tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-244650602024-03-18T22:39:06.894-05:00laVender writesMOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comBlogger965125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-83664613279193831812020-05-24T09:30:00.005-05:002020-05-24T09:34:48.032-05:00<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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Join me on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpfC-2G6EAzFbSGkVVrP-jg"><b>YouTube </b></a>where</div>
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I share some of my innermost thoughts and feelings of leaving my marriage </div>
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and my encounter with The Other Woman</div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END --></div>MOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-54656662575345533642020-02-03T23:48:00.000-06:002020-05-24T09:24:42.535-05:00Write Your Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Can I Be Real? Our young girls are faced with crippling pressure to be accepted by society like never before. They compare themselves to photoshopped images not to mention the pressure to have long nails, long hair, long eyelashes and now larger T & A (tits and ass). It's okay to WANT these things, but why not also expose them to their authentic SELF and help them GROW into a woman who doesn't NEED these things. Introduce them to The Othe Woman </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">now instead of later.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">www.candypublishing.net</span></div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END --></div>MOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-4871283509074463482019-10-16T22:24:00.001-05:002019-10-16T22:26:07.855-05:00Staying At Home Is Harder Than Going To Work<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<a href="https://theheartysoul.com/staying-at-home-with-kids-harder-than-going-to-work/?fbclid=IwAR0riPDAwHLVTDpqwEhb3fwVuyPRDhvAKata9XvjeY1atfOSldh8ZGAXyNk">Read the article here</a><br />
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<br />
<br />
This happened after leaving my 20-year marriage<br />
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Issue #3 is now available!<br />
You can order or subscribe to The Other Woman Magazine at <a href="http://www.candypublishing.net/">www.candypublishing.net</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Can I Be Real? </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I spoke to my mother before sharing this because I thought I vacated my senses. Those who know me (really know me) know I'm happy and content with my single life and have no desire to change my status. Well, tonight I realized I do miss having someone in my life. I actually wished I had someone in my life! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Those emotions consumed me while I was outside washing my car and taking the trash out. Amazingly, o</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">nce I finished those man jobs and got back in the house, I came to my senses. Must've been the heat! Scary Halloween-like thoughts!! More like...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Temporary Insanity</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<!-- AddThis Button END --></div>MOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-6560054172646615252019-05-26T15:45:00.000-05:002019-05-26T17:36:31.267-05:00Life Happened<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-family: "gentium basic"; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">I loved being a wife - supporting my husband, waking up with the chickens to prepare his breakfast, being available to fix a quick lunch if he dropped by, having dinner ready for the family when he got home from work - simply being there for him and being his wife was my pleasure, but some odd things began to happen...</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #060606; font-family: "gentium basic"; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;">as I like to say, "Life Happened." </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #7b8c89; font-family: "gentium basic"; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #060606;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #020202; font-family: "gentium basic"; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;"><strong>"a woman should have enough money within her control to </strong></span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #7b8c89; font-family: "gentium basic"; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #060606;">move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to…" </span></strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #7b8c89; font-family: "gentium basic"; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #060606;"></span></span><br />
<strong style="background-color: white; color: #7b8c89; font-family: "gentium basic"; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #060606;">Author Unknown</span></strong><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #7b8c89; font-family: "gentium basic"; font-size: 18px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #060606;">That day came for me. I made a decision to leave my 20-year marriage and realized I might have to get a job although I was retired military. I could definitely live off my retirement pay but that would be too close to living from paycheck to paycheck. I didn't want to simply survive or barely make it, I wanted to do some things and go some places. </span></span><br />
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Yes, I could have stayed in the marriage. After all, we invested 20 years of our lives to each other and built a family around the love we had for one another but was it love or were we tolerating each other for the long haul? Twenty years is a long time. Something kept me there, right? What was it?<br />
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Stay tuned...<br />
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<!-- AddThis Button END --></div>MOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-33396133887168962082017-08-05T12:44:00.002-05:002019-05-07T18:11:11.403-05:00The Press<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If you know anything about the fermenting process of making wine, you'll understand me when I say the press on my life after leaving my 20-year marriage hasn't been easy, but it's allowing me to rise above the pain, endure the press and reach towards what was meant for me - the promise.</div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END --></div>MOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-32215550133489060282017-05-20T15:41:00.000-05:002019-05-26T15:58:41.956-05:00Divorce in Progress<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onclick="return addthis_sendto()" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" height="16" style="border: 0;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a327fff2f8672ce" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- AddThis Button END --><br />
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After years of posting about being a wife and mother, it feels a little odd posting as a mother only; however, in February of this year after being separated for almost three years, I filed for divorce.<br />
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If you've followed my blog, you know I'm a big be a "good wife" advocate. I've stressed the importance of being a loving, supportive, forgiving and patient wife and I've been all those things plus faithful and understanding. I could probably name a few more "good wife" character qualities I had, but none of it would make any difference now - my marriage is over.<br />
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Please don't feel bad or sad for me. I'm happy. It feels like I just got out of some type of sports tournament where I played my heart out and gave my all, yet still lost the game. The only difference is I don't feel like I lost - I won. I found the courage to walk away from a twenty-year marriage and start over with my head high and feeling free. I mention this in my latest book <a href="http://lavenderwilliams.blogspot.com/">When All Hell Breaks Loose,</a> but I don't go into details because that's the <i>next</i> book.<br />
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I'll be sharing more...<br />
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<!-- AddThis Button END --></div>MOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-85480510513901830942017-03-27T05:13:00.000-05:002017-03-27T05:13:55.933-05:00Women of Wisdom<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onclick="return addthis_sendto()" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" height="16" style="border: 0;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a327fff2f8672ce" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- AddThis Button END --><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I awoke extra early this morning and was led to pick up one of the ten books on my bedside table. It’s not really a table, but a two drawer file cabinet I use as a table. The book, </span><b style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">40 Days of Decrease: A Different Kind of Hunger. A Different Kind of Fast</b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> was where I was directed. This book was referred to me by a friend’s mother who had no idea God was dealing with me regarding fasting. The season of Lent is upon us and although I don’t participate in Lent, the book by author Alicia Britt Chole has definitely been food for my soul. In the beginning of the book, Ms. Chole expresses something similar to my “worship is a lifestyle” mantra. She explains how Lent/fasting shouldn’t be a timed project, but a place we stay - something we practice on a daily basis. </span><span id="goog_284745594"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lent shouldn’t be selfishly picking and choosing things we want to refrain from, yet should lead us to practice discipline and living in oneness with our God. After all, if we’re honoring the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, shouldn’t that take a little longer than 40 days or a 3 day fast from chocolate or bread? Wow, I thank God for this enlightenment and I thank God for using my friend’s mother to bless me. It never ceases to amaze me how God will bring people in our life to be a conduit for his love and knowledge. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As I fast (decrease) from selfishness and pride, my heart is opened and my blessings are increased in ways I never imagined. Today I am thanking God for the loving hearts of women in my life willing to share their wisdom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END --></div>MOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-43791431853876769982017-03-06T06:07:00.000-06:002017-03-06T06:07:31.702-06:00Joy at the Break of Dawn<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Joy comes in the morning but recently I experienced an
unusual joy at the break of dawn. This dawn wasn’t the usual first appearance
of light before sunrise; this dawn was a friend I hadn’t seen in over 15 years.
Dawn and I recently spent some time together and while we laughed and caught up
on each other’s lives we realized we both
had experienced our share of spiritual storms over the years. I would have
never known Dawn had gone through anything she spoke about because she
continuously spoke of the goodness of God with her bright eyes and big
beautiful smile. She definitely didn’t look like what she had been through. She
looked so happy! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We all will go through things that have the capability of
breaking our spirit – it’s called life. I speak about this in, <i>When All Hell Breaks Loose</i>. I called it
maintaining our ‘spiritual poise’ in the midst of our storms which basically
means to trust God’s hand in what may look like hell breaking loose or life
falling apart. We have to maintain the right perspective in the storm – knowing
God is in control and He knows what’s best for us. Regardless of what the storm
looks like, it’s <i>always</i> in our best
interest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I could go on and on about storms because God knows I’ve had my share
and will continue to have storms, yet my soul is anchored in Him – not my
circumstances or what’s going on around me. Yes, joy does come in the morning
but with the right perspective, joy can come in the evening and also at the
break of dawn. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END --></div>MOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-62536209702588363312017-01-02T08:44:00.002-06:002017-01-02T08:45:33.729-06:00My Chipped Mug<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN -->
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Firstborn knows I’m a tea drinker and I use the same
coffee mug all the time. Well, he bought me the cutest mug for Christmas. It
was white on the outside and purple, my favorite color, on the inside of the
mug and the words, To God Be the Glory were sketched on the mug. I’ve been
using the mug every day and yesterday I chipped the rim. Firstborn and I just happened to be texting
each other when it happened. I think I bumped the mug on the microwave or
something – not really sure. Firstborn said he would buy me another one, but I
told him I would use it regardless of the chip. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As I boiled hot water for my
tea, I looked at the chip and thought – there is no perfect vessel. The words
on the cup resonated with me in a different way also. Before I give God the
glory, I have to go through something. My life must be touched in some way. My heart
and soul have been chipped on more than one occasion and although the scars are
not visible, they are there. God gets the glory when we share how our lives
have been chipped. We all have a chipped story. Again, there is no perfect
vessel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My chipped mug means more to me now than it did before I chipped it. I
can imagine God felt the same way about us when we were born perfect in His
sight. He knew we would have even more value to Him once we’ve been chipped.
Unlike my coffee mug, the great thing about us being chipped is that God makes
us whole again and each time we share the story, God gets the glory!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END --></div>MOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-14837366648868864822016-12-12T11:10:00.000-06:002016-12-12T11:10:31.600-06:00Who Are You?<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onclick="return addthis_sendto()" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" height="16" style="border: 0;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a327fff2f8672ce" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- AddThis Button END --><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhed8wE7W53sjV8T2nWF2qRi-K8Vc9Jp4EL6_kb16oSq17Ebw1yCGq378U5PiJYolMKM7P-QSBZb-L7M8WNopaksd2dFuntIfJOoJDFJVz0rdh3fyrTffBpbWIl8Sv9dXHbshHSUA/s1600/island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhed8wE7W53sjV8T2nWF2qRi-K8Vc9Jp4EL6_kb16oSq17Ebw1yCGq378U5PiJYolMKM7P-QSBZb-L7M8WNopaksd2dFuntIfJOoJDFJVz0rdh3fyrTffBpbWIl8Sv9dXHbshHSUA/s320/island.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I remember reading that when we see an island, it may be the tip of a mountain and unless we dive deep – real deep, we’ll never see the mountain in its fullness. The same is with us. People only see the surface of who we are and if the truth be told, it’s quite possible that we only know <i>ourselves</i> on a surface level. To really know who we are, we have to go deeper – not into ourselves, but into a deeper relationship with our Creator. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our personality and individuality are only skin deep. The marrow of our being is with our Heavenly Father. Once we acknowledge that we are nothing without Him and can do nothing without Him, we open ourselves to His ways and thoughts. We surrender our will and allow His will to be done in us and through us. We become one with Him instead of being who we think we are. God allows our paths to cross with others who will introduce us to new ideas and invite new visions. There is a whole new world beneath the surface of the skin we live in. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our personality is that island everyone sees. If we allow God to take complete control and consume us with His Spirit, we’ll meet who we really are – without reservations and boundaries. Don’t settle on an island, live as a mountain.</span></div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END --></div>MOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-33182299984433935412016-12-05T08:49:00.001-06:002016-12-05T08:50:06.139-06:00Our Mess Can Bless<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onclick="return addthis_sendto()" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" height="16" style="border: 0;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a327fff2f8672ce" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- AddThis Button END --><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPil3CUMQBNz4y6fugRMzuU8Wl2PTs79esXtm-Okvcg6uyftREEvqZDLtws6dVDNpj86ckAar4XkEvJpo586g217My5UJw06o3hpfRV_NYe8cV8BmrivB_atUIrcC4k4XrV3Qvw/s1600/womenstrengthen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPil3CUMQBNz4y6fugRMzuU8Wl2PTs79esXtm-Okvcg6uyftREEvqZDLtws6dVDNpj86ckAar4XkEvJpo586g217My5UJw06o3hpfRV_NYe8cV8BmrivB_atUIrcC4k4XrV3Qvw/s320/womenstrengthen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I shared with a church book club over the weekend and as I sat and watched the ladies arrive, one by one, I considered God’s amazing grace that he would use my mess to bless someone else. It never ceases to amaze me that someone would want to read what I’ve written or come to hear what I have to say. I take absolutely no credit for anything. I write about my challenges as a woman because I know I am not alone on this womanhood journey with all its roller coaster rides of emotions in its many fascinating seasons, so my goal is to help another woman realize she is not alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It doesn’t take a book to share. The world is full of women in need of acceptance and hope. We must brighten the corner where we are and when the opportunity presents itself to share what we’ve been through, by all means, allow Holy Spirit to guide us to open our mouth and share. Some woman is waiting to hear your story! We’re all in this together and no one is excused from having issues, challenges, and perhaps a little mess. Spiritual storms strengthen us and when we come together to pour courage into one another, womanhood is strengthened. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END --></div>MOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-36790166075280123482016-11-21T06:53:00.001-06:002016-11-21T06:53:59.897-06:00Stillness<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onclick="return addthis_sendto()" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" height="16" style="border: 0;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a327fff2f8672ce" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- AddThis Button END --><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9ZxVAShEVE4tTKC7BzszvOlDrGhGYWFteoKAglZnsqNTyNVn33hxCbKehAgU8W-hwK81VBv34Cw4K11TJ-UsMEQp0mAyzzaaD1N-SKy0pAqAK70T6b4NnkuiP_Oftj6e1XanRA/s1600/stillness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9ZxVAShEVE4tTKC7BzszvOlDrGhGYWFteoKAglZnsqNTyNVn33hxCbKehAgU8W-hwK81VBv34Cw4K11TJ-UsMEQp0mAyzzaaD1N-SKy0pAqAK70T6b4NnkuiP_Oftj6e1XanRA/s320/stillness.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I read something over the weekend that I’d like to share with you. Wish I could take credit for it, but the author is unknown. May you read with benefit</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;"> and allow the holidays to speak to you, not stress you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Stillness Nurtures Peace in my Soul</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The hectic pace of life may seem to push me to keep busy, yet a full calendar could leave me feeling exhausted and at odds with others. So I practice caring for myself by making time to be still.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Prayer and meditation are priorities in my day. A moment of gratitude before I get out of bed becomes a seed of pace planted early. I take the opportunity to pray wherever I am with whatever time I have available. As I wait in line or move between appointments, I focus on my breath.I slow my breathing. Each cleansing breath calms my racing thoughts. I may whisper a phrase like “peace, be still” to my being. Stillness nurtures peace in my soul. Restored and renewed, I return to my day at peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed – Mark 1:35</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END --></div>MOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-65324469539844029922016-11-14T07:08:00.001-06:002016-11-14T11:00:28.979-06:00Step Into The Unknown<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVlg7KrPWJRpdKkz7uZSnBGFOhZtVw4wLRQrCzGxnPKkcJ8cTmqtSqjrdrslfhl5LfYy-lcL9FKyLm0v6EM0fG4RWzhE08tm8W7XCsD4wI3HNM4cqLqud2xJPBBBOOFiebOUQtQ/s1600/stepping-into-unknown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVlg7KrPWJRpdKkz7uZSnBGFOhZtVw4wLRQrCzGxnPKkcJ8cTmqtSqjrdrslfhl5LfYy-lcL9FKyLm0v6EM0fG4RWzhE08tm8W7XCsD4wI3HNM4cqLqud2xJPBBBOOFiebOUQtQ/s320/stepping-into-unknown.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onclick="return addthis_sendto()" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" height="16" style="border: 0;" width="125" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’d like to talk about an election. Not the presidential election, but I have a friend who ran for property appraiser of his county four years ago and lost by 90 votes. He decided to run again in the recent election and asked if I would help and be in charge of his social media. I lived hours away in another county and never did any campaigning besides running for a high school student government office, but I agreed to assist. He didn’t have appraisal experience but is a strong community leader with the education and diverse skills needed to successfully manage any office. It took a lot of courage for my friend to run without experience and some perseverance to run a second time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">It takes faith to step out of our comfort zone and into the unknown. When we follow God without a clue of where He is leading us, we invite new levels of influence, wisdom, endurance and so much more. Doubts can make us never try anything new and walk away from new opportunities, but when we trust and follow God, doors we never imagined are opened. Well, my friend won the seat of property appraiser by over 2, 000 votes. His first step is to now become a certified appraiser and be the best appraiser God created him to be. He stepped into the unknown and trusted God. What a testimony he has! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I wasn’t running for office, but I also had to trust God with my lack of campaigning experience. The key for me was to remove any reliance on my limited, natural abilities and abide in God’s supernatural, omnipotent presence. Is there something new you’ve been wanting to explore? Is there something burning in your spirit that you’d like to pursue? Trust and follow God! Step out of your comfort zone and into the unknown!</span><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a327fff2f8672ce" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- AddThis Button END --><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END --></div>MOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-75598381547828085272016-11-07T09:49:00.002-06:002016-11-07T09:50:34.805-06:00Respect My Choices<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11j2BrYiUYWbWmyS3Bhg3WePvve_Y3hW4Fonq_cKd2JFDd8ATnZiVQiLa7LAOSVwT5xhKUrNpHsrM9UQ13VutRYJngiBAT_d80iZw28dF2olgApJCzLuS71oePipwnXFdMpdNUA/s1600/choices.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj11j2BrYiUYWbWmyS3Bhg3WePvve_Y3hW4Fonq_cKd2JFDd8ATnZiVQiLa7LAOSVwT5xhKUrNpHsrM9UQ13VutRYJngiBAT_d80iZw28dF2olgApJCzLuS71oePipwnXFdMpdNUA/s320/choices.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Last night while watching 60 Minutes, there was a segment showing a forum of 25 voters representing various races, genders, and social backgrounds. The subject of the forum? Of course the presidential election. I watched as the selected voters expressed anger and dissatisfaction with the candidates plus their lack of tolerance for the opposing views of other forum members. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I understand politics can be a touchy subject but everyone is entitled to their opinion, right? It reminds me of society’s inability to accept others. We’ve all been guilty of this whether it’s with a spouse, friend, co-worker, family member or even our own children. “Why would you do that?” “Don’t say that.” “You shouldn’t do this or that.” We may not accept the beliefs and choices of others, but I believe we should at least learn to respect them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">It takes a Jesus level of love to accept people for who they are and the choices they make when we don’t agree. Can another person’s opinion or choice hurt us? Who says our choice is correct? The important thing is to stay focused and grounded on our own beliefs and not allow the voices of others to sway or shake us. Much of the beauty of our country is in the diversity we represent. There is strength in diversity and it should be acknowledged on all accounts. If we all thought alike and had the same values, morals, and made the same choices, what a boring country we’d have. Whatever our choices in life are, stand by them, yet respect the choices and voices of others as well.</span><br />
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<!-- AddThis Button END --></div>MOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-5327489421700246232016-10-31T08:00:00.002-05:002016-10-31T08:01:12.378-05:00Specifics or Not?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I had a telephone conversation with a good friend of mine yesterday. We had a lot of catching up to do, so we circled around our lives in conversation and of course the subject of men came up. I mentioned how happy and content I was being by myself and didn’t want anyone complicating my life. She replied by saying she met someone to complicate her life and she was happy. We both laughed and she proceeded to tell me about her new man. Married before, she said she removed all personal stipulations she had and allowed God to send her who He wanted her to have. She’s a tall woman and was even open to dating someone much shorter and race was not an issue for her. From the tone of her voice, her new man definitely sounds like a blessing. He treats her like no other man has, and he cooks which she does not. I asked her to send me a picture and I was convinced. They look like a match made in heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My lesson in this? No, I’m not praying for a man nor do I desire one, but my lesson was in prayer. Of course prayer is a personal thing, yet sometimes we tell God what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. Some of us have been taught to pray with specifics. Do we not trust God enough to know that He already knows the desires of our heart and He knows what’s best for us? It doesn’t matter what we’re praying for, we really don’t have a clue what we <i>really</i> need in our life. Please continue to pray as you feel led, this was <i>my</i> life lesson and my prayer will continue to be…Lord, have your way. Why? Because I’m clueless about what I want or need. I’ll leave the specifics to my Omniscience God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END --></div>MOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-9121901275421720992016-10-24T06:56:00.001-05:002016-10-24T06:56:35.238-05:00A Good Day<!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onclick="return addthis_sendto()" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" height="16" style="border: 0;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a327fff2f8672ce" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- AddThis Button END --><br />
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I awoke this morning full of smiles and excitement like a child waking up on Christmas Day. What a good place to be mentally and spiritually. The words below were my first thoughts this morning and I quickly jotted them down to share with you. I pray we all stay in our place of peace today and not stray from our Keeper in our thoughts and ways. May we unwrap this gift of day with joy and expectations of only good – regardless of what’s in store for us.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>My morning thought…</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Because I awoke with the ability to breathe, I perceive today to be a good day. May your perfect will be done in me. Empty me of my Self and allow Holy Spirit, which dwells within, to have divine way in me, with me, and through me. You are in control. Guide me, lead me, have your way. Mold me, shape me throughout this day. Allow me to see only good in all you do. On my job, in my family, with friends and passersby. May I rejoice and praise knowing it’s all for my good and you’ll have your way regardless of what I say or what I try. We are one as I abide in you and keep my mind on you. My place of peace is with you and there is where I want to stay. Again, because I awoke with the ability to breathe, I perceive today to be a good day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END --></div>MOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-3172035709198201572016-10-17T06:40:00.000-05:002016-10-17T06:40:54.858-05:00The Secret Place<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I used to wake up every morning and make a point to
spend time with God. I’d grab my Bible, read a few verses, pray, and start my
day. I realized it’s not about starting my day with God in prayer, but it’s
about <i>living</i> my day with God in prayer.
Please don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying I don’t start my day with God. I definitely
acknowledge my Helper, my Keeper, my Light, but If I awake late or something
happens to prevent me from reading my Bible, it’s okay because I now know
having a constant awareness of God throughout the day is more helpful to me
than making sure I punch the clock with Him every morning. Now, when I awake, I
rest still in my bed for a while just allowing God to speak to me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Another thing,
I realized is that I talk too much! I’m learning to shut-up and listen to my
Father speak. This quietness, the stillness, the oneness leads me to that secret
place where no one can interrupt, disturb, or shake… because it’s deep within
me. The secret place is where He shares His wisdom, His light, His love…Himself.
The secret place is where I grow without effort, where my talents stretch without
thought, where I’m strengthened without tribulation, and where His love
transcends without me getting in the way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yes, reaching the secret
place takes practice, but the more I practice, the easier it is to reach and remain
there – throughout the day, not just in the morning. Just thinking about the
secret place gives me peace. That’s just how powerful it is. Have you found the
secret place? If not, be still…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END --></div>MOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-40285729946183154592016-10-10T06:58:00.001-05:002016-10-10T06:59:49.244-05:00Low Air Pressure <!-- AddThis Button BEGIN --> <a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onclick="return addthis_sendto()" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" height="16" style="border: 0;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js?pub=xa-4a327fff2f8672ce" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- AddThis Button END --><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yesterday I noticed my tire pressure light was on. I really didn’t feel like stopping to put air in my tires. I usually just drive up to a tire shop and ask them to check my air pressure. It was Sunday, so those shops were closed, but when I stopped for gas, I noticed an air pump. There was one guy ahead of me and I wondered if he would offer to help me. Yes, I was being lazy – I did NOT feel like doing it. He made eye contact with me. I smiled, he smiled back and got back in his car and drove off. A car pulled up behind me as I pulled up to the air hose. A gentleman was at the wheel, and again I wondered if he would offer to help. He didn’t budge from his car. Well, I got my lazy butt out of the car and put air in my tires. When I finished, I felt a small sense of accomplishment because I found a little motivation within me to do it myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Of course, my brain spiritualized my low-pressure tires. I could have kept driving with the low-pressure light and ended up on a flat, but instead, I restored the air in my tires. It’s like waiting for someone to encourage you. Sometimes we feel spiritually low, deflated, or maybe a little blah. We can wait for someone to say an encouraging word or we can encourage ourselves. People don’t always come through when we need them, so in this life, we better learn to do some things on our own and that includes lifting ourselves, praying for ourselves, affirming ourselves, and encouraging ourselves. We may not feel like it, but we’re only hurting ourselves if we don’t. We only prolong our peace and joy when we wait for someone else to share the Light when the Light is already within us. Check your pressure!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END --></div>MOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-48297942345199185362016-09-26T06:16:00.001-05:002016-09-26T06:20:28.497-05:00Tick Tock<a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250" onclick="return addthis_sendto()" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" height="16" style="border: 0;" width="125" /></a> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Over the weekend, I helped a friend prepare for a workshop she was giving. After set-up was complete, we had a few minutes to spare. She reviewed her notes and I sat and read. It was extremely quiet in the room. It was so quiet, I heard the clock on the wall ticking. Tick tock, tick tock. I looked at the clock and watched the red second hand move from second to second. As I watched the clock, I realized I was sitting and watching time pass by. I actually shivered at the thought of me <i>literally</i> watching time go by. The second hand didn’t stop…it never stops! </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Time is always moving and when time is lost we never get it back. We ask, “What happened to the time?” It passed! It’s gone! Time is always passing. It’s passing right now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">We can look at our children and realize time is passing by. We look at our aging parents and realize time is passing by. It’s good to be conscious of time, but it’s better to be conscious of life. We miss life by watching time. We miss living by focusing on aging. The passing of time is inevitable, so we might as well make the most of it by living life to the fullest day by day, minute by minute, second by second. With that being said, I’m going to end this meditation and be a good steward of the time I’ve been blessed with. I’m usually running late for work. Why? Because time is passing by! Tick tock…tick tock…</span></div>
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<!-- AddThis Button END --></div>MOMSWEBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03425350066254996873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24465060.post-87622800112331217662016-09-12T09:51:00.002-05:002016-09-12T09:51:58.846-05:00Miss America<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s been many years since I’ve watched the Miss America pageant, but I watched it last night. My father wouldn’t allow me to watch it as a young girl because he knew I’d be comparing myself to all those beautiful women and would probably find everything wrong with my body. When I joined the military, I remember the first time I had the liberty to watch a Miss America pageant. Daddy was right. I remember putting on my one piece bathing suit, a pair of heels, and prancing around my apartment like I was in the pageant. Funny, huh? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yes, I remember comparing myself to the contestants. I didn’t do any comparing last night, but I thought about how difficult it must be for our young girls to feel good about themselves with all the competition from makeup, weave, air-brushing, and filtering for photographs, and peer pressure. Even Facebook has tools to allow you to look almost any way you desire. We can tell a young girl that she is beautifully and wonderfully made all day, but until she believes it herself, she will always deal with body issues. Grown women have issues! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Also while watching, I remembered when I had the body of those young girls. No more perky breasts<i>! Hmmm…is that comparing?</i> All women are graced with a season of perky breasts, but that season will pass. And just because we age doesn’t mean we have to let our body go. We are still beautifully and wonderfully made - regardless of our age. We are daughters of a King! We are perfect in his sight and to mumble and complain about our body grieves the Spirit of God. All we can do is our part to maintain our temple and stay in shape. Everything else…well, we have to learn to live in the skin we’re in and be our own Miss America!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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