the <b style="color: #00633a;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/p/httpthesimplewoman.html" style="color: #00633a;">TSW Daybook blog hop</a>. </span></b>Maybe you'd like to give it a try too? It's SIMPLE! I'm just following the prompts! I must confess, though, that I have rearranged the sections due to what I'm writing about and how each part connects with the others this time around.</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Looking out my window...</span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>I am thinking...</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Last time I mused that the summer can slip by so easily... And it has! School starts again in just a month, and I need to register my youngest daughter for 7th grade. It's going to be a big transition from home school to public school for her. But for now, the immediate need is for me to gather test scores, residency documents, and shot records. Which means she needs shots. No fun. She's getting them this week.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YrGw4ZN6S9Q/W0QN3P0tKwI/AAAAAAABgmw/iH1KxQI1f50HzKFxXG9DteatiVwv6nBTACLcBGAs/s1600/peony%2Bin%2Bvase%2BDo%2BMore%2Bof%2BWhat%2BMakes%2BYou%2BHappy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="632" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YrGw4ZN6S9Q/W0QN3P0tKwI/AAAAAAABgmw/iH1KxQI1f50HzKFxXG9DteatiVwv6nBTACLcBGAs/s320/peony%2Bin%2Bvase%2BDo%2BMore%2Bof%2BWhat%2BMakes%2BYou%2BHappy.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The "do more of what makes you happy" dish was a gift from one of my daughters, and looking at it makes me happy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I bought the little blue vase on the night I realized I needed to go to seminary. It is kind of like a memorial stone for me. I chose the silk peony for it since it's my favorite flower, even though I've never grown any. I always love seeing pictures of peonies on Facebook.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">All of these are on my bedside table - the first thing I see when I wake up, the last thing I see before I go to sleep.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm wearing an soft-textured dark-colored floral pullover and a pair of loose silky black pants. I haven't changed out of my office clothes for the day since they are so comfortable! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also ordered <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079YBJ8D7/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">a new swimsuit from Amazon</a>, since I was having a hard time finding my size locally. It's not 100% perfect fit, but as good as I'm going to get. It's black and white, and I plan to wear a black cami under it for better coverage. I was trying it on to see if it fit, and then got a long phone call, so I had it on for quite a while. Comfortable enough!</span><br />
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<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am thankful...</span></b></div>
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<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am thankful for my new job at Heart of Florida United Way 2-1-1. I had been looking for a part-time job for a while, after over 30 year of being a (mostly) stay-at-home mom. I knew about a big job fair downtown, but that morning was super busy and I was taking my daughter somewhere in the afternoon. I balked at going, but at the last minute, I tweaked and printed my resume, put on some business clothes, packed my brief case, and went! </span></span></div>
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<span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm glad I did, because United Way was the first booth I visited, and I knew when they handed me the job description that it was exactly what I wanted. I applied and did a mini-interview on the spot, and was hired less than a week later to work about 17 hours a week. The job is answering crisis and referral calls, which could be anything from someone needing help with their electric bill to someone contemplating suicide. That, of course, takes some special training, which starts in two weeks. So for the past two weeks, I have been reading training manuals and doing outgoing follow-up calls. I check to see if our clients have received the assistance they were requesting, and if they were satisfied with the 2-1-1 service. Today I talked to a precious 94 year old lady who is lovingly caring for her husband of 73 years, even though he has dementia. She is so thankful for the referral to Meals on Wheels. I love my job!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm still working on my newest blog, a multi-faceted devotional Bible study called <a href="https://wisdomfromjames.blogspot.com/" style="color: #00633a; text-decoration-line: none;"><b>Wisdom from James</b></a>. Two chapters down, three to go!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Found Tonight" is an amazing mash-up of <a href="https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/linmanuelmiranda/thestoryoftonight.html"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>"The Story Of Tonight"</b></span></a> by Lin-Manuel Miranda from "Hamilton" and <a href="https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/dearevanhansencast/youwillbefound.html"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">"You Will Be Found"</span></b></a> by Ben Platt from "Dear Evan Hansen". The two songs go together so well, and it's my absolute favorite song to listen to while driving to work since it helps me think of the people I will be serving on the phone. </span></div>
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<i>Even when the dark comes crashing through<br />When you need a friend to carry you<br />When you're broken on the ground<br />You will be found<br />So let the sun come streaming in<br />'Cause you'll reach up and you'll rise again<br />If you only look around<br />You will be found<br /><br />And when our children tell their story<br />You will be found<br />They'll tell the story of tonight<br />Oh, no matter what they tell you<br />Tomorrow there'll be more of us<br />Telling the story of tonight<br />The story of tonight</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Like so many of you, I've been glued to the news of the boys' soccer team trapped in a water-filled cave in Thailand. As of now, eight boys have been rescued by expert divers, and there are four more boys and their coach waiting for rescue. The whole world is hoping that they will be brought to safety and that all of them will make a full recovery after over two weeks of hunger, darkness, and fear. It's what makes the song "Found Tonight" even more poignant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Even when the dark comes crashing through<br />When you need a friend to carry you<br />When you're broken on the ground<br />You will be found</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">At the same time, I remember that these are not the only children in Thailand who need rescue. </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #403c37; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;">Thailand is a major source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor."</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #403c37; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Find out more here: <a href="https://www.destinyrescue.org/us/countries/thailand/" target="_blank">Destiny Rescue / Thailand</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was going to write about learning how to use the Trello online software to organize my tasks, but I remembered I already wrote about it in a post on my <a href="http://www.thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">This Mom Grows Up</span></b></a> blog. You can find that post here: <a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2018/06/this-mom-starts-new-chapter.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">This Mom Starts a New Chapter</span></b></a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CH1vj0sBDdE/W0P0Qacso-I/AAAAAAABgmQ/0ernXHSUIW8hVKGa_SE-U11D65GPzmPfQCLcBGAs/s1600/Rule%2Bof%2BSt.%2BBenedict.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="594" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CH1vj0sBDdE/W0P0Qacso-I/AAAAAAABgmQ/0ernXHSUIW8hVKGa_SE-U11D65GPzmPfQCLcBGAs/s320/Rule%2Bof%2BSt.%2BBenedict.jpg" width="198" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, related to this, I'm still trying to learn to make the best use of my time, especially since I am starting three classes at seminary in September. I already bought all of my textbooks. One of the recent arrivals for my Church History class is The Rule of St. Benedict. I knew already that it has much to say about living an orderly life, but after skimming through it, I'll just say I'm really glad I don't live in a Benedictine monastery. So many rules! Such a rigid schedule! Eek! I just don't function that way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A little cooking inspiration? I think I'm going to try some of these ideas to replace my sandwich when I pack lunches for work!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is the part of the daybook where we're encouraged to pass along a favorite link. So this month, it's my new employer, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://www.hfuw.org/" style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">Heart of Florida United Way</a>. </b>Please check out what we do, and how you can participate!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since I'm featuring United Way today, I have to share a poem that is on an award plaque from <a href="https://www.cityyear.org/bridge-builder" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">City Year</span></b></a>. It's one I often included in my literature unit studies when I taught home school co-op classes. I'm glad to see it each day as I step off the elevator at work.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">An old man going a lone highway,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Came, at the evening cold and gray,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To a chasm vast and deep and wide.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Through which was flowing a sullen tide</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The old man crossed in the twilight dim,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The sullen stream had no fear for him;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But he turned when safe on the other side</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And built a bridge to span the tide.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“You are wasting your strength with building here;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Your journey will end with the ending day,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You never again will pass this way;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Why build this bridge at evening tide?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The builder lifted his old gray head;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“There followed after me to-day</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A youth whose feet must pass this way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This chasm that has been as naught to me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Good friend, I am building this bridge for him!”</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">A moment from my day</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A dear friend - the one who inspired me to go to seminary - called to check in on me. Yesterday, she drove 14 hours up to </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-style: inherit;">Asbury Seminary's main campus in</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-style: inherit;"> Wilmore, Kentucky. She's taking her last class, a week-long intensive in Christian leadership, for her MDiv degree. It was so good to talk with her about a bunch of different things. I am so thankful for her friendship. Please pray for Patricia as she discerns what is her own path in ministry in the days, months, and years to come. And for me too, as I start at Asbury's Orlando campus. </span></div>
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<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Closing notes</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This moment. Right now. I'm thinking now of those who will read my blog. I hope your life is going well now, and that you will reach out for help if it's not. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">No matter where we are or what is going on in our lives, may we all be </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bridge Builders.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />Grace and peace,</span><div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-81805630566362756982018-06-22T11:05:00.001-04:002018-06-22T14:16:50.873-04:00Food, Health, Jobs, and Family Crisis Assistance Resources in Central Florida<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Several years ago, I compiled a list of several organizations and government programs which offer assistance for food, health care, housing, jobs, family crises, and other needs in the Orlando area. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is not a complete list. If you know of other organizations, would you please leave a comment?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you live in another area, I encourage you to compile your own list to share with folks you know. Put it on a blog, link it to Facebook, send it to everyone in your e-mail address book, whatever it takes to get the word out in these tough economic times!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />My purposes? One, to connect families who need help with available resources. Two, to connect families who can donate or volunteer with opportunities to serve. Most of these organizations would make a great place for a high school student to volunteer for Bright Futures scholarship qualification hours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">First of all, let me give a big shout out to </span><a href="https://www.hfuw.org/" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><b>Heart of Florida United Way's</b></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> 211 crisis phone line. If you have a need, they will give connect you with programs in your area which offer the specific kind of assistance you require. I start work there next week, and I'm so excited! Just dial 211!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Charitable organizations offering food, clothing, housing, and other assistance:</u></span></b><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Second Harvest Food Bank: <span style="background-color: white; color: #626262; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 20px;">Collects and distributes donated food to more than 500 nonprofit partner agencies in six Central Florida counties</span> </b><b><a href="http://www.foodbankcentralflorida.org/site/PageServer" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.foodbankcentralflorida.org</span></a></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Harvest Time International: </b>Offers long-term self-sufficiency program, assistance with groceries, household items, cleaning supplies, diapers, in exchange for low contributions. Help with applying for government programs. <a href="http://www.harvesttime.org/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.harvesttime.org</span></a><b> <span style="background-color: white;"> </span></b></span></li>
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<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;">Up Orlando: </b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: right;">To </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: right;">inspire</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: right;"> and </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: right;">empower</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: right;"> people living in poverty to lift themselves and their families to economic self-sufficiency." </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;">150 W Michigan Street, Orlando, FL 32806</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <a href="tel:+14076500774">(407) 650-0774</a> <a href="https://uporlando.org/" target="_blank"><b>www.uporlando.org</b></a></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Family Promise Orlando:</b><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "</span></b></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We strive to help our families regain their financial independence within 90 days. Our faith based organizations provide shelter, meals, and comprehensive support services to homeless families." <a href="http://familypromiseorlando.org/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">www.familypromiseorlando.org</span></b></a></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Christian Service Center of Central Florida:</b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> Provides food, clothing, financial assistance, shelter, counsel and prayer in Orlando, Ocoee and Winter Park </span><a href="http://www.christianservicecenter.org/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">www.ChristianServiceCenter.org</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> or (407)425-2523</span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Christian Sharing Center: </b>Open to visitors Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 12 noon, except holidays at locations in Longwood (407-260-9155) and Sanford (407-323-2513). <b><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.thesharingcenter.org/" target="_blank">www.thesharingcenter.org</a></span></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Orlando Union Rescue Mission: <span style="background-color: white;"> "<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px;">The Orlando Union Rescue Mission is one of Central Florida's oldest and largest homeless service providers. The Mission provides for immediate physical needs -- including food, clothing and shelter -- however, our programs are designed to lead the homeless to permanent independence built upon a personal relationship with Christ.</span>" <span style="color: red;"> </span></span></b><b><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.ourm.org/" target="_blank">www.ourm.org/</a></span></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Haven of Hope Ministries: </b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Provides food, clothing, and support groups to individuals that are HIV/AIDS infected, as well as food bags for those who are living with a terminal illness and in poverty. </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.cflhavenofhope.com/" target="_blank">www.cflhavenofhope.com</a></span></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Rescue Outreach Mission of Sanford: </b>Provides emergency shelter, food, clothing, and spiritual guidance to disadvantaged, needy, homeless and abused individuals and families. 407-321-8224 <b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://www.rescueoutreachmission.org/" target="_blank">www.rescueoutreachmission.org</a></span></b></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Jewish </b></span><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.918);"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">F</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">amily Services:</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> Offers food assistance to </span><u style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">anyone</u><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> in need. Financial assistance is offered to those who qualify </span><a href="tel:407-644-7593" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-weight: normal;" target="_blank" value="+14076447593">407-644-7593</a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">, </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.jfsorlando.org/" target="_blank">www.jfsorlando.org</a></span></span></b><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Hands On Orlando:</b><b> </b>"<span style="background-color: white;">Hands On Orlando helps you help others. We plan, manage and lead volunteer projects that you and your friends can join." They also have projects suitable for corporate team building.</span> <a href="http://www.handsonorlando.com/"><b>www.handsonorlando.com</b></a> </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Volunteer Match: </b>"VolunteerMatch matches inspired people with inspiring causes. It’s how volunteers and nonprofits connect to achieve remarkable outcomes." </span><a href="http://www.volunteermatch.org/"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>www.volunteermatch.org</b></span></a></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Seminole County government food resources</span></u></b></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>WIC (Women, Infant and Children) Supplemental Food Program: </b>provides food assistance for families with pregnant mothers and/or children ages 0 to 5 years. <b><a href="http://www.seminolecohealth.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.seminolecohealth.com</span></a></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Department of Children and Families Access Program: </b>provides food stamps to eligible persons <a href="http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/access-florida-food-medical-assistance-cash" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/access-florida-food-medical-assistance-cash</span></b></a></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Department of Food Service: </b>apply for free and reduced lunch for Seminole County public school students <b><a href="http://foodservice.scps.k12.fl.us/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.foodservice.scps.k12.fl.us</span></a><span style="color: red;"> </span></b>(based on demographics, some schools also offer free breakfast to all students, without regard to family income). Many schools offer free breakfast and lunch for children during the summer at Summer Breakspots. </span><a href="http://diningservices.scps.us/summer/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>www.diningservices.scps.us/summer/</b></span></a></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Christian HELP: </b>assists the unemployed to find jobs, plus help for food and other resources as needed <span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="http://www.christianhelp.org/" target="_blank">www.ChristianHelp.org</a></b></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 25.68px;">Jobs Partnership: </span></b><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 25.68px;">Innovative approach to workforce development that provides a lasting solution to the challenges of insecurity, low self-esteem, and inconsistent work ethic in today’s workplace. In partnership with area businesses and churches. Twelve week Life and Work class at area churches, includes placement assistance. </span> </span><span style="color: red;"><b><a href="https://www.jobspartnership.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.jobspartnership.org</span></a></b></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Dress for Success of Greater Orlando: </b>assists women with interview appropriate clothing as a tool to develop self-sufficient lives <b><a href="http://www.dressforsuccess.org/orlando" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.dressforsuccess.org/orlando</span></a></b></span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Health care assistance:</u></span></b></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Shepherd's Hope Clinic:</b> "Caring People Caring for People", Christian ministry provides free health care to the uninsured at clinics around Central Florida<b> </b><b> <a href="http://shepherdshope.org/" target="_blank">www.shepherdshope.org/</a></b></span></li>
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<li><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Seminole County Health Department: </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">free immunizations for all county children (no income requirements) and free dental care for Medicaid recipients </span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><b><span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.seminolecohealth.com/" target="_blank">www.seminolecohealth.com</a></span></b></span></b></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Orange County Health Department: <a href="http://orange.floridahealth.gov/" target="_blank">www.orange.floridahealth.gov</a> </b><b> </b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Florida KidCare: </b>Subsidized health care insurance for children throughout Florida. Premiums are based on income. If have low income for your family size, you may be automatically approved for Medicaid instead. <span style="color: red;"><b><a href="http://www.floridakidcare.org/" target="_blank">www.floridakidcare.org/</a> </b></span> 888-540-5437</span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Crisis pregnancy assistance:</u></span></b></div>
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<li>Life Choices Medical Clinic: Free pregnancy tests and practical assistance 441 Maitland Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32701, phone: 321-422-4168, after hours, 800-712-HELP <a href="http://www.lifechoicesfl.com/">www.lifechoicesfl.com</a></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Domestic violence crisis assistance:</u></span></b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>SafeHouse of Seminole:</b> A confidential shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children, includes counseling, practical support, legal help, etc. <b><a href="http://www.safehouseofseminole.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">www.safehouseofseminole.org</span></a></b></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Harbor House (Orange County): </b>Shelter for victims of domestic violence, includes counseling, practical support, legal help, etc.<b> </b> <span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="http://www.harborhousefl.com/" target="_blank">www.harborhousefl.com</a></b></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>National Domestic Violence Hotline: </b>800-799-7233</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Kids House of Seminole Children's Advocacy Center: </b>Help for families dealing with child abuse; friendly, non-threatening atmosphere, includes counseling, support, information on resources, referrals for substance abuse treatment, etc. <a href="http://www.kidshouse.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>www.kidshouse.org</b></span></a></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for reading this! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/"><b>www.VirginiaKnowles.blogspot.com</b></a></span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-57107269818613275162018-06-01T23:45:00.000-04:002018-06-02T12:27:29.428-04:00Simple Woman's Daybook - June 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hello friends!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm back with another <a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Simple Woman's Daybook</span></b></a>! (Check out my <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-simple-womans-daybook.html"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">first one from April.</span></b></a>) </span><br />
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<a href="https://bettiegsraseasons.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/simple-woman-daybook-large1.jpg?w=1100" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="simple-woman-daybook-large.jpg" border="0" src="https://bettiegsraseasons.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/simple-woman-daybook-large1.jpg?w=1100" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'll link this up to the <a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/p/httpthesimplewoman.html"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">TSW Daybook blog hop</span></b></a> later this month. Maybe you'd like to give it a try too? It's SIMPLE! I'm just following the prompts! I must confess, though, that I have rearranged the sections due to what I'm writing about and how each part connects with the others this time around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>For Today...</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Looking out my window...</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our backyard has a beautiful old magnolia tree in the corner, but sad to say, I very rarely go back there and I rarely even open the living room curtains to see it. I've known it's been in bloom for several weeks, but when I finally went out today I only saw two flowers. I don't know if that is because it is late in the season or because the tree is old and not blossoming as much. Next year, I'll get out there sooner to enjoy it! </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My late mother, a wonderful stained glass artist, created a magnolia piece for me many years ago.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>I am thinking...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The summer can slip by so easily... School has been out for a week now, and the three school age kids are just chilling. Two of them will also be doing high school credits online </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">through </span></span><a href="http://flvs.net/" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Florida Virtual School</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">, and o</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ne of them has a job, but that still leaves some time to spare. My two oldest sons, who are 18 and 20, still live at home, too, so I'm sure they'll take younger siblings on some adventures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'll bet we'll go to <a href="http://www.ocfl.net/cultureparks/parks.aspx?m=dtlvw&d=22#.WxGg-Egvy00" target="_blank"><b>Rock Springs at Kelly Park</b></a>, and other local nature spots. I did a photo post a Rock Springs a while back: </span><span style="color: #12bd81; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/08/hidden-treasures-from-dark-places.html" style="color: #12bd81; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;" target="_blank">Hidden Treasures from the Dark Places</a></b></span><b style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">.</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Maybe I'll also get us a membership at the Central Florida YMCA, because <a href="https://ymcacentralflorida.com/spreadingkindness/" target="_blank"><b>join fees are 75% off right now</b></a>.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 25.2px;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">One of my favorite things...</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of my favorite things is actually a <i>collection</i> of pretty, sentimental knick knacks on a bookcase in my bedroom. I love looking at it every single day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've read about the </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074ZKHG4K" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">Swedish Death Cleaning</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> method of decluttering a home. (Here's one article: </span><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/what-swedish-death-cleaning-should-you-be-doing-it-ncna816511" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">What is 'Swedish death cleaning' and should you be doing it?</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">) Simply said, <i>"You get rid of all the stuff you’ve accumulated that you don’t need anymore — so that no one else has to do it for you after you pass."</i> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well folks, this is the stuff I'm keeping. Let my kids do what they want with it when I'm gone. Fun thing to know: a lot of it I inherited from</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">my</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> m</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">other after she passed away and I'm glad she kept it. There is more in my china cabinet, and some in my closet that I'll pass down to my kids if they want it.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">~ one of my mom's porcelain sculptures ~<br />~ she particularly liked hummingbirds ~</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The cottage village is one of my own collections. I love cottages and want to own one someday when my kids have all flown the nest. You can read about that here:</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/11/my-cottage-dreams-why-not-now.html" style="text-align: center;">My Cottage Dreams (Why Not Now?)</a></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">~~ cottage bought at a tea shop with friends ~~</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">~ plate I made at a pottery painting place <br />with some of my favorite words for life ~</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm wearing an ultra soft heather gray t-shirt I bought at the Vintage Market Days festival out in Geneva, Florida last October. On the t-shirt, the wor</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">d <i>strong</i> form</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">s part of the coastline, since we'd just survived Hurricane Irma a few weeks earlier. (I'm guessing most of Florida has recovered, but Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria is another story.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 25.2px;">I love vintage stores and festivals, and I'll try to go to the </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">next </span><a href="http://vintagemarketdays.com/market/metro-orlando/event.php?EventId=414" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><b>local VMD event</b></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> this September in Kissimmee. I think I'll go by myself this time since I like meandering at my own pace.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">~ my VMD stash from last October ~</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh, speaking of Irma, it's hurricane season again, as of today! Are you ready?</span></div>
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<li><a href="https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/six-ways-to-prepare-for-tropical-storms-hurricanes-atlantic-season/46771146" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/six-ways-to-prepare-for-tropical-storms-hurricanes-atlantic-season/46771146&ved=0ahUKEwi58peUqrPbAhUN1lMKHZH4BsoQFghuMAw" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">6 ways to prepare now for hurricanes - AccuWeather</span></a></li>
<li><span style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/hurricane-preparedness-guide.aspx" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.stateofflorida.com/articles/hurricane-preparedness-guide.aspx&ved=0ahUKEwjk4uXM4rPbAhVvp1kKHR6rCJUQFgjHATAW" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Hurricane Season Preparedness | State of Florida</a></span></li>
<li><a href="http://hurricanesafety.org/prepare/hurricane-safety-checklists/" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://hurricanesafety.org/prepare/hurricane-safety-checklists/&ved=0ahUKEwjgxbL34rPbAhXOmVkKHchWCxY4ChAWCDkwAA" style="color: #660099; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hurricane Safety Checklists - National Hurricane Survival Initiative</span></a></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I am thankful...</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am thankful that I was accepted for admission to <a href="http://asburyseminary.edu/"><b>Asbury Theological Seminary</b></a> (Orlando Dunnam campus) starting this September, and that they have offered me two generous scholarships. I didn't make it into the counseling program, but that's OK. I can still take counseling classes as electives, and I love the theology classes I get to take! The Master of Arts in Ministry program is shorter than the Pastoral Counseling degree, though I may bump it up to a longer ministry degree later on. I start classes just a few days before I turn 55 - a little late in life, but better late than never, right? I still need to find a summer job to earn money for tuition. This is all a huge transition for me, since I've been mostly home with my 10 kids for the past 31 years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here I am after the Asbury graduation last month. My friend Patricia (left) graduated with her Master of Divinity and received the Basin & Towel award, and my friend Robyn (right) earned her Doctorate of Ministry. Lord willing, I'll be walking that stage to get my diploma in a few years!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am reading theology books. Seriously. One of my three courses - Inductive Bible Study, Gospel of Matthew - has over 300 pages of reading due by the second week. I'm getting a jump on it over the summer, along with books for the other two classes, which are Church History and Christian Ethics. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My favorite local used bookstore, Brightlight Books, has thousands of theology books in stock. I traded in home school books (the end of an era after 26 years) and used my store credit for several of my theology text books. I still have a bunch more to buy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I ordered the Kindle version of the main Inductive Bible Study text book to get it faster and because it's so much easier on my eyes than reading a print version because I can adjust the font size. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been working on a new blog, a multi-faceted devotional Bible study on the book of James. For each Scripture passage, <a href="https://wisdomfromjames.blogspot.com/"><b>Wisdom from James</b></a> features:</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Read+Reflect+Respond: </b>study questions, applications, a hymn, a prayer</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>My Reflections:</b> expanded paraphrase, an essay (often on how the verses have been miscontrued), my poems</span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Study Helps: </b>alternate versions, related Bible verses, commentaries</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Someone asked how I decided to start this blog, and why the book of James? </span><span style="font-size: large;">My answer to the second question was simply, "It comes after Hebrews." That's not mystical. It just happened that I had been reading and studying the book of Hebrews for my own devotional time, and then decided to keep going on with the very next book. </span><span style="font-size: large;">At the time, I was reading the passages on my phone, copying them in to the Day One journal app, and then tapping in my comments and paraphrases. One day I decided to share a paraphrased passage on Facebook, and friends who like it encouraged me to write a devotional. I considered compiling an e-book to sell online, but after talking to an old friend who has published e-books, I decided on a different plan. This material seems more suited to a blog with links from one place to another. People can click on what they want to see, whether it is a different facet of the same passage, or links to articles on other websites or on my other blogs. So instead of a project with monetary profit, it's more a labor of love. Plus, it's helping me prepare for seminary.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Take a peek at: <a href="https://wisdomfromjames.blogspot.com/"><b>Wisdom from James</b></a>.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GHHw8Gi0TOo/WxGY07ewSGI/AAAAAAABgTo/o54D0mP6WekxBDp9bvqGEfWLbj2kM878wCLcBGAs/s1600/Greatest%2BShowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="192" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GHHw8Gi0TOo/WxGY07ewSGI/AAAAAAABgTo/o54D0mP6WekxBDp9bvqGEfWLbj2kM878wCLcBGAs/s1600/Greatest%2BShowman.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I finally went to watch The Greatest Showman in the dollar theater since I'm too cheap to pay full price. I loved the movie! I downloaded my five favorite songs on iTunes, and I listen to them as I exercise in my mini-gym, as well as just for plain enjoyment. The songs I liked best are:</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rxgAh1bnHU">"A Million Dreams"</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PluaPvhkIMU">production video</a></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ9pHBEUWPo">"Never Enough"</a></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfuskOOwHv0">"This is Me"</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLFEvHWD_NE">production video</a></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5IriNnEuVo">"The Other Side"</a></span></li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfGlq9Bz5-Y">"From Now On"</a></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also really enjoyed watching The Black Panther movie at the dollar theater. The cinematography was stunning, and I loved the portrayal of empowered women, as well as the contrast between traditional and technological.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I am hoping...</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm hoping to improve my daily routine. Little bit by little bit! I found a web site, <a href="https://www.developgoodhabits.com/" target="_blank">Develop Good Habits</a>, that teaches how to build habit stacks. I'm working to be more consistent with a morning habit stack and an evening habit stack for hygiene, medications, water, exercise, reading, prayer, etc. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I am learning...</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am learning that even though I don't always have extended time to create visual art, I can appreciate and honor the art of others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My 12 year old daughter created these with inspiration from online videos.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_HZHkdAt_Rc/WxIAAVOrqFI/AAAAAAABgYc/891SFV8qcxIdleIvyNk65hcbXFDHFMjxgCLcBGAs/s1600/z%2BMelody%2Bwater%2Bcolor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="919" height="311" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_HZHkdAt_Rc/WxIAAVOrqFI/AAAAAAABgYc/891SFV8qcxIdleIvyNk65hcbXFDHFMjxgCLcBGAs/s400/z%2BMelody%2Bwater%2Bcolor.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wu5769Jk9mo/WxIAAIaxBdI/AAAAAAABgYY/KMS_LL0oNr0EJy15us2jkGaLK6UjK7gEgCLcBGAs/s1600/z%2Bpinata%2Bdrawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="398" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wu5769Jk9mo/WxIAAIaxBdI/AAAAAAABgYY/KMS_LL0oNr0EJy15us2jkGaLK6UjK7gEgCLcBGAs/s400/z%2Bpinata%2Bdrawing.jpg" width="287" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been wanting to go to the Faith Arts Village Orlando (FAVO) 1st Friday art show for over a year. It's a collection of 32 small art studios in the re-purposed rooms of what used to be a motel. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">artist, Jeryl Kain, paints rocks with the image of Jesus on them to be scattered around the city. Each has a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharemyrock/" target="_blank">Facebook page handle</a> to learn more about the Good News.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NMA0fab0hwA/WxH9Ea9_4mI/AAAAAAABgXs/1MuOsvWgtY8Aqqh7ot055k9XfePYVLgOQCLcBGAs/s1600/z%2BMy%2BRock%2Bartists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="608" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NMA0fab0hwA/WxH9Ea9_4mI/AAAAAAABgXs/1MuOsvWgtY8Aqqh7ot055k9XfePYVLgOQCLcBGAs/s400/z%2BMy%2BRock%2Bartists.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y0nsAkCFCds/WxH9G739rRI/AAAAAAABgX4/XI0C-wlzLPkmrLMV-LF1YeBzuUB-XaBCwCLcBGAs/s1600/z%2BMy%2BRock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y0nsAkCFCds/WxH9G739rRI/AAAAAAABgX4/XI0C-wlzLPkmrLMV-LF1YeBzuUB-XaBCwCLcBGAs/s400/z%2BMy%2BRock.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To my surprise, our family friend Kevin, who grew up with my son-in-law, also exhibits his photography at FAVO. We had a lovely chat. Kevin donates his profits to charity.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zTaOOcSwMqg/WxH9Dj0JfbI/AAAAAAABgXo/HlnkhdHozP89y5FB1HwJxTxejLPHUXYLwCLcBGAs/s1600/z%2BKevin%2Bin%2Bhis%2Bgallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="574" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zTaOOcSwMqg/WxH9Dj0JfbI/AAAAAAABgXo/HlnkhdHozP89y5FB1HwJxTxejLPHUXYLwCLcBGAs/s400/z%2BKevin%2Bin%2Bhis%2Bgallery.jpg" width="330" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On the way home, I drove by Park Lake and snapped a few nature photos of my own.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qz2JfKxqdo0/WxH9GeWrzyI/AAAAAAABgX0/zcho-QXr5nAv5ORS9NYFpLMG0pHGiX-nQCLcBGAs/s1600/z%2BPark%2BLake%2Bwith%2Bfountain%2Bat%2Bdusk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="449" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qz2JfKxqdo0/WxH9GeWrzyI/AAAAAAABgX0/zcho-QXr5nAv5ORS9NYFpLMG0pHGiX-nQCLcBGAs/s640/z%2BPark%2BLake%2Bwith%2Bfountain%2Bat%2Bdusk.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">In my kitchen...</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been pretty good about cooking at home for my family rather than hitting the fast food joints this month. But I still don't cook every night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have three kids who work at Publix supermarkets, though not at the same stores. My 17 year old daughter started this week. She let me know that chicken tender subs were on sale, so when I dropped her off, I ordered a sub for three of my kids to split. I also noticed that their maple bourbon rotisserie chicken was on sale, so I got one of those too. Yum. Of course I went through the checkout line where she was bagging!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One way I keep my kitchen in order -- other than by NOT cooking -- is with various containers. I have a two tier metal bread rack next to my toaster, and I keep a basket for miscellaneous stuff (rather than a junk drawer) and another basket for clean up cloths. Yes, I still use paper towels, and I definitely use canisters of pre-moistened cleaning wipes. But sometimes a good sturdy absorbent cloth is what's needed for scrubbing a counter or wiping up a big spill. I always like to keep them handy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is the part of the daybook where we're encouraged to pass along a favorite link. I choose <a href="https://www.countryliving.com/" target="_blank"><b>Country Living Magazine</b></a>, because they've got a bunch of creative articles for home, garden, cooking, crafts and the country lifestyle. I don't subscribe, but I love to read it in waiting rooms!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The inspiring quotes on these cards sum up the encouragement and motivation that I need as I make big bold brave transitions in my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My son informed me that I had forgotten to buy trash bags, which he needed because he was cleaning his room. Glory be! That's a miracle around here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I dutifully trotted off to our 24 hour Super Walmart late at night to buy those trash bags. While I was there, I bought a frame for my daughter's water color, and a small candle to place inside my mother's stained glass candle shield.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of course I couldn't find my van in the parking lot after I got out of the store at 11 pm. It's a good thing I have automatic keys that flash the headlights and taillights, or I might still be wandering around.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Morning will be here all too soon, so I'm going to say good night now!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hope that whenever you read this, you'll have a lovely and awesome day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grace and peace,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-6262511092342338712018-04-13T23:00:00.000-04:002018-06-02T16:36:23.234-04:00Simple Woman's Daybook - April 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-31cq4TgmWck/WtFPQg1Er0I/AAAAAAABgJE/_CD4ixJWrcc8yad-VYRVjYfdhxyUBIRsgCLcBGAs/s1600/Morse%2BGallery%2B%252816%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="1600" height="291" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-31cq4TgmWck/WtFPQg1Er0I/AAAAAAABgJE/_CD4ixJWrcc8yad-VYRVjYfdhxyUBIRsgCLcBGAs/s320/Morse%2BGallery%2B%252816%2529.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hello friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since I'm in an eclectic mood at the moment, I've decided to use the <a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: red;">Simple Woman's Daybook</span></b></a> format to get back into the swing of things here at this blog! I'll link this up up to the <a href="http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/p/httpthesimplewoman.html"><b><span style="color: red;">TSW Daybook blog hop</span></b></a> next month. Maybe you'd like to give it a try too? It's SIMPLE! I'm just following the prompts!</span><br />
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<a href="https://bettiegsraseasons.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/simple-woman-daybook-large1.jpg?w=1100" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="simple-woman-daybook-large.jpg" border="0" src="https://bettiegsraseasons.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/simple-woman-daybook-large1.jpg?w=1100" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Looking out my window...</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This isn't </span><i style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">out</i><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> my window, but I love the way the light hit the net curtains and the sill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This next one isn't exactly <i>my</i> window, but it's one I want to share!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is a skylight window surrounded by stained glass panels at the <a href="http://www.morsemuseum.org/"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Charles Hosmer Morse Museum</b></span></a> in Winter Park, Florida. Admission is free on Friday evenings this month, so I took the two younger kids for an hour or so tonight. We've all been there many times! They have the most comprehensive collection of stained glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany, as well as a lot of American folk art. <span style="text-align: center;">My late mother was a stained glass artist, </span><span style="text-align: center;">and I inherited her tools and glass. </span><span style="text-align: center;">Someday, I'll give it a whirl.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>I am thinking...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been thinking a lot about the future, and what I'm doing to move forward. I've had a lot of transitions in recent years, with old chapters ending and new ones beginning. I'm thinking BIG GOALS (I've applied to seminary and now I'm in wait mode!) and I'm thinking about </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">smaller </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">daily stuff</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">, like keeping up with dishes, laundry, groceries, budgeting... Oh, and driving kids everywhere. I am perpetually tweaking my systems, trying to think of ways to make things run smoother. And I'm pondering my direction. I want to know that I'm doing what I'm essentially<i> meant </i>to do in this life, and that I'll leave a legacy for the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oddly, this future thinking also takes me to the past. I've picked up researching genealogy again, though only through the family tree of my maternal grandfather this time. As I click back through the centuries and continents on Ancestry.com, it fascinates me to think about <i>back then</i> and <i>over there</i>. What were the hopes and dreams of my foremothers Mary, Sancha, Delia, Appolonie, Hawise, Maud, Metje, Maria Magdalena, Agnes, Giovanni, Thankful, Deliverance, Comfort, and the hundreds of others on my list? What were their big goals in life? What life lessons did they teach their children? This week I discovered that some of my ancestors were banished from the Massachusetts Bay Colony along with Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams. And funny thing is, a friend who subs at a public school brought over a few books they were discarding. This was the top one....</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I am thankful...</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm thankful for my family. We had all 10 kids and most of the grandchildren over for Easter dinner. I forgot to take pictures until after some of them had left, but I did get this one later on with several of the middle kids.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And here are my dear friends Molly and Patricia on Easter morning at church. I am so thankful for these ladies and their warm welcome! Patricia is graduating from Asbury Seminary soon and she has been a wonderful mentor for me.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 25.2px;"><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">One of my favorite things...</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A year ago, I made a <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/03/first-attempts-at-furniture-restoration.html"><b><span style="color: red;">large blue writing table</span></b></a> using the existing base of a small tilting table. It's well worn by now, but I still love it. You will see little bits of it in this post. The bottom edge of the desk is wood burned with the words: "Fill your soul with all good things and let the beauty pour forth." That's my motto for life.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEJPPiyHRc8/WtGCaxwI6wI/AAAAAAABgMQ/UrO6j49FGcA2pD1lwYfXjYi-5e2H6txBwCLcBGAs/s1600/blue%2Bwriting%2Btable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="640" height="366" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEJPPiyHRc8/WtGCaxwI6wI/AAAAAAABgMQ/UrO6j49FGcA2pD1lwYfXjYi-5e2H6txBwCLcBGAs/s640/blue%2Bwriting%2Btable.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>I am creating...</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JQA60cJC1DY/WtGFIMDMHXI/AAAAAAABgMc/sEcYyiy43msiNvlU7XfSa6f03DQIO2bIwCLcBGAs/s1600/Spider%2Bweb%2Bwith%2Bdew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JQA60cJC1DY/WtGFIMDMHXI/AAAAAAABgMc/sEcYyiy43msiNvlU7XfSa6f03DQIO2bIwCLcBGAs/s320/Spider%2Bweb%2Bwith%2Bdew.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Though I dabble in many forms of art, right now I am mainly focusing on photography and blogging. You can see both in these posts on my Watch the Shepherd blog:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/03/soul-musings-from-old-journal.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Soul Musings from an Old Journal</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/03/lift-high-cross-strength-in-hymn.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Lift High the Cross (Strength in Hymn)</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/03/ptsd-pain-that-keeps-on-giving-while-we.html" style="font-size: 22px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>PTSD: Pain that Keeps on Giving While We Go on with Living</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/02/human-trafficking-community-conversation.html" style="font-size: 22px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Human Trafficking: A Community Conversation</b></span></a></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm also trying to learn calligraphy. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have a bunch of calligraphy markers.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> It took several tries to get this right. It's not super recent (from late last year) but it's my favorite piece.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ScUaB4guArc/WtGFtN-y2sI/AAAAAAABgMk/bmaaRhnSsNoKMYnHV3rIrWdUd4_5TLQMgCLcBGAs/s1600/Mesmerized%2Bby%2Bwords.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="478" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ScUaB4guArc/WtGFtN-y2sI/AAAAAAABgMk/bmaaRhnSsNoKMYnHV3rIrWdUd4_5TLQMgCLcBGAs/s640/Mesmerized%2Bby%2Bwords.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7lruDIPqpFQ/WtFvH09Jg6I/AAAAAAABgKc/HVF_ZOKQ4zEKEoIiiW2Y7K1sGW1FSANUwCLcBGAs/s1600/Virginia%2Bin%2Brose%2Bwindow%2Btshirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="720" height="314" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7lruDIPqpFQ/WtFvH09Jg6I/AAAAAAABgKc/HVF_ZOKQ4zEKEoIiiW2Y7K1sGW1FSANUwCLcBGAs/s320/Virginia%2Bin%2Brose%2Bwindow%2Btshirt.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 25.2px;">I love stained glass, especially rose windows. The one on this shirt is from <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/11/notre-dame-cathedral-in-paris-europe-17.html"><span style="color: red;"><b>Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris</b></span></a>. I wore this tonight when we were visiting the Morse Museum. The photo at the top of this post is a rose window in the chapel at the Morse. </span>I can't always travel to Europe to see castles and cathedrals, but I can appreciate the beauty around me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm not much of a clothes person, but last week I spent a whole day shopping for business professional clothes, mainly for my seminary counseling department group interview. I settled on a mid length black skirt and jacket, with a short sleeve blue sweater that I already had. Whatever I end up doing - going to grad school or going back to work - I'm going to need some decent non-mommyish clothes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DirpFHY3Qyo/WtFx1PZKnRI/AAAAAAABgKw/e6vyl7mrEQ8y7ANXrcMuAYIQHocJkAqDwCLcBGAs/s1600/Virginia%2Bdressed%2Bfor%2Binterview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="654" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DirpFHY3Qyo/WtFx1PZKnRI/AAAAAAABgKw/e6vyl7mrEQ8y7ANXrcMuAYIQHocJkAqDwCLcBGAs/s320/Virginia%2Bdressed%2Bfor%2Binterview.jpg" width="218" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>I am reading... </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I decided when I applied to seminary that whether I go or not, I am still going to apply myself to studying theology by reading real books (especially old ones) and not just blog posts and other online resources. </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cBuk0RdtgrI/WtF2Pz9SW4I/AAAAAAABgLA/r4EkCcT9b44hIkbR8ikd4abHRlO2x9irQCLcBGAs/s1600/biographies%2Bof%2BHannah%2BMore%2Band%2BJohn%2BWesley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="960" height="228" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cBuk0RdtgrI/WtF2Pz9SW4I/AAAAAAABgLA/r4EkCcT9b44hIkbR8ikd4abHRlO2x9irQCLcBGAs/s320/biographies%2Bof%2BHannah%2BMore%2Band%2BJohn%2BWesley.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Church history is a deep love of mine (or a dark hobby if you consider how much I research dysfunction in religious movements), so I just finished up biographies of John Wesley (British founder of the Methodist church) and his contemporary Hannah More (British poet, educator, abolitionist, reformer). Then I polished off Booked, the literary memoir by Karen Swallow Prior, who also wrote the More bio. </span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qkiVTDLhKBQ/WtF16hbACQI/AAAAAAABgK8/fwed87IDPS0rGKN12zQDHoCsO2-B3rqVACLcBGAs/s1600/In%2BSearch%2Bof%2BDeep%2BFaith%2Bby%2BJim%2BBelcher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="774" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qkiVTDLhKBQ/WtF16hbACQI/AAAAAAABgK8/fwed87IDPS0rGKN12zQDHoCsO2-B3rqVACLcBGAs/s320/In%2BSearch%2Bof%2BDeep%2BFaith%2Bby%2BJim%2BBelcher.jpg" width="258" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now I'm finishing up In Search of Deep Faith by Jim Belcher, who took his family on a pilgrimage to Europe to learn about the people and places of our Christian heritage. Today I read about Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor executed for his part in the Resistance movement during World War II; I need to find a full length biography of him, too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And along with all of this, because I love vintage theology so much, I've been reading through a daily devotional that's over a century old.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-wuwze-lPw/WtF2eTnutyI/AAAAAAABgLI/hw3PFPFF_407EeyytMTAWQ6wDb26XzywQCLcBGAs/s1600/Joy%2Band%2BStrength%2Bbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="960" height="278" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6-wuwze-lPw/WtF2eTnutyI/AAAAAAABgLI/hw3PFPFF_407EeyytMTAWQ6wDb26XzywQCLcBGAs/s320/Joy%2Band%2BStrength%2Bbook.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And lastly, I just ordered these books by Vinita Hampton Wright, and have already started dipping into them...</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RTQqosjm7Zw/WtF2yNLAGjI/AAAAAAABgLU/RwYz7PHkU701Obr0hR30ZUOtJ6Xvx5SPwCLcBGAs/s1600/books%2Bby%2BVinita%2BHampton%2BWright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="817" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RTQqosjm7Zw/WtF2yNLAGjI/AAAAAAABgLU/RwYz7PHkU701Obr0hR30ZUOtJ6Xvx5SPwCLcBGAs/s400/books%2Bby%2BVinita%2BHampton%2BWright.jpg" width="340" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the Bible, I'm currently working through the book of Hebrews. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>I am listening...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A short playlist of beauty, joy, and authenticity...</span></div>
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<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anozSBPJVQA" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>"Add to the Beauty" by Sara Groves</b></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj_Fe4ME34s" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>"Why It Matters" by Sara Groves</b></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sp3G50jBRuU" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>"Les Passants" by Zaz</b></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3IqP0DFkAk" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>"It's a Beautiful World" by Adam Crossley</b></a></li>
<li><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WpvCPTjgO8" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">"North" by Sleeping at Last</a></b></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I am hoping...</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">... that I figure out what I'm doing soon! Being in the limbo of waiting can be uncomfortable. But I've learned to keep moving forward and to work toward a variety of possibilities in the meantime. I've blown already through Plan A, Plan B, Plan C... Or should I say Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3? It's all good. No matter what, I know that God is always with me, and he's not done working in my life yet! This quote is from that devotional book.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I am learning...</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">...slowly, to find that sweet spot between rest and work. Even within the realm of work, I have to discern when to do brain work (study and writing) and when to do manual work (taking care of my home and my health). I want to be productive rather than lazy, but I don't want to be driven to busy-ness by unrealistic expectations, comparisons with others, or shame at not <i>being enough. </i>There is a time to sit and think, and a time to get up and do. You'd think at age 54, I would have figured all of this out by now. But life changes, doesn't it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I do know I need to exercise more. This mini-gym makes it much easier for me. Nothing complicated. Hand weights and resistance bands, step, foam roller, balance board, and a small pedal machine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of my recent goals has been to start cooking more real meals for my family instead of relying so much on convenience foods and fast food. Yesterday was National Grilled Cheese Day, so that was easy enough. Tonight I set out a southern feast of leftover chili, warm cornbread with butter, hash browns, fried ham, and fresh pineapple. Ben said, "BET!" That's slang: he likes it. I still have to clean up the remains...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I often make protein smoothies for myself. I was getting tired of our blender jar always being dirty when I needed it, so I bought myself an immersion mixer which is really easy to rinse off right after I used it. I'm not sure why I didn't think of this before!</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fldjnmsu7Ww/WtF9fuViXeI/AAAAAAABgL8/JUyFzuZ58RkiWXcPsxDetTsNVM-criM4gCLcBGAs/s1600/immersion%2Bblender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fldjnmsu7Ww/WtF9fuViXeI/AAAAAAABgL8/JUyFzuZ58RkiWXcPsxDetTsNVM-criM4gCLcBGAs/s200/immersion%2Bblender.jpg" width="150" /></span></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dhE_uQwLd0E/WtF9fuIQOJI/AAAAAAABgL4/HValXlx0UecH51JXXkzyGM5Asomo2ev6gCLcBGAs/s1600/immersion%2Bblender%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dhE_uQwLd0E/WtF9fuIQOJI/AAAAAAABgL4/HValXlx0UecH51JXXkzyGM5Asomo2ev6gCLcBGAs/s200/immersion%2Bblender%2B2.jpg" width="150" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is the part of the daybook where we're encouraged to pass along a favorite link. I want to feature the blog of my brave friend Susan Moore, who is a survivor, an artist, and an encourager. She recently did a similar daybook post with a slightly different format. You can find it here: <a href="https://www.susanemoore.com/currently/"><b><span style="color: red;">Currently</span></b></a>. I started using the <a href="http://dayoneapp.com/"><b><span style="color: red;">Day One journal app</span></b></a> after reading about it on her blog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Quotes from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German martyr...</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />“There is meaning in every journey that is unknown to the traveler.”<br /><br />“We pray for the big things and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small (and yet really not small) gifts. How can God entrust great things to one who will not thankfully receive from Him the little things?"<br /><br />“The blessedness of waiting is lost on those who cannot wait, and the fulfillment of promise is never theirs. They want quick answers to the deepest questions of life and miss the value of those times of anxious waiting, seeking with patient uncertainties until the answers come. They lose the moment when the answers are revealed in dazzling clarity.”<br /><br />“The awareness of a spiritual tradition that reaches through the centuries gives one a certain feeling of security in the face of all transitory difficulties.” <br /><br />"Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>A moment from my day</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i style="font-size: x-large;">Here we are to share a photo of the daily-ness of our lives.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A few weeks ago I decided I needed to consolidate most of my files into one cabinet. </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">H</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">aving all of my papers handy and organized makes a lot of sense in my every day life. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The bottom drawer is logistical stuff like bills, warranties, schedules, health records, van repair receipts, and budgets. I labeled it "</span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">la vie quotidienne avec ma famille</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">" which means "</span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">daily life with my family</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">." The other drawer is "</span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">belle renaissance du coeur</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">" which means "</span><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">beautiful rebirth of heart</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">" - and it has more spiritually oriented papers on spiritual growth, church, theology, ministry, social justice, writing, and speaking. This two drawer system is kind of like a picture of my life. I have both things to think about and work on. Eek. How do I integrate all of it without compromising any of it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">0h, and truth be told, I do not even speak much French. It just seemed more elegant. :-) That's where Google Translate comes in handy, oui? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wow! This has been a long post! Thanks for reading these snippets of my life. Can you please pray for me and for my family, that we will walk our journey well, with faith and hope and joy?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grace and peace,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-11822725174371232832018-01-21T10:43:00.001-05:002019-02-09T10:30:48.202-05:00"Over Utah in January" - 10 Years Later<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ten years ago today, I attended the funeral of my grandmother Margaret Driggs in Salt Lake City, Utah. I had little idea what to expect, since I had never met any of the extended family via her second marriage. (My dad's stepfather, Dr. Howard R. Driggs, was much older than Grandma. He was born in the 1870s into a polygamous Mormon family with 22 children. I have never been Mormon.) And all I could think of, as far as Utah terrain goes, were the salt flats we had driven through way back in 1976 on a family vacation. I was in for a surprise! <span style="background-color: white;">On the airplane, looking down over Colorado and Utah, my breath was taken away by the gorgeous snow covered mountains. I took out my journal and started wr</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">iting, and my poem "Over Utah in January" was born. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today, I post this with love for my step-second cousins whom I met at the fu</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">neral and reception near </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Salt Lake City. (Thank you to Dan Christensen for reminding me of the anniversary of the funeral.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">by Virginia Knowles</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am in the sky looking down on</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Vast speechless stretches </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> of frozen white</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Curved round and round by</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Slicing crevices and streams</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And human roads </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> abandoned though they be</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Foothills then soaring </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> mountains beyond</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Majestic tall yet distant small</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">From the sky where I look down</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Evergreen over branches, trunks, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> rough and woody brown</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Philosopher; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rooted deeply into ascending slope</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Philosopher; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yet as living arrows aiming high</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To the sky where I look down </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nvKrF4B3pdI/VPVH5LX6BvI/AAAAAAABU7w/5idpa1PoB8s/s1600/Pine%2Btrees%2Bon%2Bsnowy%2Bmountain%2Bin%2BUtah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #00633a; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nvKrF4B3pdI/VPVH5LX6BvI/AAAAAAABU7w/5idpa1PoB8s/s400/Pine%2Btrees%2Bon%2Bsnowy%2Bmountain%2Bin%2BUtah.jpg" style="border: none; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Up and over mountain towers, fly</span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Peering through mottled fog outstretched</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OrW2Lq1nvkM/VPVIumbmf2I/AAAAAAABU8Q/ThIOTuOg3Ls/s1600/Snowy%2Bmountainside%2Bwith%2Bclouds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #00633a; display: inline !important; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OrW2Lq1nvkM/VPVIumbmf2I/AAAAAAABU8Q/ThIOTuOg3Ls/s400/Snowy%2Bmountainside%2Bwith%2Bclouds.jpg" style="border: none; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Amid earthy upturned layers, variegated ripples</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #00633a; display: inline; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #00633a; display: inline; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OrM0fPNXeCA/VPVIEeCsxdI/AAAAAAABU74/ENV9MqUgjas/s1600/More%2Blayered%2Bmountains%2Bwith%2Bsnow%2Bin%2BUtah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #00633a; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OrM0fPNXeCA/VPVIEeCsxdI/AAAAAAABU74/ENV9MqUgjas/s400/More%2Blayered%2Bmountains%2Bwith%2Bsnow%2Bin%2BUtah.jpg" style="border: none; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Philosopher; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Shadow clouds now upwisping </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> sharply angled peaks</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #00633a; display: inline; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #00633a; display: inline; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cmr_Ho_RqMM/VPVIdONikhI/AAAAAAABU8I/IqsLR-VfsbU/s1600/Rock%2Bjutting%2Bup%2Bin%2Bsnow%2Bmountains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #00633a; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cmr_Ho_RqMM/VPVIdONikhI/AAAAAAABU8I/IqsLR-VfsbU/s1600/Rock%2Bjutting%2Bup%2Bin%2Bsnow%2Bmountains.jpg" style="border: none; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Philosopher; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh! These are of no human </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> construct or design</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Philosopher; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not even marked by </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> footprints in pristine snow</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Philosopher; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just fingerprints, signatures divine</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Where winter earth meets winter sky</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #00633a; display: inline; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #00633a; display: inline; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #00633a; display: inline; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ghhz8k5ldUs/VPVIULYeSjI/AAAAAAABU8A/te8Th_wnaWI/s1600/Where%2Bwinter%2Bearth%2Bmeets%2Bwinter%2Bsky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #00633a; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ghhz8k5ldUs/VPVIULYeSjI/AAAAAAABU8A/te8Th_wnaWI/s400/Where%2Bwinter%2Bearth%2Bmeets%2Bwinter%2Bsky.jpg" style="border: none; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Philosopher; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yet in the valley </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I see manly habitation</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Philosopher; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In patterned rows, </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">casual curves beneath the mist</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nestled in yet beckoned </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> to a deep and high communion</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">
</span>
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J2Vwwho0XF0/VPVI27Puj4I/AAAAAAABU8Y/5IGThJ2rUFs/s1600/Casual%2Bcurves%2Bbeneath%2Bthe%2Bmist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #00633a; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J2Vwwho0XF0/VPVI27Puj4I/AAAAAAABU8Y/5IGThJ2rUFs/s400/Casual%2Bcurves%2Bbeneath%2Bthe%2Bmist.jpg" style="border: none; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></span></a></div>
</span><span style="background-color: white;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Philosopher; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Only bold ones venture </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> beyond certain fringes</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Philosopher; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Strive upward, breathe hard, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> ascending steep, behold</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Philosopher; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some faithful cannot climb </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> but still lift souls to see</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To know and long to know</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YXzlIeeVv6w/VPVMFX8NhQI/AAAAAAABU8s/szerUz5TcxQ/s1600/Snow%2Band%2Brocky%2Bmountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #00633a; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YXzlIeeVv6w/VPVMFX8NhQI/AAAAAAABU8s/szerUz5TcxQ/s400/Snow%2Band%2Brocky%2Bmountain.jpg" style="border: none; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></span></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Philosopher; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Others seem content merely to stroll </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> in evenness beneath, below</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Philosopher; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oblivious to wonder</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Philosopher; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Philosopher; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Philosopher; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Philosopher; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am in the sky looking down</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Philosopher; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Then gazing up in awe at Him</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Philosopher; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Who gazes down in grace on me below</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="font-family: Philosopher; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On me, who sees and longs to know</span></div>
<span style="background-color: #00c675; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #00c675; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #00c675; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #00c675; font-family: Philosopher; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "tempus sans itc"; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 18.2px;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: 23.66px;"></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="background-color: #00c675; clear: both; font-family: Philosopher; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4SuVe9yuAs8/VPVL69PNl8I/AAAAAAABU8k/UDP3hbkD9iQ/s1600/Mountain%2Bpeak%2Bwith%2Bpines%2Bat%2Bbottom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #00633a; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4SuVe9yuAs8/VPVL69PNl8I/AAAAAAABU8k/UDP3hbkD9iQ/s640/Mountain%2Bpeak%2Bwith%2Bpines%2Bat%2Bbottom.jpg" style="border: none; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-69102107862915122612017-12-22T18:08:00.001-05:002017-12-22T18:08:14.329-05:00God of Joy, I See Thee (Advent 2017 Poem)<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 24pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God of Joy, I See Thee</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">by Virginia Quarrier Knowles</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Advent 2017</span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-c5583678-8036-4cef-ea41-5462ea87a308" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God of Joy, I see Thee at Creation’s dawn</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gloriously gleeful, beauty rippling forth</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Let there be…” and “It was very good!”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And there was joy in this world.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God of Joy, I see Thee at Incarnation’s dawn</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Small babe, star-shine, angel song, shepherd awe</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“God with us!” and “Peace on earth!”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And there was joy in this world.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qco8LeC0HtI/Wj2Eb-ZfbLI/AAAAAAABfcc/Avi2savk7U0OC8J6upUzbGJ4G2DOnPGiwCLcBGAs/s1600/Nativity%2Bfrom%2BNorway%2Bat%2BNational%2BCathedral.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1600" height="294" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qco8LeC0HtI/Wj2Eb-ZfbLI/AAAAAAABfcc/Avi2savk7U0OC8J6upUzbGJ4G2DOnPGiwCLcBGAs/s400/Nativity%2Bfrom%2BNorway%2Bat%2BNational%2BCathedral.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God of Joy, I see Thee at Resurrection’s dawn</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Victorious over the power of sin and death</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“It is finished!” and “He is risen!”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And there was joy in this world.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k9IbR02wdYM/Wj2GMwHYe-I/AAAAAAABfcw/Q1kx86guMpY92IHIOfq4y0Z7BZ8L_j7BACLcBGAs/s1600/Resurrected%2BChrist%2Bat%2BNational%2BCathedral.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k9IbR02wdYM/Wj2GMwHYe-I/AAAAAAABfcw/Q1kx86guMpY92IHIOfq4y0Z7BZ8L_j7BACLcBGAs/s400/Resurrected%2BChrist%2Bat%2BNational%2BCathedral.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God of Joy, I see Thee at Jubilation’s dawn</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Saints gathered in eternal celestial bliss</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">“Worthy is the Lamb!” and “Hallelujah!”</span></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And there will be joy forevermore.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VALX9ynXspw/Wj2G07JfNJI/AAAAAAABfc4/0WrfQ006HU82mgRssnUiFeBLKVGXjJAAQCLcBGAs/s1600/rose%2Bwindow%2Band%2Bvaulted%2Bceilings%2Bat%2BNational%2BCathedral.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VALX9ynXspw/Wj2G07JfNJI/AAAAAAABfc4/0WrfQ006HU82mgRssnUiFeBLKVGXjJAAQCLcBGAs/s640/rose%2Bwindow%2Band%2Bvaulted%2Bceilings%2Bat%2BNational%2BCathedral.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I took all of these photos at the <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><a href="https://cathedral.org/">Washington National Cathedral</a> </b></span>in December 2017. I wish I could have spent hours more wandering around there, all by myself, especially with their extensive nativity display during the Christmas season. My father and youngest daughter and I took the Highlights tour; next time I am in DC, I will take the Behind the Scenes tour. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Rp4OyeCXUk/Wj2NbWMCqII/AAAAAAABfeY/IaD0_YJxNAUhFhX9pSl-58FRZiBNXBV_ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_E8457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Rp4OyeCXUk/Wj2NbWMCqII/AAAAAAABfeY/IaD0_YJxNAUhFhX9pSl-58FRZiBNXBV_ACLcBGAs/s400/IMG_E8457.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are some more photos, and at the bottom are links to my other Advent poems and to my other cathedral photo posts. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ntXe1jjXYME/Wj2ImfhRpMI/AAAAAAABfd0/MJ72cfLcTa0byqO7X6oCNspoWFf2C8oMACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_E8534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ntXe1jjXYME/Wj2ImfhRpMI/AAAAAAABfd0/MJ72cfLcTa0byqO7X6oCNspoWFf2C8oMACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_E8534.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JguC0oHFjYA/Wj2H0M477eI/AAAAAAABfdI/nlBJ7OAS98MHG3rUoIg7B6uX_dz8bqjRgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_8309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JguC0oHFjYA/Wj2H0M477eI/AAAAAAABfdI/nlBJ7OAS98MHG3rUoIg7B6uX_dz8bqjRgCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_8309.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My other Advent poems...</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2015/12/bring-me-advent-poem-2015.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Bring Me - 2015</b></span></a><br /><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/12/pure-devotion-advent-poem-2014.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Pure Devotion - 2014</b></span></a><br /><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/12/peace-and-joy-advent-poem-2013.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Peace and Joy - 2013</b></span></a><br /><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-note-wedged-into-window-on-my-van-and.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>The Jesus Poem - 2012</b></span></a><br /><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-in-malawi-christmas-inamerica.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Christmas in Malawi, Christmas in America - 2011</b></span></a><br /><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2010/11/invitation-to-stillness.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Invitation to Stillness - 2010</b></span></a><br /><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/12/grace-will-lead-me-home-advent-poem.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Grace Will Lead Me Home - 2009</b></span></a><br /><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/12/advent-poem-2-story-did-not-start-with.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>The Story Did Not Start with a Stable and a Star - 2008</b></span></a><br /><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/12/advent-poem-5-candlewick.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Candlewick - 2008</b></span></a><br /><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/12/grace-will-lead-me-home-advent-poem.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Shepherd's Tale - 2008</b></span></a><br /><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/12/advent-poem-7-corpus-christi.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Corpus Christi - 2007</b></span></a><br /><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/12/advent-poem-4-rhapsody-in-m.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Rhapsody in M - 2006</b></span></a><br /><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/12/advent-poem-3-psalm-to-sweet-jesus.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Psalm to Sweet Jesus - unknown year</b></span></a><br /><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2008/12/advent-poem-1-paradox.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Paradox - unknown year</b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre;">My other cathedral photo posts:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre;"><b>Paris, France...</b></span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-e70e5f8e-8076-1de2-82b8-3a5add0cc432"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 3pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/11/la-sainte-chapelle-glory-of-paris.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">La Sainte-Chapelle, the Glory of Paris</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/03/sainte-chapelle-nouvel-esprit-feed-your.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sainte-Chapelle, Nouvel Esprit (poem)</span></a></span></div>
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<a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/11/notre-dame-cathedral-in-paris-europe-17.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Notre Dame Cathedral</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/12/basilique-de-sacre-cur-in-paris-europe.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Basilique de Sacré-Cœur in Paris</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Geneva, Switzerland...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/11/saint-pierre-cathedral-in-geneve.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Saint-Pierre Cathedral</span></a></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/11/all-around-by-geneve-all-by-myself_6.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS"; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">All Around Geneve, All by Myself</span></span></a></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-10786564272981931542017-10-17T19:07:00.000-04:002017-10-17T19:07:12.140-04:00What About Privilege, Justice, and Social Responsibility?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqTg851_rVo/WeZzTpHBx8I/AAAAAAABfOs/tDEkoZLlWDwXPw0zsyO6FoQsqOdiah_wACLcBGAs/s1600/Micah%2B6%2Bwood%2Bburned%2Bsign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqTg851_rVo/WeZzTpHBx8I/AAAAAAABfOs/tDEkoZLlWDwXPw0zsyO6FoQsqOdiah_wACLcBGAs/s400/Micah%2B6%2Bwood%2Bburned%2Bsign.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>What About Privilege, Justice, and Social Responsibility?</b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4dcb5b4c-2b02-5fd7-13f3-af9efebdb3aa" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So much has been written about “white privilege” in recent weeks in relation to discrimination against people of color. In the “take the knee” debate, one side wants to raise awareness of a systemic racism problem in the USA, while the other insists that this is just blatant disrespect for our flag and our country. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many of the same concepts apply to “male privilege” as used against females. Sexual harassment and assault are in the headlines with the latest scandals, hence the “Me Too” statuses and hashtags on Facebook and Twitter, which is an extension of the “#YesAllWomen” theme from last year.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some claim there is little or no racial or gender inequity going on, and if there is, “Well, we all just need to buck up and deal with what life throws at us. It'll all work out in the end.” With this reasoning, no one else is required to do much of anything to address injustice based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or socio-economic status, etc. “It’s not our fault. End of story. Shut up and play ball.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hearing this is why so many protesters are speaking up and imploring each one of us to “check your privilege.” This means taking time to examine how we personally benefit from a social system which passively enjoys or even aggressively seizes unfair advantages over others. It also means considering how often we conveniently ignore issues like police brutality which disproportionately target people of color. Because, like, it doesn’t affect <i>me</i> personally. Not in my neighborhood. He was just a big bad black dude. Of course he could expect to be shot to death.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some complain that raising the uncomfortable issue of oppression shames innocent whites -- a sort of reverse racism. Maybe it is, depending on how it is presented. I don’t think it’s fair to imply that “white = bad” or “male = bad” or “cop = bad”. But it is fair to ask us to examine our lives and see how we fit in with the culture at large, and how much we truly care when others suffer. We can deal with that awkwardness, can’t we? It will help us see and do better!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To be honest, I am a rookie at social justice issues related to racism. I’ve done much more research on abuses of gender and religion than I have on racism. I’m learning as I go. I have countless blind spots and unconscious prejudices. But I hope I’m at least making progress. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am willing to speak up, even if it means I am criticized for it. </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; white-space: pre-wrap;">I believe in calling out injustice when I see it.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think we should honestly face the areas where we have each fallen short; at the same time, it’s not necessary to wallow in blame and shame. That only leads to bitterness, resistance, and more reactive division. I would rather that people see that they have an amazing opportunity to do better moving forward. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">As Maya Angelou said, "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">First, we are responsible for sharing at least part of what we have received for the betterment of society and not just ourselves, especially if our own success is built on privileges received and not just our own raw unaided effort.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; white-space: pre-wrap;"> As we do this, we also need to realize that we are not superior to others just because we have more education, money, friends, or social graces. So it should never be a “pity the poor heathens” deal when we help others. There is such a thing as human dignity and respect. We should actually take the time to get to know people as people, to appreciate the value of their lives and their cultures, and to learn from them, rather than to treat them as a mere charity project to make us feel good about ourselves. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Second, we are responsible as citizens to bring correction to a legal and social system which discriminates. You may say, “Show me an unjust racial law. We don’t have Jim Crow anymore. Black people can vote. Our schools have been desegregated. There are affirmative action laws in place. The law doesn’t tell cops to go after blacks more than whites.” That may be true. But that doesn’t account for the fact that a law can be written justly, yet applied and enforced unfairly. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is something we can do about systemic racial or gender injustice - which is to make it socially and politically unacceptable. How? We can:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Put the pressure on our peers in a good way. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Teach our kids how to relate to others who are different. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Call out racist or sexist remarks, even if someone is “just joking” or is someone you otherwise respect. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Speak truth to power by writing to legislators. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Share good article links on Facebook and Twitter. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Refuse to vote for politicians who are bigoted or misogynistic. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Research causes of poverty and homelessness, such as addiction, family violence, mental health issues, lack of educational access, lack of affordable housing, lack of affordable health care. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Support community and political initiatives to address those problems. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Fund pro-justice charitable organizations which have high-reliability ratings.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Read the news, and use our educated discernment about who to believe - with a keen eye for actual credibility and not just what already fits our paradigm.</span> </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yeah, that kind of stuff. Society is not static. Be a positive change agent. Are we already doing that? We can always do even more as we open our eyes and hearts.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back to examining privilege for a moment:</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have a decent education?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have a job which pays a living wage?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have finances beyond your own basic needs?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you positive have social connections?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you live in a safe neighborhood with a reliable utility infrastructure?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have creative talents?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have physical health?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have access to personal transportation?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have a media platform?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have any voice at all?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Glory be! You’re blessed! </span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And I’ll bet other people helped you get where you are.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Somebody provided for your needs as you grew up.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Somebody taught you.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Somebody introduced you to others who could help you.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Somebody invested in you.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Somebody took a chance on you.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Somebody nurtured you.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Somebody put in a good word for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; white-space: pre-wrap;">And here you are now, with all kinds of tangible and non-tangible assets as a direct or indirect result of what you received.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You could legally keep them for yourself or for your own family.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But what kind of life is that?</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><i><br /></i></b> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>"A person wrapped up in him/herself makes an awfully small package."</i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I posted a paragraph this morning on Facebook:</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm sitting down today to reflect on what I want each facet of my life to look like as I move forward into the future. Much as I believe in the importance of proper self-care, I am convinced of one thing: I don't want to live for myself. If my life has God-given purpose at all, much of this will be connected with compassion and concern for others, starting with my own family, and then beyond. That's what I want to do. That's who I want to be.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope that’s who you want to be, too.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now for some thoughts from the Good Book to help us all do that. (All passages are from the New International Version of the Bible.)</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~*~*~*~</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings." Isaiah 58:6-12 </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40 </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment! What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds. ”Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” James 2:12-18 </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-large; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.” James 5:1-6 </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> He has showed you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:6-8 </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Grace and peace,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">P.S. I wood-burned this verse today as a way of harnessing creativity for justice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">P.P.S. This is the first blog post I've written in months. I just couldn't stay silent any longer. Writing is another way I can advocate for justice. Sometimes it is an essay, other times a poem. Here are some that I have written in the past, keeping in mind that most of my focus so far has been on issues like gender inequity, religious abuse, homelessness, and human trafficking. Most of these are on my </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/">Watch the Shepherd </a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">blog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><u style="background-color: white;">Justice for the Vulnerable</u></b></span></div>
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<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2017/03/international-womens-day-2017-what-do.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">International Women's Day 2017: What Do You Stand For?</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2012/10/we-cant-ignore-domestic-violence.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">We Can't Ignore Domestic Violence </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2012/09/advocating-for-vulnerable-part-3.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Identifying Child Trafficking Victims</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2015/06/turtle-fellow-woman-poem-by-abigail.html" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Turtle (Fellow) (Wo)Man, a Poem by Abigail <span class="">Munday</span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-puritans-quakers-and-little-old-me.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">The Puritans, The Quakers, and Little Old Me (Reflections on A Measure of Light)</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2012/08/advocating-for-vulnerable-part-1-story.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">A Story About Elder Abuse </span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/01/13-ways-to-help-people-who-are-homeless.html" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">13 Ways to Help People Who Are Homeless, Especially in <span class="">Wintertime</span></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-note-wedged-into-window-on-my-van-and.html" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">A Note Wedged into the Window on My Van (and The Jesus Poem)</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/01/27-million-slaves-today.html" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">27 Million Slaves Today</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-harp-in-willow-poem.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19.8px;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">The Harp in the Willow (Poem)</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/09/your-kindness-gave-me-courage.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19.8px;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Your Kindness Gave Me Courage (Poem)</span></a></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><u style="background-color: white;">Examining Our Attitudes with Humility:</u></b></span></div>
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<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2012/12/jesus-vs-yertle.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;">King Jesus vs. Yertle the Turtle</span></a></li>
<li><span style="color: blue; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2012/09/advocating-for-vulnerable-4-dignity.html" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;">Dignity, Decisions, and Liberty of </span><span style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Conscience</span></span></a></span></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2010/04/true-repentance-it-very-good-thing.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">True Repentance (It's a Very Good Thing!)</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/11/we-plough-fields-and-scatter-strength.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">We Plough the Fields and Scatter (Strength in Hymn)</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/08/let-there-be-peace-on-earth-strength-in.html" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Let There Be Peace on Earth (Strength in Hymn)</span></a></li>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-52426358230611915272017-08-08T14:00:00.006-04:002017-08-08T14:06:22.785-04:00Lydia's UF Graduation and Lyd's Pizza Shop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0vf1wioF-08/WYny1kPktsI/AAAAAAABfHE/wmtrSbXUP7c21XSbz7ZRyXOk4mOot5CPQCLcBGAs/s1600/Lydia%2Bat%2Bgraduation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0vf1wioF-08/WYny1kPktsI/AAAAAAABfHE/wmtrSbXUP7c21XSbz7ZRyXOk4mOot5CPQCLcBGAs/s400/Lydia%2Bat%2Bgraduation.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Lydia Knowles</div>
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2017 UF Graduate</div>
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Ceramics</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GV97HXLHrrM/WYnzHoBh-RI/AAAAAAABfHg/qOSMscqbgEQxLBOhK0RJPeLqp0KUYPciACLcBGAs/s1600/02%2Buf%2Bgraduation%2Baugust%2B2017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GV97HXLHrrM/WYnzHoBh-RI/AAAAAAABfHg/qOSMscqbgEQxLBOhK0RJPeLqp0KUYPciACLcBGAs/s400/02%2Buf%2Bgraduation%2Baugust%2B2017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PdOyq4NbzNs/WYny6-ATVXI/AAAAAAABfHI/ud6uetTJMH4X_vABwQhQQk8iu_aQbN7LgCLcBGAs/s1600/03%2BLydia%2BUF%2Bgraduation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PdOyq4NbzNs/WYny6-ATVXI/AAAAAAABfHI/ud6uetTJMH4X_vABwQhQQk8iu_aQbN7LgCLcBGAs/s400/03%2BLydia%2BUF%2Bgraduation.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5dHDKQpm44/WYny7gu1_WI/AAAAAAABfHM/Rz5tXdPPyZ8MjuHuzoFhYTeZqe1d4sPHACLcBGAs/s1600/04%2Buf%2Bgraduation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1334" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5dHDKQpm44/WYny7gu1_WI/AAAAAAABfHM/Rz5tXdPPyZ8MjuHuzoFhYTeZqe1d4sPHACLcBGAs/s400/04%2Buf%2Bgraduation.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2TPtypn6rxs/WYny8xD9VfI/AAAAAAABfHQ/IjLC8aLMb2o277tUla9f5JCre_owfnKCQCLcBGAs/s1600/06%2Bbrothers%2Band%2Bsisters%2Bat%2Buf%2Bgraduation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="488" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2TPtypn6rxs/WYny8xD9VfI/AAAAAAABfHQ/IjLC8aLMb2o277tUla9f5JCre_owfnKCQCLcBGAs/s400/06%2Bbrothers%2Band%2Bsisters%2Bat%2Buf%2Bgraduation.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bd8_p4YeOKc/WYnzFDNHWRI/AAAAAAABfHc/K43AQq7OQe8EJWyzpYKyr2l9qnXZBJt-ACLcBGAs/s1600/05%2Bgrad%2Bwith%2Bparents.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bd8_p4YeOKc/WYnzFDNHWRI/AAAAAAABfHc/K43AQq7OQe8EJWyzpYKyr2l9qnXZBJt-ACLcBGAs/s400/05%2Bgrad%2Bwith%2Bparents.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F2iAgErYqRI/WYnzBiaPb9I/AAAAAAABfHY/vM93p-tgjVcC4TOD6-_iy1fuhyHUuKpqACLcBGAs/s1600/Lunch%2Bat%2BChuy%2527s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="525" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F2iAgErYqRI/WYnzBiaPb9I/AAAAAAABfHY/vM93p-tgjVcC4TOD6-_iy1fuhyHUuKpqACLcBGAs/s400/Lunch%2Bat%2BChuy%2527s.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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OH! Before we go...</div>
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I already posted photos from <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/08/lydias-art-show-and-uf-graduation.html" target="_blank"><b>her most recent art show</b></a>, but none of those were of her ceramics, which was her major. And I never did do a blog post on her ceramics exhibit from her UF Senior art show in April. So, I present to your Lyd's Pizza Shop. And all of the pizza is, you guessed it (or did you?), CERAMICS! </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzw0o-JbsZs/WYn5kTPzLaI/AAAAAAABfH0/9WuBFQW_suEvjGhjfRiKV-UFPKgm52FtgCLcBGAs/s1600/18%2BLyd%2527s%2BPizza%2BShop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gzw0o-JbsZs/WYn5kTPzLaI/AAAAAAABfH0/9WuBFQW_suEvjGhjfRiKV-UFPKgm52FtgCLcBGAs/s640/18%2BLyd%2527s%2BPizza%2BShop.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TgZC3i9Gg8k/WYn5kKReupI/AAAAAAABfHw/M6NrCJhj9lwYCGwGR_sH3E47ekYH7YA9QCLcBGAs/s1600/19%2BLyd%2527s%2BPizza%2BShop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TgZC3i9Gg8k/WYn5kKReupI/AAAAAAABfHw/M6NrCJhj9lwYCGwGR_sH3E47ekYH7YA9QCLcBGAs/s640/19%2BLyd%2527s%2BPizza%2BShop.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JQ2A9to-3qk/WYn5kXGiHZI/AAAAAAABfH4/0eFJAIC0GO8WZSlTI98KRMGiIK0wTaVBACLcBGAs/s1600/20%2BLyd%2527s%2BPizza%2BShop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JQ2A9to-3qk/WYn5kXGiHZI/AAAAAAABfH4/0eFJAIC0GO8WZSlTI98KRMGiIK0wTaVBACLcBGAs/s640/20%2BLyd%2527s%2BPizza%2BShop.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o8v77ujWrMw/WYn5k2rG-mI/AAAAAAABfH8/aJk4Vxm805gGo1TxwpPSDVlMzi4yvj7kQCLcBGAs/s1600/21%2BLyd%2527s%2BPizza%2BShop%2Bpepperoni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o8v77ujWrMw/WYn5k2rG-mI/AAAAAAABfH8/aJk4Vxm805gGo1TxwpPSDVlMzi4yvj7kQCLcBGAs/s400/21%2BLyd%2527s%2BPizza%2BShop%2Bpepperoni.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Looking back to 2015:<br />
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<b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2015/08/off-to-college-she-goes.html" target="_blank">Off to College She Goes</a> </b><br />
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From earlier in the weekend:<br />
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<a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/08/silver-springs-state-park.html" target="_blank"><b>Silver Springs State Park</b></a> <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/08/lydias-art-show-and-uf-graduation.html" target="_blank"><b>Lydia's Art Show</b></a><br />
<br />Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-30439047624774392202017-08-08T13:10:00.001-04:002017-08-08T14:03:06.769-04:00Lydia's Art Show: Playing Warehouse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JUxu_mzbuRM/WYnl5q2BjGI/AAAAAAABfFs/9bfNFbANjAsLKyhSbeen5C4sS9rB4QAiACLcBGAs/s1600/00%2BLydia%2Bwith%2Bphoto%2Bexhibit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JUxu_mzbuRM/WYnl5q2BjGI/AAAAAAABfFs/9bfNFbANjAsLKyhSbeen5C4sS9rB4QAiACLcBGAs/s400/00%2BLydia%2Bwith%2Bphoto%2Bexhibit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My daughter Lydia <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/08/lydias-uf-graduation-and-lyds-pizza-shop.html" target="_blank"><b>graduated on Saturday from the University of Florida</b></a> with a degree in Fine Arts - majoring in Ceramics and minoring in Art. This Art as Narrative show was her last one in college, at least as an undergraduate! But her school days aren't over, because she's starting high school this week - as a Ceramics teacher!<br />
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Here are some of the highlights from the show.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uY3mCgP8PeU/WYnmfOmZkmI/AAAAAAABfGU/ZpHQghfWpDYw46w8WZK6lvJhfIv9NcdFwCLcBGAs/s1600/08%2BPromo%2Bsign%2Bfor%2BArt%2Bas%2BNarrative%2Bshow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="1600" height="290" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uY3mCgP8PeU/WYnmfOmZkmI/AAAAAAABfGU/ZpHQghfWpDYw46w8WZK6lvJhfIv9NcdFwCLcBGAs/s400/08%2BPromo%2Bsign%2Bfor%2BArt%2Bas%2BNarrative%2Bshow.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Promotional poster for the art show<br />
features Lydia's largest digital print</td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3iJrobHRlNE/WYnm9Je9jJI/AAAAAAABfG0/Zn_WgEei1GUqzcK0fLpbkOmHHZYXxB7DQCLcBGAs/s1600/14%2B4Most%2Bart%2Bgallery%2BUF.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3iJrobHRlNE/WYnm9Je9jJI/AAAAAAABfG0/Zn_WgEei1GUqzcK0fLpbkOmHHZYXxB7DQCLcBGAs/s320/14%2B4Most%2Bart%2Bgallery%2BUF.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SvlInKkl-1A/WYnl-p8caaI/AAAAAAABfFw/i5bKr6ikEO0iYm3T8lDFFBuc70-9YiTdQCLcBGAs/s1600/01%2BArtist%2BStatement%2Bfor%2BPlaying%2BWarehouse%2Bby%2BLydia%2BKnowles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="1600" height="331" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SvlInKkl-1A/WYnl-p8caaI/AAAAAAABfFw/i5bKr6ikEO0iYm3T8lDFFBuc70-9YiTdQCLcBGAs/s400/01%2BArtist%2BStatement%2Bfor%2BPlaying%2BWarehouse%2Bby%2BLydia%2BKnowles.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her artist statement - and my part of the story<br />
is that she showed up at the house unannounced,<br />
told me to put my pajamas on,<br />
go with her to the Sam's Club where I shop every week,<br />
and pretend that I lived there.<br />
And I did!<br />
The things we do for our children!<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BvlcT4dLToI/WYnmeMoM39I/AAAAAAABfGM/1NXN91-xYl05Be-qwpgftjhfwXwoukDAgCLcBGAs/s1600/07%2Blying%2Bon%2Bmattress%2Bin%2BSam%2527s%2BClub%2Bwith%2BCPAP%2Bmask%2B-%2BPlaying%2BWarehouse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BvlcT4dLToI/WYnmeMoM39I/AAAAAAABfGM/1NXN91-xYl05Be-qwpgftjhfwXwoukDAgCLcBGAs/s400/07%2Blying%2Bon%2Bmattress%2Bin%2BSam%2527s%2BClub%2Bwith%2BCPAP%2Bmask%2B-%2BPlaying%2BWarehouse.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px;">This was our first scene.<br />
I brought my CPAP mask for authenticity.<br />
Whenever anyone gawked,<br />
I explained: "It's an ART project!!!!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_h6_MMHXDjw/WYnmHeA0EII/AAAAAAABfF0/cvMe2ygbBcAuLC45tN4S7qmBafjC6v_qACLcBGAs/s1600/03%2BLoading%2Bwasher%2B-%2BPlaying%2BWarehouse%2Bexhibit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1133" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_h6_MMHXDjw/WYnmHeA0EII/AAAAAAABfF0/cvMe2ygbBcAuLC45tN4S7qmBafjC6v_qACLcBGAs/s400/03%2BLoading%2Bwasher%2B-%2BPlaying%2BWarehouse%2Bexhibit.JPG" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We gathered the clothes and detergent<br />
from different areas of the store<br />
for our laundry scene.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FeuB2l38Aw/WYnmQ3yyG5I/AAAAAAABfGE/hRWoD6NZr7sX2F5AJDOS3Zc0gfH3cTpZgCLcBGAs/s1600/04%2Bon%2Bbike%2Bwith%2Bwatermelon%2B-%2BPlaying%2BWarehouse%2Bexhibit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1449" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FeuB2l38Aw/WYnmQ3yyG5I/AAAAAAABfGE/hRWoD6NZr7sX2F5AJDOS3Zc0gfH3cTpZgCLcBGAs/s400/04%2Bon%2Bbike%2Bwith%2Bwatermelon%2B-%2BPlaying%2BWarehouse%2Bexhibit.JPG" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, that is a watermelon.<br />
No, I didn't actually ride the bike with it.<br />
I loved the color of the bike.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOiWgScfDBU/WYnmQCy8RXI/AAAAAAABfGA/vPb8FYgmuS04vOgpztbF94G5R8bxBnhqQCLcBGAs/s1600/05%2Beating%2Bcereal%2Bat%2BSam%2527s%2BClub%2B-%2BPlaying%2BWarehouse%2Bexhibit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1600" height="201" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TOiWgScfDBU/WYnmQCy8RXI/AAAAAAABfGA/vPb8FYgmuS04vOgpztbF94G5R8bxBnhqQCLcBGAs/s400/05%2Beating%2Bcereal%2Bat%2BSam%2527s%2BClub%2B-%2BPlaying%2BWarehouse%2Bexhibit.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We brought our own cereal. I promise.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5Xu-F-S9Gs/WYnmItIPFmI/AAAAAAABfF4/VxtZrJFB8ksI5vDOyJOOsWoq9n4HVhbjgCLcBGAs/s1600/02%2BVirginia%2Bwith%2Bflowers%2Bat%2BSam%2527s%2BClub%2Bphoto%2Bshoot%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U5Xu-F-S9Gs/WYnmItIPFmI/AAAAAAABfF4/VxtZrJFB8ksI5vDOyJOOsWoq9n4HVhbjgCLcBGAs/s400/02%2BVirginia%2Bwith%2Bflowers%2Bat%2BSam%2527s%2BClub%2Bphoto%2Bshoot%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 16px;">This was my favorite scene to shoot,<br />
and the last one we did.</td></tr>
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Back at the show...<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0hoeROhOO8M/WYnmkUO8ovI/AAAAAAABfGY/UN2ym6ETbTIOrSxwjiG-ZF63xGie-849gCLcBGAs/s1600/09%2BLydia%2Bat%2Bart%2Bshow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="744" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0hoeROhOO8M/WYnmkUO8ovI/AAAAAAABfGY/UN2ym6ETbTIOrSxwjiG-ZF63xGie-849gCLcBGAs/s640/09%2BLydia%2Bat%2Bart%2Bshow.JPG" width="296" /></a></div>
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Lydia also produced a puppet show with a feminist theme that I appreciated. She designed everything.<br />
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This is part of her adoring audience. Brothers and sisters rock.<br />
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That's it for the art show!<br />
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Another post from earlier in the day: <b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/08/silver-springs-state-park.html" target="_blank">Silver Springs State Park</a></b><br />
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Other pictures of the photo exhibit when it was on display at the UF campus: <a href="http://lydiaknowles.com/playing-warehouse-2017/" target="_blank"><b>Playing Warehouse</b></a>.Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012349346682683577.post-69128253085619520152017-08-07T13:11:00.002-04:002017-08-07T13:11:43.309-04:00Silver Springs State Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8dlN7AjRx28/WYiZkR1AJ7I/AAAAAAABfDo/183zxZM8NuUPUDhalSkWOZe14wbd2-GBACLcBGAs/s1600/00%2BSilver%2BSprings%2Bentrance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8dlN7AjRx28/WYiZkR1AJ7I/AAAAAAABfDo/183zxZM8NuUPUDhalSkWOZe14wbd2-GBACLcBGAs/s400/00%2BSilver%2BSprings%2Bentrance.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My daughter Lydia graduated from the University of Florida on Saturday, August 5. Since she also had two exhibits featured in a student art show the evening before, we decided to drive up to the area on Friday, visit<span style="color: #0b5394; font-weight: bold;"> <a href="http://www.silversprings.com/" target="_blank">Silver Springs State Park</a> </span>near Ocala, attend Lydia's art exhibit, and then stay over night.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ux60dNa_S8/WYiZlMVA82I/AAAAAAABfDs/xrhaypCnORcBxGhoE-7GLz05JIMrGjFbwCLcBGAs/s1600/01%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bway%2Bto%2BSilver%2BSprings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ux60dNa_S8/WYiZlMVA82I/AAAAAAABfDs/xrhaypCnORcBxGhoE-7GLz05JIMrGjFbwCLcBGAs/s400/01%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bway%2Bto%2BSilver%2BSprings.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My daughter Naomi drove all the way</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dY5CZeAhSfc/WYiZmm1SA_I/AAAAAAABfDw/lPOLL8dids4sfNbJgHW8_YkhONcjb4XDQCLcBGAs/s1600/02%2Bglass%2Bbottom%2Bboats%2Bat%2BSilver%2BSprings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dY5CZeAhSfc/WYiZmm1SA_I/AAAAAAABfDw/lPOLL8dids4sfNbJgHW8_YkhONcjb4XDQCLcBGAs/s400/02%2Bglass%2Bbottom%2Bboats%2Bat%2BSilver%2BSprings.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Glass bottom boats at the dock</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-glPBOkom6N8/WYiZaNhsWfI/AAAAAAABfDk/bGtKvJIDN64iJ3oa96mg801ptZKo-8yaACLcBGAs/s1600/02%2BVirginia%2Bon%2Bglass%2Bbottom%2Bboat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-glPBOkom6N8/WYiZaNhsWfI/AAAAAAABfDk/bGtKvJIDN64iJ3oa96mg801ptZKo-8yaACLcBGAs/s400/02%2BVirginia%2Bon%2Bglass%2Bbottom%2Bboat.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Me on the glass bottom boat</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lOezbn1Muq4/WYiZx9RcBYI/AAAAAAABfD0/O8wBqTcWwoc728k6GqrxX_4k1QTq_obcQCLcBGAs/s1600/03%2Bfish%2Bthrough%2Bglass%2Bbottom%2Bboat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lOezbn1Muq4/WYiZx9RcBYI/AAAAAAABfD0/O8wBqTcWwoc728k6GqrxX_4k1QTq_obcQCLcBGAs/s400/03%2Bfish%2Bthrough%2Bglass%2Bbottom%2Bboat.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A sunken boat from the<br />early exploration era</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GlRjCpqZMnM/WYiZ1HG7nOI/AAAAAAABfD8/U0Chs-RA9NM2oB17Vh8QKWK2ebkN8yHuACLcBGAs/s1600/05%2Bsprings%2Bthrough%2Bglass%2Bbottom%2Bboat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GlRjCpqZMnM/WYiZ1HG7nOI/AAAAAAABfD8/U0Chs-RA9NM2oB17Vh8QKWK2ebkN8yHuACLcBGAs/s400/05%2Bsprings%2Bthrough%2Bglass%2Bbottom%2Bboat.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Springs deep below the surface -<br />one of them releases 550 millon gallons per day!<br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Baby alligator</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydrK1YxuJhw/WYiaBZVldJI/AAAAAAABfEI/76DFFMmJHTwS0nG2Gi7vpl4BD8GqnAhSQCLcBGAs/s1600/07%2Bturtles%2Bon%2Ba%2Blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydrK1YxuJhw/WYiaBZVldJI/AAAAAAABfEI/76DFFMmJHTwS0nG2Gi7vpl4BD8GqnAhSQCLcBGAs/s400/07%2Bturtles%2Bon%2Ba%2Blog.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Turtles on a log</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sisters!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yvwS7fyFUaU/WYiaBcCBm3I/AAAAAAABfEM/OyGGXBkJ5NsJRIYDoRWzzSJdsY6a7WrMACLcBGAs/s1600/09%2Bbranch%2Bby%2Briver%2Bwith%2Bman%2Bon%2Bit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yvwS7fyFUaU/WYiaBcCBm3I/AAAAAAABfEM/OyGGXBkJ5NsJRIYDoRWzzSJdsY6a7WrMACLcBGAs/s400/09%2Bbranch%2Bby%2Briver%2Bwith%2Bman%2Bon%2Bit.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Daddy having fun</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Statue of Chief Osceola</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And the flowers!</span></div>
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<br />Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1