tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15646006664205348162024-03-05T03:57:52.915-08:00Confessions of a Fraidy CatA blog for all those who are afraid: to try new things, to face scary situations, to admit failure, to pursue success, to meet new people, etc, and etc, and etc....Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.comBlogger266125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-42724754620062725572014-02-05T23:09:00.002-08:002014-02-05T23:11:51.155-08:00Laryngitis of the Soul - 3rd in a Series<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmLKRVLw8GI3W-R_jgu2-TfyBL72tNbXTbv-wuxi126_PNf2jaey48_QOcJmZkS4VVbZ5nGny3QpGTBQ8aLeghcY8YDtNMTKMEPzGQzm64TQcjayk5tPgLQaW9Jx69-kehMvOQq0ajYo/s1600/40054_1564231952444_1434720655_31523274_5478761_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmLKRVLw8GI3W-R_jgu2-TfyBL72tNbXTbv-wuxi126_PNf2jaey48_QOcJmZkS4VVbZ5nGny3QpGTBQ8aLeghcY8YDtNMTKMEPzGQzm64TQcjayk5tPgLQaW9Jx69-kehMvOQq0ajYo/s1600/40054_1564231952444_1434720655_31523274_5478761_n.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Disclaimer:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We are headed into deep water, so be prepared? If you
think the toddler swimmie you grabbed from the local drug store last summer to
keep your youngest afloat will do the job in the days ahead, rethink things
now. Don’t say you weren’t warned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This series is about a writer who contracted laryngitis
of the soul and lost her voice. I told you that. I told you professional
bloggers with much Google-fu advised me to lose the fraidy cat and rebrand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I want you to know I admire, respect, and appreciate
their advice. Given their understanding of analytics, SEO, and branding, they
make a valid point. If I embrace my inner fraidy cat, brands who wander by here
may tend to shy away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In embracing who I am, I diminish my validity and
marketability. I may as well have a big ole ‘L’ for loser right across my
unprofessional forehead – especially if I miss a comma or two here and there at
three in the morning. I get that. I do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, when I left the shores of Captiva behind, wheelbarrow
loads of conference speak buried me neck deep. Those words mixed and mingled
with where I was in life until I lost my confidence, my courage, and my belief
in myself. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I became overwhelmed with the need to do more, better, faster
and to master everything at once. The urgency of it all became more than I
could bear. I burned out before I really got started. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I mourned privately and lurked on my professional
blogging groups. I pinned blog minutia and supported the shiny, spit polished platforms
others were creating. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I thought, “One day, I’ll need this and get back to it.
Oh, who am I kidding? At the rate technology changes, by the time I get back to
it, this info will be obsolete.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I had to have weekly immunizations for envy and
jealousy as my blogger friends met and exceeded goal after goal while I tried
to think of one I could set.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Before I knew it, six months had elapsed while I tried
to pretend I was not a writer and that I’d never had a blog to begin with. I
don’t mind telling you, it was pure agony. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaaf_KYVQ8moF_kEElB8_ie-B-0lD_ksyUKsflulcgziuOC7nlX4AWL0CQP1TeQhg-Y1LMfNzB5pOaBrBMvZlhOo5-h4rZjhDCUj37AFXD1lsDMp_Y2cNNjFfvOsh-TwC0pCQHDMbKws/s1600/33395_1530799316649_1434720655_31431748_7786247_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaaf_KYVQ8moF_kEElB8_ie-B-0lD_ksyUKsflulcgziuOC7nlX4AWL0CQP1TeQhg-Y1LMfNzB5pOaBrBMvZlhOo5-h4rZjhDCUj37AFXD1lsDMp_Y2cNNjFfvOsh-TwC0pCQHDMbKws/s1600/33395_1530799316649_1434720655_31431748_7786247_n.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And, in those months of quiet, my private life became even
more chaotic. A hard fought for marriage kept slipping more and more out of
reach no matter what I prayed, what I did, or who the counselor was this time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I think I realized how close the end was the first time
I heard Christina Aguilera and Great Big World sing, “Say Something”. I can’t
remember the last time I cried til that moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I don’t think I even cried in the fifty-six numb days between
life and death when my courageous, conscious, fully lucid mom <a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2011/07/lo-i-am-with-you.html">lingered on a ventilator</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But that song, that song, reduced me to sobs that would
not stop for hours on end. It was as if all the tears I had not cried in almost
twenty-five years found their voice on the wings of that song and would no
longer be silenced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And, this my friend is where my story stops being one only
writers can identify with and becomes one for any fraidy cat who has had
laryngitis of the soul. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHF_uBOfXorP1sCNMzQ2GJezxxnxmx8XPld-ph1alkNY1AgTjGYS7WspdGOhOa4ifyJZvocuTyjdljp-rdGo9jAAXrqKX4H9nZPDPazyvXL1FRojpttihQpLhe-pd_iAJhUyXAT7qibA/s1600/1118111636a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHF_uBOfXorP1sCNMzQ2GJezxxnxmx8XPld-ph1alkNY1AgTjGYS7WspdGOhOa4ifyJZvocuTyjdljp-rdGo9jAAXrqKX4H9nZPDPazyvXL1FRojpttihQpLhe-pd_iAJhUyXAT7qibA/s1600/1118111636a.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you know me, you know I am a person of hard fought
for, down in the dirt wrestling, sweaty-ugly faith. If you are just meeting me –
I’m not one to sugar coat things about my faith. I hope that won’t set you back
too much? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I know there is a God who cares, and I don’t think he
is the one that sits on Bette Midler’s ‘distant shore’ watching me with cold
indifference. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I do understand the irony when I turn around and say I
am not always sure where he is showing up in my story. Shoot, a lot of the time
I wonder if he is aware of my story at all. There. I admitted it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was having one of those nights of arm wrestling with
God. The house was quiet enough to imply my two insomniacs had finally
drifted off for good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XuikjzezR6pPaYODJ-tcKUw6-08GABuKDEiAs37OJJcAOlyLiKPqXgzCxZJ5qjdY0NmYQ65MpD3uVIUKt7FmKR2eZo_UQrATqB99Hdiw3rccWOVk4vfbNaJPagg1wWCV2JDAFwfHYkI/s1600/101_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XuikjzezR6pPaYODJ-tcKUw6-08GABuKDEiAs37OJJcAOlyLiKPqXgzCxZJ5qjdY0NmYQ65MpD3uVIUKt7FmKR2eZo_UQrATqB99Hdiw3rccWOVk4vfbNaJPagg1wWCV2JDAFwfHYkI/s1600/101_0033.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The debris of the day was scattered around me like a
World War I mine field. Mocking me. Reminding me I had bills to pay, boxes to
pack, school to plan, cabinets to paint, one-hundred other things that one
person simply could not do alone, and a marriage in the last gasps of death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The soulful strains of “Say Something” gripped me by
the heart, and floods of tears drenched the computer keyboard. I don’t know why
I wasn’t electrocuted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes, I know it’s a secular song, but as that song
filled the room, I cried out to God. “Look at this mess. Do you see me? DO YOU
SEE ME? I.can.not.do.this.alone. It’s humanly impossible. Do you see?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And into that forsaken misery it seemed a whisper
filled my heart:<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes.
I see you. I know your circumstances are untrustworthy and have been for as
long as you can remember now. I know you cannot depend upon the earthly one who
promised to be the most dependable to you in the entire world. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
get that. I do. </span></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzufdjfQEddcRfCDY5Ui7ZGoAUFIcXLf5nsCj-F5o-4tqulpILNBXhGY3-q9_qodERybjItpaVNZigfRRAUhhajY57t5MFapopU0v8_se-ZZ3fAOInjpLvr1pv7Hy2YUebhc7-YF3kqw/s1600/39860_1564232472457_1434720655_31523276_4429570_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzufdjfQEddcRfCDY5Ui7ZGoAUFIcXLf5nsCj-F5o-4tqulpILNBXhGY3-q9_qodERybjItpaVNZigfRRAUhhajY57t5MFapopU0v8_se-ZZ3fAOInjpLvr1pv7Hy2YUebhc7-YF3kqw/s1600/39860_1564232472457_1434720655_31523276_4429570_n.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now I have a question for you. In the midst of everything that
is untrustworthy, do you trust me with your untrustworthy circumstances? Do
you?”</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, I told you this journey was not for the faint of
heart and that drug store swim wings were not going to be sufficient. I told
you this is a story for anyone who had ever suffered from voice stealing laryngitis
of the soul. Believe me now? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqyGUHXDebhJ3xQcU-BlOlioOlQVbUjZMYY7ohOr3cz9weGrR7455FPBlkDyuYvdb3BeTjkSniLrkF1B1r1M3RPPZOGj7KKaxV0NwjULHCftH2__zatTogumZI7Y2nrzqE-OeLxkgLEU/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqyGUHXDebhJ3xQcU-BlOlioOlQVbUjZMYY7ohOr3cz9weGrR7455FPBlkDyuYvdb3BeTjkSniLrkF1B1r1M3RPPZOGj7KKaxV0NwjULHCftH2__zatTogumZI7Y2nrzqE-OeLxkgLEU/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I see you, fraidy cat. If you are longing to come in from
the cold, you are welcome here. You don’t have to explain a thing. I get you. I
do. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Love you long and strong. See you soon?</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Isaiah 33:2 (ERV)<br />
Lord, be kind to us. We have waited for your help. Give us strength every
morning. Save us when we are in trouble.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Click below to follow the series: </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-fraidy-cat-without-voice.html"> Part 1</a> and </span></span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2014/02/when-writer-loses-her-voice-part-2-in.html">Part 2</a> </span></span></i></b></div>
Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-6274936322874067212014-02-04T19:59:00.003-08:002014-02-05T23:22:38.785-08:00When a Writer Loses Her Voice – Part 2 in a Series <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XwA7kQ7mUSrGuCV27IMR7A4tiLxOlQ2epicmUTxTuJd7Tb6G-V1wg32eNoaK2G-0dFPIh7LKFoyBosKisH2w91TP1UgYUgkVrby7AYhiGPgpAvvgDbjNvPyPyfjlibb3LW5jpk_tevQ/s1600/n1434720655_30228384_6354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XwA7kQ7mUSrGuCV27IMR7A4tiLxOlQ2epicmUTxTuJd7Tb6G-V1wg32eNoaK2G-0dFPIh7LKFoyBosKisH2w91TP1UgYUgkVrby7AYhiGPgpAvvgDbjNvPyPyfjlibb3LW5jpk_tevQ/s1600/n1434720655_30228384_6354.jpg" height="219" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(<i>Stop! Before you
do another thing, look to the left and subscribe to the blog?
It’s the only way you’ll see all the posts in order of appearance. And, I’ll
sleep better tonight if I know I am not alone. Ahhh. There now. That’s better</i>.)
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My head was a hurting, spinning mess as I stumbled up
onto the shuttle to head home. My heart and soul were in worse shape.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was torn between two lovers: the desire to use the
one thing I have left to earn a living (words) and the drive to be true to who
I am and to the one who made me (Christ).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Can it be that hard,” I wondered, “to figure out who I
am in the midst of the expert voices telling me whom I ought to be and how to
be me? Oh, why did I ever get so high and mighty as to come to this conference?”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That’s where this story gets trickier, messier, and, I
hope, more compelling. It wasn’t what the ninja bloggers said or how they said it
that infected me with laryngitis of the soul.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">They were just the unwitting petri dishes in which the
virus mushroomed and took over. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The beach slipped away, and my desperation deepened. I
drank in the view trying to imprint it all and fortify myself for what was
coming. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishW7A4Fzp6AunQRP9r5KuXTqsggkpVff7NthhwNATmL47m_KTmTKZItYBWyTdKvo5CV59SR6Aq-lqI0yXG1BHLCbgYM1qWvfcLXrAvGUXWAtawqsi3baoksegsrFrpwsxWQ7576RNtBY/s1600/l.DXxTraGdLLYYtJnE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishW7A4Fzp6AunQRP9r5KuXTqsggkpVff7NthhwNATmL47m_KTmTKZItYBWyTdKvo5CV59SR6Aq-lqI0yXG1BHLCbgYM1qWvfcLXrAvGUXWAtawqsi3baoksegsrFrpwsxWQ7576RNtBY/s1600/l.DXxTraGdLLYYtJnE.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Past, present, and future swirled in a vortex. I closed
my eyes and saw her - a little girl welcoming her parents home from the beach. It
was winter and prime shelling season. I dug down deep into the bag anxious to
see the treasures hidden there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I shrieked, threw down the bag, and jumped away from
the warmth of the fireplace. “What’s in that thing?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My mom chuckled a little and said, “I’m not sure. What
happened?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBY-remAjiGQYKpLKhfEVmUJ7d3QbfHqtOutucU_xb1MLznPCzHuuf_YsPDODidLqvmRL8i64Piajieju17SCjcNQDtrLtN1ZNsaROJi6nuMV7MqfXF3Ax0iF8DpUNLH9KHd635AT_qA0/s1600/381201_2735092571718_1089447804_33024023_1832133936_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBY-remAjiGQYKpLKhfEVmUJ7d3QbfHqtOutucU_xb1MLznPCzHuuf_YsPDODidLqvmRL8i64Piajieju17SCjcNQDtrLtN1ZNsaROJi6nuMV7MqfXF3Ax0iF8DpUNLH9KHd635AT_qA0/s1600/381201_2735092571718_1089447804_33024023_1832133936_n.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My fraidy cat was on high alert when I peeped into the
bag before I reached. Two starfish had twined tightly around each other. I
guess it was their last dying gasp after so many hours without life giving salt
water.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The bus jolted, and little girl me was gone again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I looked over at my California bound friend. Trying to
cram a year’s worth of that ‘thing’ between long distance friends into less
than an hour’s ride, we exchanged bits and pieces of hurried conversation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She is brave and beautiful and knows about the broken
places when God is up to something that must make sense in Heaven but makes no
sense when you are living through Hell.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShAuuZ24vjqiRGODTiWgAnPoGemyJ9R7ww23vEbKvGv7ikK6H_KfWzybU47FYAI7qkOsrnH7jPKTMMZjeO6Hmt2xAcvCt5iFdIU8Jcp0dMqON3WDybEEE_iPUSlxV1bV67nIxmk_pJZA/s1600/133933_1797948075201_1434720655_32033110_3670025_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShAuuZ24vjqiRGODTiWgAnPoGemyJ9R7ww23vEbKvGv7ikK6H_KfWzybU47FYAI7qkOsrnH7jPKTMMZjeO6Hmt2xAcvCt5iFdIU8Jcp0dMqON3WDybEEE_iPUSlxV1bV67nIxmk_pJZA/s1600/133933_1797948075201_1434720655_32033110_3670025_o.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I wanted to say, “I’m the starfish, and I’m running out
of time,” but, time had run out. I hugged her hard wishing osmosis between us
would fix my broken places. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And then, I was alone to contemplate my brokenness and
the laryngitis of my soul. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you have come here expecting answers in five-hundred
word bullet lists of ten easy items you can check off on your lunch break while
you manage your Twitter and paint your nails, it’s time for you to bounce. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Answers to our deepest longings are not stumbled upon
in the ADHD fractured musings of our high octane lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoVfwWrEtw0utUSCewgz_MUOxwh0ZaxfwJvpUJRp87HM_DN_OIpK9cNRfewqZr8PP8eqCsMlkI8W9ipNILFOSBpZY_uyEK5S-EVO-yVlOTwwcjOD9emiyabOhnkEIPXBSkda_qfc-lAY/s1600/288133_115492831926448_148275577_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoVfwWrEtw0utUSCewgz_MUOxwh0ZaxfwJvpUJRp87HM_DN_OIpK9cNRfewqZr8PP8eqCsMlkI8W9ipNILFOSBpZY_uyEK5S-EVO-yVlOTwwcjOD9emiyabOhnkEIPXBSkda_qfc-lAY/s1600/288133_115492831926448_148275577_o.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And, if you know me, you know I do not pounce on and
conquer a story before the commercial break. I sneak up on the story from
behind and end up taking us where I did not know I was going until we all get
there together. I live dangerously like that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you get me because I get you, I hope you will come
back again soon. Invite a fraidy cat friend you know who has lost her voice and
can’t figure out where to find it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I think I can keep writing if you keep coming back for
more. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You may wonder why I end many of my posts by telling
fraidy cats they are welcome here. I tell them this is a safe place to come in
from the cold. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I do so because it’s hard for fraidy cats to feel
welcome in this Pinterest perfect, have-your-best-life-now televangelist
drenched world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You are welcome here. I see you. I pray for you even
when I don’t know your name or your fear. I get you. I do. <br /><br /><a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-fraidy-cat-without-voice.html">Click here for #1 in this series</a> and for <a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2014/02/when-writer-loses-her-voice-part-2-in.html">Part 3. </a></span><br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyYJSTsCTRglJIMmqlaQezwjaGTqHmhcO4WoDG64eOswj-LoYSV7M5h-BJuh4LLXv88amk1UsnjOi7BOGOK-2EcGX4-LvQ-_Mx2uQOILjwJQyLll8x_Scwfqxz_nGObL9xO04wkCQ4fk/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyYJSTsCTRglJIMmqlaQezwjaGTqHmhcO4WoDG64eOswj-LoYSV7M5h-BJuh4LLXv88amk1UsnjOi7BOGOK-2EcGX4-LvQ-_Mx2uQOILjwJQyLll8x_Scwfqxz_nGObL9xO04wkCQ4fk/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ephesians
2:10 (NRSV) For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good
works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If Facebook is where you want to keep track of this
community:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1) Go to Facebook and search for Confessions of a
Fraidy Cat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2) Hit ‘like’ on the upper right of the COAFC page, so
it registers a check mark.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3) Click on the ‘following’ button right beside it, so
it registers a check mark as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">4) Watch for the COAF posts in your newsfeed. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">5)
Come check my page if Facebook doesn’t send me to you?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gI3r9RefF65OibSa4G6S-HrwpufYKUZ5FhvqTgjR3qp2yfgoLvUjdlzUoiZyH6kgbzDrru80ggtI2SsWynKfPi8cLEcL05HO7Fic8wNUaA-ueEXkfEN1z98euHpE5oq_PxPkP1bFSG0/s1600/308193_10150431239154783_680939782_10395459_2018466015_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gI3r9RefF65OibSa4G6S-HrwpufYKUZ5FhvqTgjR3qp2yfgoLvUjdlzUoiZyH6kgbzDrru80ggtI2SsWynKfPi8cLEcL05HO7Fic8wNUaA-ueEXkfEN1z98euHpE5oq_PxPkP1bFSG0/s1600/308193_10150431239154783_680939782_10395459_2018466015_n.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Love you long and strong. See you soon.</span></div>
</span></div>
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Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-51663478946478407492014-02-04T00:23:00.001-08:002014-02-05T23:20:42.518-08:00A Fraidy Cat Without a Voice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaI8cNtuDyJEan0gQrzEUmK-dCMXdCS3hXyxJavtnlL3Q1gu3gBjTgq5wSFLRfH7-vShpLsyycj7RMvV-vJNuqu6eWdl8j4T0rRU77f8wIIupL6oH5-g58jjeX08UUzM013w67GMlWkTI/s1600/n1434720655_30231308_2656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaI8cNtuDyJEan0gQrzEUmK-dCMXdCS3hXyxJavtnlL3Q1gu3gBjTgq5wSFLRfH7-vShpLsyycj7RMvV-vJNuqu6eWdl8j4T0rRU77f8wIIupL6oH5-g58jjeX08UUzM013w67GMlWkTI/s1600/n1434720655_30231308_2656.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What do you call a writer who lost her voice? I didn’t
see it coming, but it didn’t come as a shock either now that I am looking in
the rear view mirror of life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The voice stealer had been circling me at a distance. I
could feel him out there like a wolf circling pray in the dark of a winter blizzard.
I was edgy. Hyper-vigilant. <br />
<br />
I kept moving thinking I’d out run him, and everything would be fine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was last year this time. I was on a lovely resort in
Florida traipsing around alligator and python infested golf courses in the
dark. That’s what friends do when they are lost on a resort in Florida, I
guess. <br />
<br />
I was with writers and bloggers the likes of Michael Hyatt, and I was a
pretender. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was pretending that life was o.k. and that I was one
of them or would be shortly. Months later, a sweet friend from Alberta inboxed
me, “I sensed heaviness about you when we were all at Captiva. I knew you were
not ok. I am praying for you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I made myself scarce while trying to network and
connect. It felt like even more of an oxymoron than it sounds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My marriage was in tatters. I was newly separated and numb.
It was hard to put on a pretty, successful face when the whole world felt ugly
and cold and scary. <br />
<br />
And, I was far from successful at anything. I couldn’t even succeed in my own
private life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A high powered blogger sat down beside me. She keeps a
professional distance and seems impatient when dealing with me. I was prepared
to give her the needed space to allow me to emerge unscathed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjU71LRFzXnWglxCzuYyw3HT__B6hncVBrX8LB3XwLd6AB3bcj2wxxGHEFb3fj35Z4v_0ZttnziuhsspmM1dVim5Bo_sKDCeT0YYnTtJtYMzeTGmsgCSwosP28CJn6RcLiMVnmKNfsqxA/s1600/44465_142319969137572_100000787091999_169651_4197889_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjU71LRFzXnWglxCzuYyw3HT__B6hncVBrX8LB3XwLd6AB3bcj2wxxGHEFb3fj35Z4v_0ZttnziuhsspmM1dVim5Bo_sKDCeT0YYnTtJtYMzeTGmsgCSwosP28CJn6RcLiMVnmKNfsqxA/s1600/44465_142319969137572_100000787091999_169651_4197889_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy D. Scott</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She turned unexpectedly towards me. “You,” she sniffed,
“need to stop calling yourself a fraidy cat,” as if I had publicly branded
myself with a scarlet ‘F’ for brand failure. <br />
<br />
I sank lower in my seat. I don’t remember much of what she said after that. Not
that she said much more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Her words echoed in my ears and mixed with words I had
heard a few months earlier from another high powered blogger. You know, the
kind who makes more in a month than I made the last year I worked full-time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“People don’t care about that inspirational stuff you
guys write. They want stuff that tells them how to live better cheaper. If you
want to make a living, bump the inspirational stuff and write the how to’s.” (Loosely paraphrased, mind you.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All those words got mixed up in my head. My throat, my
writing throat, got scratchy and dry. The word stealing wolf was upon me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNezCfutK97rR5902_on4NXCvNqXrAgGxd0dAM8cdFdg8uOqFLEum7v3X-WEecIrhTKE3_kIivsQJz9eS6cvN94ZK_vY0jFUbO9vuA5YrLySQjvaoVWrcChVEcCrjQ8K8YvZXC5Mw91bM/s1600/381201_2735092571718_1089447804_33024023_1832133936_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNezCfutK97rR5902_on4NXCvNqXrAgGxd0dAM8cdFdg8uOqFLEum7v3X-WEecIrhTKE3_kIivsQJz9eS6cvN94ZK_vY0jFUbO9vuA5YrLySQjvaoVWrcChVEcCrjQ8K8YvZXC5Mw91bM/s1600/381201_2735092571718_1089447804_33024023_1832133936_n.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy A. Hughes</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was the last appointment for an obviously weary blog
consultant widely known for his Google-fu. He makes a substantial living
traveling and consulting, and I had finagled five minutes of his time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was scared to death. Already quaking because of the
other two voices in my head that had made my throat scratchy and dry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He turned his lack-luster, ‘is it the end of the
conference and can I go home now’ eyes to my new web page. The one I still
haven’t launched a year later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His look became quizzical. “This is the best website I’ve
seen all day. The absolute best. Hands down. Why do you call yourself a fraidy
cat? You, my friend, are certainly no fraidy cat. You need to stop calling
yourself that,” <br />
<br />
He began to play around with my brand because he has earned the right, with his
considerable Google-fu, to do so. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was even wearier than he – only my weariness had been
growing for a life time not just forty-eight hours. So, I smiled a smile as
ineffective as worn out dishwater, and said simply, “Oh, but I am.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And just like that, in the middle of a conference that
was supposed <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ypl_9HSuqIJgm8eiu4S2BDILCSeaEVrocOtbW7btNL-4xLy_1kgFr1R-IwRS34Cg6gm-8WaB3tT02JsNIKpLflYqZgpsYi0raDac952Ix4BYUQDeJI3aiVVgHYYRACy_fopNJpyOiOQ/s1600/557172_3488414125217_876200681_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ypl_9HSuqIJgm8eiu4S2BDILCSeaEVrocOtbW7btNL-4xLy_1kgFr1R-IwRS34Cg6gm-8WaB3tT02JsNIKpLflYqZgpsYi0raDac952Ix4BYUQDeJI3aiVVgHYYRACy_fopNJpyOiOQ/s1600/557172_3488414125217_876200681_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy D. Ahola</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
to empower me to blog *more better and enable me to make gobs of
money, my voice abandoned me. <br />
<br />
(*Apologies to all the grammar nerds for my obvious misuse of language. Take a
pill. You’ll survive. I’m sure there are instructions on how to do so on
Pinterest.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you are a fellow fraidy cat who used to follow me or
a new one who has just discovered me, I want you to know – I get you. You don’t
have to explain, justify, or qualify.
All fraidy cats are welcome here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I think I found my voice again. But, I will be a whole
lot braver if I don’t have to figure it out on my own. So, would you come back
again? Maybe tomorrow? If that’s not too soon? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqyGUHXDebhJ3xQcU-BlOlioOlQVbUjZMYY7ohOr3cz9weGrR7455FPBlkDyuYvdb3BeTjkSniLrkF1B1r1M3RPPZOGj7KKaxV0NwjULHCftH2__zatTogumZI7Y2nrzqE-OeLxkgLEU/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqyGUHXDebhJ3xQcU-BlOlioOlQVbUjZMYY7ohOr3cz9weGrR7455FPBlkDyuYvdb3BeTjkSniLrkF1B1r1M3RPPZOGj7KKaxV0NwjULHCftH2__zatTogumZI7Y2nrzqE-OeLxkgLEU/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you know me, you know there is more to this story, and I'm not thru telling it.<br />
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Love you long and strong. Even when I didn’t have a voice to say so. </span></div>
<div class="heading passage-class-0" style="background-color: white; color: #5c1101; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
<h3 style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ephesians 2:10 </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(NRSV)</span></span></h3>
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<div class="passage version-NRSV result-text-style-normal text-html " style="background-color: white;">
<span class="text Eph-2-10" id="en-NRSV-29223"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Eph-2-10"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2014/02/when-writer-loses-her-voice-part-2-in.html">Find Part 2 here. </a></span></span></div>
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Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-49405510407162117902013-08-18T23:44:00.002-07:002013-08-18T23:45:40.997-07:00New Homeschooler Panic - Don't Worry! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm absolutely thrilled to join the community over at Homeschool Survival as one of Sarah's staff writers.<br /><br />This month, our emphasis is, as you can probably guess, back to school advice. My column addresses the common issues that bring on panic among newbie homeschoolers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've got 10 tips to help you avoid breathing into a paper bag! Join me there, won't you? To do so, click the link below.<br /><br /><b><i><a href="http://homeschoolsurvival.com/2013/08/19/a-note-to-new-homeschoolers-dont-panic/?fb_source=pubv1">A Note to New Homeschoolers - Don't Panic! </a></i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AZHd1JrbPRw5NZtX_v5spIMEx3Bn3slQZVxc6-KVjXCw5Z8JtraeV_JpPw526lmM7MrdaHzZiMtJEagchodSUsaKOYBBr6FFSOAVM4X63bwkowfv-02HlphCVpwhh3YypvF5G1ztygI/s1600/HomeschoolSVAug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8AZHd1JrbPRw5NZtX_v5spIMEx3Bn3slQZVxc6-KVjXCw5Z8JtraeV_JpPw526lmM7MrdaHzZiMtJEagchodSUsaKOYBBr6FFSOAVM4X63bwkowfv-02HlphCVpwhh3YypvF5G1ztygI/s320/HomeschoolSVAug.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-11234646288889666762013-07-23T01:17:00.001-07:002013-07-23T01:17:14.285-07:00All You Need to Know to Succeed in Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A young mom, barely out of her teens, sits with three babies
under the age of six. She wilts beneath the withering control of her second
baby daddy. It is obvious which ones are his because the little girl cannot
escape his soul-killing tirades. Inwardly, I weep. <br />
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I watch him and know that he is doing all he knows to do – the pitiful best he
can against even more pitiful odds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They wander near me. I say, “Shush. Shush,” in my most newborn-soothing
tone. “You are working so hard to be a good daddy. She is such a sweet little
girl. Relax. She is fine. She hasn’t made a peep. Let her breathe. You take a
breath too. How long has it been since you simply took a breath?” <br />
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Behind him, I see Baby Mamma’s eyes fill and glisten with tears she’s fighting to
hold back. “Thank you,” she mouths without a sound. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The pleading in her eyes says volumes more. All these
months later, her desperate, pleading gaze haunts my dreams. And, I wonder, who
is telling her what it takes to succeed? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I wish. I wish I could gather them under my wing and
listen to their stories. How have they found themselves in this hard pressed life
they are living? Who gave them the map that said this way of life was the road
to success? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I look around and ponder images of success: the rock
and movie stars, YouTube sensations, and techno-wizards. I think of the infamous
living life out loud, Kardashian, Honey-Boo-Boo, and 16 and Pregnant style. Is
this what success looks like?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy B. Creasy</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If I saw Baby Mamma and Daddy again, I would gather
them under my wing and tell them what success really looks like. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1)
Success is rarely lived out loud in the pages of tabloids or on the television screen.
It happens in the quiet moments of life when no one anywhere is watching. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Micah%206&version=MSG"><b>Micah 6:8</b></a> (Message) But he’s already made it plain how to live,
what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do
what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your
love, and don’t take yourself too seriously—take God seriously.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2)
Know that you have value beyond anything you can imagine. You are not here by
accident. A creator God gave you purpose before he made the world. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCWWY-l8rQsbANiZaZo-fCeqO_WE9qOcw9MhAhdrLDFJPsXmmile4yHHyLjHCY8xWqmbnjRACy6crdD1osdwh6q-nV4xD6qXQQXBYhQ_KY1eYtzpZQIyTlzk2gFwcXtmTGqaU5f9Fmxs/s1600/isaacbath.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCWWY-l8rQsbANiZaZo-fCeqO_WE9qOcw9MhAhdrLDFJPsXmmile4yHHyLjHCY8xWqmbnjRACy6crdD1osdwh6q-nV4xD6qXQQXBYhQ_KY1eYtzpZQIyTlzk2gFwcXtmTGqaU5f9Fmxs/s320/isaacbath.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">c. 1997</td></tr>
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<i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20139:15-16&version=MSG"><b>Psalm 139: 15-16</b></a> (Message) You know exactly how I was made, bit by
bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you
watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread
out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b>3) You have a purpose to fulfill. In the
history of all mankind, only you can fulfill that mission. You are not a
mistake.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%202:10&version=NET"><b>Ephesians 2:10</b></a> (NET) For we are his workmanship, having been
created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may
do them.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">4)
Even if no one in your life has ever been trustworthy, there is someone you can
trust. Be trustworthy because he is trustworthy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative </td></tr>
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<i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+37%3A3-5&version=NRSV"><b>Psalm 37: 3-5</b></a> (NRSV) Trust in the Lord, and do good; so you will
live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord, and he will
give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him,
and he will act.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">5)
Embrace hard work knowing others will respect you for it. Laziness brings
dishonor and robs you of self-respect.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4%3A28&version=AMP"><b>Ephesians 4:28</b></a> (Amplified)</span></i><span style="color: #0070c0;">
</span><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Let the
thief steal no more, but rather let him be industrious, making an honest living <o:p></o:p></span></i><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">with his own hands, so that he may be able to give to those in
need.</span></i><i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+6%3A6-8&version=MSG"><b>Proverbs 6: 6-8</b></a> (Message) You lazy fool, look at an ant. Watch it
closely; let it teach you a thing or two. Nobody has to tell it what to do. All
summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions.</span></i><b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative </td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">6)
If you won’t do it for someone else, don’t expect it to be done for you. Treat
others the way you expect to be treated.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+7%3A12&version=MSG"><b>Matthew 7:12</b></a> (Message) Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for
behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the
initiative and do it for them.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">7)
Love fearlessly and know that if you are fearful, your love is not real. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+4%3A18&version=NASB"><b>1 John 4:18</b></a> (NASB) There is no fear in love; but perfect love
casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not
perfected in love.</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">8) <o:p></o:p></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do
not be selfish. Recognize selfishness when you see it, and run like your hair
is on fire when you do.</span></b></div>
<i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2023:%206-8&version=NASB"><b>Proverbs 23: 6-8</b></a> (NASB) Do
not eat the bread of a selfish man, or desire his delicacies; For as he thinks
within himself, so he is. He says to you, “Eat and drink!” But his heart is not
with you. You will vomit up the morsel you have eaten, and waste your compliments.</span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoVfwWrEtw0utUSCewgz_MUOxwh0ZaxfwJvpUJRp87HM_DN_OIpK9cNRfewqZr8PP8eqCsMlkI8W9ipNILFOSBpZY_uyEK5S-EVO-yVlOTwwcjOD9emiyabOhnkEIPXBSkda_qfc-lAY/s1600/288133_115492831926448_148275577_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoVfwWrEtw0utUSCewgz_MUOxwh0ZaxfwJvpUJRp87HM_DN_OIpK9cNRfewqZr8PP8eqCsMlkI8W9ipNILFOSBpZY_uyEK5S-EVO-yVlOTwwcjOD9emiyabOhnkEIPXBSkda_qfc-lAY/s320/288133_115492831926448_148275577_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy A. Squires</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">9)
Know that God gave you the ability to recognize right and wrong. Do what you
know is right even if no one else will. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%205:22%20&version=AMP">1 Thessalonians 5:22</a></b> </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(Amplified Bible) Abstain from evil [shrink
from it and keep aloof from it] in whatever form or whatever kind it may be.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">10)
Be gracious, respectful, and mannerly toward total strangers. Hold doors for
young women, mothers, and the elderly. Say thank you. Let the other driver go
first in traffic just because. Pay it forward. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A3&version=NASB"><b>Philippians 2:3</b></a> (NASB) Do nothing from selfishness or empty
conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than
yourselves;</span></i><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVoJ3QV87aL3_b2kbGNGKlEO-AlmSymhLWQ_mn3fObY0IDcwTB_01YGGZU9CsfGI8M8CyHcvKQeeuVNfkGOknf_LHj_e60XIBaG-19miTEBS9kXTYiw3pwJvLLVBBQbouKZD68-aw8Oo/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVoJ3QV87aL3_b2kbGNGKlEO-AlmSymhLWQ_mn3fObY0IDcwTB_01YGGZU9CsfGI8M8CyHcvKQeeuVNfkGOknf_LHj_e60XIBaG-19miTEBS9kXTYiw3pwJvLLVBBQbouKZD68-aw8Oo/s320/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy B. Creasy - 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I will always wonder
about that young, struggling, not-quite-couple in the doctor’s office. What would you tell them success looks like? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-62162379525349093642013-06-09T00:39:00.000-07:002013-06-09T00:39:54.226-07:00Living Broken in a World Dying for Authentic Faith<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmWPEiWfMRBq1Is9coJgYtgEQVra5LSZKE3p6shk2S3lvdTFXbdW8mIVwFtNDKsVu5-WFrCylrr2zSdnVF2AWrKosbedhnJJ3009DiAHAcUmPm7t62ridEx5qCHzg1kWGXgNrt6Q1vLc/s1600/authenticfaith.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmWPEiWfMRBq1Is9coJgYtgEQVra5LSZKE3p6shk2S3lvdTFXbdW8mIVwFtNDKsVu5-WFrCylrr2zSdnVF2AWrKosbedhnJJ3009DiAHAcUmPm7t62ridEx5qCHzg1kWGXgNrt6Q1vLc/s320/authenticfaith.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The cry was long, slow, and mournful. It was the kind
you hear when a soul is watching and waiting for authenticity it cannot find.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The thread long since faded from Facebook. Yet, it echoes
in my heart. A Christian left his sprinkler system running despite a prohibitive
county ordinance. He was a serial offender. I winced. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The post dripped with righteous and justifiable sarcasm.
And, as Facebook does, one comment invited another. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was like a train wreck I couldn’t stop watching. I
didn’t want to keep reading and being embarrassed by ‘my kind’, but I couldn’t
look away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I watched the stories unfold. I read as far as the one
about a high powered, fancy car driving, preacher-man who routinely ran a
four-way stop in his community. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1V7WyF009oHcgf9GJs8-CRRZ6NNHiD7J0m_Xv7TwcPRJixmOKtmRceIcOgC2i7xUYGTcU1cioiW0kobmvlwQlIca-aCw1g45r3b6ARDYXdlm_tJ-OI_FQhLeXPb3YYKsNkfpNuPWCGqg/s1600/288133_115492831926448_148275577_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1V7WyF009oHcgf9GJs8-CRRZ6NNHiD7J0m_Xv7TwcPRJixmOKtmRceIcOgC2i7xUYGTcU1cioiW0kobmvlwQlIca-aCw1g45r3b6ARDYXdlm_tJ-OI_FQhLeXPb3YYKsNkfpNuPWCGqg/s320/288133_115492831926448_148275577_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy A. Squires</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I smiled wryly thinking about mobsters who got away
with murder – until tiny little numbers did them in. It was racketeering, not
murder, which unraveled their empires. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I wondered how the offenders would have reacted had
they known they were on Facebook display. Would they have been chastened and
repentant? Would they have been arrogant and entitled? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What’s the use of living a big, public faith if the Devil
is in the details? You see what I mean, right? I wonder how I measure up when
others are reconciling my faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I offer up my tattered faith, will it resonate as
true and trustworthy? Will I only provide more Facebook fodder for those <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Pn6SyKSFYwqVahLpn1oQzeVFVKPYAL0AS2gmd2y5VQD60E5fsgPcl4zypajwoVKSsgIgNQG9DRx026CBRRe9rU3YbtAEcMs4g2M7gNbiuJc_b-QEtt0fRa6WUZ81f7nudZe2CL-hFa8/s1600/208418_1952802626468_1434720655_32283526_5312769_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Pn6SyKSFYwqVahLpn1oQzeVFVKPYAL0AS2gmd2y5VQD60E5fsgPcl4zypajwoVKSsgIgNQG9DRx026CBRRe9rU3YbtAEcMs4g2M7gNbiuJc_b-QEtt0fRa6WUZ81f7nudZe2CL-hFa8/s320/208418_1952802626468_1434720655_32283526_5312769_n.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
who
are waiting and watching for authenticity? If perfection is required, I’m lost
in the noise of failure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We’ve stitched up the broken places of our life until
all that’s left is a rag tag survival quilt. I pull the tatters close like a
mother relishing shreds of the last baby blanket left in the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There is no sweet smell in which to bury my nose. No
corner remains to rub against the weary cheeks of my soul. I look in the mirror,
and mocking thoughts echo back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You. You and your broken life. The legacy of your brokenness will
last long after you are gone. Why do you keep trying? Who is this God before
whom you weep? Where is he now? Who’s gonna buy the authenticity of your faith?
Loser. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The chiding voice says my faith must be spit-polished to
shiny perfection for authenticity’s sake. No one in this Photoshopped magazine
spread, Pinterest happy world wants to hear about a broken down, weary, sweaty,
hard fought for, tenacious faith. N.o.b.o.d.y.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiud3yjH7NfCGGBAyOrv43aVvNY3knMmVFqW3Vrj7nT86uwnOOapcSsUVWaU8RgSp70b0_qzXDwUWSyqNoNlz8TjvvnUDxaL_PFDGP-r8s0JxHawd9ih7lGuih5t8Oe_1ha_1GmQHe8CCM/s1600/216284_1991500553892_1434720655_32332468_2762192_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiud3yjH7NfCGGBAyOrv43aVvNY3knMmVFqW3Vrj7nT86uwnOOapcSsUVWaU8RgSp70b0_qzXDwUWSyqNoNlz8TjvvnUDxaL_PFDGP-r8s0JxHawd9ih7lGuih5t8Oe_1ha_1GmQHe8CCM/s320/216284_1991500553892_1434720655_32332468_2762192_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yet, I look around me at the bloody landscape of a
dying world. A world that is clamoring and gasping for spiritual authenticity. Watching
so closely they know when we run a four way or leave a sprinkler churning and
spinning day after illegal day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I try to think of someone I know whose life is without
pain or crisis. Someone whose life is Pinterest or Kardashian beautiful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The truth is sobering. I am not alone. Every single
Christian I know who is living a life of authentic faith is hurting for one
reason or another. None of the wounds are easy fixes. We are all living out our
faith in the trenches. Trench warfare is neither easy nor pretty. Nor pinnable.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I wonder who is watching when I am unaware. When the
Devil creeps into the details of my life, will a soul gasping for authenticity
cry out, “A-ha! I gotcha!” and sit back smug and self-satisfied because I have
lived down to his or her lowest expectations? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1TE2l1mBeNBPBxogeRaEn22K7vNb_7EZHKL2Rnfz-atKyMf67zjRtFu7EUcHjVUkE4EH8ErwfO5amfi5pwbeAqPFpoMnVIXAGaTte6AguUpEFmdRc94x5SuLRYgnlyZufdbBsmvw5zk/s1600/n1434720655_30255255_1704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1TE2l1mBeNBPBxogeRaEn22K7vNb_7EZHKL2Rnfz-atKyMf67zjRtFu7EUcHjVUkE4EH8ErwfO5amfi5pwbeAqPFpoMnVIXAGaTte6AguUpEFmdRc94x5SuLRYgnlyZufdbBsmvw5zk/s320/n1434720655_30255255_1704.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I tell the truth that faith is work and often
yields no immediate reward, will the words resonate in a life giving way? Will
the authenticity of my faith take root and grow in someone else’s life? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am living a broken and imperfect life and faith in
the midst of world that is dying for authenticity. If you think you are too
broken to be fixed, you are not alone. Walk with me? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0E6jLDflMh7hTQQjUsEx0v0r4Rhy2pe3aK-6F5V45eOcLn5_CdoHFBK-nobXiUo3VXgNN8HVhbH3Xi9TKGXptoE3wl5VCNF2Gt7dIQJBBKIEK7b29oTsdUnmvvVKuzXcGCZT0WpS0ok/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0E6jLDflMh7hTQQjUsEx0v0r4Rhy2pe3aK-6F5V45eOcLn5_CdoHFBK-nobXiUo3VXgNN8HVhbH3Xi9TKGXptoE3wl5VCNF2Gt7dIQJBBKIEK7b29oTsdUnmvvVKuzXcGCZT0WpS0ok/s320/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy B. Creasy - 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012:%201-2&version=MSG">Romans 12:1-2</a> (The Message)</i></b><br />
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary
life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it
before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing
you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit
into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be
changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and
quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down
to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops
well-formed maturity in you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-49400363763846268172013-05-29T14:30:00.001-07:002013-05-29T14:37:00.878-07:00 I Could Do This All Night (Guest Post - Beth Pensinger)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">My dog Daisy has
a stubborn streak. You can see it in the defiant lift of her head.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHFTq3GHpfJHl4hfGjDXcVYWWjz9DRLZgN0gTXmv8ctZUQ5d8nSoLQ0nsVJVGdvc771fjfud_jkD_hEpou9BPUwF502xlgbwoXNnb7nXzWPfIzuUIjhdZY90AnbvA3S-R0QER1wVfUHs/s1600/941736_10201247166847762_982487784_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHFTq3GHpfJHl4hfGjDXcVYWWjz9DRLZgN0gTXmv8ctZUQ5d8nSoLQ0nsVJVGdvc771fjfud_jkD_hEpou9BPUwF502xlgbwoXNnb7nXzWPfIzuUIjhdZY90AnbvA3S-R0QER1wVfUHs/s320/941736_10201247166847762_982487784_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Credit - B. Pensinger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Within the
confines of our backyard fence, I am boss. She is completely obedient. But when
we step out into the wide world, Daisy likes to tune me out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">There was a time
when I used to walk her around the neighborhood without a leash. I’m not sure
what happened, but the hound in her mutt blood must’ve won out and she started
chasing anything with four legs and fur. Needless to say, she’s back under
leash arrest. This doesn’t make me happy. I like it when she’s obedient so she
can trot freely beside me, sniffing recycle bins and cat poop to her hearts
content.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9TwFXR0N9iXbM6qFCDNJ57AOc8KeCocU0sf5CxXoTtxOhmzkzz2wPsd1CNS0DCVleWL77bYkBaVoGxDtouZILOYklahgAlx4LzC5hxHkdHa1v6gW9ZqCTbOaXYDUO1A_GgUYA9oZwdg/s1600/378157_10201247155527479_217073569_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9TwFXR0N9iXbM6qFCDNJ57AOc8KeCocU0sf5CxXoTtxOhmzkzz2wPsd1CNS0DCVleWL77bYkBaVoGxDtouZILOYklahgAlx4LzC5hxHkdHa1v6gW9ZqCTbOaXYDUO1A_GgUYA9oZwdg/s320/378157_10201247155527479_217073569_n.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Credit - Beth Pensinger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">If she takes a
#2 while I have her on the leash, I make her sit before I bend down to clean it
up. Poo patrol is a nasty business made only worse by Daisy potentially
jeopardizing my already klutzy center of gravity. So the other night after she
took care of business, I told her to sit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Nothin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I tried to
imitate a man’s deep voice and barked the command a few more times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Nada. So I
grabbed her by the snout and forced her to lock eyes with mine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Sit.” I said
through clenched teeth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">The only
movement she made was to try to wrestle her face out of my iron grip. I was ahead
in the staring competition, but that was about it. Suddenly, I laughed. This
was a battle of wills, and I was <i>going </i>to
win.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh girl,” I
said. “I could do this <i>all </i>night.” Thankfully
not long after, she waved her white flag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">I was consumed
with the showdown for the remainder of our walk. I am often made aware of scary
parallels between me and my dog and me and God. Only I’m Daisy and God takes my
place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGnSbjUTdalFKuatbwjZaEAayBZakbNa3dzTVsgDne0cyAMIUOIS8AdKt37aCub91lR2-TGaZLcwu6aOWKChgFjeObibhBpmCCSoCTPZ-yGHolKXiNSyZWJ_O99Gcc2__40_ApZkHH94/s1600/945326_10201247159407576_119365269_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGnSbjUTdalFKuatbwjZaEAayBZakbNa3dzTVsgDne0cyAMIUOIS8AdKt37aCub91lR2-TGaZLcwu6aOWKChgFjeObibhBpmCCSoCTPZ-yGHolKXiNSyZWJ_O99Gcc2__40_ApZkHH94/s320/945326_10201247159407576_119365269_n.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Credit - Beth Pensinger</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">In this
particular parallel, I think God is happy when I’m obedient so I can trot
freely beside Him. He takes no pleasure in placing me under leash arrest. But
when I consistently tune Him out, what else can I expect? He knows if I chase
the cat, I’ll end up at a very busy and dangerous highway that’s not to be
trifled with.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">Yet I continue
to be stubborn once on the leash. He tells me to do something and I refuse. He
locks eyes with mine and we engage in a battle of wills. He repeats His command—hopefully
<i>not </i>through clenched teeth—and I look
away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“Oh daughter,”
He says. “I could do this <i>all </i>night.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">He’s so right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">“My son, do not
make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he
accepts as a son.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";"> -
Hebrews 12:5-6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif";">~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYiYufmp32H4tVaPDJk1VmlpIaf2whdV22KazHRxgh1rSQBqsGCTndbmC-DKU7Nkp69I9YkNfgjmA533vAqblA9YGB03tF2Qd9hsnlWRRRerXnncrL8lEsM0dnsyAR7CDeY2YZ3gRKMQ/s1600/968880_10201247161607631_352384728_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYiYufmp32H4tVaPDJk1VmlpIaf2whdV22KazHRxgh1rSQBqsGCTndbmC-DKU7Nkp69I9YkNfgjmA533vAqblA9YGB03tF2Qd9hsnlWRRRerXnncrL8lEsM0dnsyAR7CDeY2YZ3gRKMQ/s320/968880_10201247161607631_352384728_n.jpg" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Credit - Beth Pensinger</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">I am so thankful for Beth's friendship, inspiration, and encouragement since meeting her in </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">May of 2012 at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">It was my pleasure to help critique her newly published book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0989068404/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0989068404&linkCode=as2&tag=conofafracat-20"><b><i>Let Me Fall</i></b></a><i style="font-weight: bold;">. </i>She is certainly no dimwit. The story of her journey with God is an engrossing one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">She has a passion for young women who will identify with the struggles she unravels in this insightful offering. If you or someone you know loves a good Romance novel, this book is probably for you - and not for the reasons you think! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"> </span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><i>To visit her blog: <a href="http://bethpensinger.com/blog/">click here</a>.</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b><i></i></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b><i></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b><i>To find her on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BethPensinger">click here. </a></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;"><b>You'll find her on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/bethpensinger">by clicking here</a>.</b></span></div>
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Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-44070825349804625522013-05-26T20:25:00.000-07:002013-05-26T20:29:19.693-07:00What if Disaster Came to Visit? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I was going about my complicated life thinking
complicated thoughts when the <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiLVr-Dj8JAwiJ2NjVxVPDFdDh7CK2njSj5l26oYvBSrikdh_mmgS3xakiw6H4iR5wzsIVb1jB5Xl0bqDDVl8lxUh6b_CfMhrEuCmoKNPtNhDMaac7PkUb2SuZqD7mPqpmtUTnrTQ9yg/s1600/944369_10201215284965142_17374065_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiLVr-Dj8JAwiJ2NjVxVPDFdDh7CK2njSj5l26oYvBSrikdh_mmgS3xakiw6H4iR5wzsIVb1jB5Xl0bqDDVl8lxUh6b_CfMhrEuCmoKNPtNhDMaac7PkUb2SuZqD7mPqpmtUTnrTQ9yg/s320/944369_10201215284965142_17374065_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy D. Horrocks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Moore, Oklahoma tornado hit. In an instant, my
life seemed much less complicated. How about you?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I cannot wrap my head around recreating life from
rubble that looks like a box of spilled matchsticks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My community of bloggers and I began to wonder what we
could do and how. My friend, Tabitha, suggested a campaign to highlight the
work of Samaritan’s Purse which quickly moved into the area to assist in
recovery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Samaritan’s Purse is the parent organization for
Operation Christmas Child. Many of you have probably packed shoe boxes at
Christmas bound for children overseas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I enjoyed three wonderful
years working with OCC training volunteers who were preparing the boxes for
overseas shipping. Knowing the organization like I do, I quickly signed on for
the suggested campaign. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The news cycle is shifting. The recovery has only
begun. I wonder how quickly I'd feel forgotten after the satellite trucks move
on to the next big story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Today, my blogging community and I would like to invite you to reach out and touch Oklahoma from where ever you are. Every dollar contributed goes to the two organizations linked below. You choose your recipient organization. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Won't you share this post with everyone you know? </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.philenmultimedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Inspired-to-Help.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Inspired to Help" border="0" class="size-full wp-image-44 aligncenter" height="296" src="http://www.philenmultimedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Inspired-to-Help.jpg" width="482" /></a></div>
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The devastation in the United State's Midwest region breaks our hearts, and the Inspired Bloggers Network desires to use our influence and the power of our blogs to make a difference.
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<h2>
How Can We Help?</h2>
<strong>Volunteer</strong>
One of the charities we are choosing to feature, <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/oklahoma-tornado-response/?&utm_source=Inspired&utm_medium=referral#m_Y000-SOCM_SocialMedia" target="_blank">Samaritan's Purse</a>, is currently enlisting volunteers. So, if you are close to the areas affected, <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/oklahoma-tornado-response/?&utm_source=Inspired&utm_medium=referral#m_Y000-SOCM_SocialMedia" target="_blank">please visit the Samaritan's Purse website</a> to see how you can serve those in need. <a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/oklahoma-tornado-response/?&utm_source=Inspired&utm_medium=referral#m_Y000-SOCM_SocialMedia">(Click here to see an on the ground report.)</a><br />
<blockquote>
“Our prayers are with all of those who are suffering because of this massive storm. We are going to stand by them and do everything we can to help them recover physically, emotionally and spiritually.” - Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham</blockquote>
Volunteers are already in action and more help is needed. Please consider donating your time to Samaritan's Purse and if you are not available to serve physically, keep those who are working in your prayers.
<strong>Contribute</strong>
If you are Inspired to Help, please make a donation to either <strong><a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/oklahoma-tornado-response/?&utm_source=Inspired&utm_medium=referral#m_Y000-SOCM_SocialMedia" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Samaritan's Purse</a></strong> or the <strong><a href="https://www.redcross.org/donate/index.jsp?donateStep=2&itemId=prod10002" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">American Red Cross</a></strong> to support their relief efforts in Texas and Oklahoma and help us track our impact by marking the amount you donated in the form below. If you would like, you can let us know you joined our effort by commenting on one of our blogs listed below.
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<a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/oklahoma-tornado-response/?&utm_source=Inspired&utm_medium=referral#m_Y000-SOCM_SocialMedia" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="samaritans purse donation button" class="size-full wp-image-49" height="338" src="http://www.philenmultimedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/samaritans-purse-donation-button.jpg" width="250" /></a> <a href="https://www.redcross.org/donate/index.jsp?donateStep=2&itemId=prod10002" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img alt="american red cross donate button" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-47" height="339" src="http://www.philenmultimedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/american-red-cross-donate-button.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
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Message and data rates may apply.</div>
<center>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="500" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1LkLFHGgvxHVyzYsPuev_relS_KD2mlKtbUegR-qSFoQ/viewform?embedded=true" width="500"></iframe></center>
The following bloggers are all participating in the Inspired to Help campaign by posting a call to give on their blogs on Memorial Day... Monday, May 27th.
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.theencouraginghome.com" target="_blank">The Encouraging Home</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.milkandcookiesblog.com/" target="_blank">Milk and Cookies</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.becomingastrongwomanofgod.com" target="_blank">Becoming a Strong Woman of God</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.onfaithandcoffee.com/" target="_blank">Homeschooling...On Faith and Coffee</a></li>
<li><a href="http://simplifiedsaving.com/" target="_blank">Simplified Saving</a></li>
<li><a href="http://royallittlelambs.com/2013/05/27/things-are-temporary/" target="_blank">Royal Little Lambs</a></li>
<li><a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Confessions of a Fraidy Cat</a></li>
<li><a href="http://heelstokicks.com/" target="_blank">Heels to Kicks</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.vicki-arnold.com/" target="_blank">the Vicki Arnold blog</a></li>
<li><a href="http://learningtable.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Learning Table</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.wordtraveling.com/" target="_blank">WordTraveling</a></li>
<li><a href="http://thesetemporarytents.com/" target="_blank">These Temporary Tents</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mercyisnew.com/" target="_blank">His Mercy is New</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.besocialgetsuccess.com/" target="_blank">Be Social, Get Success</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.layeredsoul.com/" target="_blank">Layered Soul</a></li>
<li><a href="http://medinamom.com/" target="_blank">MedinaMom</a></li>
<li><a href="http://jenniferajanes.com/" target="_blank">Jennifer A. Janes</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.freehomeschooldeals.com/" target="_blank">Free Homeschool Deals</a></li>
<li><a href="http://penniesoftime.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pennies of Time: Teach Children to Serve</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.whereheleads-wefollow.com/" target="_blank">Where He Leads, We Follo</a></li>
<li><a href="http://nextgenhomeschool.com/" target="_blank">NextGen Homeschool</a></li>
<li><a href="http://ourhomeschoolstudio.com/" target="_blank">Our Homeschool Studio</a></li>
<li><a href="http://practicalsavings.net/" target="_blank">Practical Savings</a></li>
<li><a href="http://cherylpitt.com/" target="_blank">CherylPitt.com</a></li>
<li><a href="http://mommyevangelism.org/" target="_blank">Mommy Evangelism</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.teachingwithcents.com/" target="_blank">Teaching with Cents</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.onlinecouponworkshop.com/" target="_blank">Online Coupon Workshop</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.meetpenny.com/" target="_blank">Meet Penny</a></li>
</ul>
Please visit one or all of these blogs for their personal thoughts on the Inspired to Help campaign.
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<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
What is the Inspired Bloggers Network?</h2>
The Inspired Bloggers Network is a group of over 250 women bloggers of various niches, backgrounds, and experiences but all are united as they seek to support and encourage one another while growing their blogs in order to impact the world in a positive way.
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<h2>
</h2>
<h2>
How to join the InspiredBN</h2>
To join the Inspired Bloggers Network, you must be 1) female and 2) a blogger. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/inspiredbloggersnetwork/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ask to join our Facebook group HERE</a>.
For questions or media inquiries,<a href="mailto:TabithaPhilen@gmail.com" target="_blank" title="Contact"> please contact Tabitha</a>.</div>
Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-91255189317368758612013-05-09T23:30:00.000-07:002013-05-09T23:30:07.910-07:00Homeschool Conferences: What's in it for You? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfLHu8TYEXJ-2bRF3eeJVrBbBTGwqWYqPQV0Ez8EEKHdc_XP5sCw9np2RZxNorfC9GWHbsuy7FPMsa41B1iOqBv-qG18vqsvkSIo3kGY4gTyTWTB_pADn3dToY7OsokQJ20mliKT-3aA/s1600/577657_10151654838099783_566646054_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCfLHu8TYEXJ-2bRF3eeJVrBbBTGwqWYqPQV0Ez8EEKHdc_XP5sCw9np2RZxNorfC9GWHbsuy7FPMsa41B1iOqBv-qG18vqsvkSIo3kGY4gTyTWTB_pADn3dToY7OsokQJ20mliKT-3aA/s320/577657_10151654838099783_566646054_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Are you are pumped over the early arrival of next year’s
curriculum? Maybe you are wondering if you’ll finish this year’s work in time
to start again next fall. <br />
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Homeschool conventions are an invaluable resource for both the confident and
struggling homeschool family. The return on investment of time, energy, and
cost to attend a conference is exponential. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wondering what a conference has to offer?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1) <u>Conventions are like huge family reunions.</u> Whether
your family is large with lots of littles or small with only a couple of teens,
you will know you’ve found your tribe. Everyone gets you. There is nothing to
explain. It’s fun to catch up with old friends and to make new ones. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">2) <u>Vendor halls provide direct communication with
curriculum experts. </u>There’s nothing like a face-to-face conversation with curriculum
providers while you peruse their products. You’ll have the chance to talk to
other families who’ve used what you’re salivating over. Between the two, you
will feel empowered to make better curriculum decisions for the year ahead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">3) <u>Workshops offer a variety of topics meaning you
will be encouraged and reassured in a variety of ways.</u> Conferences release
schedules ahead of time. Take the time to look them over, and define the types
of workshops offered. Map out a preliminary plan of the ones that seem to
resonate with you. Be flexible as sessions sometimes fill up, or speaker line
ups change at the last minute. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">4) <u>Sessions topics vary widely but typically include
information about the following subjects:</u> v</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">endor product lines, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">parenting/marriage enrichment, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">special needs concerns, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">practical ‘how to’ ideas, e</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">ntrepreneurial opportunities, bu</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">dgeting/financial support, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">time management, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">transcript prep, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">College Board testing, and t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">racks specifically for teens and
children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In addition to mapping out your session interest list,
there are other things you can do to prepare for a successful conference.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1) <u>Expect to be overwhelmed if it is your first conference.</u>
Plan crockpot or make ahead casserole
meals for your return home. Make two days before and after the
conference teacher work days. Use the ones before to get your
house in order. Use the ones after to rest up, refocus,
regroup and, of course, do laundry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">2) </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Invite a few friends to go along.</u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> We always
feel less</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">overwhelmed if we know there will be
a friendly face in the</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">crowd.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">3) </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Check the website for food/snack policies and
providers before</u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">you go.</u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> Some conferences
are more flexible than others about</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">bringing outside food in to the venue.
Knowing the policies and</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">vendors represented, you can make a plan that
works for your</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">4) </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Check the website vendor list and research
curriculum you</u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">want to see when you arrive.</u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
Have your list of questions ready</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">because reps will be eager to answer them. </span></div>
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5) <u>Don’t be shy. Speak to strangers.</u> The mom next to you at the vendor booth may have the
information you need. The mom seated next to you may live in
your community and have children the same ages as yours. Can
you say, “Park day!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">6) </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s o.k. to take a breather when information
overload hits.</u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Most conferences record sessions and
offer copies for a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">minimal fee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">7) <u>If you travel, plan your packing to include room
for purchases</u> <u>made while at the convention.</u> Plan your budget before you arrive lest you get carried away and
overspend. After all, homeschoolers never meet a book they
didn’t love, right? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">8) </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Expect to return home energized and equipped for
new</u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">challenges ahead.</u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> Don’t
forget to share your new found </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">enthusiasm with friends who didn’t
get to attend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">9) <u>Consult your state’s homeschool organization for
a list of</u> <u>conferences in your area.</u>
Most states have multiple listings of local and state wide conferences
and book sales, and many will take place in the next couple of
months. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you are looking for a great regional conference,
consider Teach <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYRO3rLKVHIQGiHVvmOG4RBgzSi66fXrljo7BB71848n9UDPFOCnkXHZwy65iwiWIXPyKZgwrbwbeUmoWBIGPfQYshlwEa1n2o0OAqxSgvtaWUli6XXl2lPp09nunYiASu92VG8v930s/s1600/472326_10200106870977078_864671826_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOYRO3rLKVHIQGiHVvmOG4RBgzSi66fXrljo7BB71848n9UDPFOCnkXHZwy65iwiWIXPyKZgwrbwbeUmoWBIGPfQYshlwEa1n2o0OAqxSgvtaWUli6XXl2lPp09nunYiASu92VG8v930s/s320/472326_10200106870977078_864671826_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kathysclutteredmind.com/">Source: Kathy Ulrich Balman</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Them Diligently. In addition to conferences in Nashville and
Omaha, TTD is hosting a variety of upcoming ‘marketplace’ place events. There
is sure to be one near you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">To check out TTD’s upcoming
conferences, click the link below. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://teachthemdiligently.net/" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Teach Them Diligently homepage</a></div>
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">To check out the TTD market place events, click the following link:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://teachthemdiligentlymarketplace.com/" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Teach Them Diligently Marketplace Events</a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">To find TTD on Facebook, click here:</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/teachthemdiligently?fref=ts" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Teach Them Diligently Facebook page</a></div>
</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></div>
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Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-27669763279856529952013-03-26T20:27:00.001-07:002013-03-26T20:27:39.536-07:00Monday Meet Up for the Desperate who Need to Breathe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am desperate and cannot breathe. I am not alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2nrel19wdoja4sXuUyRxMonGjNnKHYSbqM0Zdb47pl4Q08aejjp8AeBKTBXvkSOKJXWaWaxdtGWikwuY2ROvyqv3MggeBleCxccaCFlVd-GiYwblPwEFSC0jbmCnaN6KBTECc1gGzug/s1600/cat2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2nrel19wdoja4sXuUyRxMonGjNnKHYSbqM0Zdb47pl4Q08aejjp8AeBKTBXvkSOKJXWaWaxdtGWikwuY2ROvyqv3MggeBleCxccaCFlVd-GiYwblPwEFSC0jbmCnaN6KBTECc1gGzug/s400/cat2b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Perhaps you have many little feet pattering around your
home while taking care of an aging grandfather in end stage Alzheimer’s.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Did your child walk in, drop a bombshell, and blow the ground out from under you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Has a family court judge stared down at you and
declared your husband free to choose sinful selfishness over you today? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Have you made the harder choices in life believing one
day the tipping point would come? It has come and tipped you into the depths of
an abyss you could never imagine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Maybe you have cancer, and your employer said you no
longer have a job. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The depth of human misery represented in my community
of friends alone is staggering. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzb7eXaH4p1amn4FQBSm1l2-VyLb0sKKIxmCaT5GyVze_YJDoeVpoPavzwcRHL9KSI4c01mDayYFCJS2-dhHxqENZwGeZY0nORnl6oVUxaOwYJXQMtvonbx90s0RDFzL5mg9Qs8Mg0zzE/s1600/cat.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzb7eXaH4p1amn4FQBSm1l2-VyLb0sKKIxmCaT5GyVze_YJDoeVpoPavzwcRHL9KSI4c01mDayYFCJS2-dhHxqENZwGeZY0nORnl6oVUxaOwYJXQMtvonbx90s0RDFzL5mg9Qs8Mg0zzE/s400/cat.jpe" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Is chaos crouching at the door? Are you weary? Can you
breathe?</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do you hear the voice of the accuser echoing in your
heart? He’s good. He’s had time to refine his act. He’s been practicing his
craft since he and creation’s Eve sized up that infamous, history changing tree
together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He whispers just loud enough that you must strain to
hear him, but that’s part of his plan too. He’s reeling you in, closer. He
mocks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Who
do you think you are? What right do you have to call yourself a person of faith?
Look at your life. That dude on television said you could have your best life
now. Is this your best? Really? Faker! <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He stalks off leaving you to lick your wounds knowing
if he can defeat you now, his job just got easier. He knows we live in a world
filled with desperate folks who cannot breathe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He looks over his shoulder snickering as he departs. If
he shuts you up, how many will remain oxygen deprived? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarXxoQLCGUTZJzXaGi8baWidYwMJeNItXcBeN0Jr8cNAnntxP4V-Bs1cJ5nKQI5cJgqGZuvLx15BqcAjP_JiY07enlEO8tU2qX2Rw8hueEvrgIw5XSp7yWNlgASReaN73M9YmVUnBE1M/s1600/902387_10200963242790018_1340066574_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiarXxoQLCGUTZJzXaGi8baWidYwMJeNItXcBeN0Jr8cNAnntxP4V-Bs1cJ5nKQI5cJgqGZuvLx15BqcAjP_JiY07enlEO8tU2qX2Rw8hueEvrgIw5XSp7yWNlgASReaN73M9YmVUnBE1M/s320/902387_10200963242790018_1340066574_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He uses your faith against you because that is your
tender spot. He tells you only perfect faith, all spiffed up and television shiny,
is the real deal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Your faith is messy. Your life is messier. You are no
match for him. Sit down. Be quiet. Hide. Under your blanket. It’ll be better
that way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The icy wind whipping down off the snowy mountain was
no match for the icy wind blowing over my soul today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I reached out from under my soul-hiding blanket to
answer a text. Not long after, the phone rang. “Are you really o.k.? You aren’t,
are you?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One messy soul-faith sister reached out to another. A
hint of air seeped into my lungs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8mqedn2JS1akiC4IR__7wPWWtLMCgdD4rx9YE9gF5XThdqwcWPitlxac4tyuwexn3IQRDCsxZFcrg49QiNLoiHoSbd2vHMKxhpxgh2SVyb_PSLOlUWPDrKb6vN_-XxhfiVYDikHiFQw/s1600/39860_1564232472457_1434720655_31523276_4429570_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif8mqedn2JS1akiC4IR__7wPWWtLMCgdD4rx9YE9gF5XThdqwcWPitlxac4tyuwexn3IQRDCsxZFcrg49QiNLoiHoSbd2vHMKxhpxgh2SVyb_PSLOlUWPDrKb6vN_-XxhfiVYDikHiFQw/s320/39860_1564232472457_1434720655_31523276_4429570_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Strengthened by the call, I started to pay it forward. Before
I could hit send, an incoming text popped up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Just checking in. I love you, and I am praying.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Weird,” I answer back. “I was just texting you to ask
about you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“God,” she says. No further explanation needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Emboldened, I text a friend I met a year ago. I did not
expect to be forever friends. I never knew I would need her the way I did today
– as desperately as I did today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She lives on the other side of the continent. In this
flat world, she is instantly available. “Pray?”
I pour out my heart in 140 character bursts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Before I can blink, her answer pours out of my text
screen into my heart:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rxFMiSNFgONk_l29-f6jT-LLUHeKZFCrPs1PopfTtY37xxgKnCJyICshsu7oApHeUrFAD4IBO49zQ8FWdAFEPwwDyADJzyCRiIyzZxwLhoI_E697vUUIWObhlXwITvB5bpZRDGLoECw/s1600/133933_1797948075201_1434720655_32033110_3670025_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rxFMiSNFgONk_l29-f6jT-LLUHeKZFCrPs1PopfTtY37xxgKnCJyICshsu7oApHeUrFAD4IBO49zQ8FWdAFEPwwDyADJzyCRiIyzZxwLhoI_E697vUUIWObhlXwITvB5bpZRDGLoECw/s320/133933_1797948075201_1434720655_32033110_3670025_o.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You
have not failed your God. Listen to the Lover of your soul. He’ll whisper
truth. He is at work in your life and in the life of your family. The truth:
when God sees you, he sees Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Big ugly gasping breaths fill my lungs as tears pour
down my cheeks. I can breathe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I do not know who you are nor the cause and depth of the
pain you bear. I do know that hiding under a blanket of protection only serves to suffocate you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It takes a while before you notice, but without warning
there is no air. In those desperately, lonely moments when we cannot breathe,
friends are God’s gift of CPR. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our society makes it difficult to cultivate friends. I’ve
said so often, the more interconnected we are, the less connected we are. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you are looking for air, please consider joining the
in(RL) community for a celebration of relationships on April 26<sup>th</sup>
and <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJTP8xOjQWR8vtwMime5T1wo3y5Dpjis0KHfm2HZpIeuS8YqUXXK_2PR7AWMpGCZKci180aMu5ik787Zw4YgM7EEfQ4vqoMb-RRG6120we8ZgBJGVxBVBsISbP7DD0b3um7yiHAjhP3E/s1600/n680939782_2035020_2517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJTP8xOjQWR8vtwMime5T1wo3y5Dpjis0KHfm2HZpIeuS8YqUXXK_2PR7AWMpGCZKci180aMu5ik787Zw4YgM7EEfQ4vqoMb-RRG6120we8ZgBJGVxBVBsISbP7DD0b3um7yiHAjhP3E/s320/n680939782_2035020_2517.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Join us? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
27<sup>th</sup>. Almost 500 groups are registered in 437 cities across the globe.
So far, over 1,000 women are planning to participate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Won’t you be the next one to join us? You never know
when you may need a friend to help you breathe.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />To see the trailer and register, c</span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><a href="http://www.incourage.me/inrl">lick here</a></i></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you are gasping for breath, <i>Desperate,
Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe</i> is chock full of wisdom and advice.
To learn more: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400204666/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1400204666&linkCode=as2&tag=conofafracat-20"><b><i>click here</i></b></a>. </span></div>
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Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-85856800891646387422013-03-23T23:17:00.000-07:002013-03-23T23:17:24.530-07:00The Co-ed in the Corner - a Story of Messy Faith<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwJxSLntJvtmxiuLaoBsWmp0RbNDeqXeh4AZNZSnHkSDIRCavApEXbwxSYwVK_ipCBEO_2pv3ZxV3YQib4V5-pAN71bC2herbJulGS1eJ5m9PcgjX55Cn41ElXif91yw1q3hOZuXzV4A/s1600/beach.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwJxSLntJvtmxiuLaoBsWmp0RbNDeqXeh4AZNZSnHkSDIRCavApEXbwxSYwVK_ipCBEO_2pv3ZxV3YQib4V5-pAN71bC2herbJulGS1eJ5m9PcgjX55Cn41ElXif91yw1q3hOZuXzV4A/s320/beach.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picturesque implication of a stress free life . . . . </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t let slicked up televangelists in designer clothes
fool you when they tell you how easy faith is. Not everyone who embraces faith
will live on Easy Street. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Some of us – we live in the trenches on the battlefield
of faith. We live there every day. Trench warfare faith means putting one foot
in front of the other and just doing the next thing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It means clinging to faith when clinging no longer
makes sense. We cling when clinging hurts and costs us something. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV3Ie1pwyGegpAXgzoIrIqGtCOKa7UTEGoyEaAc6x7F8JGXvpZg6VuxwWeCVhiWKYHEaeoFjd-uaV37WlgUJoZug4GcogzfwNkEI9ifgcEobGWByX2XqXYt7Xii4dpnokKNCqEa6WCjo/s1600/pecos.jpeg+073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirV3Ie1pwyGegpAXgzoIrIqGtCOKa7UTEGoyEaAc6x7F8JGXvpZg6VuxwWeCVhiWKYHEaeoFjd-uaV37WlgUJoZug4GcogzfwNkEI9ifgcEobGWByX2XqXYt7Xii4dpnokKNCqEa6WCjo/s320/pecos.jpeg+073.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When was the last time you ran and where? </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve been in those trenches. In fact, if I could have
run away today, I would have run all the way to New Mexico before I stopped
running. It’s been that kinda week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Today, I ran as far as I could which was all the way to
the local deli. I had plans to batten down the hatches, lick my wounds, and
ignore the world while I buried myself in words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Life has been too untamed to corral this last month.
So, words were overdue and ready to spill out of me onto my keyboard. I
determined to ignore the world until I exhausted my cathartic words. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Little snatches of conversation floated onto my auditory
radar screen but vanished into nothingness until I heard her voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WmRQVNFkk1GKYVDEzsyKT2pH-e6PMeHDRY1eUndhfm0N8xZHbK8k-mGj_LilU_dOORy0OQrMYojdUYY6IImgCIUeXF-Clpv3U24sFHw5srEhNhV6nS_ekFPw4aV_XQxmQKdAJDmrnQk/s1600/341420_10150284063727933_690982932_7865741_1190167_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WmRQVNFkk1GKYVDEzsyKT2pH-e6PMeHDRY1eUndhfm0N8xZHbK8k-mGj_LilU_dOORy0OQrMYojdUYY6IImgCIUeXF-Clpv3U24sFHw5srEhNhV6nS_ekFPw4aV_XQxmQKdAJDmrnQk/s320/341420_10150284063727933_690982932_7865741_1190167_o.jpg" width="320" /></a>.</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of/in loving memory of Christina Jones Hooker - on her birthday</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I hate it here. All I’ve done is stare at the walls today.
I’m so bored.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I looked up thinking she must be a local college
student stuck on campus for spring break until she mentioned her Sergeant. Then,
I listened closer even as I tried not to be an old stalker lady – the kind who
talks to herself and collects bony cats. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I busied myself with my own business again until I realized
her phone call was over. Our eyes met when I looked up at her. <br />
<br />
“May I intrude and ask you a question?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoHcsJdYndZI0U2aPn7LfHBkNTIZVLeNzQtpacoy173rta-hDB0rHcC7N3PBbcdHhIaXEon7oBvRkm8KUSTv3QUo5snoli_VwQIsqlq7pYUPbHb95cHkj5uGXaMSWMinGkCrHBlzxBP8/s1600/n1434720655_30239087_6047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoHcsJdYndZI0U2aPn7LfHBkNTIZVLeNzQtpacoy173rta-hDB0rHcC7N3PBbcdHhIaXEon7oBvRkm8KUSTv3QUo5snoli_VwQIsqlq7pYUPbHb95cHkj5uGXaMSWMinGkCrHBlzxBP8/s320/n1434720655_30239087_6047.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A shy smile didn’t cover the hesitation in her eyes. “Yes?”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are you in the military?” I asked even though I suspected
she was fulfilling her two week National Guard assignment. She confirmed my assumption.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I could have never guessed she was a veteran of four
years and has already served in Afghanistan. She was young enough to be my
daughter. No older than my son, I was sure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My heart broke with an ache I cannot describe. Conversation
began to flow as I told her how much I appreciated her courage and thanked her
for her sacrificial service. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In bits and snatches she told me about her plans and
dreams. Those are changing as the military endures funding cuts. Disappointment
shadowed her features. Life is not fair. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We talked about her once-a-month commute of
one-thousand miles. A transfer to a unit in her home state can’t come soon
enough. Maybe then she can have the surgery to correct an injury she received
in theater? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUPbf6nHgI7-pDu1bfjdZcVLEcVVoE8oV9hSoBAm_1mOqBUaJVBw2YtRU1cW8AIBG5Y00Da8BK2OpN00asln_uCxySaCf1pxcBBEFpSJIF-J4KLpBxGTi1nZ-yDjTVspJ6DS0iaxAyhQ/s1600/216284_1991500553892_1434720655_32332468_2762192_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUPbf6nHgI7-pDu1bfjdZcVLEcVVoE8oV9hSoBAm_1mOqBUaJVBw2YtRU1cW8AIBG5Y00Da8BK2OpN00asln_uCxySaCf1pxcBBEFpSJIF-J4KLpBxGTi1nZ-yDjTVspJ6DS0iaxAyhQ/s320/216284_1991500553892_1434720655_32332468_2762192_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I hesitate and slowly stutter out the words, “Are you a
person of faith?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She nods, “Somewhat. I believe everything happens for a
reason, and people are put in your life for a reason.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tears begin to glisten at the corners of her eyes as
she shrugs unsure of where to go from there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I think of all the folks bustling by as she sat huddled
in the corner. To them, she had been just another co-ed killing time on a rainy
Saturday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I think of my plans to run away from life for just a
few hours. All the time, what I was really doing was running to.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RvxkoDl-svf8f7sc2G-MyFOBDZ5-MfI0aNAH03PRo19_XCjiIt2nqxadcImpgSGQ-IPLdYCtEwg6unnBPRmyIbMwBp_1AbhO_rxYJNnEwo7ZoLhmojG_Kwq45Lmb4kQj7I1aIfloOI4/s1600/n1434720655_30301141_4298119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RvxkoDl-svf8f7sc2G-MyFOBDZ5-MfI0aNAH03PRo19_XCjiIt2nqxadcImpgSGQ-IPLdYCtEwg6unnBPRmyIbMwBp_1AbhO_rxYJNnEwo7ZoLhmojG_Kwq45Lmb4kQj7I1aIfloOI4/s320/n1434720655_30301141_4298119.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“A man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” The
words of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2016:9&version=AMP"><b><i>Proverbs 16:9</i></b></a> echoed in my ears nearly drowning out her voice. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
day had not really been about running away and writing at all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Before I was ready, I knew life was moving her along to
other places and people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“How,” I asked, “may I pray for you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She hesitated. I could see tears begin to glisten
again. Was there something she was afraid to say? Did my request hit too close
to home? Had I intruded too far and become the stalker I had feared I might
seem?<br />
<br />
The answer slipped from her lips along with a request of her own. “Could I . .
. could I hug you?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I stood and met her
halfway. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I tried not to cling like a mother sending her child
off to war, but boy was it hard. I whispered a promise that my prayers would
follow her, and I asked her to stay in touch.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lXcFaMGZ05FaqM15fMAzXXvbCO5w3CP24xluZuxvRYO2k8BmUsyKlkIliXkVwohQ4n-0syp-4AFmw0bLSCQK0nfnmAfPBn7I2kFQAK99_AUfKLz2xWiw3gwqOMh51bQWftRQfjpgB4o/s1600/coed.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lXcFaMGZ05FaqM15fMAzXXvbCO5w3CP24xluZuxvRYO2k8BmUsyKlkIliXkVwohQ4n-0syp-4AFmw0bLSCQK0nfnmAfPBn7I2kFQAK99_AUfKLz2xWiw3gwqOMh51bQWftRQfjpgB4o/s320/coed.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As she turned to pack away her things and head off to
meet some friends, she turned back to me. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m so glad I met you. I’m really so glad.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then, mine were the tears that glistened. In a few
seconds, she was gone. I might have wondered if she had ever really been there but
for her email address recorded safely on my phone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Despite my messy life and messy faith, God let me run
away for just a little while because I was really running to the appointment he
had ordained when he threw the stars in space. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And tonight, I have breathed a prayer just as I
promised. Trench faith is amazing faith. Don’t be afraid to embrace it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrGfOzoG0iXQaajGE3I5aAEqzGA4GSlcO8a51ZbK1FBRrearIWQpF131xNhie_Q8NX5mmZlIAeFzVAkt3RQgnMNG24qYauRzG3Wov18Wt31uu7wdeYVzODqHOazDMqSm7E9DFCoVSlyg/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrGfOzoG0iXQaajGE3I5aAEqzGA4GSlcO8a51ZbK1FBRrearIWQpF131xNhie_Q8NX5mmZlIAeFzVAkt3RQgnMNG24qYauRzG3Wov18Wt31uu7wdeYVzODqHOazDMqSm7E9DFCoVSlyg/s200/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy B. Creasy - 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13%3A1-2%2CHebrews+13%3A1-4&version=NKJV"><b><i>Hebrews 13:1-2 (NKJV)</i></b></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so
doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://bible.cc/ephesians/2-10.htm"><b><i>Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)</i></b></a><br />
For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can
do the good things he planned for us long ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-67416958770738787502013-03-12T20:23:00.000-07:002013-03-12T20:23:39.414-07:00Monday Meet Up - Wk. 6<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgriNzOlgmrFFnSXWFZBlq9fN8e-HEDXcYnZ75g4GQM5XewiQ8rlxiboD652T2K3QHA0Xc4mW59UD4ih-84iWgecwwZvOl6xMKJ468vjUs-OO4pVf8o-lxFVp2RO9AUep2PZ9ane6GwQ/s1600/101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDgriNzOlgmrFFnSXWFZBlq9fN8e-HEDXcYnZ75g4GQM5XewiQ8rlxiboD652T2K3QHA0Xc4mW59UD4ih-84iWgecwwZvOl6xMKJ468vjUs-OO4pVf8o-lxFVp2RO9AUep2PZ9ane6GwQ/s320/101.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Hah. You gonna keep that place as clean as she
did?” </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Her zinger hung in the air like stale, acrid cigarette smoke.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Within the question, my inquisitor hinted at her own guilt
over personal failure and begrudging admiration for the one in question.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was new, but I sized up the reputation of the previous
lady of the house right quick like. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She rose at four in the morning, ran three miles, and
did chores. She taught elementary school full-time, hauled twin boys to
after school sporting events, and was at all her high school coach husband’s
important events. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0djZS_h1xZiLDiwdyqIBYrP1WIXjSbaLJUlINqn-oCkUl5DAc6Z_iokg1-UR3w96IuThi6dZOsUYG8HYv8Bk1Seoj8NKenVhB8SxC0VyzHnS6pMVxZF7QNyYPSj2RyTGmE9IFG5_IgGA/s1600/b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0djZS_h1xZiLDiwdyqIBYrP1WIXjSbaLJUlINqn-oCkUl5DAc6Z_iokg1-UR3w96IuThi6dZOsUYG8HYv8Bk1Seoj8NKenVhB8SxC0VyzHnS6pMVxZF7QNyYPSj2RyTGmE9IFG5_IgGA/s200/b.JPG" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I met her twice – both times early on Saturday
mornings. She had on big yellow work gloves and apologized for things not being
spic and span. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I had last seen her version of ‘messy’ the week before
my two-year-old was born when I was cleaning out furniture crevices with a damp
Q-tip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Taking a deep breath before replying, I tried not to
sound as challenged as I felt by the question or the new neighbor posing it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg930b4EBMlu1bRKANJr0oVT-m7oM1aiYJ8pCHW_BRLespxhC5p9gskUz_hjDkOFBRv1e5TY-hpwcp2brpTYCWugg8J3xw9h30hKTTesUl7tl-izgQUqYdvNYrMpP9EkA5zaL248iZrtYo/s1600/c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg930b4EBMlu1bRKANJr0oVT-m7oM1aiYJ8pCHW_BRLespxhC5p9gskUz_hjDkOFBRv1e5TY-hpwcp2brpTYCWugg8J3xw9h30hKTTesUl7tl-izgQUqYdvNYrMpP9EkA5zaL248iZrtYo/s320/c.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1999</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“We homeschool. That means we live in our house
twenty-four seven. It’ll never look like hers did now that it’s mine. I’ll have
a BH&G photo cover of a home again one day. I just hope I live long enough to
see it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In that moment, I felt as though the Stepford wives
outnumbered me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Most of my days consisted of dueling breathing
treatments for two boys. The doctor’s office installed a revolving door just
for us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If we weren’t battling asthma flares and respiratory infections,
I was trying to sort out the mysteries of sensory processing disorders,
dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and all the other complexities that colored our school
days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwRBcM7gQ1BT5egslDS8_y39GO6lxhdsiSdRj8mC0IKeDZ41UnGguVJvsZEZlsyhIz1Ako6ownxz_1hRZNd2QYPIFyt7REOvLrzA1xPBZ89Rffl63iUz4Q3qlV4j29Pss5eZKoDxFFFI/s1600/a.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqwRBcM7gQ1BT5egslDS8_y39GO6lxhdsiSdRj8mC0IKeDZ41UnGguVJvsZEZlsyhIz1Ako6ownxz_1hRZNd2QYPIFyt7REOvLrzA1xPBZ89Rffl63iUz4Q3qlV4j29Pss5eZKoDxFFFI/s320/a.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m not saying it was trench warfare or anything, but I
woke up more than one sunrise sitting straight up on the sofa, a schoolbook
open in my lap, and still wearing clothes from the day before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Almost fourteen years later, that question still hangs
in the air and turns my heart hazy blue with smoky self-doubt and regret.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I think of it every time another writer stirs the
social media pot with the mommy war spoon. I look at something you do better
than me and tell myself I’ll always be less than. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I see the <a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2013/02/monday-meet-up-weeks-3-and-4.html"><b><i>frazzled young mom at the doctor's office</i></b></a> or
the <a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2011/06/fear-and-loathing-at-grocery-store.html"><b><i>troubled teen in the grocery store parking lot</i></b></a>, and I think of that day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZR71lnlKEookxXJuSkAnDAB_XjvlmF-cOM7ML_dSQ2PGoVcbayrODjYpayiT-qab9aFYGFQlJ_1O1czYHQsIHKSbJ9mJvR39W1cnQ_Bxodv9vZkNHWeneQwnP-_N0-GGc_OQXvPoES0/s1600/h.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZR71lnlKEookxXJuSkAnDAB_XjvlmF-cOM7ML_dSQ2PGoVcbayrODjYpayiT-qab9aFYGFQlJ_1O1czYHQsIHKSbJ9mJvR39W1cnQ_Bxodv9vZkNHWeneQwnP-_N0-GGc_OQXvPoES0/s320/h.JPG" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1994</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">No matter what your heritage, this Facebook and
Pinterest laden world can leave you in a state of despair. Who can measure up
against those high bars? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What a comfort it has been to read <b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400204666/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1400204666&linkCode=as2&tag=conofafracat-20">Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe</a>.</i></b> The words resonate
with me because the tone is one of mentorship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sarah presents a problem while Sally reflects on the
times in her life when she struggled with similar issues and failures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Both offer insight into their journey through the
wilderness seasons of parenting. And, if
you are one, you know parenting is sometimes a wilderness!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How wonderful it was to turn the page to Chapter Six
and see them deal with the issues of lack of training and perfectionism. I realized that in any season of life, we can
all feel inept and inadequate for the task. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I found comfort, encouragement and a challenge this
week. Here is the challenge:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While
there is some validity to that excuse [I wasn’t trained], it has an expiration
date: the day you decide to make a change. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(p.70)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here is the comfort:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Your
relationship with your children and their ability to enjoy the comfort of your
home are gifts you can give your family by choosing to accept and appreciate the
limitations of a full and lively house. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(p. 71)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Those truths resonate no matter your life experience or
age. We can choose change at any age and begin to address our shortcomings. </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrp3K22CX4pFYH79N0vIw7pPqJvCQOCNrYqCo1u74_qAyUjYW7AsPiDCJ3mvCwl-ovSEcA_P9iD_jVs3qOnAegOU_OWccoBvPIAh_fanymzMpDnRY9Qe_KRrnzzfQoH-tI-izs9Ui69wo/s1600/211228_680939782_1091867_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrp3K22CX4pFYH79N0vIw7pPqJvCQOCNrYqCo1u74_qAyUjYW7AsPiDCJ3mvCwl-ovSEcA_P9iD_jVs3qOnAegOU_OWccoBvPIAh_fanymzMpDnRY9Qe_KRrnzzfQoH-tI-izs9Ui69wo/s320/211228_680939782_1091867_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2009</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Once
we decide to change, we can approach the journey in a way that fosters a spirit
of joy and companionship as we go. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you feel lost and alone and want a network of women
with whom you can experience mutual mentorship, please consider joining the
in(RL) event on April 26<sup>th</sup> and 27<sup>th</sup>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Watch the trailer and meet Sarah, Sally, and a few
other friends. I promise, if you watch it, you won’t be able to stay away! <br />
<br />
To view the trailer: <a href="http://www.incourage.me/inrl"><b><i>click here</i></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To purchase <i>Desperate</i>: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400204666/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1400204666&linkCode=as2&tag=conofafracat-20"><b><i> click here</i></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Click here to read: <a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2011/06/fear-and-loathing-at-grocery-store.html"><b><i>Fear and Loathing at the Grocery Store</i></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Click here to read: <b><i><a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2013/02/welcome-to-monday-meet-up.html">Monday Meet Up - Wk. 1</a></i></b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+4%3A16-18&version=MSG"><b><i>2 Corinthians 4: 16-18</i></b></a> (The Message)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqyGUHXDebhJ3xQcU-BlOlioOlQVbUjZMYY7ohOr3cz9weGrR7455FPBlkDyuYvdb3BeTjkSniLrkF1B1r1M3RPPZOGj7KKaxV0NwjULHCftH2__zatTogumZI7Y2nrzqE-OeLxkgLEU/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqyGUHXDebhJ3xQcU-BlOlioOlQVbUjZMYY7ohOr3cz9weGrR7455FPBlkDyuYvdb3BeTjkSniLrkF1B1r1M3RPPZOGj7KKaxV0NwjULHCftH2__zatTogumZI7Y2nrzqE-OeLxkgLEU/s320/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy B. Creasy - 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.</b></i></span></span></div>
</div>
Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-84480373353362815552013-03-07T13:15:00.001-08:002013-03-07T13:52:17.442-08:00The Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Mother<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR84XLsPwKDnOgcIm9ET6m_lSNMdbpLkDc6WnfAPOHgyIBKRtuS7jyGE5NHM4HpI7HyTRsvUV4e7FymxbX5uvepjOFl1Xrj3XTV3s7pGUUzh8oo75mV1mjgGexFV7lLHhTv5qkhTLZie8/s1600/willone.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR84XLsPwKDnOgcIm9ET6m_lSNMdbpLkDc6WnfAPOHgyIBKRtuS7jyGE5NHM4HpI7HyTRsvUV4e7FymxbX5uvepjOFl1Xrj3XTV3s7pGUUzh8oo75mV1mjgGexFV7lLHhTv5qkhTLZie8/s320/willone.jpeg" width="236" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We were the same height, but she left me feeling as
though she was staring down her nose at me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“Tsk. Not a thing wrong with that
boy. You worked at that hospital so long all you do is look for trouble. You
look till you find it. That’s what you do. He’s fine. He’s just a little boy.
That’s all.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My inner mother shriveled up, and second guessing
began. Surely my mom knew more than I did. Was she right? Did my background in
working with profoundly disturbed children lead me to imagine things that were
not there? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was used to other people looking at me with that,
“Nothing wrong with that kid but his mamma,” look. Hearing the same sentiment
erupt from my own mother’s mouth was more than I could take.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My blonde-headed stick of dynamite perplexed me as much
as he delighted me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8imof5ZrxH1kildSXlbS4pOBgeI-Pb8vtXTvNhgYqCVx-KjirZ0bl-SRbaOUvJW1RJxC5fASQto15ERjpk0d8TzW7OC6wWYf5LfWV472UC6bz__G4gHZd6XxcDnSMikLG3_wAHaFm60g/s1600/isaacbath.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8imof5ZrxH1kildSXlbS4pOBgeI-Pb8vtXTvNhgYqCVx-KjirZ0bl-SRbaOUvJW1RJxC5fASQto15ERjpk0d8TzW7OC6wWYf5LfWV472UC6bz__G4gHZd6XxcDnSMikLG3_wAHaFm60g/s320/isaacbath.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lazy, Hazy Perfect Parenthood Dreams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I envied moms that nursed in public as if it came
second nature. My hyper-alert baby couldn’t stay latched on for whipping around
to see what was going on near him. Imagine a hungry-cranky baby who can’t stay
latched on? I barely left the house for the eight months I nursed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They say sleep when the baby sleeps. If you’ve uttered
the phrase, you presumed the baby sleeps. What about a mom so frazzled by a
wakeful baby she can’t calm down to sleep before her barely napping napper
awakens? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My hazy, lazy dreams of motherhood evaporated the first
time I cranked the crib mobile. My six-week-old baby did not coo and wiggle in
delight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Memories of his blood curdling scream still raise the hairs on my
head twenty-two years later. The vigor of his startle response lifted him
completely off the sheets. That wasn’t how it was supposed to be, was it? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMdiRNojGb6rF7p3qsHoac8lCFoAt-wP6v1iKT3ntL19S87YjDB05UqxZP5IT6SX6XAbXT1DIG3S2rF9Ar3lleEo7tBHUs-ySegbs6Z133wXTV4h_nnyDRAVnB2kqX8TwX8AF0hwPxiY/s1600/l.BtWSMGgOugMReltK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMdiRNojGb6rF7p3qsHoac8lCFoAt-wP6v1iKT3ntL19S87YjDB05UqxZP5IT6SX6XAbXT1DIG3S2rF9Ar3lleEo7tBHUs-ySegbs6Z133wXTV4h_nnyDRAVnB2kqX8TwX8AF0hwPxiY/s320/l.BtWSMGgOugMReltK.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doting Grandparents</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By the time mom and I faced off, I had seen my own
frustration and puzzlement mirrored in the eyes of church nursery workers,
medical office staff, and pre-K teachers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Most often it seemed to be quiet frustration with me.
“If she’d just calm down, he’d be fine.” The eyes said it all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I enrolled him in a gymnastics class thinking he’d burn
off energy. I bounced into the gym invigorated from my little bit of breathing
space. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I came to an abrupt halt.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">There it was. The frazzled, harried coach (whose eyes
were gunning for me) was coming my way. “How can a three-year-old kid fail
gymnastics?” I wondered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8yAjYZHNRQ-9_3S1ptW8j2PZ-l_OCc0XjLHfGXGcLE1Oqa6U92jvkErNgaCFCtqVemtwT1Ifh-s6X9DE-Dj2AvREbwNeqFE1tbynrth0UuUd-uR7J_W2wGDQE15sqikDiEuef0e93LM/s1600/school.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN8yAjYZHNRQ-9_3S1ptW8j2PZ-l_OCc0XjLHfGXGcLE1Oqa6U92jvkErNgaCFCtqVemtwT1Ifh-s6X9DE-Dj2AvREbwNeqFE1tbynrth0UuUd-uR7J_W2wGDQE15sqikDiEuef0e93LM/s320/school.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treasures of Times Gone By</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Have you had him screened for ADHD?” she prefaced her
let-the-mom-down-easy speech as she began to tell me he might not be "right for
the program". <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My clinician’s investigatory mode kicked in even as the
mourning began. I stood mourning the realization that my beautiful,
inquisitive, bouncy preschooler was not really welcome in the class anymore. I
mourned the loss of that hour of freedom a week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I stood back and watched knowing it was my last chance
to observe and figure out what was happening. The class lined up to jump
into a pit off foam much like the ball pit at fast food play grounds. <br />
<br />
While the other kids ran up and flew into the air with abandon, my little fella
crept up to the edge. He stood watching as if the pit were full of poisonous
snakes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvTe0cGNmHAb_lwSqHGES2Qc_ircdrmFVgwgRHDxQh8IBNFCcgBB4_fSpP0dm3TLcAGOcHUzPgChzFnBjQOO5RVevKANqLFmA1hgXKIMNQiQN0cf9551t8lLks0CeZljCoymQfUCr3Gw/s1600/camerabag.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvTe0cGNmHAb_lwSqHGES2Qc_ircdrmFVgwgRHDxQh8IBNFCcgBB4_fSpP0dm3TLcAGOcHUzPgChzFnBjQOO5RVevKANqLFmA1hgXKIMNQiQN0cf9551t8lLks0CeZljCoymQfUCr3Gw/s320/camerabag.jpeg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Future Photographer in Training</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally, he sat down and ever so slowly edged into the foam
pit. I’m sure it only took a few minutes. At the time, it seemed like hours and
hours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rather than going over and applauding his bravery, the
teacher/coach gave him an impatient prompt to clear the area for the next kid
in line. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My little gymnastics failure no longer merited her curiosity
or attention. She had decided he was someone else’s problem: the doctor with
the medicine that would cure him of his disruptive presence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Not long after, he jumped into the car after his K-3
class. The teacher locked eyes with me, and I saw it again. The look: “Don’t
tell me I’m gonna be saddled with this kid all year . . . .” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">From his car seat, his little voice rang in my ears, “Today!
I bite somebody!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZiIm4r09nbBrt-Jj9Y60c0cZIpOjQAya33Nlq9zLBnq60p3Au7h8uCKgZsuwH0sRBnWFWzLn23PHmsXOoRMqlEglAhWef8wVQGOOaYItcFZsLxIc-dt-It-Q3FKYS_2JjwCvzi2z5Jw/s1600/n1434720655_30387331_7523795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZiIm4r09nbBrt-Jj9Y60c0cZIpOjQAya33Nlq9zLBnq60p3Au7h8uCKgZsuwH0sRBnWFWzLn23PHmsXOoRMqlEglAhWef8wVQGOOaYItcFZsLxIc-dt-It-Q3FKYS_2JjwCvzi2z5Jw/s320/n1434720655_30387331_7523795.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World Traveling Photographer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, my mother’s words mixed and mingled with all these
other words until my head was filled with a terrible dance of noise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What kind of horrible mother am I? I was such a good
teacher. Why am I such a failure as a mother?” I cried inside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
had no idea I was dealing with sensory processing issues, apraxia, dysgraphia,
and would eventually hear the words “Asperger’s Syndrome”. The years of discovery were long and lonely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, fraidy cat. I remember the pain, confusion, doubt,
d</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">espair as if it were yesterday and not nineteen years ago. </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbSQy9Lidh33ozOjVFVM42EbSFBJBnPWsz-8D6eMGAltso_wfWJxmUPtUT6h1rBrBehCs8aK6JScEC-c-0MUFtQXOQOtD4CQi4ncnW3ZKOdBTr3OinQE70QxlsEuD-QAYc0SQsORUHks/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbSQy9Lidh33ozOjVFVM42EbSFBJBnPWsz-8D6eMGAltso_wfWJxmUPtUT6h1rBrBehCs8aK6JScEC-c-0MUFtQXOQOtD4CQi4ncnW3ZKOdBTr3OinQE70QxlsEuD-QAYc0SQsORUHks/s320/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy B. Creasy - 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Are you there now?
Are you wondering if you will always be the shell-shocked shell of a mother you
feel you are right now? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
<br />
Walk with me a while? Let’s get through this wonderful, terrible, amazing,
scary thing called parenthood together? God
is still writing our story, but it seems the time has come to share the early
parts with you. See you soon? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://bible.cc/psalms/139-16.htm"><b><i>Psalm 139:16 (NLT)</i></b></a><br />
You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.<br /></span><br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Part 1 of this series: <a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-homeschooling-not-so-fairy-tale.html">A Homeschooling Not So Fairy Tale</a></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Part 2 of this series: <a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2013/03/hes-bright-but-confusing-sound-familiar.html">He's Bright But Confusing - Sound Familiar?</a></span></h3>
</div>
</div>
Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-75759761886467660592013-03-03T22:14:00.000-08:002013-03-03T22:14:27.072-08:00Monday Meet Up - Week 5<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUhKAVe_iVN3wtpWZ8erupcN7WUjjUa8qiBtfybnsBIrHQyvGYkn_6ToWaPgyNpOttV8-borSzXawkuFLTMiA93u6ym6j6Ck2Q2qUKHPk4tknrAdPyv8AvIISvgrIuXmGWRaayI75CEU/s1600/isaacbath2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUhKAVe_iVN3wtpWZ8erupcN7WUjjUa8qiBtfybnsBIrHQyvGYkn_6ToWaPgyNpOttV8-borSzXawkuFLTMiA93u6ym6j6Ck2Q2qUKHPk4tknrAdPyv8AvIISvgrIuXmGWRaayI75CEU/s320/isaacbath2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I never heard more shocking words. I was a nervous
first time mom about to give birth any day. My friend pulled me out of the
office fray. Her eyes were earnest, dark with intensity.</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
have to tell you something. There will come a moment in time, in the early
weeks of motherhood, when you will be exhausted almost beyond what you can
bear. You will find yourself wishing you could throw the baby against the wall.
You won’t, but the thought will cross your mind.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When
that fleeting moment comes, remember this conversation. Remember I told you every
new mother has feelings like yours. You are not shamefully abnormal. You are
just a new mother. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">People
are afraid to admit what I’m telling you for fear of what others will think. Thinking
about it is normal. Doing it is not. </span></i></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkW0ZYgqJzV-vJYIsaI0sP5u7UBMZhy1daTM-fhyr-Hdy5fUVyEdtiG334rl9tq29DBifUS3QyixL_Q1sV2mjUMdN5plFDKwY0mFTQIBNI_nL7_2_0m81Fiz9mE8cnVHxDOcV83bcSUo/s1600/381201_2735092571718_1089447804_33024023_1832133936_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkW0ZYgqJzV-vJYIsaI0sP5u7UBMZhy1daTM-fhyr-Hdy5fUVyEdtiG334rl9tq29DBifUS3QyixL_Q1sV2mjUMdN5plFDKwY0mFTQIBNI_nL7_2_0m81Fiz9mE8cnVHxDOcV83bcSUo/s320/381201_2735092571718_1089447804_33024023_1832133936_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy D. Scott</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I looked around to find out where I could go to get out
of this motherhood mess I had foolishly gotten myself into. Had I not known what
a wonderful mother this friend was, I would have thought she had gone a little
off her rocker. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Barely eight weeks later, I found myself sitting on the
top stair outside my son’s nursery. It would be years before I heard the term ‘sensory
processing disorder’, but I could tell you right then and there - the scream he
let out when I cranked his mobile for the first time was anything but normal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was sobbing and promising I’d never crank that
hateful mobile again when it hit me. I knew the desperation my friend warned me
about. I felt alone, confused, desperate, and exhausted beyond anything I could
have ever imagined. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How thankful I was my friend had assured me I was
normal. I took a deep breath and knew we’d make it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTk-iwEtGRSJ1kFYREXGiTrZ-YvTYybyvmDddSo_v60rDBK8WKnsCye8OR54hLbQBgJhR4WVXYZ1ELdikxj-pcXuSO_ErpUE0suB09-vuqoVTz5vqlVJVyHorfDU211viZY76IClcciTI/s1600/isaacnb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTk-iwEtGRSJ1kFYREXGiTrZ-YvTYybyvmDddSo_v60rDBK8WKnsCye8OR54hLbQBgJhR4WVXYZ1ELdikxj-pcXuSO_ErpUE0suB09-vuqoVTz5vqlVJVyHorfDU211viZY76IClcciTI/s320/isaacnb2.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter 5 of <b><i>Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to
Breathe</i></b> carried me back to those early, never ending days and nights of
motherhood. I often say God gave me two children spaced seven years apart
because none of us would have survived if I’d had lots of littles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson speak candidly about the often
ill-addressed reality of young motherhood: sleep deprivation and its twin
depression. </span></h3>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When
you are a mamma of littles, you are just tired and have to weather it. There is
no solution. . . (p. 56) you don’t notice you’ve been falling into the dark
until you wake up one morning and getting out of bed seems to be the most
difficult task of your day. (p.58)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sarah details the telltale signs of depression:
feelings of isolation, failure, decreased motivation, and apathy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNS_puNWy0daG5n2DaiDzqOkE2bpL2gp29obUVIrDBSQ5CFZZA98ngYiX5VdDk563KFP3Qv2tiNcMzV1nYGwUsoqMEfYOdRu4p3c142pmgaccWxaZDh9Tc97AyVe9Q6RcI6GEkhLjFDM/s1600/fenceboy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNS_puNWy0daG5n2DaiDzqOkE2bpL2gp29obUVIrDBSQ5CFZZA98ngYiX5VdDk563KFP3Qv2tiNcMzV1nYGwUsoqMEfYOdRu4p3c142pmgaccWxaZDh9Tc97AyVe9Q6RcI6GEkhLjFDM/s320/fenceboy.jpeg" width="220" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, hello! Young mothers are isolated. Success is
often measured by whether the day included a shower or not. Who can feel
energized when you are in a constant state of state of microburst sleep? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sarah was blessed to find a woman like Sally to guide her
through the days of young motherhood. I think of how different her life is from
the life of the young woman I met in the doctor’s office a few days ago. <br />
<br />
That young lady was overwhelmed and alone. You could see it in her eyes. There
was no one to turn to as Sarah could turn to Sally. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Our chance meeting left me desperate for older moms
like me to carry copies of this book around just in case we meet a mom in the
desperate mode. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While I am Sally’s age, I read her gentle guidelines for
Sarah and saw myself, even now, peeking back from in between each line:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">1.
Do you need sleep?<br />
2. Have you been reading your Bible?<br />
3. Do you feel alone?<br />
4. Have you been watching your health?<br />
5. How can you get help?<br />
6. What do you need to invest in the joy factor of life? <br />
(p. 61-62)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY75N6BzNz7xjPCADhP9I4U3EBMKrrCgrqvJ4KeBPHJAtlJGO7NRMSp1ej-ZZl5iMD4kZlhauLVX2HNTqDBRTiiV2W35KNgkSCnbkmYR-fzcIZ9yNzshxqTXgA1beAexYH1S0IdNbPrmE/s1600/341420_10150284063727933_690982932_7865741_1190167_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY75N6BzNz7xjPCADhP9I4U3EBMKrrCgrqvJ4KeBPHJAtlJGO7NRMSp1ej-ZZl5iMD4kZlhauLVX2HNTqDBRTiiV2W35KNgkSCnbkmYR-fzcIZ9yNzshxqTXgA1beAexYH1S0IdNbPrmE/s320/341420_10150284063727933_690982932_7865741_1190167_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy and in Loving Memory of Christina Jones Hooker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">No matter what stage of life we are navigating right
now, those are issues with which we all wrestle in this hurry-scurry world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">These realities increase my excitement regarding the in(RL)
community and events scheduled for April 26<sup>th</sup> and 27<sup>th</sup>. If
you are a young mom who feels desperate and alone or an older woman who has
wisdom to share, come be a part of this world-wide event? <br />
</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
Last year, some groups were as small as two and others were larger. To be
honest, I’m a little afraid of throwing a party only to find no one’s coming. See,
that’s the fraidy cat in me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nevertheless, God has burdened my heart to see older
and younger women connect. Women just like you and me. I hope you’ll join me
wherever you are. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwe_LS37bSp5Tf0xY9RRY9_Iz8kXhNjWt5QtbjWWWzdfMcoq7dRZ83zE3uFKFr6SRlZ_sxsudwYSGdmKQXXr4J1ERIHIIS7VqUBGRs0LwRCb1Ui7x7blDUmUmDzGloc-HL_uJ6gk_zPMw/s1600/279145_2274022856773_1434720655_32675759_788695_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwe_LS37bSp5Tf0xY9RRY9_Iz8kXhNjWt5QtbjWWWzdfMcoq7dRZ83zE3uFKFr6SRlZ_sxsudwYSGdmKQXXr4J1ERIHIIS7VqUBGRs0LwRCb1Ui7x7blDUmUmDzGloc-HL_uJ6gk_zPMw/s320/279145_2274022856773_1434720655_32675759_788695_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Grab a copy of Desperate, and reach out to an older or
younger woman. Sign up for in(RL), and let’s begin to build community right
where we are. You know if a fraidy cat can, you can! </span></h4>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<br /></h4>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">To see the trailer and register for in(RL): </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><a href="http://www.incourage.me/inrl">click here</a></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">To read the story of the desperate young mom in the doctor's office: <a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2013/02/monday-meet-up-weeks-3-and-4.html"><b><i>click here</i></b></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i></i></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i></i></b></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0E6jLDflMh7hTQQjUsEx0v0r4Rhy2pe3aK-6F5V45eOcLn5_CdoHFBK-nobXiUo3VXgNN8HVhbH3Xi9TKGXptoE3wl5VCNF2Gt7dIQJBBKIEK7b29oTsdUnmvvVKuzXcGCZT0WpS0ok/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0E6jLDflMh7hTQQjUsEx0v0r4Rhy2pe3aK-6F5V45eOcLn5_CdoHFBK-nobXiUo3VXgNN8HVhbH3Xi9TKGXptoE3wl5VCNF2Gt7dIQJBBKIEK7b29oTsdUnmvvVKuzXcGCZT0WpS0ok/s200/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Courtesy B. Creasy - 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To purchase a copy of Desperate, click the book link at the top right of this page.</span><br />
<b></b><br /><b></b>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><a href="http://bible.cc/psalms/27-5.htm">Psalm 27:5 (NASB)</a></i></b> For in the day of trouble, he will conceal me in his tabernacle; in the secret place of his tent, he will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.</h4>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-548558202150233862013-03-01T19:05:00.001-08:002013-03-01T20:02:40.629-08:00He’s Bright but Confusing – Sound familiar?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitN7obI9lDkE4ccxLsHRJJ-wANfXHZ8I-xrnqMk81DEfJh_5h6IE1HlkC9-qYi8_hebMKANWCjjDpBTmU-7SaXA80i61ad1v06xFyE2ewB3lzBZq6XPTXN_ak6wpq6tgai2DJ2Xw-XfQ/s1600/n1434720655_30239087_6047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitN7obI9lDkE4ccxLsHRJJ-wANfXHZ8I-xrnqMk81DEfJh_5h6IE1HlkC9-qYi8_hebMKANWCjjDpBTmU-7SaXA80i61ad1v06xFyE2ewB3lzBZq6XPTXN_ak6wpq6tgai2DJ2Xw-XfQ/s320/n1434720655_30239087_6047.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The library is abuzz. My childhood librarian is
probably spinning in her grave. Back in her heyday, if you breathed heavy, her
dagger filled look pinned you up next to the moose head above the library door
as a warning for other heavy breathers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Upon spying the pinned specimens, whisperers were known
to blanch and run back out the way they came. O.k. Not really, but you know
what I mean. My, how times have changed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Just behind me sits a young man and his tutor. The timbre
of his voice signals he’s only recently beyond the great divide and into the land
of razors and girlfriends. I don’t have to look at him to know what’s
happening. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His tutor’s first words said it all. “I’m so
disappointed in you,” was quickly followed by a muttered sermon about wasting
their time. I can tell he’s slouching under her disdain. </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The topic at hand is math as it relates to circles.
It’s just how every young man bursting with pubescent energy wants to spend his
Friday afternoon and early evening. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEi9TIHsR0rukwZRsfKnN5sml8h3OXbjMdKYm5TQLupingkTn0J1iOFxK10EtsvG_y16iCnfu1qUX9CdFwUZUM07RLnu5BhyphenhyphenfomyRgRoCyVRwOB52M6fvyGCeOcI4eOPa-TsN823ojwE4/s1600/snowclouds2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEi9TIHsR0rukwZRsfKnN5sml8h3OXbjMdKYm5TQLupingkTn0J1iOFxK10EtsvG_y16iCnfu1qUX9CdFwUZUM07RLnu5BhyphenhyphenfomyRgRoCyVRwOB52M6fvyGCeOcI4eOPa-TsN823ojwE4/s320/snowclouds2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I sigh deeply and fight my inner homeschooler. I want
to turn around and interfere. I want to rescue him. Thankfully, they find a bit
of common ground before I have to pack up and leave to keep from embarrassing
myself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I look out the window. The clouds contain, per the
weatherman, a forty percent chance of snow. Their voices lull me to once upon a
time, long ago and far away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A little boy, all decked out like a train engineer, was
toddling around the waiting room. I was thankful they had a lull because it
meant he could wander around without invoking the doctor’s-waiting-room-wrath-of-Kahn.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He was a wanderer, that one. If you tried to pen him
up, energy built up as if he was a living breathing static charge that had to
seek release. He made up for it with white blonde hair, blue eyes, and rosy
lips that melted onlookers when they parted to smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUX2gK45H5XTpvUjnPDDTvQkwDf4DDkdrPpAeK80hyphenhyphenNG6AI67ClSZMWSTn8r2McE5Uh0saaBJW0b6tjC2Z72nO_IzCMloNlNqOKksHsvtrswlDQa70vyCg_MXXMk4kchrQVKHvqxXzOM/s1600/babyengineer2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUX2gK45H5XTpvUjnPDDTvQkwDf4DDkdrPpAeK80hyphenhyphenNG6AI67ClSZMWSTn8r2McE5Uh0saaBJW0b6tjC2Z72nO_IzCMloNlNqOKksHsvtrswlDQa70vyCg_MXXMk4kchrQVKHvqxXzOM/s320/babyengineer2.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He toddled over to the other waiting room captive and
worked his magic. Not quite two, his language skills were emerging at a logic
defying pace. He grinned and began to talk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I smiled smugly to myself about all the days I read to
him in utero. Within hours of his birth, I was already reading chunky board
books to him. (Insert Barney Fife of Mayberry satisfied snort.) Yep, yep, yep.
Parent of the year. That was me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The lady looked over at me and smiled that smile I
secretly lusted for. It was a nonverbal signal meant to convey that, as a
parent, I simply rocked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He’s so smart! He’s gonna be his teachers’ favorite.” </span></h3>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My heart froze. “Really? Do you think? Thank you. I’m
not so sure. I think . . . “ my words trailed off as the nurse called her name
freeing her from our mutual waiting box. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUY5yBBwrfkknsFUx_epTmkeFuEFDXM5cDrLvRwcioHPSZWQjFMLlGPyDzBM9pt0sU7LrEOAt14te1IGfsuHL610eEm-eALH25XDoHUTvbapBdvUq0LK-SRcIiEiS1kAOHucz-RxhspQ/s1600/mrprez.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUY5yBBwrfkknsFUx_epTmkeFuEFDXM5cDrLvRwcioHPSZWQjFMLlGPyDzBM9pt0sU7LrEOAt14te1IGfsuHL610eEm-eALH25XDoHUTvbapBdvUq0LK-SRcIiEiS1kAOHucz-RxhspQ/s320/mrprez.jpeg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Not long after, I confessed my fears to my husband,
“He’s really smart and engaging. But, there’s something I can’t put my finger on.
I think . . . I think he is not going to be able to put down on paper what the
teacher wants the way she wants it. I think he is going to be the bane of her
existence. I’m afraid.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My little train engineer was not quite three when his
Sunday School teacher met me at the door of his class. She had inherited the
‘problem child’ from the nursery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He was the one whose cries for his mom only quieted
when they could distract him with car lights. Specifically, brake lights.
Meaning he was never distracted during daylight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He’s amazing!” Her exclamation melted the icy fear
that flash froze my heart every time I reached the nursery door. We’ve already
cleaned up, but you should have seen the creation he made with Tinker Toys. If
you don’t have them, you need to get him some. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JosLcRqp5B0VyEeaIUrZeZYcFlYAfionhKZZkOOxM0_KMEbnVwKl_S2hSysz5gqF3L1HSo9pxklvf0rGbi3WxT2LkP67BkMZo2a9de8SUQJUtX0kkrU-709-86HUpuQQb9cWL5TX7uc/s1600/momanme.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JosLcRqp5B0VyEeaIUrZeZYcFlYAfionhKZZkOOxM0_KMEbnVwKl_S2hSysz5gqF3L1HSo9pxklvf0rGbi3WxT2LkP67BkMZo2a9de8SUQJUtX0kkrU-709-86HUpuQQb9cWL5TX7uc/s320/momanme.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We chatted for another moment or two. She said enough
to tell me that she saw my conundrum. My son was amazing, articulate, and
intelligent. And yet, there was something . . . something confusing . . . going
on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He was above ninety percent in his height and weight
percentiles, potty trained at eighteen months, and spoke like a five or <br />
six-year-old. I told myself the confusion hinged on folks forgetting he <i>was</i> only three when he <i>acted</i> like a three-year-old. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqyGUHXDebhJ3xQcU-BlOlioOlQVbUjZMYY7ohOr3cz9weGrR7455FPBlkDyuYvdb3BeTjkSniLrkF1B1r1M3RPPZOGj7KKaxV0NwjULHCftH2__zatTogumZI7Y2nrzqE-OeLxkgLEU/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqyGUHXDebhJ3xQcU-BlOlioOlQVbUjZMYY7ohOr3cz9weGrR7455FPBlkDyuYvdb3BeTjkSniLrkF1B1r1M3RPPZOGj7KKaxV0NwjULHCftH2__zatTogumZI7Y2nrzqE-OeLxkgLEU/s320/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy B. Creasy - 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">It would be three more years
of watching, waiting, and searching before that ‘something confusing’ had a
name. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For the link to part 1:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-homeschooling-not-so-fairy-tale.html">click here</a></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+139%3A14&version=MSG">Psalm 139: 16 The Message</a></span></h4>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception
to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you,The days of my
life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
</span></div>
Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-36973545780564793242013-02-28T18:58:00.001-08:002013-03-01T19:56:52.007-08:00A Homeschooling Not So Fairy Tale<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmtsLbwXre7s85w3VtWvB5kq15y_2CAnyE15pLEEPvbmyikjDb6TkUPwnHwDC5t847os3uPZSzUGF0tBlcOVWvADIuJ9jQDZNN2-qS_DZdEXvKdNddgKGCrMsNT7gEDFWLL-T7tOkr28/s1600/hw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmtsLbwXre7s85w3VtWvB5kq15y_2CAnyE15pLEEPvbmyikjDb6TkUPwnHwDC5t847os3uPZSzUGF0tBlcOVWvADIuJ9jQDZNN2-qS_DZdEXvKdNddgKGCrMsNT7gEDFWLL-T7tOkr28/s320/hw2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Son #1 - Handwriting Without Tears - 2nd grade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The plea on the page was like a time portal carrying me to days I
navigated the same heartbreaking struggles:</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>My son and I have had a
truly frustrating day. It took him a whole hour to write, "The king of
Egypt was called the Pharaoh." Any suggestions for keeping a badly ADHD </i></span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">6-year-old
a little more focused than that?</i></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I thought back to oral spelling tests when my
six-year-old wrapped himself in a blanket and danced on first one foot and then
the other to the tune of 'c-a-t'.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">How strange we would have looked in my former classroom
of twelve boys aged five to nine. Even in that setting, a psychiatric inpatient program for boys too disturbed to participate in a public school class, we
expected our students to sit still in a desk.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In truth, they sat but were rarely still. They drooped.
They draped. Knees and elbows bounced with the ferocity of human jack hammers.
Pencils slipped out of wiggly hands, and rescue maneuvers required
contortionist-like feats. Still, they sat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5n5rLZjc2y7lqFUoaLNw-T85UapqdIgnP0ypEK-HOXefEzX-qfEo7xlvTQxdJiCV-MxSFpSpmPQxbCYRexs9hSI0gXt83dIP07pIfmB4kLXq46paHYK-o0lOO0kZu8hf7y8a9ouL61mA/s1600/ResizedImage951361206471164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5n5rLZjc2y7lqFUoaLNw-T85UapqdIgnP0ypEK-HOXefEzX-qfEo7xlvTQxdJiCV-MxSFpSpmPQxbCYRexs9hSI0gXt83dIP07pIfmB4kLXq46paHYK-o0lOO0kZu8hf7y8a9ouL61mA/s320/ResizedImage951361206471164.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Son #2 - Junior Olympian 2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I had no idea how much my life as a teacher was
preparing me for my future as a homeschool mom.
Ironically, I also had no idea how my past classroom experience would
hamper my adjustment to homeschooling.</span></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I still have one perpetual motion machine left to
graduate. In two short years, my nest will be empty. How can it be? Only
yesterday, my young friend’s heartfelt cry was mine. Wasn’t it just yesterday I
was reduced to tears by a child who just would not sit still and do his work? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am standing on your horizon looking back at you. I
see all the days between the two of us. Perhaps today you feel weary, provoked,
frazzled, puzzled and desperate. In fact, you may be wondering if it is time to
throw up your hands and call it quits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I shake my head in wonder because I remember those
days. If I told you the truth, I’d tell you I’m not sure I know how we got
through all the days I felt the same way you feel now. I can tell you we did,
and I can say we are all better for the journey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am not an ironfisted homeschooler who will label you
a failure or heretic if the day comes when life dictates you make another
schooling choice. </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xS69H1qmWhxWKhibE8Ep8qafKxgOeHrsdYcWn0FYQSuXYUJcPY8zqaSo9Wf9S3I6CNgDBrUzGrk1tbNxeT8EskMjzuxcmPXJZefeFOy7urmzuRvQZimONv8bCGspF73DBO342MU2taU/s1600/self1b.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xS69H1qmWhxWKhibE8Ep8qafKxgOeHrsdYcWn0FYQSuXYUJcPY8zqaSo9Wf9S3I6CNgDBrUzGrk1tbNxeT8EskMjzuxcmPXJZefeFOy7urmzuRvQZimONv8bCGspF73DBO342MU2taU/s320/self1b.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Son #1 September K5 Self Portrait </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Among my friends are folks who have a child in public
school, one in private school, and another in homeschool all in the same school
year. Some friends transition between
private, homeschooling, and back again because of expense. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Over the years, I held my freedom to homeschool
loosely. In fact, there have been times I have mounted desperate campaigns to join
the traditional schoolers in brick and mortar schools. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I laugh at those efforts now. God made it plain
his plan was for me to keep my nose to the homeschool grindstone even though I
was buckling under the strain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How did I know? My husband was laid off every single
time we got the private school applications submitted. After a while, even I can take a hint. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We tried public school. I volunteered in our son’s
class every day teaching advanced students how to read while the teacher
worked with the others on letter recognition. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnwceXaUVix4yfNI6AcZoecDXFe5tyKwm2MRTn8HQrX0enV642oUKhpKwmx4TVERB6WNxJ32fJJcXws4mk3jHhZmPr_zmGKAP6zJBUuO2-gg9XV8_Tm7Jikh21YU2bLaB-M86mHr6BWE/s1600/self2b.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnwceXaUVix4yfNI6AcZoecDXFe5tyKwm2MRTn8HQrX0enV642oUKhpKwmx4TVERB6WNxJ32fJJcXws4mk3jHhZmPr_zmGKAP6zJBUuO2-gg9XV8_Tm7Jikh21YU2bLaB-M86mHr6BWE/s320/self2b.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Son #1 May Self Portrait K5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One day, that courageous woman pulled me aside. “Get him out of here. He will never survive. My son is only in this
school because I teach here.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I had never really been a snob about homeschooling. I
just didn’t know many who had made the choice way back in 1997. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I did spend
eight years chanting, “I will not homeschool.” </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Every day from the day my pregnancy test came back
positive till the day before I brought our son home to school, I sang that
song.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God must have laughed at my song. He knew he’d spent a lifetime preparing me to
do what I was about to do.</span></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgZrTgNLzw-KgSxyDa4K5qwDl_R5wGu-e7kcIp8zYDipry-gi3MLN0x3t7iYRC96wEFf8nhGEpSAKebYQlfMNDTDQfxohJnk2TjpVmj_zTDVHztBx2xGDk7XMa4EvJnRUJkpDefgb-uc/s1600/willgrad2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixgZrTgNLzw-KgSxyDa4K5qwDl_R5wGu-e7kcIp8zYDipry-gi3MLN0x3t7iYRC96wEFf8nhGEpSAKebYQlfMNDTDQfxohJnk2TjpVmj_zTDVHztBx2xGDk7XMa4EvJnRUJkpDefgb-uc/s320/willgrad2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eleven years later - just after returning from China</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We brought our son home to school in the middle of his
first grade year. The Valentine’s Day party was on Friday. We took him out on
Tuesday. It broke my heart in two. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I still think of that day every year around Valentine’s
Day. Does that surprise you? As I begin to figure out the framework of my post
homeschooling life, my friends tell me it is time for me to tell you our story.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I suppose I have hesitated because I feel so mediocre
and ordinary. I’m just me, and we’ve just plodded along over the years doing
the next thing. There’s nothing heroic or inspiring about that, do you think? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But, yesterday when my friend’s question transported me
back across time, it was as if God said, “Now’s the time to tell these mothers
all the things you wished someone had been there to tell you. Now’s the time.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdPW3LVGK2lAPnBLYv4qhKSqznmhQCQY469g29LfnPaKDj7nuaIoOh1Sbs77_xMVVYtVd5YD9xKh_uWOuMusy_HsyCGSwIPJ5fg1il0ONvmMpOtzAYeupx3Zjj3bTn9gxjP_wMZ0_ygo/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdPW3LVGK2lAPnBLYv4qhKSqznmhQCQY469g29LfnPaKDj7nuaIoOh1Sbs77_xMVVYtVd5YD9xKh_uWOuMusy_HsyCGSwIPJ5fg1il0ONvmMpOtzAYeupx3Zjj3bTn9gxjP_wMZ0_ygo/s320/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy B. Creasy -2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So, I hope you’ll follow along over the next few months
as I begin to tell you a once upon a time story that didn’t lead straight to
happily ever after. Along the way, I hope we will both be empowered by my
journey. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">For the link to part 2:<br /><a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2013/03/hes-bright-but-confusing-sound-familiar.html"><b><i>click here</i></b></a></span></span></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://bible.cc/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10</a> (NLT)</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be
discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold
you up with my victorious right hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-68079745647439568362013-02-26T22:33:00.003-08:002013-02-26T23:17:02.420-08:00In the Company of My Peeps<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyda4g5QXKHNTAvsLz6qjkHqIVeLXmarsyOFJsBUUUFsJ_MuUTwL9lzjJh_O2q5Wm-f-dteW6YoJPlcRSOJUGzJclDjLhMjdogArR0KECosEMW0BFD5HaZlOysuF8buQRJtlSlFcAoJs/s1600/n1434720655_30296816_2315430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyda4g5QXKHNTAvsLz6qjkHqIVeLXmarsyOFJsBUUUFsJ_MuUTwL9lzjJh_O2q5Wm-f-dteW6YoJPlcRSOJUGzJclDjLhMjdogArR0KECosEMW0BFD5HaZlOysuF8buQRJtlSlFcAoJs/s320/n1434720655_30296816_2315430.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I had no idea how much my life was going to change last
April. I stumbled into the Titus 2:1 Conference not knowing what to expect and
wondering what I’d gotten myself into.</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Little did I know I had become part of a vibrant community
of friends whose influence would impact me every single day for the rest of my
life. It’s hard to believe we will gather again in less than 6 weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This week, the 2013 attendees are linking up in an
effort to foster new and rekindle existing relationships. I hope you’ll take a
few minutes and get to know my friends because they are sure to inspire you as
well! <b><i>(<a href="http://www.2to1conference.com/2013/attendee-community/">Click here to meet my posse</a>.)</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One of our fearless leaders suggested a few questions
to get the conversations started. So, here’s a peek into my world. I wonder if
I’ll surprise you? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">I've</span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> been homeschooling since Methuselah was born. Well,
there are days it seems that way. In reality, this is my 15<sup>th</sup> year
of homeschooling. I have two more to go and am already wondering what I’ll do
and who I’ll be without my community of homeschooling friends.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gI3r9RefF65OibSa4G6S-HrwpufYKUZ5FhvqTgjR3qp2yfgoLvUjdlzUoiZyH6kgbzDrru80ggtI2SsWynKfPi8cLEcL05HO7Fic8wNUaA-ueEXkfEN1z98euHpE5oq_PxPkP1bFSG0/s1600/308193_10150431239154783_680939782_10395459_2018466015_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gI3r9RefF65OibSa4G6S-HrwpufYKUZ5FhvqTgjR3qp2yfgoLvUjdlzUoiZyH6kgbzDrru80ggtI2SsWynKfPi8cLEcL05HO7Fic8wNUaA-ueEXkfEN1z98euHpE5oq_PxPkP1bFSG0/s320/308193_10150431239154783_680939782_10395459_2018466015_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Mexico - 2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Given my above transparency, it may not surprise you
that my homeschooling super power (if I suddenly sprouted a cape and phone
booth) would have to be determination/perseverance. I never believed I’d
homeschool my sons all twelve years, but here we are. I can’t believe the end
is in sight! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If I could have a dream ‘mom-cation’ and money/time
were no object, I would have to divide my time between: Kiawah Island, SC and Santa Fe, NM. I told God I'd appreciate it if he could make my piece of Heaven exactly like those two places!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here are a few more quick facts:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVoJ3QV87aL3_b2kbGNGKlEO-AlmSymhLWQ_mn3fObY0IDcwTB_01YGGZU9CsfGI8M8CyHcvKQeeuVNfkGOknf_LHj_e60XIBaG-19miTEBS9kXTYiw3pwJvLLVBBQbouKZD68-aw8Oo/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVoJ3QV87aL3_b2kbGNGKlEO-AlmSymhLWQ_mn3fObY0IDcwTB_01YGGZU9CsfGI8M8CyHcvKQeeuVNfkGOknf_LHj_e60XIBaG-19miTEBS9kXTYiw3pwJvLLVBBQbouKZD68-aw8Oo/s200/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy B. Creasy - Kiawah Is 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In my previous life (aka before homeschooling), I
taught K5-3<sup>rd</sup> grade, worked in a psych hospital (as a
teacher/therapist), completed management training with a national chain of
bookstores, and adjudicated disability claims for the Social Security
Administration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I really wanted to be a doctor or Occupational
Therapist when I grew up. We’ve moved so many times that realtors say I need to
be a realtor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have sewn 2 wedding dressings and made 3 cathedral
length veils back in the day. Just typing that fact nearly gives me heart
failure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRPI5atJhzGoEgyGYooQpQkPf9pJKY6VOh36EpC1zLSMSU_neg96fbNzkgnbdI0vzjnGUo2j0Ag3qXmcRMKcRROYkSFLp8mMpEdggPpofMdVcuhIWMHIyTDTa9wB6iiILWvOh9PyMscg/s1600/304179_291284447554694_100000194225406_1453390_305144203_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRPI5atJhzGoEgyGYooQpQkPf9pJKY6VOh36EpC1zLSMSU_neg96fbNzkgnbdI0vzjnGUo2j0Ag3qXmcRMKcRROYkSFLp8mMpEdggPpofMdVcuhIWMHIyTDTa9wB6iiILWvOh9PyMscg/s1600/304179_291284447554694_100000194225406_1453390_305144203_a.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Future Doctor/Seamstress ??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I do my best thinking in the shower. Unfortunately, as
soon as I pull back the shower curtain and reach for the towel, I can’t
remember a single one of my braniac-storms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am looking forward to this year’s conference with
less fraidy cat anxiety and more unbridled excitement because I know what to
expect now. And, I expect lots of laughter - as in laugh until you snort laughter.
I can’t wait to see my IRL friends again and make new ones. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Amid all the laughter
and hugs, I know I will learn a lot. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">And this year . . . I’ll actually understand what I’m
learning because this group didn’t stop teaching me when the conference was
over last year. They have patiently kept answering questions and breaking down
technical information for me all year long. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the last year, I have often said:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <i>Titus 2:1 is a
gift that keeps on giving</i>! </span></h4>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXVyocVcF7JtZibpadk5j_tjjswX_jjlL32GY8W2IuGi-zcaIsXeye5MzyVCBbdflXbAO4-BoEpumuhyoM7CTjpqary2NTDL-cRS6vvNP2ia3eHbr7HdsMbliTVhoUgCIr6oDq87Ni2E/s1600/_DSC3293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXVyocVcF7JtZibpadk5j_tjjswX_jjlL32GY8W2IuGi-zcaIsXeye5MzyVCBbdflXbAO4-BoEpumuhyoM7CTjpqary2NTDL-cRS6vvNP2ia3eHbr7HdsMbliTVhoUgCIr6oDq87Ni2E/s320/_DSC3293.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you are a homeschooler who blogs about anything at
all and have been thinking about going but just can’t quite make up your mind,
let me knock you off the fence. You don’t just find friends at the conference,
you find your people. They get you. You don’t have to explain a thing! <b><i><a href="http://www.2to1conference.com/">See you there? </a></i></b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Wanna
know what I was thinking just after the conference last year? <a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2012/10/top-10-reason-titus-21-conference.html"><b><i>Click here</i></b>! </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Links to this post <a href="http://2to1conference.com/">http://2to1conference.com/</a></b></span></div>
</div>
Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-76285228495325539802013-02-24T22:36:00.001-08:002013-02-24T22:38:29.305-08:00Monday Meet Up – Weeks 3 and 4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZY10xMKtcOJUrh0qwN7Y7Vo3S4PUGjRLqLbLkEXyPTsuHpbsa-ohK1TLeYJcKrg47HANnSXQT2IUqBYOED4QGttPh6WtV4Nf2MpkwerYjMdqvlDhfglza-ueon25tC9uGl70PHIGHfoA/s1600/148455_4943865000164_1229737741_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZY10xMKtcOJUrh0qwN7Y7Vo3S4PUGjRLqLbLkEXyPTsuHpbsa-ohK1TLeYJcKrg47HANnSXQT2IUqBYOED4QGttPh6WtV4Nf2MpkwerYjMdqvlDhfglza-ueon25tC9uGl70PHIGHfoA/s200/148455_4943865000164_1229737741_n.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy L. Richardson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The mom was maybe twenty-two at most. Intense
concentration pushed the tip of her tongue to the corner of her mouth while she
filled out the medical forms.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rocking a car seat with her foot, she reached to pat
first one child and then the other sitting in seats next to her. The
five-month-old was wheezing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As the dad strode in with a freshly mixed bottle, the calm
evaporated. He set the room a-buzz barking orders at the eighteen-month-old and
five-year-old. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The kids became more fretful as he strutted back and
forth. The mom’s precise control began to slip as the dad’s nervous energy sucked
the air out of the room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As annoying as he was, it was plain to see how hard he
was trying. Even plainer to see how afraid he was of someone else becoming impatient
if the children grew too restless. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaj3fqrdnPSLLDsoaQu9iFVLihjnqEfyyfgOfOmVHqHIo6xJ8VYakik-EwuUIQ-okZEfJkbuIqOy4sBK1oD22S-jUAQCbabhg-k_tFxpXdXFt2yC6L2nvm-ZZvOR2rmKE2s9IvmhFnTw/s1600/330109_2572560589419_282027535_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaj3fqrdnPSLLDsoaQu9iFVLihjnqEfyyfgOfOmVHqHIo6xJ8VYakik-EwuUIQ-okZEfJkbuIqOy4sBK1oD22S-jUAQCbabhg-k_tFxpXdXFt2yC6L2nvm-ZZvOR2rmKE2s9IvmhFnTw/s320/330109_2572560589419_282027535_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy A. Squires</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was the only other person in the room, but he cared
desperately about my opinion.</span> <span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That much was plain to see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Where were the folks on whom this couple relied to
speak a calming word, offer a quiet moment of respite, and reassure them in
their journey?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I reached in my bag only to realize my copy of <i>Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to
Breathe</i> was on the table in my living room.
</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I thought of how Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson take
turns speaking about the seasons of parenting. I twisted and turned in my seat.
If I said anything, I could overstep my boundaries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dZbLhkGjTF6A_Ip2uTdCpC8RhdEADUwKigRuCnCGaH8vxbQG0eyM6vm5qQipES16fbiN6-jQdFuaT_JodaRe0kCCVNAS4FDR-N9BheG_8QQ8dfICElh_Mm_9ar3pK1GbbiENcVpkPio/s1600/n1434720655_30452228_487180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dZbLhkGjTF6A_Ip2uTdCpC8RhdEADUwKigRuCnCGaH8vxbQG0eyM6vm5qQipES16fbiN6-jQdFuaT_JodaRe0kCCVNAS4FDR-N9BheG_8QQ8dfICElh_Mm_9ar3pK1GbbiENcVpkPio/s320/n1434720655_30452228_487180.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If I said the right thing, this young couple might stop
and take a breath. The ache in my heart grew sharper as I saw the older two
children begin to crumble under the chaos the dad was creating. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He was unaware that the children were causing far less commotion
than was he. Finally, he came close enough to meet my eye by accident. It was
then or never:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Young
man, you are working so hard. It is plain to see that you are both working so
hard to be good parents. Shhh . . . it’s o.k. Take a deep breath and calm down.
Those are sweet little children who’ve barely made a peep since you came in. It’s
obvious that you are doing the best you can by them. Relax. It’s going to be o.k.
Just breathe. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I looked over at the mom. Her eyes were full of tears.
She mouthed, “Thank you. Thank you!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Too many young women (and men) are navigating the
parenting maze alone. Indeed, they mount heroic efforts despite coming from
fractured families where no one knew how to teach the gentle art of either
friendship, marriage, or mothering.</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54FAHU3-M20oNMaew0KPXVugcqW6UNl9qHKMTdqfVSvNkSERgX3jZ3JWg2Ml5r541FgN3dfHIGAoNC6V5YA-bzxKx3C8PQ_iOvDnzMFcjQ-YsJmemSgAs7aFTu_QGFl2SckuEVUIZ3yM/s1600/n1434720655_30239974_774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54FAHU3-M20oNMaew0KPXVugcqW6UNl9qHKMTdqfVSvNkSERgX3jZ3JWg2Ml5r541FgN3dfHIGAoNC6V5YA-bzxKx3C8PQ_iOvDnzMFcjQ-YsJmemSgAs7aFTu_QGFl2SckuEVUIZ3yM/s320/n1434720655_30239974_774.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As Sarah Mae and Sally take turns speaking about the
heartbreak and beauty of parenting, I see the seasons of my own life. I see the
need for women in my age bracket to embrace the book as well as the young women
around us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I see the need for each of us, younger and older, to
look for ways to build community. I need your vigor and enthusiasm as my body
and mind begin to slow a bit. You need to be able to ask me if it will always
be this hard, and a million other things, I’m sure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do you understand the situation I described above
because I have described your life experience? Perhaps you have also observed a
young couple or single parent adrift and alone - desperate with the need to
breathe - and wondered what to say. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Have you felt ill-equipped to speak an encouraging word
to a struggling young mom? Do you wonder if you are all alone in your parenting
struggles? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLR61gFQ3gbo4y9GAC2i_NU8BoXtPCb6fyKzZDty8NrNlJVrht5_WiZMnp5vfQmTww6SJvV2OfNCz-2NE54_VY1fIh9k_T-DarOc8xxmeWmGuml977uIPFo70IvxSPoDpWVl8u09cJi8/s1600/250469_208256535877248_100000787091999_484201_2458338_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLR61gFQ3gbo4y9GAC2i_NU8BoXtPCb6fyKzZDty8NrNlJVrht5_WiZMnp5vfQmTww6SJvV2OfNCz-2NE54_VY1fIh9k_T-DarOc8xxmeWmGuml977uIPFo70IvxSPoDpWVl8u09cJi8/s320/250469_208256535877248_100000787091999_484201_2458338_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy M. Horrocks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Won’t you join me in reading <i>Desperate</i>? Whether you are a young mom with lots of littles or a
mom in the scrunched season of life launching young adults while caring for
elders, we will find common ground in these pages. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Consider Sally’s words:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>In this individualistic
culture where everyone is too busy and overwhelmed with life, the groups in
which we find community will inevitably be the groups we start ourselves. </i>(p.
22)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Are you looking for ways to build community? Won’t you
join me for in(RL) on April 26<sup>th</sup> and 27<sup>th</sup>? This worldwide
event is free. On Friday the 26<sup>th</sup>, we will watch a computer webcast
from the comfort of our own homes. On Saturday the 27<sup>th</sup>, we will
meet with a small group of other women and begin to build community. </span></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Come on now. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Don’t be a friady cat. Go watch the
trailer, register, and find a group close to you by clicking here:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.incourage.me/inrl"><i><b>in(RL) hosted by (in)courage</b></i></a></span></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To order your copy of Desperate, click on the book link at the top right of this page. </span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></h4>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">To read another story of a desperate young couple and how our paths crossed, read:</span></h4>
<div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2011/06/fear-and-loathing-at-grocery-store.html">Fear and Loathing at the Grocery Store</a></span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkrwjq7nNpEKDVqleUZTGqxtp5oN2riOufkGnjGjOGFBvOCkd4VhtqLclQfGVUUy1S0ptLZKngpwgkKc4OjDiWiS6jaozXD4OBW8qYTDcGffbJ4cJ8aup5rDkalUa4CWgAxNpbBLLlyU/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkrwjq7nNpEKDVqleUZTGqxtp5oN2riOufkGnjGjOGFBvOCkd4VhtqLclQfGVUUy1S0ptLZKngpwgkKc4OjDiWiS6jaozXD4OBW8qYTDcGffbJ4cJ8aup5rDkalUa4CWgAxNpbBLLlyU/s200/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy B. Creasy - 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Micah+6%3A8&version=NIV">Micah 6: 8</a> (NIV)</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act
justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<br />
</div>
Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-24837128610148615842013-02-11T22:38:00.000-08:002013-02-11T22:38:23.589-08:00Monday Meet Up – Week 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwAZRQXrbUVuLHxh9-VkADGlvgKVgV3Et4Nnn-RnjXeIZumCgn5AK71WYSpl4-xXB7M035aOndEmX1LM7Qrf-lx_G2NNTdKj3IrLRRSTYpDeNFQY0nLDcH_n5qpeiwf3OkteEdFZgHI0/s1600/208418_1952802626468_1434720655_32283526_5312769_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwAZRQXrbUVuLHxh9-VkADGlvgKVgV3Et4Nnn-RnjXeIZumCgn5AK71WYSpl4-xXB7M035aOndEmX1LM7Qrf-lx_G2NNTdKj3IrLRRSTYpDeNFQY0nLDcH_n5qpeiwf3OkteEdFZgHI0/s320/208418_1952802626468_1434720655_32283526_5312769_n.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I was feeling pretty desperate to breathe today. The pace
of life leaves me dizzy at times. Over the past three weeks or so, I needed
great big gulps of air to keep checking things off my never ending to do
list. What about you?</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I decided to start this Monday Meet Up series in
preparation for the <a href="http://www.incourage.me/inrl"><b>in(RL) virtual conference</b></a> on April 26<sup>th</sup> and 27<sup>th</sup>,
I had no idea how life would unfold today. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s been one of those days when I think God’s sense of
humor has taken license with my life – if you know what I mean? <br />
<br />
A month or so ago, a friend approached me with a business idea. It was
courageous, gracious, and timely given my life circumstance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We discussed my reservations but agreed we would move
forward and work together to create a win-win for both of us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRGGoFglCrusLlE77LlCD5iJu0FUVoD6YHOZ4xY5iT7CTMu1XgsDEUL16VqgN9PAKIUj0MVzoIUrhbXSuPWbEjVZQkImirmibmf18fP-p5AgCKzt5A6qSP9f9WtVX7XneczdF2H24B6E/s1600/aly%2527s+cat+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRGGoFglCrusLlE77LlCD5iJu0FUVoD6YHOZ4xY5iT7CTMu1XgsDEUL16VqgN9PAKIUj0MVzoIUrhbXSuPWbEjVZQkImirmibmf18fP-p5AgCKzt5A6qSP9f9WtVX7XneczdF2H24B6E/s320/aly%2527s+cat+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Aly Hughes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Neither of us had attempted a project of this nature
before, so we weren’t really sure what the finished product would be. We gave
it a courageous try knowing things would take shape as we progressed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Then, life began to happen. What looked good in theory
became frustrating and cumbersome in reality. We backed up and took a run at
redefining and redesigning our ideas.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Just when I thought we had come up with a solution for the
issues that had perplexed us, I received news that blew our best laid plans to
bits.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Given the news, I simply could not, in good conscience,
commit to the plans we had hoped to accomplish.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">It was heart-rending to face the music and break the
news. It was even a little demoralizing to admit I was done before I had gotten
a chance to begin.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As a people pleaser addicted to pleasing, it hurt even
more to know I was letting down a friend. I chastised myself for letting my family
down because the plan would have benefited all of us as well.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7bqlHDCHTU0mfy9pKq6Lkp64eHN-hd0XqW-eTjZE8nznnvm5G8lr5tqTLwpa3ePvsrFTadmU4iq6A5YUOUIqMHhVe0qpuxtAkxz-1XNV29jmgTlQ0ZMauf-B_Auj3sKAqQs4-wciYmI/s1600/n1434720655_30228384_6354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7bqlHDCHTU0mfy9pKq6Lkp64eHN-hd0XqW-eTjZE8nznnvm5G8lr5tqTLwpa3ePvsrFTadmU4iq6A5YUOUIqMHhVe0qpuxtAkxz-1XNV29jmgTlQ0ZMauf-B_Auj3sKAqQs4-wciYmI/s320/n1434720655_30228384_6354.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Even as I winced and wrestled with myself and God over
the decision before me, I had a serene sense that he was in the midst of
the details.</span></div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was as if he whispered, “Your dilemma, the question
behind the question, is what happens if you let go of better in search of what
is best. This plan, as wonderful as it is, has come at the wrong season of your
life. It is o.k. to let go. I am here.” </span></h3>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As I re-define my life in light of the encroaching
empty nest years and the present reality of a marital separation, I have looked
at the future with fear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaaf_KYVQ8moF_kEElB8_ie-B-0lD_ksyUKsflulcgziuOC7nlX4AWL0CQP1TeQhg-Y1LMfNzB5pOaBrBMvZlhOo5-h4rZjhDCUj37AFXD1lsDMp_Y2cNNjFfvOsh-TwC0pCQHDMbKws/s1600/33395_1530799316649_1434720655_31431748_7786247_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaaf_KYVQ8moF_kEElB8_ie-B-0lD_ksyUKsflulcgziuOC7nlX4AWL0CQP1TeQhg-Y1LMfNzB5pOaBrBMvZlhOo5-h4rZjhDCUj37AFXD1lsDMp_Y2cNNjFfvOsh-TwC0pCQHDMbKws/s320/33395_1530799316649_1434720655_31431748_7786247_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Will my marriage heal? How does a woman in her fifties
re-create a job history with current work experience when she has not worked
full-time in over 2 decades? Who will I be when I am no longer the
homeschooling wife and mother I have always been? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How can I walk away from an opportunity like the one my
friend offered when it seems to be exactly what would answer all those
questions and more? Oh, the agony. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After my jangled nerves had stopped clanging like an
old fashioned church bell in a belfry, I sat down with my copy of <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400204666/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1400204666&linkCode=as2&tag=conofafracat-20">Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe</a>. </b>I took a deep breath. One of those
cleansing breaths they talk about so much in Lamaze classes (which I failed by
the way). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I opened the book and re-read the first two chapters
looking more closely at the things I highlighted the first time through. Do you
see the humor I see in my life when I tell you that the first section is
entitled: "The Dream Life . . . Altered"? <br />
</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
Today, my life dreams were refined. Again. I am the fraidy ‘bird in the hand is
worth two in the bush’ cat. I was prying my bony claws loose from the bird in
the hand all day long. I read Sarah Mae’s words.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgja6vU80KiNFpnnlS9ypkhbdxAEWVXFQ55QyJtgjH8DMvoIM0QkmoV8nr_fBgxsvnnoAJp9vCIKopwurWzoHmksLAuwXHH037aE9AePNTL9dpUwubCuVXt-FjxpKTSNacOrsd3xxf8p1Y/s1600/332995_2752292773222_1434720655_33069435_120157753_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgja6vU80KiNFpnnlS9ypkhbdxAEWVXFQ55QyJtgjH8DMvoIM0QkmoV8nr_fBgxsvnnoAJp9vCIKopwurWzoHmksLAuwXHH037aE9AePNTL9dpUwubCuVXt-FjxpKTSNacOrsd3xxf8p1Y/s320/332995_2752292773222_1434720655_33069435_120157753_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many of my ideals were
good, but the standard I set for myself to meet them was completely unrealistic.
(p.5)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She was speaking of her struggles as a young mother to
meet her goals for mothering. Yet, in her words, I saw my story taking place in
a different season of life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Mine is a fraidy cat story of being torn between better
and best. What’s yours? What are the high standards, the unrealistic expectations
of self, that rob you of oxygen?</span></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
I’ll be blogging a bit more about the first two
chapters of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400204666/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1400204666&linkCode=as2&tag=conofafracat-20"><b>Desperate</b></a> by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson this week. Come back and bring a
friend. You and I both know we are all struggling to breathe given the
hectic lives we lead these days! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">See you soon, fraidy cat? Don’t make me come looking! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyYJSTsCTRglJIMmqlaQezwjaGTqHmhcO4WoDG64eOswj-LoYSV7M5h-BJuh4LLXv88amk1UsnjOi7BOGOK-2EcGX4-LvQ-_Mx2uQOILjwJQyLll8x_Scwfqxz_nGObL9xO04wkCQ4fk/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyYJSTsCTRglJIMmqlaQezwjaGTqHmhcO4WoDG64eOswj-LoYSV7M5h-BJuh4LLXv88amk1UsnjOi7BOGOK-2EcGX4-LvQ-_Mx2uQOILjwJQyLll8x_Scwfqxz_nGObL9xO04wkCQ4fk/s200/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy B. Creasy - 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2041:%2010&version=AMP"><b>Isaiah 41:10</b></a> (Amplified Bible)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fear not [there is nothing
to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed,
for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I
will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious]
right hand of rightness and justice.</span><br />
</div>
Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-7602313197726475702013-02-04T21:18:00.000-08:002013-02-04T21:56:42.731-08:00Welcome to Monday Meet Up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Howdy! Life is moving at the speed of blink these days as I refine my vision
for Confessions of a Fraidy Cat. Last year this time, it seemed as though God
was whispering, “Be quiet. Study to show yourself approved.” (<b><a href="http://bibleapps.com/2_timothy/2-15.htm">2 Timothy 2:15</a>)</b><br />
</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Blog-silence equals a death sentence. While I was busy being quieter, Facebook
made it harder for those of us using social media to spread the word about our
platforms. Silence became even riskier. Can you spell s-c-a-r-y?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoznfKUeUbEw_affR8SxMn-YI7-Tc3CNpjSxWw_35XVE8Q1hYd7LUnHw2HQdeJ4B7Jl9xyR4FcLJrA8IaVLF0l1wyeXIZG9jK8tzMH8b4rmIjI2_cuvxSbAj1tzP3qpUmQ7cKwpa3g5Y/s1600/26684_1510121719722_1434720655_31379786_6313056_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJoznfKUeUbEw_affR8SxMn-YI7-Tc3CNpjSxWw_35XVE8Q1hYd7LUnHw2HQdeJ4B7Jl9xyR4FcLJrA8IaVLF0l1wyeXIZG9jK8tzMH8b4rmIjI2_cuvxSbAj1tzP3qpUmQ7cKwpa3g5Y/s320/26684_1510121719722_1434720655_31379786_6313056_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> <span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While I soldiered on in a quieter mode than in 2011, God
opened doors of learning again and again. I did my best to study every time a
door opened.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">More and more ideas began to percolate. I wasn’t sure
how to hit the launch button on the new ideas, but I kept studying even as I
felt myself melting into social media oblivion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-ATqIR7dO-bdvrS4dQxEfl4MvROmwLIkUr8qmNoaLRxwLSwXmE9TCv96BOMtdGcB81oZxKNPPzdAiyjpuxEkPqy8XietEHLEJTEQUYx_YHvzhMcXUjKKtAcFrFGQg67tAfiQkVy4I0s/s1600/27071_1423283428819_1434720655_31162996_3866693_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-ATqIR7dO-bdvrS4dQxEfl4MvROmwLIkUr8qmNoaLRxwLSwXmE9TCv96BOMtdGcB81oZxKNPPzdAiyjpuxEkPqy8XietEHLEJTEQUYx_YHvzhMcXUjKKtAcFrFGQg67tAfiQkVy4I0s/s320/27071_1423283428819_1434720655_31162996_3866693_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After attending <a href="http://beechretreat.com/"><b>The BEECH RETREAT</b></a> this past weekend, I
realized the time had come to resume regular, predictable posting. What a
relief! Do you know how hard it is for me to be quiet?</span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Mondays from now till the end of April will be a fun
day to drop by and bring a friend!</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am excited about my partnership with <a href="http://www.incourage.me/">in(courage)</a> on April
26th and 27<sup>th</sup>. This year’s annual <a href="http://www.incourage.me/inrl-about">in(RL)</a> virtual conference serves to
encourage community between women who might not otherwise meet in real life.</span></h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkW0ZYgqJzV-vJYIsaI0sP5u7UBMZhy1daTM-fhyr-Hdy5fUVyEdtiG334rl9tq29DBifUS3QyixL_Q1sV2mjUMdN5plFDKwY0mFTQIBNI_nL7_2_0m81Fiz9mE8cnVHxDOcV83bcSUo/s1600/381201_2735092571718_1089447804_33024023_1832133936_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkW0ZYgqJzV-vJYIsaI0sP5u7UBMZhy1daTM-fhyr-Hdy5fUVyEdtiG334rl9tq29DBifUS3QyixL_Q1sV2mjUMdN5plFDKwY0mFTQIBNI_nL7_2_0m81Fiz9mE8cnVHxDOcV83bcSUo/s320/381201_2735092571718_1089447804_33024023_1832133936_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy D. Scott</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Registrants will watch a one hour presentation at home,
via computer, on April 26. On the 27</span><sup style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">, groups of women will meet at
appointed places in their hometowns to view a webcast together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have signed
up to host one of the April 27<sup>th </sup>small group meetings and can’t wait
to see how God brings our group together!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
I first heard of this event when I was at the <a href="http://allume.com/"><b>Allume</b></a> Social Media Conference
last October. As soon as I saw the video promo, my heart rate quickened. I knew
I wanted to be part of the process but never, in all my fraidy cat days, saw
myself going out on a limb to host a group.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In honor of the upcoming event, I decided to dedicate
Mondays to anticipation of the <a href="http://www.incourage.me/inrl-about"><b>in(RL)</b></a> event in hopes I might spur some of you
to join us right there in your own hometowns!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJxS6XY38fgpEqKWw7YTSxm5i16gz9gXKynAjQbdI_a3fAFDYMZfG6k5iTCuvFILOfmyaS8JeGbfVWstQg9zg2GTDnVvqSo4IMI1fNyLiVhnfj4l9_tR8kqqDCUN_YQmJS6UFSU-WYmI/s1600/298765_2494005878171_1493547333_2879155_1176873204_n%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJxS6XY38fgpEqKWw7YTSxm5i16gz9gXKynAjQbdI_a3fAFDYMZfG6k5iTCuvFILOfmyaS8JeGbfVWstQg9zg2GTDnVvqSo4IMI1fNyLiVhnfj4l9_tR8kqqDCUN_YQmJS6UFSU-WYmI/s320/298765_2494005878171_1493547333_2879155_1176873204_n%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy A. Hughes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I’ve invited my group over for a potluck lunch. We will connect with new
friends and foster deeper relationships with old ones. The webcast is gonna be transformational for each
of us. How can you turn down an offer like that? <br />
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In the weeks to come, I will be reading <a href="http://sarahmae.com/"><b>Sarah Mae's</b></a> wonderful book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400204666/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1400204666&linkCode=as2&tag=conofafracat-20%22%3E%3Cimg%20border=%220%22%20src=%22http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1400204666&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=conofafracat-20%22%20%3E%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=conofafracat-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1400204666%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E"><b>Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe</b></a> (You’ll
meet Sarah in the event promo, so <a href="http://www.incourage.me/inrl"><b>click the link</b></a>!) Each Monday, I’ll share my
thoughts on and reactions to the book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I hope you’ll grab your copy, read along,
and add your comments as we build anticipation for conference weekend. <br />
<br />
Here’s your homework for today:</span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Click on the link and order your copy of Desperate by Sarah Mae. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400204666/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1400204666&linkCode=as2&tag=conofafracat-20%22%3E%3Cimg%20border=%220%22%20src=%22http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1400204666&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=conofafracat-20%22%20%3E%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=conofafracat-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1400204666%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E"><b>Click here to order the book</b>.</a></span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Come back next Monday and join the community and conversation re the first two
chapters of the book.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Visit the <b>in(RL)</b> site, view the trailer, and <a href="http://www.incourage.me/inrl"><b>register for free</b></a>!</span></li>
</ul>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4_TO5bkFNFXcPq-NUqJL_9CFFEbiLrcGVaRPAljzTo5Ia1BvSi8XCYxxc-lCCw_rbki0vxzynYnRqcWBYwbmZBeuIOTQClkm98dvFxospukx-YsEbslwM-Gmk8yEhfwir6uxndXaTaA/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4_TO5bkFNFXcPq-NUqJL_9CFFEbiLrcGVaRPAljzTo5Ia1BvSi8XCYxxc-lCCw_rbki0vxzynYnRqcWBYwbmZBeuIOTQClkm98dvFxospukx-YsEbslwM-Gmk8yEhfwir6uxndXaTaA/s320/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy B. Creasy - 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">No group in your area – no problem. If a fraidy cat can
host one, so can you! </span></div>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
See you next Monday? Love you long and strong, Fraidy Cat. See you then. </span></h4>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">Psst! Wanna know how Allume helped transform my life?<br /><b><a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-voice-lost-in-noise.html">Click here to find out. </a> </b></span></span></div>
</div>
Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-51176308751639186512013-01-20T20:46:00.001-08:002013-01-20T21:49:48.798-08:00Lord Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise (free printable)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaI8cNtuDyJEan0gQrzEUmK-dCMXdCS3hXyxJavtnlL3Q1gu3gBjTgq5wSFLRfH7-vShpLsyycj7RMvV-vJNuqu6eWdl8j4T0rRU77f8wIIupL6oH5-g58jjeX08UUzM013w67GMlWkTI/s1600/n1434720655_30231308_2656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaI8cNtuDyJEan0gQrzEUmK-dCMXdCS3hXyxJavtnlL3Q1gu3gBjTgq5wSFLRfH7-vShpLsyycj7RMvV-vJNuqu6eWdl8j4T0rRU77f8wIIupL6oH5-g58jjeX08UUzM013w67GMlWkTI/s320/n1434720655_30231308_2656.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I feel as if I am a phoenix rising from ashes even though
a lot of folks might look at my life and think it’s in ashes. I started this
blog almost 2 years ago in an effort to </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">write
my way back to God</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">. My, oh my, it has been a wrestling match at times.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sweaty faith is not a pretty faith. I am finding,
however, that sweaty faith is a tenacious faith. In the process of all that
wrestling and sweating and writing, amazing things began to happen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I celebrate those unexpected and amazing twists and
turns with you tonight as a testament to all that I have learned in my growth
as a blogger. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Somehow, my journey of faith has been in parallel with my journey
as a blogger. I don't understand it. I just know it seems to have been the way
God planned things because that's how they've turned out!</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRGGoFglCrusLlE77LlCD5iJu0FUVoD6YHOZ4xY5iT7CTMu1XgsDEUL16VqgN9PAKIUj0MVzoIUrhbXSuPWbEjVZQkImirmibmf18fP-p5AgCKzt5A6qSP9f9WtVX7XneczdF2H24B6E/s1600/aly%2527s+cat+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRGGoFglCrusLlE77LlCD5iJu0FUVoD6YHOZ4xY5iT7CTMu1XgsDEUL16VqgN9PAKIUj0MVzoIUrhbXSuPWbEjVZQkImirmibmf18fP-p5AgCKzt5A6qSP9f9WtVX7XneczdF2H24B6E/s200/aly%2527s+cat+2.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy A. Hughes</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">In celebration
of where I've been and where I’m going, I have a freebie to share with you! It's my first attempt at this part of my blogging journey. A day I never envisioned two years ago because, frankly, I had never heard of free printables!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">While preparing our lunch today, I created a recipe for Bacon Cheddar Cornbread
and got so excited when it worked (and turned out well) that I decided to try
and make a free download. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAVp65FcyBTIKWCBDmdiguUvRFTqMkcBVl1GBvLQ0RPuXa1ftIr1FMQNPVW28mnjrYvifG-IQnJpu20soosrWZ1we6_TGxqN_2oMSUSW1ZDO8N0X0eOnnQVnrJMHZsM6ds130H_Wrwss/s1600/cornbread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAVp65FcyBTIKWCBDmdiguUvRFTqMkcBVl1GBvLQ0RPuXa1ftIr1FMQNPVW28mnjrYvifG-IQnJpu20soosrWZ1we6_TGxqN_2oMSUSW1ZDO8N0X0eOnnQVnrJMHZsM6ds130H_Wrwss/s400/cornbread.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My heart will actually be in my throat until someone tells me it all works
without a hitch. Because, you know me . . . I’m a-skeert nothing I do is gonna
work right the first time I try. <br /><br />I am, after all, that woman to whom the secretaries
used to shriek in horror, “Back slowly away from the copier!” <br />
<br />
Who knew the day would come that I could envision, much less attempt, such a
technologically savvy project! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQhRs-nK-s6uJl8X6MtyA7d5J-BVwBYxCXqnXSOC-5Zvm80PFXB2PVliNFy0NpNEnopIfXkiUomgPfbitBT2rUJjDKYQ7SODlF5bO-uPGqQ6LlvNxP4wwgEkWLjWceAQnwclRoZ3BF2U/s1600/555295_10151445951709783_1481542416_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQhRs-nK-s6uJl8X6MtyA7d5J-BVwBYxCXqnXSOC-5Zvm80PFXB2PVliNFy0NpNEnopIfXkiUomgPfbitBT2rUJjDKYQ7SODlF5bO-uPGqQ6LlvNxP4wwgEkWLjWceAQnwclRoZ3BF2U/s320/555295_10151445951709783_1481542416_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BhNrr-KVd9_fkXxTPfonAn52U9-Jz9NSPvozmpGO7Os/edit"><b><i>Click here for recipe download.</i></b> </a></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<br />
This recipe download is the 1<sup>st</sup> step in a brand new series of
efforts. If you have become a Facebook friend of the Fraidy Cat, you know I’ve
alluded to a new website. I am happy to announce progress on </span><b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">FraidyCatCarol.Com</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">is
well underway. <br /><br />
</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_AHC6Tg0ERSMZn5VXFs_XISQiC0dL88Y-FVU8QZkh67dJUwEe3MT6LMPPCexe-yLIOcPNraGrhFS2-QXi7RpCQ3dGI3Asx0VYsNrnuGFK5FZQBTLX71VON1M-DTFhI0j2ybBLPH0tRg/s1600/aly%2527s+cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_AHC6Tg0ERSMZn5VXFs_XISQiC0dL88Y-FVU8QZkh67dJUwEe3MT6LMPPCexe-yLIOcPNraGrhFS2-QXi7RpCQ3dGI3Asx0VYsNrnuGFK5FZQBTLX71VON1M-DTFhI0j2ybBLPH0tRg/s320/aly%2527s+cat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy A. Hughes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be introducing you to what’s ahead on the
new site and sharing how God has been faithful to honor my willingness to
wrestle with him. <br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lord willin’ and the creek
don’t rise</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">, I hope to launch</span></i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">FraidyCatCarol.Com</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> by January 31<sup>st</sup>. Say a prayer when
you think of me. These are exciting times. Exciting and scary. Know what I
mean? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaMYms_SU5AqT9vzhcfOsMMKdjf6EDYjuBQ-ViA0jgVDdsDA3qtBOjH73F8eCKnhk1xTYwh9Ng8wX7S6UMjgTU_KH1b9gw_CErm1YBkMcnQiyAwsE3wa2uV6Zc_9v5VacXBuxHI6qqVE/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaMYms_SU5AqT9vzhcfOsMMKdjf6EDYjuBQ-ViA0jgVDdsDA3qtBOjH73F8eCKnhk1xTYwh9Ng8wX7S6UMjgTU_KH1b9gw_CErm1YBkMcnQiyAwsE3wa2uV6Zc_9v5VacXBuxHI6qqVE/s320/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy B. Creasy - 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Click
here to read about how began <a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2011/06/writing-my-way-back-to-god.html"><b>writing my way back to God</b>.</a></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
<br /><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+43%3A19&version=NIV"><b>Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)</b></a><br />
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am
making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.</span></div>
</div>
Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-68380957475267455072013-01-09T21:04:00.003-08:002013-01-09T21:04:37.896-08:00Sweatin’ to the Goaldies – Making Goals Fraidy Cat Style<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9fJEUnD6ZL8Mday5hVZTPa5m8dtV3yyBfOZxcnkLK_iWknlqvxjZ8bzIQCRxqJ3gC80sunkvwkDt-YH2a5Xk38Qa5Vf6t7PoLsWMoV8VaS74mJMXExRAXvw6vc-2TvZbKE8s9wULcn4/s1600/0623111531a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9fJEUnD6ZL8Mday5hVZTPa5m8dtV3yyBfOZxcnkLK_iWknlqvxjZ8bzIQCRxqJ3gC80sunkvwkDt-YH2a5Xk38Qa5Vf6t7PoLsWMoV8VaS74mJMXExRAXvw6vc-2TvZbKE8s9wULcn4/s320/0623111531a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I break out
in a sweat this time of year. It’s not triggered by a frenzy of resolution based
exercise, but I am sweatin’ more than a sinner at one of Billy Graham’s old
altar calls. Everywhere I turn, there’s another blogger blogging about yearly
goals.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If I see or
hear the word ‘intentional’ one more time, I might be sick. <b>My version of
‘intentional’ involves survival.</b> I intend to survive today the best way I can. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m a recently separated, homeschooling mom of a high schooler with a learning
disability who is re-entering the depressed employment market after 20-ahem
years at home. I plan to be breathing tomorrow. After that, I do the best I
can.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I established
long ago that I’d rather create a ‘done it’ list than a ‘to do’ list. Instead
of feeling like a fool at the end of the day, I feel more like a conquering
hero when I realize I accomplished something even if not what I planned. I’m gonna feel guilty either way, so this way
I feel less guilty. Feel me, sistah? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Not long
before Christmas, a treasured friend started a group to encourage productivity.
I applauded her on her bravery and tip-toed back into the shadows hoping she’d
forget I existed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDPPg5MiO58AHl128eM1Z6K6yWH9bs9pgDkVheF_GH0w56CPCBQ_Z96wVSZx2Puc3DHj9s5GAYLy-hHR1NdvAZcZKvHmw3e3H-pFAjAtwY_1Roni8deTl3f2MJQipn9OBdMdYgnAAxA8/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDPPg5MiO58AHl128eM1Z6K6yWH9bs9pgDkVheF_GH0w56CPCBQ_Z96wVSZx2Puc3DHj9s5GAYLy-hHR1NdvAZcZKvHmw3e3H-pFAjAtwY_1Roni8deTl3f2MJQipn9OBdMdYgnAAxA8/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She kept nudging me, egging me on, encouraging me, till I
sighed and signed on. Resistance is futile. I think she knew she’d win if she
appealed to my inner social monster. Who am I to walk away from a par-tay? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In only a
few days of interacting with her other victims, I mean co-conspirators, I had
an a-ha moment about our motley crew. Not a single one of us lives a life of
complacent luxury. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We are all living life in the trenches. The
urgency of life hounds us and leaves us feeling no matter how much we do, there
will always be more to do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I postulated
that each of us was far more productive than we could, or would, admit. As we
reported in each day, it became easier to see how each of us was mounting a
heroic, unsung, daily effort to serve our families well. Guilt to do more and
be more hounds us all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwe_LS37bSp5Tf0xY9RRY9_Iz8kXhNjWt5QtbjWWWzdfMcoq7dRZ83zE3uFKFr6SRlZ_sxsudwYSGdmKQXXr4J1ERIHIIS7VqUBGRs0LwRCb1Ui7x7blDUmUmDzGloc-HL_uJ6gk_zPMw/s1600/279145_2274022856773_1434720655_32675759_788695_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwe_LS37bSp5Tf0xY9RRY9_Iz8kXhNjWt5QtbjWWWzdfMcoq7dRZ83zE3uFKFr6SRlZ_sxsudwYSGdmKQXXr4J1ERIHIIS7VqUBGRs0LwRCb1Ui7x7blDUmUmDzGloc-HL_uJ6gk_zPMw/s320/279145_2274022856773_1434720655_32675759_788695_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Being part
of this group of friends who strive to do more in a healthier, more organized
way is helping. Having a cheering squad to celebrate with *almost* makes me look
forward to doing more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yesterday, I
was near hyperventilating because it was time to start our spring semester. The
load, juxtaposed on top of all my other jobs, was daunting. I turned
to Facebook to sedate myself and only ended up with a bag over my head because
my feed is now populated with amazing women who daily raise my bar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pondering my
fate, I realized that for the last twenty years or so, I have lived my life in
suspended animation. I don’t know exactly how it happened, but somehow I lost
me in the noise of coping with two complicated students and a complicated
marriage. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>My goals disappeared into their lives until I forgot what it was like
to have goals of my own.</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkW0ZYgqJzV-vJYIsaI0sP5u7UBMZhy1daTM-fhyr-Hdy5fUVyEdtiG334rl9tq29DBifUS3QyixL_Q1sV2mjUMdN5plFDKwY0mFTQIBNI_nL7_2_0m81Fiz9mE8cnVHxDOcV83bcSUo/s1600/381201_2735092571718_1089447804_33024023_1832133936_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkW0ZYgqJzV-vJYIsaI0sP5u7UBMZhy1daTM-fhyr-Hdy5fUVyEdtiG334rl9tq29DBifUS3QyixL_Q1sV2mjUMdN5plFDKwY0mFTQIBNI_nL7_2_0m81Fiz9mE8cnVHxDOcV83bcSUo/s320/381201_2735092571718_1089447804_33024023_1832133936_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy D. Scott</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I face 2013
with a blank paper begging me to record some goals -just a few. I’m afraid to write them down for fear of
failing before I begin. In this new season of life, I can only redefine myself
if I try. If I do not risk failure, I
cannot enjoy the fruits of success. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bit by bit,
I am sneaking up on goals, really simple ones, from behind. I figure if they
don’t see me coming, I have a better chance of catching them. I am afraid. It is that simple. I want to be
more than I’ve ever been, but I am afraid I am all I will ever be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Today’s
simple goals</b></span></u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>:</b> start
taking down Christmas decorations, get all my user names/passwords organized,
download My Fitness Pal and record progress, complete the school day, run to extra-curricular activities, write blog post. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>What my
day really looked like</b></span></u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>:</b> took down ½ interior decs, got
most of my name/passwords organized, completed Fitness Pal project, covered schoolwork (Lit, Algebra, History, and
Biology), wrote blog post, did 3 loads of laundry, made lunch, made the run to
Fencing practice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyK1RqlphG0MNdh0NEWfXDMFztau9p_Lnz34oixwn70udT0KXG4vPCQHOH4f3-Ww_qIF5QIE6yDSHHJByt14sU2VKQXVfEhU7SrDRQfRJro0KsDHR1gmae_aG6rXflqehblj-ksMFJh_Y/s1600/26684_1510121719722_1434720655_31379786_6313056_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyK1RqlphG0MNdh0NEWfXDMFztau9p_Lnz34oixwn70udT0KXG4vPCQHOH4f3-Ww_qIF5QIE6yDSHHJByt14sU2VKQXVfEhU7SrDRQfRJro0KsDHR1gmae_aG6rXflqehblj-ksMFJh_Y/s320/26684_1510121719722_1434720655_31379786_6313056_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Those long
term goals will just have to wait till I have time to face them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Are you
sweatin' to the 'Goaldies' with me?</b> What’s the scariest goal you ever set? Did
you make it? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+16%3A3&version=MSG"><b>Proverbs 16:3</b></a> (The Message) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will
take place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkauw_ofr6WkULA99ISlH1yZENDL8kK6TopU-9Wrba7l4T3I1WpL_aZYOLjbbNoHcsewm2CaNicwHYkjykbTpa1R3_XbFB8T8sG5wamT_s9LvZtWeGgjitc888EQWMRSahh14_N_Xes0/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwkauw_ofr6WkULA99ISlH1yZENDL8kK6TopU-9Wrba7l4T3I1WpL_aZYOLjbbNoHcsewm2CaNicwHYkjykbTpa1R3_XbFB8T8sG5wamT_s9LvZtWeGgjitc888EQWMRSahh14_N_Xes0/s200/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy B. Creasy - 2010</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+42%3A16&version=AMP"><b>Isaiah 42:16</b></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">(Amplified Bible)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">And I will bring the blind by a way that they know not;
I will lead them in paths that they have not known. I will make darkness into
light before them and make uneven places into a plain. These things I have
determined to do [for them]; and I will not leave them forsaken.</span></div>
Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-73580380361690669082013-01-06T19:19:00.001-08:002013-01-06T19:19:42.190-08:00I’m Just a Paper Girl in an iCloud World<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxL3tnQO1WojPXb7O370RG5sWuSLjHA4zJmuEbGNByftHzlI9EYBZKCNiA9AegOCu7NorXF7Am1hi8ogPBJOpqWH21vs6KnI-WjKXtnf5tXiOPqBorX92VtWiqXWhjA7qezXc_ZBXGaA/s1600/44465_142319969137572_100000787091999_169651_4197889_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxL3tnQO1WojPXb7O370RG5sWuSLjHA4zJmuEbGNByftHzlI9EYBZKCNiA9AegOCu7NorXF7Am1hi8ogPBJOpqWH21vs6KnI-WjKXtnf5tXiOPqBorX92VtWiqXWhjA7qezXc_ZBXGaA/s320/44465_142319969137572_100000787091999_169651_4197889_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy A. Hughes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I run with bloggers. That’s code for: I run with
scissors. Because in running with these gals, I’m gonna hurt myself one way or
the other someday.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They are almost all more than a decade younger than me
meaning their brains are more agile. A lunar module is history to them. To me
it was current events. My agile days are over, but I still try to keep up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Until now, my shining technological achievement involved
learning to operate a prehistoric relic known as a mimeograph machine. It was
the only legal way to get a buzz in elementary school. I </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">really
do</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">miss those ink fumes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My introduction to computers involved rectangular
sheets of cardstock and a humming, room-sized machine that seemed to belch while it punched holes in my cardstock. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">If I corrected a snippet of code in line forty-seven of
my Fortran program, the computer spit back a snarly message. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT8HLDf75e123gjaTAJAPlKW5feilHR429P96sTQ_fLr0boteYi" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT8HLDf75e123gjaTAJAPlKW5feilHR429P96sTQ_fLr0boteYi" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=free+photo+of+daleks&hl=en&tbo=u&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=ITrqUN_wKIX49QS2v4CwBg&ved=0CDsQsAQ&biw=1194&bih=715">image credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I think it smirked while saying I had
uncovered 472 more errors for my trouble. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Computers, and all things related, became to me what daleks
are to Dr. Who fans – the stuff of which nightmares are made.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It dawned on me this week how much I've changed along with the times. My phone has more capability than the computers involved in the lunar
landings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I tried to look up some statistics about the difference between smart phones and the lunar module computers. Converting the information into fifth grade English made my head hurt. So, just
take my word for it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">I find it rather creepy that they turn me loose on the public with this thing and expect me to use it responsibly. Geez. </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17oxVG7UrGExfmwaU4a_UyHWnXborSyU0pllpdwjXu77VdouhuQDZpgOpQwr7q5wBQ27Wm0toK7O_L9XU17JaTofhAS-Pwr15keD9Jig1yicdFDD9LNHokvr81YVhE3fKGfxVbZCNwYY/s1600/207258_1025038392942_1434720655_30088368_6325_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17oxVG7UrGExfmwaU4a_UyHWnXborSyU0pllpdwjXu77VdouhuQDZpgOpQwr7q5wBQ27Wm0toK7O_L9XU17JaTofhAS-Pwr15keD9Jig1yicdFDD9LNHokvr81YVhE3fKGfxVbZCNwYY/s320/207258_1025038392942_1434720655_30088368_6325_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">If you have the right app, y</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">ou can drive the space station from here on a cloud free night. No pun intended. And not that I have any prior knowledge of an actual night when it wobbled in its orbit, mind you. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This time of year my blogging communities explode with
free and printable planners, fancy mind maps of business goals, posts about
resolutions, and announcements of new link ups on fitness, diet, and living
intentionally. They've develop all this great stuff using tools requiring nary a piece of paper in sight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">That
would explain the weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth you've heard this
last two weeks. I wanna plead that it’s not my fault. I blame them. They make
me feel as though I’m drinking out of a fire hydrant.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcX3ux-x_9nt3l-8qqAcWPSqa2a4k6ZJlGncTjzmH7i4cRK9Gp0loOUD5ATbTqh_HUzSujAAgiDW-vN9m894cT34yF5soXYu3Rtn1_ofbz9w_olutzwqfxDTEZIyfsI00xwqZIN_Wl0PE/s1600/1207121620aedited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcX3ux-x_9nt3l-8qqAcWPSqa2a4k6ZJlGncTjzmH7i4cRK9Gp0loOUD5ATbTqh_HUzSujAAgiDW-vN9m894cT34yF5soXYu3Rtn1_ofbz9w_olutzwqfxDTEZIyfsI00xwqZIN_Wl0PE/s320/1207121620aedited.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I pinned this, yes I did! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I look at their color coded goal sheets and wanna say, “Hey!
I just learned how to pin something on Pinterest!” I’ll never catch up because
I can’t drink out of their fire hydrants fast enough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This week, a friend and I talked about going green by going
paperless. I told her women like me whose husbands have worked in the paper
industry appreciate a less radical approach. Hey, I recycle!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The truth is simple. The very idea of a paperless life makes me
dizzy. I’m learning all about the virtues of Google Docs,
SmartSheet.com, Dropbox, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">Evernote,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">and the other stuff these young wizards are using. I've even gotten brave enough to work with some of it. </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQG0yNeCE1z3JifHm-eR83ImkYwGz9z0rgrMFcXNDNuBodNnluWKmF0IZyNn1jcUB1qH501DGleGTP22KKqC1pFPj4oXAJTBfkCiG0e3pWYwEITF7vG3zDdbF7z2IDR6SvRzcez9R3BhA/s1600/68581_1738686953710_1434720655_31893553_1602862_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQG0yNeCE1z3JifHm-eR83ImkYwGz9z0rgrMFcXNDNuBodNnluWKmF0IZyNn1jcUB1qH501DGleGTP22KKqC1pFPj4oXAJTBfkCiG0e3pWYwEITF7vG3zDdbF7z2IDR6SvRzcez9R3BhA/s320/68581_1738686953710_1434720655_31893553_1602862_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguini Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">As long as my medical doctor keeps renewing my scrip for vertigo, I’m sure
I’ll be fine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ll tell you a little secret if you don’t rat me out.
Every time I make a virtual copy of anything, I see a dalek running toward me.
The kind of dalek that wreaks havoc with cloud storage systems. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Because
I’m smart enough to see that dalek coming, even if my smarter, trendy pals
can’t, I've got a backup system in place. I back up all my important info on
notebook paper for safe keeping.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ypl_9HSuqIJgm8eiu4S2BDILCSeaEVrocOtbW7btNL-4xLy_1kgFr1R-IwRS34Cg6gm-8WaB3tT02JsNIKpLflYqZgpsYi0raDac952Ix4BYUQDeJI3aiVVgHYYRACy_fopNJpyOiOQ/s1600/557172_3488414125217_876200681_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ypl_9HSuqIJgm8eiu4S2BDILCSeaEVrocOtbW7btNL-4xLy_1kgFr1R-IwRS34Cg6gm-8WaB3tT02JsNIKpLflYqZgpsYi0raDac952Ix4BYUQDeJI3aiVVgHYYRACy_fopNJpyOiOQ/s320/557172_3488414125217_876200681_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy D. Ahola</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Old habits are hard
to break when you are a paper girl living in a iCloud world.<br /><br />Pssst...not that I'm one to spread rumors or anything, but if you didn't hear the one about how somebody around here made the space station wobble, you might wanna follow this link: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-dont-care-what-you-read-in-paper-or.html"><b>click here</b></a>. </span></div>
<br />
</div>
Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-73454851548643353112013-01-03T19:44:00.001-08:002013-01-04T09:29:06.832-08:00Redemption and Forgivenss - A Bully Tale (Pt 2)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbBoRVWYGnUTWFyLlSjs_2ollFUJ0fKl2sFmWbtaDQ_8oDRgowdd7inGx5PhXybyqd4Q_gV4fJ7csY9iSGvvniEPP_sVQ3yhY9RjQlfmCmk4q0S_MdoaoIs_ex0eXpAUNTegM29VoFOc/s1600/27071_1422010196989_1434720655_31160817_3076317_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbBoRVWYGnUTWFyLlSjs_2ollFUJ0fKl2sFmWbtaDQ_8oDRgowdd7inGx5PhXybyqd4Q_gV4fJ7csY9iSGvvniEPP_sVQ3yhY9RjQlfmCmk4q0S_MdoaoIs_ex0eXpAUNTegM29VoFOc/s320/27071_1422010196989_1434720655_31160817_3076317_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I choked back bitter anguish. How long until relief
would come? In the mean season of 2009, a collective spasm grasped our country
as ever climbing unemployment numbers spiked. We escaped a second round of
homelessness by the skin of our gnashing teeth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While our family lived in two states, I longed for the
day we could shed ourselves of this cursed house on this cursed cul-de-sac. Escape
via relocation was out of the question because of plummeting real estate values.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6ulI7MS6Pzo0wu1ZNs_VAp2t-EBU2MepBS_nR4YKoUdwXPilWNEwfJ9WUIz40rQnaZn1E-BDI4Ef1ZVutn49z2A-xO_z7jXTcH-RLPOnIndoq6QKI4mgSlgYxu2ZHyMMxk4-KhzHlaE/s1600/12834_216872494782_680939782_4223478_2112437_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6ulI7MS6Pzo0wu1ZNs_VAp2t-EBU2MepBS_nR4YKoUdwXPilWNEwfJ9WUIz40rQnaZn1E-BDI4Ef1ZVutn49z2A-xO_z7jXTcH-RLPOnIndoq6QKI4mgSlgYxu2ZHyMMxk4-KhzHlaE/s200/12834_216872494782_680939782_4223478_2112437_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">October 2009</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I would have rent my clothes and smeared myself in
ashes but for fear of seeming crazy. Just when I thought things were as bad as
they could get, I tumbled in the backyard breaking my leg in three places. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Waiting
in the rain, first to be discovered and then for EMS, I had one sickening thought: I do not feel safe for my son with two good
legs. How in the world are we going to survive this onslaught of bullying now? <br />
<br />
We survived on homeschool lessons, T.V. and computer games. The isolation nearly
killed us both. He didn’t venture outside for the entire six months I was
recovering. But for friends offering an occasional respite for him, we were on
our own.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbN8XP4pYUACyzU9es0UEngaAVY9crYXezOzWZwUy1gI_LdD_QlzT-qj-70ENXAGJ5aeW756c8rhi17t6pGwdZ_rZLXdcsjaNP4ZkI3rFhwhg1xLqM9dOquTP5Q3jqVqnsOt9hS5FXjQ/s1600/332995_2752292773222_1434720655_33069435_120157753_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbN8XP4pYUACyzU9es0UEngaAVY9crYXezOzWZwUy1gI_LdD_QlzT-qj-70ENXAGJ5aeW756c8rhi17t6pGwdZ_rZLXdcsjaNP4ZkI3rFhwhg1xLqM9dOquTP5Q3jqVqnsOt9hS5FXjQ/s320/332995_2752292773222_1434720655_33069435_120157753_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Anguish over lost dreams tormented me: tea, scones,
friendship and all my other fairy tale cul-de-sac dreams lay in ruins. Anguish over
my behavior that awful day and the awful things I said haunted me. Even more
haunting were fears my son would never be the same. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
In those days, I forced myself to pray with the boys because I did not want my
doubt to sully their futures. No matter how I struggle, I want to plant
relentless faith in them. I fought off the impulse to shake my fist in God’s face
and ask, “<b>Why</b>? What did I ever do to
<b>you</b>?”<br />
<br />
We asked God to bring relief and to restore our cul-de-sac dreams. Oh, how I
wanted to pray, “You smite ‘em, God, because if you don’t, I’ll have to as soon
as I can walk again.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDWnRaDGyRUU9tAXHXkdMdhASGEKjDejnqYsMhGJIvv8cS68wKyPlEcf5rCH-FIV3UHzRJC8XgCdLcWMfHqSetC1AJrJhigQQx3fhYad9_bF37RvBt-P66ASFUQilAcKRfJuq4m8ZJUA/s1600/0126121737a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDWnRaDGyRUU9tAXHXkdMdhASGEKjDejnqYsMhGJIvv8cS68wKyPlEcf5rCH-FIV3UHzRJC8XgCdLcWMfHqSetC1AJrJhigQQx3fhYad9_bF37RvBt-P66ASFUQilAcKRfJuq4m8ZJUA/s320/0126121737a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Instead, we prayed for the cul-de-sac gang asking for
restoration of their hurting souls. Wanna know the cold hard truth? I prayed those
prayers thinking they had a snowflakes chance in you-know-where of being
answered.<br />
<br />
Son #2 got bigger, faster, and stronger reaching six feet at age fourteen. I’m
sure those changes were great equalizers. He went away to camp and came home
renewed in spirit. The specter of bullying lost its hold during the week away. His
love of heavy metal music and the easy way he moves around in that community fostered
respect where once there had been only disdain. Go figure? <br />
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With the hindsight of newly emerging maturity, he was able to deconstruct some
things about his past. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mom,
you know how Aspies have a hard time deciphering and using sarcasm for humor?
Looking back, I think the kids weren’t always trying to be bullies. I think
sometimes they were just trying to tease and joke with me the way they did each
other. I didn’t understand. We get along so much better now that I do.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAZvmK8VlD_j00qkEWWcy25dDz9KODZLtCUITROJ3CpXIbOrlzv0vTwRF5ss6p3hJp6pK0K2kEX73IiunthpzEIsnMrbj29nTKDbsM5ceYjW9V9spZuELF5QOxWojpKCqpT6-6DijpKY/s1600/n1434720655_30375781_2369664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAZvmK8VlD_j00qkEWWcy25dDz9KODZLtCUITROJ3CpXIbOrlzv0vTwRF5ss6p3hJp6pK0K2kEX73IiunthpzEIsnMrbj29nTKDbsM5ceYjW9V9spZuELF5QOxWojpKCqpT6-6DijpKY/s320/n1434720655_30375781_2369664.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In that moment, I realized my heart had become a dried
out sponge – as hard and brittle as if it had been left out in the New Mexico
desert to dry. His words were the first drops of water dripping over my weary
soul. And yet, I remained cautious and skeptical despite the number of
uncomplicated interactions he continued to have. <br />
<br />
As Christmas breaks approached this year, apprehension again gnawed at me. How
would ‘those’ kids be with time on their hands? Trust doesn’t come easy after
the worst, most miserable failure of your life.<br />
<br />
Son #2 bounced in the back door. I smiled to myself rejoicing at the simple sign
of healing. My irrepressible Tigger had returned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mom!
Guess what? I just had an incredible conversation. You won’t believe what’s
happened. He apologized! He told me how sorry he is for the way he used to
treat me. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rxFMiSNFgONk_l29-f6jT-LLUHeKZFCrPs1PopfTtY37xxgKnCJyICshsu7oApHeUrFAD4IBO49zQ8FWdAFEPwwDyADJzyCRiIyzZxwLhoI_E697vUUIWObhlXwITvB5bpZRDGLoECw/s1600/133933_1797948075201_1434720655_32033110_3670025_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rxFMiSNFgONk_l29-f6jT-LLUHeKZFCrPs1PopfTtY37xxgKnCJyICshsu7oApHeUrFAD4IBO49zQ8FWdAFEPwwDyADJzyCRiIyzZxwLhoI_E697vUUIWObhlXwITvB5bpZRDGLoECw/s320/133933_1797948075201_1434720655_32033110_3670025_o.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Out poured the story of one young man’s courage as he
faced his former victim and owned up to their hurtful past. He said he’d come
to faith in Christ. That rebirth of soul compelled his sincere apology. <br />
<br />
Tears, filled with both redemption and forgiveness, poured down my cheeks as I took
in the enormity of it all. My youthful nemesis had become my brother in faith. His
actions spoke more clearly than his words. The power of both echoed through our
home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A few days later, I asked my son to forward an email. I
let my fellow Christ-follower know that we had prayed for him even during the
worst of days. I applauded his courage in addressing his hurtful actions. I
wished him well and told him he remains in our prayers. Now we rejoice in what
Christ has done vs mourn the pain we
knew before. <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I pray he will carry our mutual experience with
him into the future and use it for the sake of others. I</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">f his recent courage is any indicator,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">I would say he will serve the body of Christ in exemplary ways </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Cy4M28omvdl4tPbmmZ8A1zRR2EYFZjTxDwHK1ZOU6lUGyMRSe_Kw7hMK02dUFWIBP0RM2NIPZ0Z7zCEblBgD_s2HKRTndP2e884-ZW799r_ueWTcWn2_M2HW86kSYbg8BYyrUiuLpOM/s1600/341046_3038539009199_1434720655_33200084_873732742_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Cy4M28omvdl4tPbmmZ8A1zRR2EYFZjTxDwHK1ZOU6lUGyMRSe_Kw7hMK02dUFWIBP0RM2NIPZ0Z7zCEblBgD_s2HKRTndP2e884-ZW799r_ueWTcWn2_M2HW86kSYbg8BYyrUiuLpOM/s320/341046_3038539009199_1434720655_33200084_873732742_o.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">If
I told you the truth, I’d admit I have a new cul-de-sac dream. It doesn’t
involve tea and scones. It involves two young men standing together, tormentor
and victim of his aggression, telling other young people about their shared journey.
And, if that’s my daydream, can you imagine how much better God’s plan?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+13%3A35&version=MSG">John 13:34,35</a> (The Message)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the
same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize
that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To read Part 1 of this story - <a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2013/01/redemption-and-forgiveness-bully-tale.html" style="font-weight: bold;">click here</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />To read the series re being invisible and homeless in America -</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2013/01/redemption-and-forgiveness-bully-tale.html">click here</a>.</b></span></div>
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Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1564600666420534816.post-34639294944903461612013-01-01T23:32:00.000-08:002013-03-03T13:48:25.559-08:00Redemption and Forgiveness - A Bully Tale (pt 1)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaI8cNtuDyJEan0gQrzEUmK-dCMXdCS3hXyxJavtnlL3Q1gu3gBjTgq5wSFLRfH7-vShpLsyycj7RMvV-vJNuqu6eWdl8j4T0rRU77f8wIIupL6oH5-g58jjeX08UUzM013w67GMlWkTI/s1600/n1434720655_30231308_2656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaI8cNtuDyJEan0gQrzEUmK-dCMXdCS3hXyxJavtnlL3Q1gu3gBjTgq5wSFLRfH7-vShpLsyycj7RMvV-vJNuqu6eWdl8j4T0rRU77f8wIIupL6oH5-g58jjeX08UUzM013w67GMlWkTI/s320/n1434720655_30231308_2656.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Hush now. Gather round. I’ve got a story to tell about redemption
and forgiveness. Redemption I hoped would never come. Forgiveness I never
wanted to extend. And the worst, most miserable and embarrassing day of my
life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">That oughta be juicy enough for you to shut off Facebook and Pinterest
for a while, huh? </span></div>
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<br />
I’ve lived in this house four long years now. When I got here, I thought it was
God’s answer to loss and abandonment. I thought it was a Heavenly version of
HGTV: Restoration Jesus Style. If you’ve followed along for a while, you know
how that dream turned to a nightmare in no time flat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It wasn’t enough that the economy failed leaving us at
risk of losing a home and enjoying a second foray into homelessness. Nope. God
wasn’t finished with me even then.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtdE3C_7XwlWvrHAMTz0QfgrkYQ3Tgf66Mo-FQ6-ptDrHnDXlnfBQcnrkpbUUqto8pvWqsybZExkvMGsoRiMQA6ZGiJMh3CMjdkIotFhD6bvHov9M9cON2PC5jlR9joNumAq_hn9mxSQ/s1600/0121111605a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtdE3C_7XwlWvrHAMTz0QfgrkYQ3Tgf66Mo-FQ6-ptDrHnDXlnfBQcnrkpbUUqto8pvWqsybZExkvMGsoRiMQA6ZGiJMh3CMjdkIotFhD6bvHov9M9cON2PC5jlR9joNumAq_hn9mxSQ/s320/0121111605a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2008</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I walked up and down this cul-de-sac asking God to let
these new neighbors become friends. I envisioned tea, scones, and Bible studies
around my dining room table. Then, life became bitter without the sweet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I changed after we moved here. I changed because of
bullying. I watched my happy-go-lucky son with a George Lucas-like imagination
dry up and die on the vine at the hands of bullies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’d stand at the window and watch – desperately praying
for God to give my son the skill to meet his challenges. I was loathe to
intervene lest I be accused of being one of ‘those’ homeschooling helicopter
moms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3x5jjDv63JxqBFQDpO2ydj29a5Lp2fG71CSw1RZkknisMzxkRgVR2IERpPvjkes_U2azzp-IeJzDdQRtqbKtVW-5rdZBuhdgWd6eTAJLq73hsLiHsboNOh3y22OIKR6aB6EaOGrrSQTo/s1600/379947_10150472672774783_680939782_10621759_1318667766_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3x5jjDv63JxqBFQDpO2ydj29a5Lp2fG71CSw1RZkknisMzxkRgVR2IERpPvjkes_U2azzp-IeJzDdQRtqbKtVW-5rdZBuhdgWd6eTAJLq73hsLiHsboNOh3y22OIKR6aB6EaOGrrSQTo/s1600/379947_10150472672774783_680939782_10621759_1318667766_a.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy A. Squires</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They were four years older. The deck was never stacked
in his favor. <br />
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He changed. Rage filled him. He became dishonest, foul-mouthed, and
disrespectful. In the worst of days, I was afraid we’d lost him forever. I
thought there was no way he’d ever come back to us. <br />
<br />
He spent long hours outdoors and was thrilled to find a creek in the backyard.
After the bullying started in earnest, he vacillated between spending weeks and
weeks indoors with taking a chance on going outside. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If it was a good day, he
came in calm and happy. If it was a bad day, life was literally hell on earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I knew I’d hit almost rock bottom when I could no
longer bring myself to look up as a car passed while I was in the yard. The
folks I prayed to meet were now the ones I wanted to avoid at all cost. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoHcsJdYndZI0U2aPn7LfHBkNTIZVLeNzQtpacoy173rta-hDB0rHcC7N3PBbcdHhIaXEon7oBvRkm8KUSTv3QUo5snoli_VwQIsqlq7pYUPbHb95cHkj5uGXaMSWMinGkCrHBlzxBP8/s1600/n1434720655_30239087_6047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoHcsJdYndZI0U2aPn7LfHBkNTIZVLeNzQtpacoy173rta-hDB0rHcC7N3PBbcdHhIaXEon7oBvRkm8KUSTv3QUo5snoli_VwQIsqlq7pYUPbHb95cHkj5uGXaMSWMinGkCrHBlzxBP8/s320/n1434720655_30239087_6047.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">All I
wanted was to get off this God-forsaken street. God blocked every avenue of
escape even when my husband found work out of state after a five month layoff. <br />
<br />
I hit rock bottom on a day like any other. Son #2 decided to give the kids
another chance. While he’d had a lot stomped out of him figuratively, relentless
optimism egged him on. I held my breath and waited trying not to watch. I tried
to give God my burden. Something in my gut knew trouble was afoot. <br />
</span><br />
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Even now, I burn hot and tremble remembering how long I let it go on. He was
not in physical danger, but the emotional beating was more than I could bear
another second of another minute of another day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He'd saved money for a laminator and made ID cards for
some friends. The bullies were mocking him as they played keep away with one of
the cards. He was nearly beside himself. He was calm compared to me. <br />
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I flew out the door screaming like a banshee. In an
instant I decided to use language I knew they’d understand. I was no longer the
‘safety patrol mom’ as they had so mockingly called me behind my back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIlHYsudlsVGOjTE_4vfK7jaWWfgOmle6325UKRFRzkxr0cVwu9y6UIPIlrdzJhD5zDJoe6QWmS5gtY6vLnvxcuFhIQgq2MKLyj3iDupH1_ivQ3109RkYjVrKgFFKn_gqB4OyK3QNKi0/s1600/208418_1952802626468_1434720655_32283526_5312769_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqIlHYsudlsVGOjTE_4vfK7jaWWfgOmle6325UKRFRzkxr0cVwu9y6UIPIlrdzJhD5zDJoe6QWmS5gtY6vLnvxcuFhIQgq2MKLyj3iDupH1_ivQ3109RkYjVrKgFFKn_gqB4OyK3QNKi0/s320/208418_1952802626468_1434720655_32283526_5312769_n.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy Mad Penguin Creative</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Anger shook me so hard my voice trembled as I spat out
my message. Any remaining dreams of warm and fuzzy social teas died in
the fire of my rage that day. <br />
<br />
Three long years have passed. I have never spoken to any of those now
college-aged children again. My family and I did what we could to mop up the
damage and prayed the light would come back into our son’s eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Often, I did what I knew I had to do. I’m telling you
the ugly truth now: I did it through gritted teeth and a burned out heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, fraidy cat, you’ve never seen me like this before
have you? I’d never seen me like that either. I can’t wait to tell you the rest
of this story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you’ve ever swallowed
bitter tears while praying for your enemy, the rest of this story is one you
might want to read. If you’ve ever choked back the prayer, “You smite ‘em, God,
because if you don’t, I will . . .” I
know this one’s for you.<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Since
I know you love a cliffhanger, see you tomorrow</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+6%3A28&version=AMP">Luke 6:28</a> (Amplified Bible)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of
those who curse you, implore God’s blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you
[who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you].<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyYJSTsCTRglJIMmqlaQezwjaGTqHmhcO4WoDG64eOswj-LoYSV7M5h-BJuh4LLXv88amk1UsnjOi7BOGOK-2EcGX4-LvQ-_Mx2uQOILjwJQyLll8x_Scwfqxz_nGObL9xO04wkCQ4fk/s1600/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyYJSTsCTRglJIMmqlaQezwjaGTqHmhcO4WoDG64eOswj-LoYSV7M5h-BJuh4LLXv88amk1UsnjOi7BOGOK-2EcGX4-LvQ-_Mx2uQOILjwJQyLll8x_Scwfqxz_nGObL9xO04wkCQ4fk/s320/40540_151330651550075_100000194225406_494112_4288622_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To read the original story of how bullying affected our family, click here: <b><a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2011/06/fear-and-loathing-in-hood.html">Fear and Loathing in the Hood</a></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>To read Part 2 of Redemption and Forgiveness, click here<br /><a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2013/01/redemption-and-forgivenss-bully-tale-pt.html">Redemption and Forgiveness - Pt. 2</a></b><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To read the original post about our move to this house, click here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://confessionsofafraidycat.blogspot.com/2011/07/deja-vu-all-over-again.html"><b>Deja Vu All Over Again</b></a></span></div>
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Carol Anne Wright Swetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16651373902242362869noreply@blogger.com12