tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63391604444088957692024-03-14T04:01:28.520-03:00Ladies Of Virtue JournalLady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-59429585968974061742014-04-02T12:11:00.001-03:002014-04-02T12:18:32.212-03:00Surprised by Motherhood<div style="border-image: none;">
My dear blogging friend--LisaJo Baker--is launching her first incredible book, <em>Surprised by Motherhood</em>. She delivered the first three chapters into my ebox so that I may share her story with you. And I can tell you that I cannot wait to read the rest of the tale!</div>
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LisaJo in her typical whimsical way weaves her stories of comic humor and spiritual seriousness. She will make you laugh and cry and leave you kneeling in awe of God's grace in our lives. </div>
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As women--and we are all mothers in some giving and leading way--we are pulled into this community of shared understanding: </div>
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Motherhood is hard.</div>
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Motherhood is glorious.</div>
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Motherhood is hard.</div>
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Amen to that! Even in my own life of mothering I experience tears of anguish and bellows of blissness, and sometimes I think, "When will <em>this</em> end?" But I must concur with LisaJo, Really, deep down, I say to myself "this delivering, shaping, cheering, loving, and bringing into the world, I don't want it to end."</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Surprised-Motherhood-Everything-Never-Expected/dp/1414387857/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396451397&sr=1-1&keywords=surprised+by+motherhood" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.com/Surprised-Motherhood-Everything-Never-Expected/dp/1414387857/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396451397&sr=1-1&keywords=surprised+by+motherhood" class="mainImage" src="http://ts3.mm.bing.net/th?id=HN.608023182860422166&pid=1.7" style="background-color: white; height: 199px; width: 300px;" /></a></div>
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Have you been Surprised by Motherhood? Do you need a fresh glimpse of the big picture? Pick up yours toady (the picture will link you straight to Amazon.)</div>
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-40788658218539612782014-03-21T15:34:00.000-03:002014-03-21T15:34:43.080-03:00JOY
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Stopping myself just long enough to write for five minutes....takes discipline!</div>
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Joining today with other authors who peg a t the keyboard for five minute-only. Then STOP.</div>
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Stream-of-consciousness writing with no editing-the best kind.</div>
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<a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2014/03/five-minute-friday-joy-2/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">LisaJo's</span></span> </a>prompt for today is JOY.</div>
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How appropriate a theme.</div>
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I just received a "Yes!" answer to a request delivered with my heart-on-its-knees.</div>
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I am flying high and I just let out a YELL!!!! for the excitement. (My family thought I had just seen a mouse.)</div>
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Sometimes we hear "no" as answer to a prayer and sometimes just a silence. And we have to trust as a weaned child content of her Mother's lap.</div>
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But- sometimes we hear, <span style="font-size: large;">"Yes! You go girl! Take it and roll 'cause I AM the wind beneath your wings!"</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CaB3c25ehIA/UyyESpzOvgI/AAAAAAAAA0s/fvsQ3JhRI9Q/s1600/homemade-kite-top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CaB3c25ehIA/UyyESpzOvgI/AAAAAAAAA0s/fvsQ3JhRI9Q/s1600/homemade-kite-top.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.my-best-kite.com/homemade-kite.html" target="_blank">Photo Credit</a></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And that's an "ah-hah!" moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">But, you know, it's not that the "yes" that brings JOY; it's knowing that you are moving with the winds of the Spirit, and, you love doing it. That's JOY.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">What brings you joy today? </span></div>
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-40926257514332774902014-03-15T16:37:00.004-03:002014-03-15T16:58:40.800-03:00Chorus of Strong Women-Visiting Contributor Desiree Adaway<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6339160444408895769"></a>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Hello Ladies. How are you? With the few days of cool air and sunshine with wind-full kisses of Spring, I have decided to kiss Jack Frost "Good-bye till next year." I really do love him, he has overstayed his welcome and I am shipping him out of here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">To celebrate, I have posted the Spring header for LOV. Do you like it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Also, I have a guest post to share with you. Once in a while we serediptiously meet a kindred-spirit. I believe Desiree Adaway to be one. She kneads together faith and proactive ministry for the voiceless and I am all about it. Please enjoy the post~</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chorus of Strong Women</span></div>
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by <a href="http://desireeadaway.com/blog/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span class="author vcard"><span class="fn">Desiree Adaway</span></span></span></a><span class="date published time" title="2014-03-15T00:02:01+00:00"></span><span class="post-comments"></span> </div>
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<b>“I write for those women who do not speak, for those
who do not have a voice because they were so terrified, because we are
taught to respect fear more than ourselves. We’ve been taught that
silence would save us, but it won’t.” –Audre Lorde</b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://shelovesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/M_Desiree.jpg"><img alt="M_Desiree" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-37220" src="http://shelovesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/M_Desiree.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a> </b><br />
<b>I went through a horrible divorce.</b>
Horrible. It was my choosing, but still I felt weak and broken. The
fear I felt was real. I had no idea who I was or what my future looked
like.<br />
<b>My family felt broken and even though that was not true, the fear I felt around my decision was real.</b>
Raising kids by myself? Never wanted it. Did I mention that my husband
and I worked together? Not only did I end my marriage but, essentially,
my career as well.<br />
<b>I had no vision for my future and no voice of my own.</b><br />
<br />
Today, in honor of every woman that struggles to free her voice but
cannot just yet, I ask that we, her sisters, define ourselves, name
ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves–in her honor.<br />
<br />
<b>Let’s take a moment to recognize and respect the foundation
and nurturing framework women provide to family and community all over
the world.</b><br />
We do epic things, every day, under amazing circumstances.<br />
<br />
<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><b>Because when I felt most broken this is what I needed to see: other women stepping into their power.</b>
I needed to hear their voices and stories. I needed their beauty and
their scars. I needed them to sit me down and say the following:</span><br />
<b><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">You are not your wound, your weakness, or your resume. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">You are not your pain. You are not your job. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">You are not your income, your parents, your children, your partner, your community, or your circumstances. </span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Sometimes we have too much faith in
these things, these illusions. Our lives are not defined by these
circumstances or by others. Those things may be fact, but they are not
always truth.</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Who are we? We are the TRUTH we speak about ourselves.</span></b><br />
<b>In my weaker moments, it would have rocked my world to hear a
chorus of strong women telling me that I am this TRUTH by way of my
voice and action.</b><br />
This has been the hardest lesson of my life: letting go of the
labels, boundaries, and stories in order to get clear about who I am.
Not the stuff I own or the circumstances that I have helped create
through action or inaction, but to get clear about WHO I am and the
gifts I have to share.<br />
<b>Beyond our exterior lies an interior that is so dazzling and powerful it can transform lives.</b>
This place within shows us that we can love more, accomplish more, do
more, and be more. The light that shines shows the way. To see this in
ourselves, we have to see it in others.<br />
<b>Empowerment is a two-way street.</b><br />
<br />
<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">I cannot be whom I am supposed to
be if you are not who you are supposed to be. If my sister is not safe,
then I am not safe. Her lack of safety reveals my own insecurity at a
deeper level. </span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">We need to show ourselves to our sisters to help them make it through the darkness and pain.</span><br />
We often become in people’s presence that which they expect us to
be. So I defy those expectations. If they expect weakness, I am strong.
If they expect less, I give more. I let them know who I am.<br />
People may want to hold us to our past, to an old story, to an old
judgment. I no longer let them. My opinion of self can not come from
others. That power and light, that greatness, must radiate from within
me or it will not come at all.<br />
<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">I share this with all the women I know, so they are clear:</span><br />
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<b><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">You are more than just any one thing and you are powerful beyond measure.</span></b></div>
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From<a href="http://desireeadaway.com/"> Desiree Adaway</a></div>
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<img alt="Desiree Adaway" class="avatar avatar-64 photo" src="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/9c76bd0706e895d76b4e470c36356576?s=64&d=blank&r=G" height="64" width="64" />Desiree
is a consultant, strategist, coach, speaker, storyteller and explorer.
She uses her superpowers–her voice, sense of adventure and belief in
the transformative power of community–to help organizations design
programs that create unrestricted revenue, volunteers and advocates.
You can find out more about her at www.desireeadaway.com, or follow her
on Twitter at @desireeadaway</div>
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-25390356480291860572014-03-07T10:52:00.001-04:002014-03-07T10:58:54.187-04:00Willing...<div style="border-image: none;">
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Hello Ladies-girls, men, and any literate bunnies....(thinking of Spring, I guess.)</div>
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Does every one of you have the hope that Spring will come? I love the snow fall but am wanting the pinks blossoms and green buds to appear soon.</div>
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I am joining with the writers at <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2014/03/how-to-get-the-first-3-chapters-of-my-book-for-free-surprisedbymotherhood/" target="_blank">Lisa-Jo Baker's</a> blog today. From her creative basket she grabs a word and we all write with that word in mind-for five minutes, only. Lots of fun. Words tumble out like cookie crumbs from a babbling toddlers mouth.</div>
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Today's prompt: WILLING.</div>
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Go.</div>
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What holds me back? Fear? of failure? of looking silly? of not dong something perfect?</div>
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But I do not let the garbled nerves tangle my determination-</div>
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I will do what I am called to do.</div>
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Write.</div>
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Speak.</div>
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Rally the world to acknowledge the need and stir heart to <br />
help empower those girls and women at risk for sexual exploitation <br />
and gender-based violence. </div>
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What have I (really) got to lose?</div>
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my pride. (It's not about me.)</div>
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looking silly.</div>
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Who doesn't today?</div>
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not being perfect.</div>
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It's process, not perfection.</div>
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FAILING.</div>
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He has promises to make ALL things work toward my good. <br />
And if I do step out of the beat or off of the path, <br />
His Loving-kindness and Mercy faithfully follow me <br />
and guide my hand onto the lighted way.</div>
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I am willing.<br />
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Are you?<br />
What are you willing for?<br />
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-43318215718331282332014-02-21T12:55:00.000-04:002014-02-21T12:59:01.114-04:00Small Beginnings<div style="text-align: left;">
I only seem to have moments to write ever so briefly on this blog...that's why I enjoy <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2014/02/five-minute-friday-small-2/" target="_blank">Five Minute</a> <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2014/02/five-minute-friday-small-2/" target="_blank">Fridays. Lisa-Jo Baker</a> gives us a prompt and we write stream-of-conscious for five minutes....</div>
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Today the prompt is SMALL.</div>
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This is what I first thought-a word of not despising small beginnings.</div>
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<em>Then he said to me, “This is the word of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> to <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-22929H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup>Zerubbabel: </em></div>
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<em><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-22929I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup>Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> of hosts. <span class="text Zech-4-7" id="en-ESV-22930"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: small;">7 </span></sup></span></em></div>
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<em><span class="text Zech-4-7">Who are you, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-22930J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup>O great mountain? Before <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-22930K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup>Zerubbabel <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-22930L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup>you shall become a plain. </span></em></div>
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<em><span class="text Zech-4-7">And he shall bring forward <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-22930M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup>the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Zech-4-8" id="en-ESV-22931"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>Then the word of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> came to me, saying,</span> <span class="text Zech-4-9" id="en-ESV-22932"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup></span></span></em></div>
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<em><span class="text Zech-4-9"><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-22932N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)"></sup>“The hands of <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-22932O" title="See cross-reference O">O</a>)"></sup>Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; </span></em></div>
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<em><span class="text Zech-4-9">his hands shall also <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-22932P" title="See cross-reference P">P</a>)"></sup>complete it. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-22932Q" title="See cross-reference Q">Q</a>)"></sup>Then you will know that the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> of hosts has sent me to you.</span> <span class="text Zech-4-10" id="en-ESV-22933"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: small;">10 </span></sup></span></em></div>
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<em><span class="text Zech-4-10"><sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-22933R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></sup>For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, </span></em></div>
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<em><span class="text Zech-4-10">and shall see <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-22933S" title="See cross-reference S">S</a>)"></sup>the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel . . .</span></em></div>
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<em><span class="text Zech-4-10">~Zechariah 4:6-10</span></em> </div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Are your hands building a foundation? Are your dreams small, just a wisp of a cloud?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I have had a small dream--well actually a very large dream but is starting small--to help empower girls and women who are vulnerable to sexual exploitation, to point them to the One who washes away dirt and makes us clean, who washes away tears and replaces them with embraces, to point them in the direction of gaining a future and a hope.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">The dream is LARGE-so large that I am overwhelmed. I stood at the foot of this great mountain of injustice and oppression and knew not how to begin.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I was reminded of the proverbial saying: One eats an elephant one bite at a time.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Or one climbs a mountain one step at a time. But I have to take the first step.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Zechariah already had the plumb line in his hand beginning the work.</span><br />
Just a beginning. First thought taking material form.<br />
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And He says to him, to me, to you-"the Spirit moves." He takes over. He places the finishing touch on the work. <br />
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And when it is accomplished we can only exclaim, "Grace! Grace! All was Grace!"<br />
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The Ladies Of Virtue Foundation is forming . . .<br />
What is your work?<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin...."</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> -Zechariah 4:10 NLT</span></span><br />
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-38764813288261193992014-02-07T14:02:00.000-04:002014-02-07T14:02:00.748-04:00Write Anyway
What a beautiful day, today. The sky is cotton blue, the sun shining, and snow crystals frozen on the trees. It's February-the month of LOVE.<br />
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Today is also Friday which means I am linking with other writers at <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2014/02/how-to-write-and-live-brave-when-youre-terrified/" target="_blank">Lisa-Jo Baker's</a> place. We tap out thoughts onto our computers for five minutes ONLY. No editing. I noticed that some are using the prompt "Write." I think I am going to use Lisa Jo's full title: <span style="font-size: large;">How to write and live brave (when you’re terrified).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">GO:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
Why do we as writers let fear paralyze the exegesis of our words? As writers thoughts, feelings, opinions, and insights topple in our minds like Chinese acrobats. Why do we let the guard dogs keep us from doing somersaults? Who made them the guard dogs anyway? And maybe they are actually Golden Retrievers.<br />
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For there is nothing new under the sun. Surely what I think, one of you has as well. The questions of insecurity. The web of dark gossamer strings that I try to conceal. The Oprah-light-bulb-life-changing thought that I think I am the first to grasp . . . you have those too.<br />
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So if we are not so different, and every one of us is on this journey of life-why don't we join hands and listen to each other's words.<br />
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We will find that we are not so very alone.<br />
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-78605030518353038492014-01-31T14:16:00.001-04:002014-01-31T14:16:38.856-04:00New Year-Full of Things that Have Never Yet BeenI have been thinking and desiring to write for months...but then I sometimes wonder if you will be interested in the "goings-on"of my mind. Reluctance put my writing into idle mode. But, I believe that perhaps I should/will share some of the things I have been learning...<br />
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For the moment I want us to think about the Year 2014. January, the first chapter, will be the past in a few short hours. All of those dreamy-wishful thoughts for you, and from you, for the New Year...well, they will not fade away with the coming of February; hopefully, they will only intensify!<br />
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So here's to you dear reader... some thoughts for the coming year which is just getting warmed up, you know. Or "frozen-up" if you live in most of the continental U.S.<br />
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<span class="text"><b><u><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Edwardian Script ITC;"><span style="font-size: 48px; line-height: 57px;">January</span></span></u></b></span><br /><span class="text"><b><u><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Edwardian Script ITC;"><span style="font-size: 48px; line-height: 57px;"></span></span></u></b></span>
<span class="text"><b><span style="color: #660066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px;"> "</span></span></b><b><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px;">And now let us welcome</span></span></b></span> <span class="text"><b><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px;">the New Year</span></span></b></span><br /><span class="text"><b><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px;"> Full of things that have never been."</span></span></b></span><br /><span class="text"><b><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px;"></span></span></b><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;"> -Rainear Maria Rilke</span></span></span><br />
<br /><span class="text"><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;"></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 19px;"> </span></span><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;">New <span class="f47rf5rsqu" id="f47rf5rsqu_5">beginnings</span>. I love that. <span class="f47rf5rsqu" id="f47rf5rsqu_2">Blank journal </span>pages waiting to be filled with <span class="f47rf5rsqu" id="f47rf5rsqu_6">adventures </span>yet experienced and memories yet to be made. Believe. Dream. Stir up the <span class="f47rf5rsqu" id="f47rf5rsqu_4">secret </span>petitions of your heart. Believe that the Sower of Dreams will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)<br /><br />Ask questions. Contemplate- What would it feel like to be the woman you have always wanted to become? What would your life be like if you were <span class="f47rf5rsqu" id="f47rf5rsqu_8">living</span> the most creative, fulfilling, peaceful life that you can imagine? What if a year from now you were living that life? What would you need to change now?<br /><br />Just ask the questions. You need not fill in all the answers or concern yourself with the process of getting from A to B. We are only for the moment opening our minds, stirring our faith and imaginations.</span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;"> </span></span><b><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;"> </span></span></b></span><br />
<span class="text"><b><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;"> </span></span></b><b><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 23px;">"For He can do exceedingly, </span></span></b></span><br /><span class="text"><b><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 23px;"> abundantly above all that we ask or think</span></span></b></span><br /><span class="text"><b><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 23px;"> according to His power working in us."</span></span></b></span><br /><span class="text"><b><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 23px;"> </span></span></b><b><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;">-Adapted from Ephesians 3:20</span></span></b><b><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"> </span></span></b></span><br /><span class="text"><b><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"></span></span></b></span><span class="text"><b><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span></b><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px;">"Abundantly," in the Greek, denotes "a <span class="f47rf5rsqu" id="f47rf5rsqu_1">starting point</span>". So imagine what you will-the best, sweetest, most incredulous things- from THAT point, the Lord can take those (dreams) way beyond our wildest imaginings, <span class="f47rf5rsqu" id="f47rf5rsqu_7">excessive </span>beyond measure, superfluous, making them superabundant "in quantity" and "superior in quality" </span></span><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;">beyond that point</span> (quotes from </span></span><u><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;">Strong's Exhaustive Concordance</span></span></u><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Papyrus; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;">).</span></span><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"> </span></span><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 23px;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-602Zh3LWTRo/Uuvma0ZXKyI/AAAAAAAAAyE/-MOx3GAHvf0/s1600/Bens+snowflakes+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-602Zh3LWTRo/Uuvma0ZXKyI/AAAAAAAAAyE/-MOx3GAHvf0/s1600/Bens+snowflakes+3.jpg" height="200" width="112" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X-Gb8-wK8Ik/UuvmcHOYCkI/AAAAAAAAAyM/TFOVK1jgCm0/s1600/Bens+snowflakes+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X-Gb8-wK8Ik/UuvmcHOYCkI/AAAAAAAAAyM/TFOVK1jgCm0/s1600/Bens+snowflakes+2.jpg" height="200" width="112" /></a></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8pXklXCRSEA/UuvmNV0wtwI/AAAAAAAAAyA/WPERGAuaUX4/s1600/Bens+snowflakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8pXklXCRSEA/UuvmNV0wtwI/AAAAAAAAAyA/WPERGAuaUX4/s1600/Bens+snowflakes.jpg" height="200" width="112" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: medium;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Photo Credit to Ben Hyland</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: medium;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 23px;"></span></span><b><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px;"> So take some time today/ this month/ this year and</span></span></b><b><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px;"> </span></span><u><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px;">Dream!</span></span></u></b><b><span style="color: #330066; font-family: Vivaldi; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 23px;"> </span></span></b></span></span><br />
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-11927370384631578892013-11-22T12:41:00.002-04:002013-11-22T12:42:10.137-04:00Freefall to Fly<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6339160444408895769"></a>
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It has been awhile since I have written without thinking if I have a "good" thesis or if the citation correct or trying to lucidly write more jabbering thoughts into coherence. So I take a five-minute break today and join with other writers at <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/11/five-minute-friday-fly/" target="_blank">Lisa-Jo Baker's Blog</a>. She gives the prompt; we feed the words.</div>
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Today: <span style="font-size: large;">FLY</span></div>
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Safe. Secure. Planted tightly and neatly between cotton sheets and brick walls.</div>
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The baby bird falls from the nest and suddenly I am free-falling hoping break his fall.</div>
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But, I cannot break his fall. What he needs is to learn to fly on his own.</div>
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So flying behind him, trying to catch up, I fly scattered in a sky I have never been before.</div>
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One that I do not want to know.</div>
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But I follow close, strenuously strangling behind.</div>
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Then I sense stronger wings than mine beckoning me to hide under their shadow. </div>
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They lift me high and I fly straight and safe.</div>
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I am beside my fledgling and beckon him into the shadow with me. </div>
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It's his choice.</div>
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In free-falling we learn to fly.</div>
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<a href="http://www.wattpad.com/1693335-standing-on-the-edge-free-falling" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo Credit</span></a><br />
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-17796632351417918202013-10-16T13:16:00.007-03:002013-11-26T22:14:10.660-04:00Women Rising<br />
Was August the last time that I have written?! My school has started (Grad.studies in English Lit.) and yes, I have been busy. Right now I should be writing a literary critique on <i>Uncle Tom's Cabin</i> (which I am looking forward to). I had always wanted to read this iconic novel and I did! wonderful to understand why Abraham Lincoln is to have thought to state, "[the writing from] the little lady that started the Civil War."<br />
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My intention is to blog, but time eludes me. I STILL wonder at how bloggers consistently write AND live the life they are writing about! Even the Five-Minute Fridays have blinked by and now the autumn leaves are falling from the trees....yes, I WILL get the LOV header changed--as soon as my good friend helps me to do it! <br />
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Today, however, my excitement beckons me to the screen to share with you what I think is part of a grand moving of God upon women. The IF:Gathering hosted by Jennie Allen.<br />
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<a href="http://jennieallen.com/blog/where-we-made-our-mark/#comment-9015" target="_blank"><img alt="IF:GATHERING" height="69" src="http://ifgathering.com/workspace/assets/images/logos/ifgather-logo-white-shadow-large+@2x.png" width="400" /></a></div>
Unable to attend the conference in Austin, TX, I am thrilled to be able to host the event locally (within the comfortable confines of a cozy living room with friends, hot coffee, sweet treats, and lots of Buffalo-Chicken dip).<br />
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God is doing something globally-He is doing a stirring IN women FOR women. Do you feel it? Get ready; it's contagious.<br />
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Soon I will expound upon the plans that He has given me to start an organization to help women and girls who have been sexually exploited in such countries as Liberia, Tanzania, Costa Rica, and where ever else He may lead. Whether you are on the board on such an organization or whisperings prayers for such ministry in your closet- YOU ARE NEEDED.<br />
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Please join us.<br />
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-75053585373567784922013-08-30T11:39:00.001-03:002013-08-30T11:42:42.257-03:00Worship<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6339160444408895769"></a>
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It's fun Friday and I get to throw caution to the wind as I join other adventure writers <a href="http://www.incourage.me/2013/08/a-five-minute-friday-free-write-on-the-word-worship.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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The writing prompt: WORSHIP</div>
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I love what LisaJo says this morning: You already ARE a writer. No need for publishing, no need even for followers. Do words bubble out from the pool within? Do you write for yourself even if no one will read it?<br />
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You are a writer.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Fzf7uPFupA/UiCuRWTmU7I/AAAAAAAAAv0/jnFSDkVt31E/s1600/calligraphy+writing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Fzf7uPFupA/UiCuRWTmU7I/AAAAAAAAAv0/jnFSDkVt31E/s200/calligraphy+writing.jpg" width="200" /></a>It takes courage to place our thoughts and feelings into concrete form of pen-and-ink, or let them flow through our finger tips to keyboard onto the screen.</div>
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What are we afraid of?</div>
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not writing perfect prose? by whose standard?</div>
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not painting our words like Monet? or LisaJo? </div>
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I so enjoy reading LisaJo's posts. She creates beauty with her talented way of creatively and uniquely forming words into picture ideas.I would love to have more of that skill. But I have my own unique voice. And so do YOU.</div>
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Even if we all share the very same message, we each have a distinct way to convey it. When our words post in a blog or FaceBook, those for whom it is meant will read it. Have you had the experience that you have a "lightbulb" moment when an idea or message that you have heard a hundred times is illuminated for the first time in your understanding? That is why we need to keep writing-we never know just who needs to hear our words at the very moment in their lives when we write them.</div>
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Caution to the wind. Write from you heart.</div>
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Write for One, and that is WORSHIP.</div>
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-82533237419712706582013-08-23T13:33:00.002-03:002013-08-23T13:34:44.436-03:00Last<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I really enjoy these Five-Minute Friday writing sessions. Knowing that I can produce some thoughts onto the screen and only expend a few moments in a packed schedule, leaves me feeling satisfied. Ideas for blogging come to me like the consistent waves of the ocean upon the sand. But a damn stops the ideas midway; the damn of "life." I am too busy LIVING to stop and W-R-I-T-E. Not a very good existence for one who wants to write. </div>
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But, one must <b>live</b> the experiences in order to write, right?</div>
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Every author that I have read about writing, exhorts of the mandatory need of disciplined writing-even, when there seems to be no time. Well, unless my blog posts have the subject structure that I want to present them in, I do not post them. I fear they be just incoherent ramblings (kind-of like I am doing now ; )</div>
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So enough rambling and let's write! for five minutes. LisaJo Baker's prompt today is <span style="font-size: large;">LAST</span>.</div>
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The afternoon sky is hazier than last month. Grass is drying into a wheat-tan color. The newspaper is full of colorful flyers advertising back-to-school sales.</div>
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The last days of summer are here.</div>
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Two boys now grown preparing for the first days of college. Mama preparing her heart (and celebrating inwardly!)</div>
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Mom freezing corn for home-made chicken corn soup that will fill the nostrils with aroma mid-winter.</div>
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Canning tomatoes for fresh spaghetti sauce.</div>
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Washing curtains that are neglectfully covered with puffy, gray dust.</div>
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School-clothes shopping even though the girls are HOME-schooled.</div>
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One daughter changing dance academies. Another gaining a new tutor.</div>
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Mom also starting graduate studies, making preparations to register a non-profit organization.</div>
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<i>So much change. </i></div>
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The last days of fervent ice cream licks, the tongue trying to beat the melting-heat, will soon be over.</div>
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Reluctant hearts relinquish the inevitable last days...but looking expectantly ahead, knowing that Last Days mean there are First Ones ahead.</div>
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-26242004762946763222013-08-16T11:21:00.001-03:002013-08-16T11:23:04.874-03:00Small<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today's writing prompt for 5-Minute Fridays from LisaJo Baker is SMALL.</div>
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GO: </div>
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raindrops. seeds. new apple blossoms.</div>
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These things I think on, when I think of small.</div>
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You, who spend your life within those same four walls day-after-day, wiping runny noses and dirty bottoms, cleaning greasy hand prints off of the refrigerator-again, do not think your day is small.</div>
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You, who sit at a desk answering telephone calls with a memorized, amiable response, do not think your response is small.</div>
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You, who travel to the same job with tasks never cease to be filled with buckets of stress and you wonder if the long hours and just-enough-pay-to-make-it-through to the next paycheck is making any difference, your effort is not small.</div>
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For raindrops become tidal waves of refreshing wet at just the time.</div>
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Seeds grow thriving green plants.</div>
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And little, pink apple blossoms grow into fruit bearing trees.</div>
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Nothing is your life is SMALL. YOU are not small. </div>
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<i>He makes all things beautiful in His time (Ecclesiastes 3:11).</i></div>
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-74779881329851380982013-08-09T10:40:00.000-03:002013-08-09T10:40:36.171-03:00Lonely<br />
Good Morning! Today I am writing with the Ladies at <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/08/five-minute-friday-lonely/" target="_blank">LisaJo Baker's site</a>. The Main Momma gives up a writing prompt and in five minutes flat we see what our fingers can spin. The results of which is as much of a surprise to me as to you.<br />
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Today's prompt is LONELY.<br />
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GO:<br />
<br />
Mirages of classmates gathered together laughing, talking, having uproarious fun with one blonde girl sitting on the sidelines. She wants to feel apart-of them. Yet she feels so alone-on the outside looking in. She tries in her mind to forge words together that would guarantee belly-laughs ensuring her of belonging. Yet, the ideas cannot form. So she sits and laughs at the right time. And wonders when she will fit in. If ever.<br />
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Now- The blonde girl is grown. She attends bible studies, parent meetings, church functions, community projects. She purposefully looks for the "outsiders." Her eyes scan the periphery of the crowd, guided not so much by sight as by instinct. The radar goes off. She smiles and hopes that her warm words cover the one so she does not go home feeling lonely.<br />
<br />
In the paths that we cross today, we may encounter a lonely soul. Trying lifting her with a smile.<br />
Maybe you are the lonely soul. Do the same. Your smile may just lift yourself. <br />
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-71128688290704718622013-08-02T12:48:00.000-03:002013-08-02T12:52:30.046-03:00Story<br />
Hello. How are you today? It is Friday, already! Moreover, it is August 2nd!!! Can anyone believe that?<br />
Twenty-three more days till school lessons start. Not quite ready yet. There is so much I want to do before<b> I</b> begin lessons (for my Masters in English literature). We have not eaten enough ice cream nor gone to the drive-in....<br />
<br />
But, TODAY. Today, I am going to sneak five minutes to write before I go in the yard and determinedly relieve my flower beds of weeds.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/08/five-minute-friday-story/" target="_blank">LisaJo's</a> writing prompt is <span style="font-size: large;">STORY.</span><br />
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Go:<br />
<br />
Who doesn't like a story with a happy ending?<br />
<br />
I think that is why I prefer nineteenth century literature over twentieth.<br />
Life in the nineteenth century was neat, orderly, square with predictable endings.<br />
At least, that is the manner that many authors treated the stories.<br />
Stories representing what society wanted: clean-cut answers<br />
to difficult situations. Of course, this was not reality.<br />
<br />
Reality was stories of black slaves receiving slashes that cut open their skin. <br />
Irish immigrants, starving, sailing to America in hopes of finding life only to<br />
work their fingers to the bone pounding railroad ties into the earth.<br />
But denial, or rather <i><b>perspective</b></i> is a powerful tool.<br />
<br />
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The twentieth century brought two World Wars that broke any idealism.<br />
Cynicism replaced faith, hope, and trust. The stories written largely reflect the<br />
chaos in culture and within. Stories with unraveled endings.<br />
Dystopias replace the warmth of the hearth.<br />
<br />
But what is a story without hope? not one that I care to read.<br />
<br />
Can you take a story with despair and from a hopeful perspective write a new ending?<br />
<br />
How will you end the story of your life?<br />
<br />
STOP. <br />
<br />
All by Grace,<br />
<i>Nicol</i><br />
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-41882435511840832642013-07-24T12:13:00.004-03:002013-07-24T13:07:35.782-03:00Confessions of a Transformed Heart<br />
I want to share a book with you today that will take your mind out of within your four walls. As you read Nancy Shepphard's book you will be taken to reflect on your own spiritual journey.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Transformed-Heart-Discussion-Questions/dp/1940172039/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374678499&sr=8-1&keywords=confessions+sheppard" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9OUvWennWzU/Ue_uZxlj7uI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/gJXdT4GdKwQ/s320/Confessions+Sheppard.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
My son and I were headed to Liberia to learn of the culture and to
inquire about possible future ministry projects. When I found out that
the hostess of where we were to stay wrote a book about her thirty years
experiences of life as a missionary, I purchased it and had it sent
express. With Nancy's easy to read style and engaging and sometimes
humorous prose, I devoured the book on the thirty hour travel to Africa.
I felt as though I already knew Nancy and her family intimately by the
time I greeted my hostess in person.<br />
I was delighted to learn that Nancy is as candid and funny as she presents in Confessions.<br />
<br />
The insights she shared gave me a
jump-start into understanding the Liberian culture. And Nancy's
"Confessions" will stir your own heart as one longing to fulfill God's
destiny for you.<br />
<br />
(Thank you Nancy for being so hospitable. I am thankful for our friendship that blossomed in Liberia.)<br />
<br />
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-10357516907335386872013-07-19T12:57:00.003-03:002013-07-19T12:58:59.872-03:00BELONGToday's prompt from <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/07/five-minute-friday-belong/" target="_blank">LisaJo Baker </a>is one of the most beautiful words in the English language-<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">BELONG.</span><br />
<br />
GO:<br />
This is easy for me to write about today.<br />
<br />
The emails coming from Liberia, reaching out to me before I have had a chance to reach...<br />
<br />
One man who works at the UN his shares his faith and asks for help in continuing his father's mission work of educating Liberian children in a school sixty miles from the capitol.<br />
<br />
Another young man with whom my son Asher and I shared food, faith, and fun sends his warm regards and shares the current events in his life.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Asher and Prince</span></div>
<br />
A new friend, Shirley, beautiful inside and out, tells me what a blessing it was to have Asher and I at her home where she could cook for us. (The most delicious meal that I had in Liberia by far! Plantains, rice, and a whole fried fish, including eyes, which I did not venture to eat.)<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Shirley and I</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
Belonging is sharing. Belonging is loving.<br />
<br />
To Belong is to be Loved and that makes us beautiful.<br />
<br />
Over vast oceans, across barriers of culture, He makes us belong to one another. <br />
<br />
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-27195772266917927932013-07-12T11:27:00.000-03:002013-07-12T19:23:50.215-03:00PresentIt is Friday today! This post is linked with <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/07/five-minute-friday-present/" target="_blank">LisaJo Baker's blog</a> where we write for five minutes on her given writing prompt.<br />
<br />
Today's is <span style="font-size: large;">PRESENT</span>.<br />
<br />
GO:<br />
<br />
When I read the prompt for today, I was not sure which meaning LisaJo had in mind for the homonym PRESENT. Did she mean the "here and now; this moment of reality" or "a wrapped up gift"? From reading her post, I soon realized that she meant the present of the "here and now."<br />
<br />
But (in perhaps waxing too poetic) I am still considering them both. Our present is a present, isn't it? For yesterday is gone, a mirage of memories. Tomorrow is not yet, a figment of our imaginations.<br />
<br />
But we have TODAY. Right now. To wallow in. Jump in. Celebrate. Sleep away (which is sometimes delightful too). Fill with worry. Or anger. Or bitterness. Or joy, contentment, and peace.<br />
<br />
TODAY is a present for ours to open and unwrap and use in the manner we desire. I am sure all of us would agree that we want to spend our time wisely, making the most of every PRESENT moment, so that each minute would shine as a diamond. But it is the very minute stitches that create form in a quilt, giving it shape and design. To look at one stitch in isolation of the many others is to see only thread going through material. But viewed in unity with all of the others reveals a beautiful work of art, a blanket of practicality and beauty at the same time.<br />
<br />
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So today when you wipe that little nose, shred the carrots, clean the smears off of the mirror, drive kids in a chauffeured relay race-Remember you are stitching the tiny stitches of the PRESENT.<br />
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-43301801680080850372013-07-05T12:03:00.004-03:002013-07-05T12:15:24.815-03:00Beautiful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Writing Five Minutes with other ladies, joining together to post on the prompt BEAUTIFUL at LisaJo Baker's blog <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: '.HelveticaNeueUI'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">http://lisajobaker.com/2013/07/five-minute-friday-beautiful</span>.</div>
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GO:</div>
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Black eyes covered with failing cover-up.</div>
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Black and blue turning purple and green from where the thick fingers grasped the forearm to stop the protests.</div>
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Hearts turned hard and calloused from the frequent blows.</div>
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Eyes vacant.</div>
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THEN- a ray of Love pierces the darkness.</div>
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Bringing with it the healing power of softening the hardness.</div>
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A new learned trust allows the callous to slough off and as the color of tissue turns</div>
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pink again so does the heart. Soft, pliable-full of hope and a returned Love.</div>
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Her eyes are full of Life.</div>
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He makes all things BEAUTIFUL in His time.</div>
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STOP.</div>
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To read amazing stories of God's restoring love, please visit the Project Rescue site. <a href="http://projectrescue.com/resources/videos/" target="_blank">http://projectrescue.com/resources/videos/</a> </div>
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-22280236119492566392013-06-28T12:53:00.000-03:002013-06-28T12:53:12.885-03:00In Between
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<span style="color: #0000ee;">Writing</span> thoughts like candy gum drops-one sweet bite at a time till five minutes is gone.</div>
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Five Minute Friday is now with <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/06/five-minute-friday-in-between/" target="_blank">LisaJo Baker</a> and the other lovely ladies and the writing prompt</div>
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is <b>IN BETWEEN</b>.</div>
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Before-here-there.</div>
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Behind-present-forward.</div>
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Past-Present=Future.</div>
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And so much is IN BETWEEN.</div>
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The In Between is full of planning, preparation, hope and sometimes worry.</div>
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So much of our time is In Between. Today I am prepping for a beach visit. It's one of those not-really-planning-activity-because-I-need-to pack days; I will be doing activity at the beach.</div>
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I feel the pull to write about living in the PRESENT and sucking in the sweet marrow of the moment.</div>
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For the rest of this summer, my current present, I feel the need for <i>carpe diem</i>.</div>
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My Winter and Spring were overflowing with term papers, research projects, and final essays about women in culture, culminating in a baccalaureate degree, a trip to Liberia that is certainly life-changing as I plan registering an NGO, and the life-stuff of two adult sons (now 18 and 20) a teen daughter and a tween one, husband, and a dog. Fall does not look any less full as I begin my studies for a Masters degree in English.</div>
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BUT-<span style="font-size: large;">In Between are the blessed months of summer.</span> </div>
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Thank God for times of refreshing (Acts 3:19). </div>
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Sweet tea, lemonade teeming with ice cubes, ice cream dripping down the chin, drive-in movies, splashing in the pool, and reading while swaying in the hammock.<br />
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Yes, thankful for times of refreshing, those in between times!</div>
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-78097805050074834732013-06-26T12:48:00.001-03:002013-06-26T15:06:28.136-03:00Kid Hangover?<br />
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Are you a cranky Mom? Or more like me, a Mom who gets cranky?</div>
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There may be a very good reason for your grumpiness that you have not considered. I read Anne's blog post from Modern Mrs. Darcy this morning and want to share it with you. I think so many of us NEED to <u>recharge</u> in <b>quiet,</b> and not realizing that, nor pursuing this need creates a cranky atmosphere in the home.</div>
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First I will share my comment to the post:</div>
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Yes! I am one too! I understand the kid-hangover and the over-stimulation. Has anyone mentioned Wal-Mart as a TRIGGER? I predictably get headaches from shopping there- bright, fluorescent lights and excess visual stimulation. One of my daughters is similar to myself, needing and enjoying alone time. But my eleven year-old is an incessant talker=Mom wanting to hide in bedroom. Since we are usually home together all day, I have made sure to incorporate some alone/quiet time into my schedule: a soaking hot bath and an hour to read before bed usual do it. </div>
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This is not selfish time. It is necessary for either recharging or rebooting. Think of you computer: sometimes it simply needs to be turned off and revamped. While sleep does this for our physical bodies, and to an extent our minds, introverts need time to download the day's processes, conversations, etc. <i>Being introverted or extroverted is not merely about how much we talk or exude energy but how we REFUEL our energy.</i></div>
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If you can relate read more of Anne's post <a href="http://modernmrsdarcy.com/2013/06/its-more-than-a-kid-hangover/#comment-26271" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</div>
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YES!
I am one too! I understand kid-hangover AND the over-stimulation. Has
anyone mentioned Wal-Mart as a TRIGGER? I predictably get head-aches
from shopping there-bright lights and excess visual stimulation….one of
my daughters is similar to myself, but my eleven-year old incessantly
talks=Mom wanting to hide in bedroom. Since I am home usually all day,
one way in which I had to give myself boundaries (from the audio noise)
is to make sure I have an hour before bed-no-kids-time.<br />
I am sure that you have mentioned before that introverted and
extroverted is not merely how we exude energy but how we RECHARGE.
Another safety-net feature to my life-hot,soaking baths (of course, by
myself). - See more at:
http://modernmrsdarcy.com/2013/06/its-more-than-a-kid-hangover/#comment-26271</div>
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-43949694498623423062013-06-21T09:49:00.001-03:002013-06-21T22:11:53.112-03:00Rhythms of Life- FMFToday's prompt from <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/06/five-minute-friday-rhythm/" target="_blank">LisaJo Baker</a> is <span style="font-size: large;"><b>Rhythm</b></span>. That word evokes a lot of music within my heart. I will write for just five minutes like the other ladies.<br />
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GO: <br />
Rhythm and cadence and keeping time, marching. Step. Step. Step. Music flowing-with crescendos and rests.<br />
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The music of Life plays on.<br />
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Ten days past walking under bright sunny African skies and later listening from my bed the study pouring of <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G92DDIh43FI/UcRKuc1BQbI/AAAAAAAAAoo/jUdNMIFO1TI/s1600/2211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G92DDIh43FI/UcRKuc1BQbI/AAAAAAAAAoo/jUdNMIFO1TI/s320/2211.jpg" width="191" /></a>rain as the clouds are squeezed. Bright eyes and big smiles offering us hospitality and welcome. Round eyes dancing with glee as they play with balloons of every Crayola color. Two days of travel to arrive over the green, neatly manicured farms of Martinsburg, Pennsylvania. In this respect the Liberians are correct, I think: from here, America is second heaven.<br />
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""Mama!" and more welcoming hugs and kisses. Incessant chatter and the "finding "of our luggage tied with yellow ribbons on the return conveyor belt where only two other passengers await theirs as well.<br />
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Immediate planning for the birthday of the youngest-turning eleven. The event rivals the arrival of Princess Kate's new royal one. Two parties this year-one for Grandparents and another for friends, makes for a week of planning and preparing.<br />
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VBS craft leader-I can do that; I already have that tune memorized. And it is Friday ALREADY.<br />
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Next week I expect the tune to slow. I need a SELAH to take in the last month.<br />
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I am thankful for the kaleidoscope of rhythms.<br />
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-55562263970516384692013-06-14T10:26:00.001-03:002013-06-14T10:29:52.203-03:00ListenI say it every week with some incredulation (yes, if you write the words-you can even make some up to fit your purpose): It's Friday already.<br />
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Last Friday I sat in Liberian humidity, hair soaked from roots to ends as I typed the LOV post. This morning, I am being refreshed by the too-cool-for-mid-June morning air wafting through my kitchen window, wearing thick comfy socks and a robe on top of pajamas. So I did not<i> literally</i> melt in Africa, but there we many times that I was sure I would end up in a puddle to be drunk by the ever-thirsting terracotta earth. I feel like shouting-I survived Africa! ( : <br />
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But honesty prompts me to confess that I DID have an air conditioner in my bedroom (though with continuously open windows and it not being turned on in the daytime, the room maintained the ever-moist atmosphere), a shower whose weak flow only gave out twice while my head was lathered with shampoo, electricity in the Guest House (albeit also went off at inopportune times), and access to the internet.<br />
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Those of you who know how high-maintenance this chic is, will have some appreciation of my trip-and I didn't even complain! except when I think about being <i>smooshed</i> in a United economy airplane seat with a toddler sitting behind me kicking my seat and wailing for a good part of the trans-Atlantic flight (who decides who has the right to the shared arm rest? The bigger elbow? After leaning seven hours to the <i>right</i>, I claimed the <i>left </i>arm rest when the passenger beside me went to the lavatory by maintaining elbow position).<br />
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Yes, beyond all reason, I still put on make-up everyday, knowing that all but the waterproof mascara would be rubbed off by my sweat rag-a.k.a. wash cloth (which I was happy to learn that most everyone carries one with them, even to church, though at a "nicer" church that I visited, I noticed that most of the ladies used white handkerchiefs; I just used mine twenty times as much).<br />
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I did have ICE (yeah for filtered water!!!) and even ice cream in Africa. So I am thinking that I cannot sing a victorious survival song till I go into the interior-with no running water or electricity (does anyone know of a solar-generated fan? please let me know!). Next visit!<br />
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Now that I have shared THAT- Today I write with the ladies who visit <a href="http://lisajobaker.com/2013/06/five-minute-friday-listen/" target="_blank">LisaJo Baker's blog</a> where this unique cookie-cutter gives us a ONE word prompt with which to bake up a theme recipe in five, flat minutes.<br />
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Today the prompt is LISTEN.<br />
GO:<br />
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It takes three days for my auditorially-challenged ear to tune in enough to understand maybe fifty percent of the Liberian English dialect spoken with soft-leathery tones in sing-song cadence. My head becomes too quickly tired from making sense of the every five words that I do understand. English can be spoken in as many flavors as there are Ben & Jerry's icecream.<br />
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I listen. Till like a newborn who falls asleep when there brain is overloaded with stimuli, I relish the quiet breaks.<br />
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Women. Empowered women. Courageous women. Women with visions to make their home country a restored, healthy haven after the ravages of a fourteen-year civil war destroyed governments, homes, bodies, and hearts. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vuATcyW1u3s/UbsThqVmIWI/AAAAAAAAAnc/9GF6QK_spF8/s1600/994.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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I listen to how lives have been changed by the benevolent work of many. I hear their plead for more help as the need seems bottomless. Haven is the dream desire, but they will settle for clean
water, every belly full, opportunity for every child to gain an
education, a place where victims of thoughtless violence can receive
counseling.<br />
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I listen and consider what ACTION I can now take with the words that I have heard.<br />
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STOP.<br />
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-82218396445644414032013-06-07T07:20:00.005-03:002013-06-07T07:20:07.450-03:00FallFriday already! I have sooo much to write about our trip here in Liberia . . . but I cannot place it all into words right now. I wish that I could upload the pictures that I have on my phone. Please come back next week and visit LOV, by then I will be home.<br />
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So I am glad that I can participate in LisaJo Baker's writing prompt that she offers every Friday. We sit and just type the words that flow for five short minutes. Maybe I can give you just a tiny glimpse into the environment that we visited yesterday.<br />
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Today's prompt is FALL.<br />
GO:<br />
60,000, probably many more bodies in make shift homes of corrugated tin and cinder blocks-cinder blocks if you are doing well, jammed like sardines in less than a quarter square mile.<br />
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The women come to the office room to meet with the "whi-woma-" faces shining like ebony glass. The tape rolls on my phone and she explains life in West Point as the other women nod in agreement.<br />
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"Twenty girls a month come to see us. They have been raped. Some of the parents do not want them taken to the hospital" . . . because their offenders are friends and uncles of the family. The girls that do get taken to the hospital by these volunteering women are checked and tested for AIDS and other deadly diseases. They soon return receiving some counseling from the women at the Center, to return from whence they have come.<br />
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There exists no other alternative.<br />
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They have been made to fall- to feel the terror of victimization.<br />
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Right now I can only pray that they will discover that He can pick them up out of the ashes.<br />
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STOP.<br />
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Please pray for me as I prayerfully consider what manner my ministry can be of future hope to them.<br />
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-7887085851789380372013-05-31T06:39:00.000-03:002013-05-31T06:39:03.903-03:00Imagine-Well, I am writing another Friday. I'm not sure the links will work , but I am going to try to post anyway. The writing prompt for today is IMAGINE. Love that word; it contains the ocean and the sky and all of the stars that we see and cannot see.<br />
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GO:<br />
Humidity that sticks like a bee to honey.<br />
Showers that stop their flow mid-lather because the generator ran out.<br />
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Smiles of whiteness set in ebony cheeks.<br />
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Dirt, and dust, sweat.....oh the sweat, a towel sops it off my body.<br />
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Round brown eyes with a glass reflection looking into mine with<br />
curiosity and wonder.<br />
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Rare feelings of feeling the minority-being the minority.<br />
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Horns, blasts, motorcycles driving fast.<br />
"Welcome" and more "welcome"s-<br />
Imagine-I am in Liberia.<br />
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Lady Of Virtuehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12596324152265142721noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6339160444408895769.post-39989095592762098832013-05-24T12:10:00.002-03:002013-05-24T12:12:00.013-03:00Our View<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6339160444408895769"></a>
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It's Friday-Yay! And it is time to write with the ladies from Lisa Jo Baker's blog. I was hoping that today's prompt could/would help me stream line some thoughts floating in my mind about meeting the people in Liberia. I think this prompt should help: <b>VIEW</b>.</div>
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Female Genital Mutilation. We Westerners deem the act "Mutilation." The practitioners of it call it "female circumcision" or "female genital cutting." One only has to be aware of the actual procedure to be convinced that it is mutilation. (There are four common procedures, and though a cut of the hood of the clitoris is one of them-closer to an actual circumcision-this form is the one most rarely performed.)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ht7Xx6ygCH4/UZ-A24tS4GI/AAAAAAAAAls/Z2jw0aRyQ1s/s1600/Africangirls_ca-CM-mfk-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ht7Xx6ygCH4/UZ-A24tS4GI/AAAAAAAAAls/Z2jw0aRyQ1s/s320/Africangirls_ca-CM-mfk-1.jpg" width="320" /></a>My view is that is that it is an unnecessary heinous act. But, as in all subjects, there are other points of view. I have studied why some women consider this procedure paramount to being a true, notable woman. I have spoken (in America) to victims whose family members had irreperable consequences becasue of it (death in one family). </div>
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I have also learned that my ways are not their cultural ways. When FGM is mentioned, they speak of colonialism-what we Americans learn about from yellowing pages in History class, then let the subject lie between the pages. They speak of imperialism and capitalism and consumerism as affecting their cultures. At first, I am stunned and confused about the relation of these all-encompassing subjects that I have only known the affluent benefits from. I didn't know their was another view, and therein lies my arrogant American view. </div>
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So when I arrive in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa, Wednesday evening, I purpose to wear a view of humility that will listen and learn. I want to learn others' views that I may learn more of them. I will not push my view on them.</div>
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Is there some subject or situation that you are convinced that you are convinced is the correct view? Have you considered there may be another one?</div>
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To learn more of the history of Liberia refer to LOV's <a href="http://ladiesofvirtue.blogspot.com/p/make-difference.html" target="_blank">"Make a Difference"</a> page.</div>
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To learn more about FGM visit the WHO page <a href="http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs241/en/" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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