tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39671934100262767452024-02-19T18:35:14.521-06:00this life's journeyMarceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-88535119243185849472014-08-26T11:23:00.002-05:002014-08-26T11:36:40.967-05:00{hope} in the midst of struggle, He is there.<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Let's
see if I can even form the words to share this. </span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IIwyjMecDsNWPxjPIjHtSoH0YqKFz0MwJqZj0y0IvubT-4dhZweJ5PRXKbnDAUo4vQ8mu_Vc3aN-ps6wP8JQ9DE01dCvhEPMMEzJ_bK-5cQUBee7hWyKmtWpQKGzU4hH6FfJsiglfFUM/s1600/BibleandJournalHope.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IIwyjMecDsNWPxjPIjHtSoH0YqKFz0MwJqZj0y0IvubT-4dhZweJ5PRXKbnDAUo4vQ8mu_Vc3aN-ps6wP8JQ9DE01dCvhEPMMEzJ_bK-5cQUBee7hWyKmtWpQKGzU4hH6FfJsiglfFUM/s1600/BibleandJournalHope.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I've been struggling
and avoiding my writing to the Lord for fear that the pain would be too
overwhelming. The last time I wrote, I was still pregnant. I did sense
something was not right but we did not have the answer yet. Well, today I
have been overwhelmed by His presence and His Spirit pulling me to His
word. When the pain came like a crashing wave I had to stop for the
tears were too great. I began to write the names of those who reached
out to me in all this, praying for each of them and their families,
while being so grateful for their willingness to be Jesus in my life. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Then I came to a friend who sent a thoughtful gift. Her card was
beautiful and her words so sweet in the midst of pain. She also sent a
ring, pictured above. On it is written Romans 8:28 "And we know that in
all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been
called according to His purpose." A verse I have heard many times, as
I'm sure so have you. When frozen once again, I began to wonder what
verses are written around this one so familiar. </span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>{Can I tell you that I was trembling as I began to open His word? There is just something so <b>powerful about His written word to us</b>.}</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I think I need to back up a bit and share something with you. The last time I wrote was on July 29th. It was still a time of uncertainty. I was pregnant, yes, but there were pains and unexplained bleeding and test results that did not give clear answers. No matter the outcome, there would be challenges. A loss or adding another little one to our family. <br /><br />On July 29th I wrote:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>"...You already know the outcome, Lord-prepare my heart for what is to come.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>Pslam 71 ♥</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>v5 "For you, O Lords, are my hope'</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>v9"...forsake me not when my strength is spent."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>v17 "O God, from my youth You have taught me, and I still proclaim Your wondrous deeds."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>v19 "Your righteousness, Oh God, reaches the high heavens." "</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hope.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">And this morning as I opened the Word to Romans 8 the heading above v18 struck me: "Future Glory". </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>{Ok, Jesus. Let's start there. Please be near me.}</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Oh I thought my heart would bounce right out of my chest as I began to read...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>v18 "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us..." <b>hope.</b></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>v24 "For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?" <b>hope.</b></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>v25 "But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." <b>hope.</b></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Oh friends, I am shaking now. His presence and love is so overwhelming in moments like this. <i>{tears}</i> My soul was dry and felt like it might just cease to exist and then He comes and pours life back into me. <i> me. </i> Far from deserving this hope and life and newness. <i><b> </b> </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I began to copy those verses while the tears just flowed. And then this came...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>v26 "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." <b>hope.</b></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">And there it is. I have no words. I'll leave you with the song below.<i> <b>hope.</b></i></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>only His,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>marcey♥</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/h3Q7wUoQV5Q?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><b> </b></i> </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><b>"The Glorious Unfolding"</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><b>by Steven Curtis Chapman </b> </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i> </i></span>Lay your head down tonight<br />
Take a rest from the fight<br />
Don’t try to figure it out<br />
Just listen to what I’m whispering to your heart<br />
‘Cause I know this is not<br />
Anything like you thought<br />
The story of your life was gonna be<br />
And it feels like the end has started closing in on you<br />
But it’s just not true<br />
There’s so much of the story that’s still yet to unfold<br />
<br />
And this is going to be a glorious unfolding<br />
Just you wait and see and you will be amazed<br />
You’ve just got to believe the story is so far from over<br />
So hold on to every promise God has made to us<br />
And watch this glorious unfolding<br />
<br />
God’s plan from the start<br />
For this world and your heart<br />
Has been to show His glory and His grace<br />
Forever revealing the depth and the beauty of<br />
His unfailing Love<br />
And the story has only begun<br />
<br />
And this is going to be a glorious unfolding<br />
Just you wait and see and you will be amazed<br />
We’ve just got to believe the story is so far from over<br />
So hold on to every promise God has made to us<br />
And watch this glorious unfolding<br />
<br />
We were made to run through fields of forever<br />
Singing songs to our Savior and King<br />
So let us remember this life we’re living<br />
Is just the beginning of the beginning<br />
<br />
Of this glorious unfolding<br />
We will watch and see and we will be amazed<br />
If we just keep on believing the story is so far from over<br />
And hold on to every promise God has made to us<br />
We’ll see the glorious unfolding<br />
<br />
Just watch and see (unfolding)<br />
This is just the beginning of the beginning (unfolding)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-15693797550065119462014-08-09T21:26:00.000-05:002014-08-09T21:26:09.203-05:00dear sweet one.dear sweet one,<br />
<br />
I went to lunch with Daddy and Asher today. Thought since your other siblings were with your grandparents we should get out and see the outside world for a bit. I even showered and put on makeup! *gasp* I wore my yellow scarf to brighten my day and remind me of you - sort of a way to still take you with me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzEwMG1C2_NEnqxwWTYYZg8woFMz-Dg39faIYb8Pbri3-SEl-bfCmZSR3HYRUp5kXLE5HYPz3B_whV6GeQM5EFNP75d6HICHgkLbyxAQkevz-iih2xMaDZZym3LVxyHtzbwkceys3MjEf/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzEwMG1C2_NEnqxwWTYYZg8woFMz-Dg39faIYb8Pbri3-SEl-bfCmZSR3HYRUp5kXLE5HYPz3B_whV6GeQM5EFNP75d6HICHgkLbyxAQkevz-iih2xMaDZZym3LVxyHtzbwkceys3MjEf/s1600/photo.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
I felt sick this morning and could not bring myself to eat so by 2pm I was ready for some food! Daddy and I settled on a steak house with yummy cheese fries - that's what I really wanted. *smile* Sadly, I couldn't eat much; guess my appetite is not fully back yet.<br />
<br />
Anyway, what I really wanted to tell you was after lunch Daddy treated me to a pedicure - such a sweet thought! I chose yellow for you. I can honestly say I have never put yellow on my nails - ever. Until you. I'm more of a pink or red kind of girl, but I'm enjoying this change.<br />
<br />
So, it sure felt good to have these momma feet scrubbed and lookin' pretty. I did ask the sweet lady if she would do a flower on my big toes. I wanted a little something special to make my heart smile when I saw it. She got right to it and I was surprised by how much I liked it. She started with black for the pedals - and I thought, yikes, Mizzou colors. Not what I was going for. She then added some red and bam - loved it. Yellow and pretty designs - LOVE. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2VR8HYNLAvrsahJbL5pB8WmG5WqkmL5dLXK7qfIBL0PA3q8ZTGySHhck_xJwKcbZTGepaptFRCnDR-4pz1E6ZSKKdXF3lUK_v446CY7jhof4POT0fq_viJWeIYYAgSq3HIq8w9sOjdxp/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2VR8HYNLAvrsahJbL5pB8WmG5WqkmL5dLXK7qfIBL0PA3q8ZTGySHhck_xJwKcbZTGepaptFRCnDR-4pz1E6ZSKKdXF3lUK_v446CY7jhof4POT0fq_viJWeIYYAgSq3HIq8w9sOjdxp/s1600/photo-2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It was not 'till I was back in the van that I noticed a bit more - five beautiful white steaks at the top of each big toe <i>{btw, your Mommy does not like the word toe, just sounds so weird and then put the word big in front of it and so unpretty. Ha!}. </i><br />
<br />
But<i>, <b>five</b></i>. Now that is a word I like. You are our fifth little one. <br />
<br />
Oh goodness - <b><i>Jesus amazes me!!</i></b><br />
<br />
It is those sweet, unexpected, unexplainable, simple, seemingly small - yet not small - moments that remind me our Lord cares about every. little. thing.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>i love you</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>& miss you</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>~mommy</i></div>
Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-17735341224528789482014-06-29T10:19:00.001-05:002014-06-29T10:41:57.756-05:00the unknown.Whoa. This is one big, white, blank space that seems to be waiting for all these words in my heart to come spilling out; spill out like a can of bright blue paint waiting for some 2 year old to knock over. The thing is though, I am beyond words for what has been happening these past 18 months since my last blog post. Actually, forget the last 18 months, more like just the last two months alone are hard to express. <br />
<br />
Well, now there are letters filling this bright white and it seems a little less intimidating. Just a little. <br />
<br />
God is stirring up great things in my heart. Things that are wild and beyond my own strength, like far beyond my own strength. Crazy things that, if I'm being completely honest with myself (and you), seem totally impossible and terribly scary. But, isn't that how we know sometimes it is of God? That is is far beyond our own reach? Cause, who are we kidding, really. If it was within our own grasp we would just do it ourselves without calling on the One who is capable of all things.<br />
<br />
So there it is. The beginning of this crazy adventure, typed out for someone to read. And also, here lies just another piece to this million piece puzzle. I cannot wait to see what He has in store!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>only His,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>marcey ♥ </i></div>
Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-72156778396665123342012-12-18T12:36:00.001-06:002012-12-18T13:02:56.019-06:00our busy day.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">My son loves to write stories and I certainly enjoy hearing what is in that little mind of his. Here is his most recent assignment where he was to tell about a particularly busy day of ours. It just so happened, that yesterday was that day. These are his exact words. No editing. (: Enjoy! </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<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/AVvXsEjl6ey756h1sLIiqpwxyXhfdYaEbSDN-ssRFJXiUYbmruMRna4gJO6rGwVd7NOzXArHp19V4S4yAQGAHKfDIJRuWoC0SZoMMMV01NUYm7ipr-cGWHkG3yDA-Qr0IkS9o_GJCJ7aP-18gKZ7/s1600/Nov.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl6ey756h1sLIiqpwxyXhfdYaEbSDN-ssRFJXiUYbmruMRna4gJO6rGwVd7NOzXArHp19V4S4yAQGAHKfDIJRuWoC0SZoMMMV01NUYm7ipr-cGWHkG3yDA-Qr0IkS9o_GJCJ7aP-18gKZ7/s640/Nov.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah, age 6</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our Busy Day </span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">by Noah Combs</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A sunny, Monday morning, I got up and got dressed and had
breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After I got done eating
breakfast, I got ready for school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did
math and handwriting and we did language arts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then after we were done doing school we went to Columbia at 11:15am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ate lunch in the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
while my mom was reading me Pooh Corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then when it was time to go inside to the doctor, we went inside and sat
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Mommy talked to a lady about
Lilly’s appointment then after that she came and sat down for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the doctor came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She checked Lilly’s ears and take her
temperature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the lady said her left
ear was worse than her right ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
we went to pay and me and Taylor
got a sticker.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Then we left to Schnuck’s for Lilly’s medicine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were waiting for Lilly’s medicine to
get ready, we bought some groceries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then after we were done buying groceries we went and picked up Lilly’s
medicine then we left to JC Penny’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then we went to return one of Lilly’s dresses that Grandma bought her
because it was too small then we bought her a new one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we paid for the new dress then we went
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we got home at 3pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when we got home Lilly and Taylor fell asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Mommy brought them into bed. After she
was done putting them to bed, me and Mommy finished school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me and Mommy cleaned up the living room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mommy worked on dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mommy made chicken pot pie for me, Mommy and
Daddy and Lilly and Taylor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then after
that me and Taylor had our chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And Lilly took a bath. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Before Mommy made dinner, and before Daddy got home from
work, me and Taylor were playing in our room and when Daddy got home we went
out to see him and give him a hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
after that I went back into my room to play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mommy said, “You don’t have to be in here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And I said, “Ok.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mommy said, “I would appreciate it if you would clean up
your room for me.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I think I said, “Ok” or maybe not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, I cleaned up my room for Mommy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Later that night, Mommy told me and Taylor that we could
watch a movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a Veggie Tale
movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the movie was over Mommy
told us we could watch a Christmas movie and we watched a movie about
Santa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the movie was over me and
Taylor went into the living room. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daddy
asked us to get dressed and ready for bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Me and Taylor got dressed and ready for bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we went to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Daddy prayed with us and Mommy came in
and prayed with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And before all that
happened, Mommy was making Taylor’s
stocking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mommy almost finished it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After Mommy prayed with me and Taylor, me and
Taylor fell asleep. The End.</span></div>
Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-21545360162058425972012-09-27T14:24:00.000-05:002012-09-27T14:46:17.166-05:00the battle: what i am.Let me tell you. This awareness of my food addiction has made my life hard and depressing at times. Over the last couple of weeks I have began to see how dependent I actually am on sugar. My body begins to have some serious withdrawals. It's terrible! But I am determined, by God's grace and power alone, to overcome this. Jesus defeated death!! so He can certainty defeat an addiction such as this. <br />
<br />
My focus has changed. It is no longer about weight loss. <i>{plus the battery is dead in my scale and I'm not in a hurry to replace it, hahaha} </i>I do not want to be defined or controlled by anything other than Jesus. I want everything I say and do to point to Him. My reason for this journey is to get closer to the one who made me not to fit into a size 2...or even an 8 <i>{although, that'd be nice}.</i><br />
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I don't have answers on the 'how to' to share. I know it is a day-by-day, hour-by-hour, and at times, minute-by-minute choice to allow Him to be in control and not the sugar-fill snack that stares me in the face. <br />
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A couple of months ago I began reading, "Made To Crave" by Lysa Terkeurst <i>{don't you just love how her name is spelled!?}. </i>If you are on this journey too I highly recommend this book <i>{no, I was not paid to type that and I actually have not made it all the way through yet}. </i> I'm in the midst of chapter 8 right now but something hit home with me in chapter 6 that I do not want to forget. She talks about how we identify ourselves, as in, "by your family relationships {as a wife, mother, daughter, aunt}, by a professional title or lack of one, or by where you live or go to church." She also touches on how we define our selves by our circumstances, like: Marcey, the abused girl from a broken home, Marcey, the one rejected and emotionally scared by her own mother, or Marcey, the one who wonders if she'll ever be 'good enough'. <br />
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Lysa asks: "Have you ever felt your identity was defined by your circumstances?" <i>Um, yes! </i> As I sit here and let that question sink in, I realize that I do this far more often than I was aware of. Ouch...<br />
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Okay, so the part that I want to remember is the list of affirmations straight from scripture that Lysa lists. Insert your name in place of mine and just let the truth of God's endless love sink into your soul.<br />
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<b><i>Marcey, </i><span style="font-size: large;">the forgiven child of God.</span> </b><br />
"and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:24<br />
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<b><i>Marcey, </i><span style="font-size: large;">the set-free child of God.</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2<br />
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<b><i>Marcey, </i><span style="font-size: large;">the accepted child of God.</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
"...to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be His hold people, together with all everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ - their Lord and ours:" 1 Corinthians 1:2<br />
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<b><i>Marcey, </i><span style="font-size: large;">the hold child of God.</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
"It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption." 1 Corinthians 1:30<br />
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<b><i>Marcey, </i><span style="font-size: large;">the made-new child of God.</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17<br />
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<b><i>Marcey,<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: large;">the loved child of God</span></b><span style="font-size: large;">. </span><br />
"For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be hold an blameless in His sight in love." Ephesians 1:4<br />
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<b><i>Marcey,</i> <span style="font-size: large;">the close child of God. </span></b><br />
"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Ephesians 2:13<br />
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<i style="font-weight: bold;">Marcey,</i><b> <span style="font-size: large;">the confident child of God.</span></b><br />
<b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>"In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." Ephesians 3:12<br />
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<b><i>Marcey, </i><span style="font-size: large;">the victorious child of God.</span></b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."<br />
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WOW!!! I dare you to write or type those out. Open up your Bible, read it in the Word, then write it. My soul is filled by those truths! I am in awe of His great love for me. <i>I AM MADE FOR MORE than to be controlled by food. I am a forgiven, set-free, accepted, holy, made-new, loved, close, confident, victorious, child of God</i>. <b><u>And you, my dear friend, are too!</u></b><br />
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<i>forever His,</i></div>
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<i>♥marcey</i></div>
Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-37083043555999350642012-09-07T10:49:00.001-05:002012-09-07T10:56:16.760-05:00the big d in our house.Decisions. Those can be some of the hardest things to make, and I've made some complicated meals before! Honestly, if you asked me last year, I probably would have been able to answer quickly. <i>"Oh yea, we have that figured out. Easy peasey." </i> As time grew closer and we began to weigh the options, along with options we didn't know even existed for our family, it became clear that this was no little thing. School. Where would Noah be spending the next 9 months and would that be the place he will stay for the next 13 years? 13 years people!<br />
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I wish there was some simple formula to figure it out. <i>Oh it is simple! </i>I would tell you. <i>You live there? Great! You go to this school!</i> Well, I guess it can be that simple, but that was not the case for our family. I couldn't wrap my mind around sending Noah to public school <i>{please don't misunderstand, I am not belittling anyone who's children attend public school. I, myself, attended public school from 6th through graduation.} </i> For Alan and I, choosing the place our son would learn was a very important decision. We knew what school district we were in. We also knew that there was a private school in our town, one that I actually attended for a couple of years. <br />
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<i>That is it! </i> I thought to myself. <i>We will send him there. Smaller school. Christian education. Plus we know many of the parents and teachers already! </i>Well, that was easy...or not.<br />
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Above all else, we knew we wanted God's plan for Noah and for our family. We prayed and asked God to make it know to us what His will is. <br />
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There was an open house for the christian private school back in March. <i>Perfect! This will give us a chance to see if this is the right fit for us. If sending Noah there is what God is calling us to do.</i> The weeks leading up to this event I spent much time in prayer asking God to make it clear to me, if this was the school for Noah, we would know that night. <br />
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So, we went. Noah was not overly thrilled with the whole experience but he seemed excited for school none the less. I, however, left feeling like this was not the choice for us. Don't get me wrong, the school is great! The teacher was so sweet and I really appreciated the atmosphere there. What a fun place to learn! But still, I just knew it was not for us. <br />
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<i>Insert more prayer here.</i><br />
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<b>What other options did we have? </b><br />
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<i>Lord, please! I don't know what to do. He has to go to school this fall. I can't just keep him at home and hide him in his room...wait...</i> Keep him home? Well, isn't that an idea. <i>Homeschool? Lord, I need a serious answer here and some real direction. There is no way that I, the mom with very little patience and one who cannot keep up with the laundry...ever, could possible add teaching my child to my long to-do list each day!</i><br />
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I guess I thought I could entertain the idea and just find out more about it. But really though, I thought God had to be joking that He would call me to this. <b>I never, ever, and I mean EVER thought this was my calling. </b>Surely this was not what His plan looked like in my life. <br />
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My good friend has taught her 3 boys at home their entire lives and they are the most well behaved kids I know. <i>{And no, they are by no means 'socially awkward.' Come on, I know you were thinking it.} </i>I have always had the utmost respect for her and her family. And she has been in my life for, um...11 years! So, anyway, I asked her if I could pick her brain about homeschooling...you know, just to humor God and see if this was something He was really serious about. Little did I know that the conversations would change so much for our family.<br />
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Everything she said just resonated so deep within me. I almost cried out of excitement. THIS IS IT!! This is exactly what I am to do. <b>This is my calling.</b> <i>What do you know? God, you were right! </i> Like I needed a reminder. <b> So thankful He is patient with me and continues to show me His will.</b><br />
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So here we are...having fun learning at home! I am so thankful for my supportive husband who is all for it and most of all, I am thankful God led me to this place in my walk where I can lean on Him for strength as we start this new adventure. <u>Oh, it is so stinkin' fun!!</u><br />
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<i>forever His,</i></div>
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<i>marcey♥</i> </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/AVvXsEgzbOFl1xvKIf-pA3QNAkDHdfRpANJgB-mjAMdAHP_RBgzmx_VVn0hMeJAWPvjyeJ3sf-TRkAueM2B_s5MrSf80dZ23D1lTWv0DQjmSpekjDWPH0UFpRY0cSR31dd_1eQu24L52tEnPFSEZ/s1600/Boxday1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbOFl1xvKIf-pA3QNAkDHdfRpANJgB-mjAMdAHP_RBgzmx_VVn0hMeJAWPvjyeJ3sf-TRkAueM2B_s5MrSf80dZ23D1lTWv0DQjmSpekjDWPH0UFpRY0cSR31dd_1eQu24L52tEnPFSEZ/s400/Boxday1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Box day! Our curriculum finally arrived and the boys were just a tad excited.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvbK9ENaIKtGflYcCcM4TOKhyphenhyphen5wshaBJyjV5rMy0VeemGSjSryUA4qNU5Oszv5KNC6kyZrr6ddEIWHyODAnC51kloh2TTOADAaEY9D7tsDB9GPFHDHwIpBA4pVeCBNKaGGi-4Rd71ZqRK/s1600/boxday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvbK9ENaIKtGflYcCcM4TOKhyphenhyphen5wshaBJyjV5rMy0VeemGSjSryUA4qNU5Oszv5KNC6kyZrr6ddEIWHyODAnC51kloh2TTOADAaEY9D7tsDB9GPFHDHwIpBA4pVeCBNKaGGi-4Rd71ZqRK/s400/boxday2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was NOT posed. All three of them were so into the books! </td></tr>
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Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-16998565869174786102012-08-02T16:35:00.000-05:002012-08-02T16:35:24.881-05:00the battle.I need to blog more about this food journey I am on. I seriously think about it every, single day. But really, I have been waiting until I have <i>good news</i> to share before I feel motivated to actually type something out. I need to get over that. I know it would help keep me be accountable for my choices if I posted the good, the bad, and the ugly. My very sweet friend <a href="http://megkeith.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Megan</a> is on a journey similar to my own and I can't help but be so amazed at her honesty in her most recent <a href="http://megkeith.blogspot.com/2012/08/feeling-defeated.html?showComment=1343942291066#c5458144219272783997" target="_blank">post</a> <i>{and in all her post, really}</i>. Thank you <a href="http://megkeith.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Megan</a> for your bravery and encouraging me to keep going! <div>
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So friends, if it's been a while since you have heard from me ...check up on me. (: </div>
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<i>forever His,</i></div>
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<i>marcey♥</i></div>
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</div>Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-63865112790105207872012-07-18T13:16:00.002-05:002012-07-18T13:16:48.347-05:00creative avoidance.Oh hello. Long time no...um, read? This summer has <i>flown</i> by for this family. Quick update: husband's 10 year high school reunion <i>{awkward}</i>, my birthday, sister's wedding, time with sis-in-law <i>{Sara!!}</i>, father's day, finally seeing my best friend!, caring for 4 kids every.single.day, swimming at the in-laws, cleaning/remolding the downstairs so my mom and 8 year old little brother can move in, pack up and take 3 kids all the way to Wisconsin for the July 4th holiday <i>{so very fun!}</i>, walking 2.5+ miles 3-5 days a week, then swimming lessons begin. So, yes, I think you are some what caught up now. I did forget to mention all the food making, cleaning, and laundry that took place too? That silly laundry takes up so much time! And I have 2 dogs.<br />
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Maybe it isn't my busyness that has kept me away from blogging. I tell myself that it is but maybe it is actually that I don't want to tell you how I am doing in regards to the food issue. <a href="http://marceyc.blogspot.com/2012/05/brutal-honesty-about-my-addiction.html" target="_blank">{see previous post}</a> It's not easy folks. At all. But I have been so touched by many of you through sharing my struggle! You have been open and honest with me about your own struggles which in turn has encouraged me to keep going and know that I am not alone. Many of you have been so supportive and quite the cheerleaders for me! Thank.You!!<br />
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Here are the facts so far:<br />
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<b><i>Starting weight:</i> </b>5/31: 184lbs...yikes!<br />
<i><b>Current weight:</b></i> 7/18: 178.2lbs 5.8 lbs down! I'm happy with that. It is a move in the right direction.<br />
<i><b>Exercise:</b> </i>walking-started out doing 3 days a week, 2-2.5 miles in the morning and this week we {my mom-in-law, the 4 kids, and I} are doing 5 days!! I really do enjoy walking especially after I got my pedometer and I can clearly see that I am doing something. Through my hubby's work, I get points for various healthy activities and one of them is walking 10,000+ steps a day {verified by the handy little pedometer}. I know I need to do more, so tomorrow I hope to get up and run a bit before my hubby has to go to work. It is so hard to get out and exercise with little kids because they don't exactly enjoy walking/riding their bike for an hour.<br />
<b><i>Overall health/feeling:</i></b> Ugh, I have been SOO tired! I thought exercising and eating right was supposed to help you have more energy? What gives? Maybe I need to be more consistent...like the 5 days a week things.<br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;">Food: </i>Well, I have not been counting my calories...that is probably why the scale has not moved more in 1.5 months. There have been days when I REALLY want to consume all the sweets in the house. It is really hard to break this habit.<br />
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I hear my baby waking up so I have to quit for now. I really hope to make this more of a weekly thing. But seriously, with 4 kids in the house I barely have time to shower! (:<br />
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<i>forever His,</i></div>
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<i>♥marcey</i></div>Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-43453193965747308362012-05-31T13:58:00.000-05:002012-05-31T13:58:40.597-05:00brutal honesty about my addiction.I'm not sure I even want to begin typing this, but God is doing some serious searching of my heart and this is what I am dealing with. I am <b>most certainly</b> <span style="font-size: large;">overweight</span>. In fact, according to those wonderful bmi calculators I am obese. <i>Thank you bmi calculator. You are not my favorite.</i><br />
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I am not overweight because I've had three kids or any other excuse I may come up with. I am overweight because of my own choices, desire for food, and my avoidance of exercise. <br />
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I've known for many years <i>{probably 10+ years}, </i>that I am an emotional eater. I eat when I'm stressed, sad, angry, tired, happy, or celebrating. So, yea, I pretty much like to eat all the time. It has been the thing I turn to to fill me and comfort me.<br />
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I don't <i>want</i> to be this size. I want to be healthy and be able to run with my kids. I want to be able to enjoy the summer without feeling all hot and sweaty because my bulging body keeps sticking together. <i>{sorry if that is gross, but it is true!}.</i> <br />
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And this isn't me beating up on myself because I have low self esteem. In fact, besides my addiction to food, I am secure in who God has created me to be. But the food thing is a big issue for me.<br />
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So, this is where I am at right now. I crave food more than I crave God. <i>*OUCH!!*</i> <i>That <u>really</u> hurts to admit that. I actually cried when I first read that.</i> That is not the life I want. <b> I want to crave God with every single part of me and know that He is enough, all I'll ever need!</b> I plan to share as much of this journey with you as possible. <i>{remember I do have three kiddos so they take a lot of my time (: }</i> I'll be posting more about where I am now, maybe a picture and even the dreaded number on the scale! <i>Yikes!</i><br />
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This is a heart changing journey, I'm sure. I know it will not be easy, but I do not want this issue to hinder my walk with my Savior. <br />
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<i>forever His,</i></div>
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<i>marcey ♥</i></div>Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-9043545459902147952012-05-29T09:36:00.001-05:002012-05-29T09:36:31.695-05:00relationships are like plants.The last couple of years <i>{when we were finally in a house instead of an apartment/townhome},</i> I found a new love. Gardening. I love planting flowers and making a seemingly dead and barren space more beautiful and pleasing to look at. The way the green and color mix together to create beautiful landscaping just makes me all giddy inside! And this year, we now have a vegetable garden of our own! The satisfaction that comes from growing your own food is priceless. What is even more exciting is I have had these plants for nearly a month and they are all still alive! Sadly, between rabbits, deer, and the cat we formally owned, the last 3 years have resulted in dead, eaten, and up-rooted veggie plants, so you can see why that would thrill me. <br />
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Well, in the last week or so, God has really brought the picture of plants to the forefront of my mind and how they can relate to relationships. I know this is not a new concept. Plants are written about several times in the Bible {Luke 8:1-15: parable of the sower, John 15:1-17: the vine and branches, just a few examples}. But have you ever thought about the different types of plants as examples of the depth of our relationships, or specifically our relationship with Christ?<br />
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I was awoken with these thoughts sometime last week. <br />
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Am I just an pretty annual, that blooms beautifully in the spring and summer? Do I not grow very big, and my roots are never too deep in the soil? Then do I just wither, fade, and die at the first sign of harsh weather?<br />
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Or am I like a tomato plant? I produce fruit when times are good but as soon as it gets cold or there is a drought I no longer am able to to anything, but rather I just stop.<br />
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Am I a small shrub that seems satisfied with growing just a little and getting my roots just a bit farther in the ground? I will survive winter or a mild drought but really, I am just happy being small in stature, never really reaching new heights or striving to grow towards heaven.<br />
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I'd love to say that I am like a great oak tree. My roots are deep and strong. I am not easily blown over or stepped on. For many years I have grown taller and stronger, always pointing up to heaven and can be seen from afar. <br />
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These word pictures have really challenged me to examine where am I in Christ, if I have just become satisfied with my relationship with Him, and if I have lost the desire to go deeper. Have I become 'ok' with a shallow, only on the surface type of relationship or am I challenged and stretched to grow deeper in His word and stronger in Him? <br />
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Even yesterday when I sat down outside for my alone time with Him, He reminded me of this. Here is a bit of what I wrote:<br />
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<i><b>Lord, thank you for providing Alan's job! My heart is overflowing with thanks because of Your faithfulness. It is because of his job that he was able to have a three day weekend with us and it has sure been relaxing. And today the weather is perfect! Thank you.</b></i><br />
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<i><b>It in these seasons of life that I know {and want} to deepen my roots in You even more so <u>when</u> the storms of like come, I am secure in You.</b></i><br />
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<i>"With my roots deep in You, </i></div>
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<i>I'll grown the branch that bears the fruit.</i></div>
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<i>And though I'm small I'll still be standing in the storm</i></div>
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<i>'Cause I am planted by the river</i></div>
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<i>by Your streams of living water.</i></div>
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<i>And I'll grown up strong and beautiful,</i></div>
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<i>all for your splendor, Lord"</i></div>
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{For Your Splendor by Christy Nockels}<br />
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<i><b>Had my Bible opened to Colossians to show Alan the scripture I'd like to have read for Lilly's dedication and I glanced over to chapter 2 and above the verses was the title 'Spiritual Fullness in Christ' so I began to read. Verse 6 & 7 say "...continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and over flowing with thankfulness."</b></i></div>
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Well, needless to say, I was blown away at how God met me right there and it seriously felt like such a big hug! All this has been on my mind so much lately that I felt pressed to share with you. I really thought I was supposed to get a post typed up and published last week but it never seemed to come out <i>right</i> and now I know. God was not finished with this yet. </div>
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I want to be challenged by Him daily and I want to seek to grow stronger in Him by reading His words to me. I want to be able to hold on tight to Him when the storms come, because storms <b>will</b> come <i>{it is certainly not a matter of </i>if <i>but </i>when<i>}.</i> </div>
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So, friend, I pray that you will stop and think about your own relationship with Christ. </div>
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It's never to late to let Him plant and grown a new seed in you!</div>
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It's never to late to put down roots in His word and grow strong in Him!</div>
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It's never to late to seek Him and find Him! He is always there!</div>
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<i>Here is a song that has been in my head for the better part of a week and also the song in which I wrote the chorus in my journal yesterday. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.</i></div>
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<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>forever His,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>marcey ♥</i></div>Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-91229396288433297072012-05-23T10:06:00.001-05:002012-05-23T10:06:31.221-05:00directions.Whew! Sometimes you just need to recharge, am I right? <a href="http://marceyc.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-story-redeeming-grace.html" target="_blank">Sharing my story</a> sure took a lot out of me. Maybe I am alone here, but being so open and vulnerable is a scary, and at times draining, thing. I mean, I am giving people I know, and most of which I don't know, solid ammo to hurt me if they so choose. Plus, those that <i>do</i> know me may change how they view me. But really, that last part does not bother me. I was obedient to what God asked of me, so I just rest in Him, knowing His ways are greater than mine and He is in charge. I have tried it on my own with out His help, and well...you all have probably read how that turned out! Pain. Hurt. Heartache. <br />
<br />
<div>
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<br /></div>
Since opening up on the www, I have been praying, asking God what His plan is for my blog specifically. I don't want it to be anything that is my own doing, for my own personal gain. I want to encourage the hearts of those who read. I want to point each sweet soul to Jesus and His redeeming, perfect, ever-loving grace. I also want to be real with you all. I know God can use my mess to bring others closer to Himself. <br />
<br />
So until next time, know that He wants you to know Him personally. He wants to show you a love you have never known. Take time today to seek Him...you <b>will</b> find Him.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"<span style="font-size: xx-small;">17</span> How precious are your thoughts concerning me, </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>God!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>How vast is the sum of them!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">18</span> Were I to count them,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>they would outnumber the grains of sand-</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>when I awake, I am still with you."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>psalm 139:17-18</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>forever His,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>marcey ♥</i></div>
</div>
</div>Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-37617457679012716442012-05-11T07:56:00.000-05:002014-06-29T10:41:03.455-05:00my story: redeeming grace.<br />
<i>This is a story. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>This is a story of God's grace and forgiveness, of His mercy and love. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>This is a story of a life changed and healed, of a broken marriage restored. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>This is a story still being written. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b><i>This is my story.</i></b><br />
<br />
So humbled to have been asked to guest post over at <a href="http://www.onesmalltowngirl.com/2012/05/redeeming-grace" target="_blank">One Small Town Girl</a>. Click on over to my sweet friend, Ashlie's blog to ready the rest of how God rescued me and restored my marriage.<br />
<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
This is a story. This is a story of God's grace and forgiveness, of
His mercy and love. This is a story of a life changed and healed, of a
broken marriage restored. This is a story still being written. This
is my story.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Well, to give you a brief background
of my life, you should know I grew up in a family that went to church every
Sunday, I asked Jesus in my heart at age 6, baptized when I was 7, and was
involved in all the ‘extras’ offered by my church. I even
attended Christian private schools till 6<sup>th</sup> grade. I
was very involved with my youth group and stayed connected to the church all
through high school. {<i>I am still connected with my youth pastor and
his wife, and I simply adore them!}</i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I want you to understand
that I had the head knowledge of what a Christian was supposed to do and
be. I knew what the Bible taught about what was right and what was
not. I knew about God’s grace and mercy. But these were just things
I knew in my head…not much of it was really in my heart…something was still
missing…there was a void in my life.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Growing up, I experienced
physical and emotional abuse from my mother <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">{the
healing from that could be a whole other post}</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then when I was 15, I learned that mom was
leaving my dad and that they were getting a divorce…things got very ugly <i>{is
it ever not ugly?}</i>. It was during this process that I met my sweet
husband, Alan, even though we never spoke till I was 16...he was for sure the
shy one. (: He was my first kiss, my first date, and I loved being
around him. (: We got married when I was 19, moved away to Kansas
City, and our Mr. Noah was born a year and a month later <i>{um, we had a 5
year 'plan' so this was quite a shock!}</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">.</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">To say that life was hard
when we first got married would be a great understatement. I know
that marriage is never <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">easy</i>,
especially when you are first married, but things went on in our home that are
never okay. We were two very broken and very angry people who were too
stubborn to admit that we needed someone greater than ourselves to save
us. Not only were we struggling in our marriage, but I was
still dealing with that void and had hoped Alan would be able to fill.
That lead to great disappointments because there was no way that Alan could
ever fulfill all the needs I had. Honestly, I look back and truly
wonder how we stayed together.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After Noah was born I knew
I wanted to stay at home with him. It was so hard to go back to work
those first 6 months of his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But,
Alan was able to get a good paying, full time job which allowed me to quit my
job and stay home…just like I had desperately wanted. But that did not
fulfill that void inside me. After being home a year, things in my
marriage had not changed much. I had not changed much. We were
seeking wise counsel but the fighting and anger still continued. I really
began to consider divorce as a reasonable option...nothing was changing between
us.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A year and a few months
after Noah was born, we found out we were expecting out 2<sup>nd</sup> little
one and instead of tears that came with the news of our first <i>{because
of the shock, you know}</i>…I was actually excited this time. Looking
back, I wonder if I thought that little one might fix all my/our problems, make
things happy in our home, and again fill that void that was even more present
in my life. But, just a few weeks after the happy news, everything
changed. There was no baby-on-the-way anymore. We had experienced a
miscarriage. We had lost a child. I had lost my child. And I
thought I had lost my hope. As I write those last few sentences, it
still brings tears to my eyes. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I had never experienced
this type of pain and grief before. I didn’t know where to turn because
even though I grew up going to church, had Christian friends, only listened to
Christian music, did all the ‘extras’ I never truly had a relationship with
Jesus. I have experienced many spiritual highs but never the steady flow
of the Holy Spirit within me.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My life began to spiral
down <u>very</u> fast. I decided I wanted out of my
marriage. I was tired of trying and I was tired of <i>my</i> needs
not being met. I put things in motion that would allow me to separate and
move out. I began to seek attention and love from others outside of my
marriage <i>{that is so hard to admit to you all}</i>. I changed the
type of music I was listening to <i>{some of you may not think this is a
big deal, but I believe music/lyrics have such an impact}</i>. I avoided
my friends who were true Christians even though I know they cared deeply about
me and wanted to help. I was looking to the world to fill that void and
make the pain inside go away. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I no longer cared about my
little family. I wanted to do whatever made me feel good. I wanted
to meet the needs that I believed had a 'right' to be met. I wanted what
I wanted. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">{This next part is that is
the hardest to admit. This is the part Satan likes to wave in my face and
tell me I'm not good enough to have God's grace and mercy or share His
redeeming love with others, because look how bad I have messed up. This
is where God steps in and gives me the courage to continue writing even as
tears fall from my eyes.}</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In my mind,
my marriage was over, done, and there was no hope. I mean, my
husband had had enough 'chances' to change and treat me with love instead of
spilling his anger out on me, right? </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I began to go out to the
bars, with a friend, and drink. I guess I thought I had been missing out
on something because I never did that in the past. <i>{I had tried
alcohol once prior to this time in my life.}</i> I wanted to feel
loved, cherished, accepted. I also wanted to run from the deep hurts
of my past, my marriage, and the loss of my baby. In some way, I
know I was also running from God and at that time I really struggled believing
He even existed any more.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After several weekends out,
one night in particular nearly destroyed me and my family. After a night
full of drinking, I made a choice that I thought never in my life I would
do-<i>never ever</i>. I had hit my rock bottom. I don’t
think I could have gone any lower. Reality hit me in the face and I
began to see what I was doing to myself, my husband, and my little
boy. This was <u>not</u> the life I wanted to
live. This is not how I wanted my son to see his Mommy.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All this happened from
April through May of that year. Less than 2 months and I fell so far as to
nearly destroy my life and lost everything good God had given me. I knew
I had a choice to make...continue with the same behavior or make a huge change.
By the grace of God, I choose to change, to turn around, and run <i>{not
walk}</i> back to my Savoir.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I opened up to Alan and was
completely honest about all that had happened. See, the whole time I was
acting <i>crazy,</i> God was working on his heart. He had
changed. He showed my grace and love in a way I most certainly did not
deserve. He showed me God’s love. He forgave me. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There was something so
freeing about opening up and being real with Alan again. I began to sense
God in a different way because of the love Alan showed me. I began to
allow God to draw me closer to Him again. I started to realize that the
void in my life I was so desperate to fill needed to be filled by God, His
love, His grace, His mercy.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I finally started to spend
time with Him daily and quench that thirst I had for Him all along. I
just didn't realize how much I desperately needed Him...every day.
Having head knowledge was not enough. Now, Jesus and I have
conversations constantly. His word is so very precious to me.
He is my life. He is my joy. He is my peace. He is my
strength. He is my love. He is all I need. He fills me when I
am empty and holds my hand when I am struggling to stand. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Honestly, I am still in awe
of how God restored my life and gave me grace, such great grace. I could
have lost my family, but instead I have a strong marriage built on Jesus and
now three amazing babies! I am almost at a loss for what to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I can do is praise Him. I cannot
imagine what my life would be like if it were not for His mercy
and forgiveness.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">"The Lord is compassionate and gracious,</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">slow to anger, abounding in love.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He will not always accuse,</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">nor will He harbor His anger forever;</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He does not treat us as our sins deserve</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">or repay us according to our iniquities.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">For as high as the heavens are above the earth,</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">so great is His love for those who fear Him;</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">so far as the east is from the west,</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">so far has He removed our transgressions from us.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Psalm 103:8-12 NIV</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God brought these words to
me as I was struggling with sharing this part of my life. I am
beyond grateful that He is slow to anger, abounding in love. That He will
not always accuse me or stay angry with me when I mess up. He does not
treat me as I deserve, but He loves me with a love that far surpasses my
comprehension. And He has removed my sin and washed me clean. I am
forgiven and free!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And guess what
friends, that void is gone in my life and Jesus wants to fill the void in yours
too!</span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the Lord’s,</span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">marcey </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-language: KO;">♥</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: KO; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></i></div>
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<![endif]-->Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-12201846618084080502012-05-08T13:01:00.000-05:002012-05-08T13:08:07.482-05:00i'm gonna do it.God certainly can work miracles, without a doubt! He has been faithful time and time again in my life and just in the last 2 weeks has blown me away with the mountains He has moved for myself, my family, and friends.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Where would I be without His never-ending grace and mercy? Surely, it would not be a pretty place at all. And this week I have the humble privileged to share with you about the bad and ugly place God brought be out of. So, friends, please pray for me and ask God to use my story to draw someone closer to Himself, all for His glory.</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>the Lord's,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i>marcey ♥</i></div>Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-4573724735038828452012-05-02T12:00:00.000-05:002012-05-02T12:00:01.263-05:00wordless wednesday.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kh6Xdi-bud-oPaqZ0bf51FeWIjTj_u8K2uzu5LB9DiTobAogZiADrLC4aTvIipyuildjtI1IJ9pY0iu9LylzYBxeWwHDN5NYqPKLKqQhsBraDvpu3_OfiddG7vDY_lHDhKiXEwk8ReyW/s1600/IMG_1706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kh6Xdi-bud-oPaqZ0bf51FeWIjTj_u8K2uzu5LB9DiTobAogZiADrLC4aTvIipyuildjtI1IJ9pY0iu9LylzYBxeWwHDN5NYqPKLKqQhsBraDvpu3_OfiddG7vDY_lHDhKiXEwk8ReyW/s320/IMG_1706.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>the Lord's,</i></div>
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<i>marcey ♥</i></div>Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-13871408590680490372012-05-01T23:23:00.001-05:002012-05-02T10:35:39.338-05:00being intentional with my babies.This will be a short little post, but it has been on my mind a lot lately. <br />
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How much of our day is actually spent living with intention? Do you look at every moment and realize that you will never again have that exact moment with those exact people or circumstances? This last month or so I have tried to really slow down and soak up every bit of my kids. Writing and sharing my story is what caused me to see how different my life could be and made me appreciate this season of life even more. Time has already gone by fast and I do not want to wake up one day and realize I missed out on this time. I want to be intentional with my time...especially when it comes to my babies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpl1CwD9khq7txmo_52-3JjUp6xIy8e8wl_zsChLCrJSQUnTFISDWLh0YwEB7hrFgYFYF96SA0ii-aPaxc7z97TosrWABpaG_nT6Q0y6dEwB4Z9OmvdvSjEqebF1wd0J_cVvawnQSCqJgN/s1600/IMG_2119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpl1CwD9khq7txmo_52-3JjUp6xIy8e8wl_zsChLCrJSQUnTFISDWLh0YwEB7hrFgYFYF96SA0ii-aPaxc7z97TosrWABpaG_nT6Q0y6dEwB4Z9OmvdvSjEqebF1wd0J_cVvawnQSCqJgN/s320/IMG_2119.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was loud music playing somewhere in the park so Noah and I started dancing.</td></tr>
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Noah is nearly six and so very smart. I'm not just saying that because he's my baby <i>{well, that is probably part of the reason}, </i>but really he is! I want to know that I took the time to teach him and watch his little mind work. Taylor will be 3 in less than 20 days...I don't have a clue how that happened. In just the last week alone his sentences have grown and he is constantly using new and bigger words. I want to hug and kiss on him while he still lets me. Lilly is 7 months old on Friday. I love, love, love that girl! She is so stinkin' beautiful and I tell her that ALL the time. She's sitting up so well and rocking, rocking...I know she will be crawling soon. I want to sit and stare at her and just take in every second.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaQDoLZYCSiqG3S4NrH0Wl60RvKC26XMiCTWNbXMb6xg-Vdc8ICN024TOyPRsGaObZr2-Rl0OrIHGq1CCyzE0T3Uk4W53DF-q6pfihESbnHAwQCRDulwJNgEb5urHx3R8cXcwouFGCGzP/s1600/IMG_2073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghaQDoLZYCSiqG3S4NrH0Wl60RvKC26XMiCTWNbXMb6xg-Vdc8ICN024TOyPRsGaObZr2-Rl0OrIHGq1CCyzE0T3Uk4W53DF-q6pfihESbnHAwQCRDulwJNgEb5urHx3R8cXcwouFGCGzP/s320/IMG_2073.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I LOVE this age! He is all boy and no fear.</td></tr>
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I do my best to be intentional with my time during the day with them. Of course there are days that I let my frustrations and emotions get the best of me and I know may miss some precious moments because I lost my patience. But, I always want to remind myself to stop.look.listen.when it comes to my family and kiddos. These years are going to fly by <i>{they already seem like they have} </i>so I want to remember them when they are small. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soak up even the crazy, fussy times</td></tr>
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<i>the Lord's</i></div>
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<i>marcey ♥</i></div>Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-31360958612645063852012-04-27T22:41:00.003-05:002012-05-02T10:35:46.072-05:00new face.Thanks to my super handsome hubby <i><a href="http://changeinview.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">{click here for his blog}</a>, </i>my blog now has a new look! Let me know what you think with a little comment below. <br />
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Enjoy your weekend and hug your family!<br />
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<i>the Lord's,</i></div>
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<i>marcey ♥</i> </div>Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-24134494430857103762012-04-27T11:03:00.002-05:002012-05-02T10:35:51.567-05:00funk.Ever felt just...blah? Ugh, it can be a discouraging feeling for sure. And that has been my week. <br />
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I shared part of my story twice over the past weekend {to a large number of strangers} and boy, that took a lot out of me. So really, I think that is the reason for just feeling out of it...that and my baby girl has decided that once again that sleep is not important. Oh, and my man and I have been staying up way too late talking <i>{but those times are SO worth it!}</i>.<br />
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I am still trying to decide if sharing that part of my life here on the ole blog is a good idea or not. Honestly, I have been feeling a bit down about that whole thing. It's almost like the dreaded shame monster is coming back to sit with me for a while. God and I have been talking about that quite a bit lately. It's just something I have to work through as my past is brought back into the light. Part of it might also be that now a large portion of my family knows about my past sin and I am a bit afraid they see me differently now. Yep, that has to be it because as I typed that tears began to fall from my eyes. <br />
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On a happy note, I can already see how God is using the bad for good. I have had several people reach out to me and begin to share their story too. Never in my life did I think my worst actions could be used for His glory, but that was just my humanness talking and not realizing how great He is.<br />
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So, if you think of me, please pray for me. Don't worry, I have not lost hope and I most certainly have not let go of my Savior's hand. Just in a funk and my God is bigger than any funk I might be in.<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">"And we know that in all things God works for the good </span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28145A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;">of those who love Him, who</span><span style="background-color: white;"> have been called </span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28145B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;">according to His purpose."</span></span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><b>Romans 8:28</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></div>
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<i>the Lord's,</i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">marcey ♥</span></i></div>Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-39782704448580208132012-04-17T07:11:00.000-05:002012-04-17T07:11:06.786-05:00from my heart.Ever had something strange happen to you and at first it seemed very annoying? I know I have. In fact something like that happened this morning before the sun even chose to make an appearance, but I'll get to that in a minute.<br />
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As someone who has 'grown up in the church' I knew that a good Christian is supposed to read their Bible and pray everyday. I believed it was another one of those things I should do just so I can check it off on my list. But no matter how hard I tried, I could never be consistent past like 3 days! Just 3 days and then I would find that months would pass before I read my Bible for anything other than a church service or group study. Why is that? It sure isn't because the Bible isn't interesting...oh man, if you just read some of the things in there!<br />
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To be honest, I'm not all that sure why I didn't except that maybe I didn't understand what it meant to have a <i>real relationship</i> with the one and only God. And I know I carried some pride in my heart too...thought I could do this life thing on my own. That mindset now terrifies me.<br />
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<i>{I have to add this. Just now, I heard little foot steps across the floor up stairs and then a little bum sliding down each stair. The an adorable little face peered around the corner and met my eyes. I said, "Taylor!!" And that little guy took off running as fast as he could into my arms...Ahhh! SO much love I cannot handle it!}</i><br />
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I should also tell you I thought praying, unless there was a great need like sickness or money, was for old people. Yes, old people...like everyone gets the chance to become an old person. So having a prayer life would be something I would do when I got older and didn't have much else to do. Is this makin' sense to anybody?<br />
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Well, I'll tell you were my selfish pride took me...flat on my face. The life that I was so certain I could do on my own crumbled and I fell so far I was unsure that I could ever get up. I promise to share more of my story another time. <i>{still asking God for courage to actually post that here} </i>I slowly began to realize that the God I thought was far off and too busy for someone like me desperately wanted to know me and my heart. He wanted to hear from me every day and through out my day. He wanted to know what made me laugh and why I cried. He wanted...me...just as I am...my mess and all. I remember the first day I picked up my Bible and actually began reading it as if God was speaking to me. Sweet memories. (: It reminds me a bit of when my man and I started dating. We didn't know much about each other but it was sure exciting to just be together and get to know one another more and more with each conversation. And that was so my experience with God. <i>{Except he already knew me.}</i><br />
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So finally, God and I began getting to know one another. He is far more wonderful than I ever realized. It is like being with someone that compliments you all the time, is constantly lifting you up with encouraging words and love. My time with God is like water for my dry and parched soul. That time is a need if I am to get through my day with out seriously hurting someone. <br />
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I tell you all this to encourage someone reading to begin to get to know God. I mean really <i>know</i> Him. Not just what you have been taught, or what you thought you knew, or what your pastor tells you He is or isn't but get to know Him for yourself. And there is never a better time than now! Just open up His Word and start reading. (: <br />
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So are you still wondering what the strange thing was that happened this morning? Well, I have a hard time waking up in the morning. I am most certainly not a morning person. So, when I began to spend time with God, I did it when my two boys were napping <i>{more on that later, as well}</i>. Lately, God has been asking me to make Him my first priority in my day and I have really struggled to get up before the rest of my family and spend time with Him. <br />
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Anyway, my husband has a hard time getting up when his first alarm goes off so he also sets a second one-fifteen minutes apart. When I got up to nurse Lilly at 2am, God impressed upon my heart that I should get up and start my day with Him. Well, I must have been sleeping too long because Alan's alarm went off at 5:15am and then again at 5:30am. <br />
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I said, "Hunny, why on earth is your alarm going off so early?" <br />
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"It's not set to go off till 6:15am and 6:30am," he replied.<br />
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And sure enough, he showed my and no alarm was set for 5am anything! As I rolled back over, trying to go back to sleep, God reminded me..."Get up!" Hahaha (: I have no other explanation than the alarm was for me. So I listened and got up. Oh my friend, it was so worth it! God is faithful...always. And just like Taylor ran into my arm at the first sight of his mommy, I want to run into my Savoir's arms first thing every morning! His hugs are the best!<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>" 7 ...blessed are those who trust in the Lord,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>whose confidence is in Him.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>8 They will be like a tree planted by the water </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>that sends out its roots by the stream.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>It does not fear when heat comes; </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>its leaves are always green.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>It has no worries in a year of drought</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>and never fails to bear fruit."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Jeremiah 17: 7-8 TNIV</i></span></div>Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-48340301292073354212012-04-15T21:27:00.000-05:002012-04-15T21:32:57.661-05:00i come guilty.<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So full right now. So very full! Uh, no I'm not talking about food; I'm talking Holy Spirit kind of full...the best kind! This past Friday and Saturday I was privileged enough to hear God speak through Beth Moore and Travis Cottrell. A.maz.ing! I hope to write more another day about what changed in my heart during those two days but for right now I want to share these words with you. It is from a song that Travis lead on Saturday, an old hymn with a bit added to it:</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>Just As I Am</u> by Travis Cottrell</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Just as I am, without one plea,</i></span></div>
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</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But that Thy blood was shed for me,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">O Lamb of God, I come, I come.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Just as I am, and waiting not</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To rid my soul of one dark blot,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">O Lamb of God, I come, I come.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">refrain:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I come broken to be mended</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I come wounded to be healed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I come desperate to be rescued</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I come empty to be filled</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I come guilty to be pardoned</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">by the blood of Christ the Lamb</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And I’m welcomed with open arms,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">praise God just as I am.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Just as I am, I would be lost,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But mercy and grace my freedom bought,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And now to glory in your cross,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">O Lamb of God, I come, I come.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you are brave enough, let the words of the refrain soak in: I come broken, I come desperate, I come guilty and praise God I am welcomed just as I am.</span></div>
</div>Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-76520240272100358792012-04-10T15:11:00.000-05:002012-04-16T07:54:55.711-05:00my loves.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What can I say? My hubby's talent behind (or in front) of the camera is growing! </div>
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Love these moments he was able to capture of our family Easter day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsDKgnSaxscVPYukL1DxcvPa3ifxLcR3C0rwAiOa-Z-mAb6btZ658fgEt0SJusivjOrEUHX27undwxT22z0mkECk5oRnRKADYjm8_RPm66HACOd7gQJnv_FGAx8mLRSkhJMac7uY1jlrX/s1600/IMG_1989cr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsDKgnSaxscVPYukL1DxcvPa3ifxLcR3C0rwAiOa-Z-mAb6btZ658fgEt0SJusivjOrEUHX27undwxT22z0mkECk5oRnRKADYjm8_RPm66HACOd7gQJnv_FGAx8mLRSkhJMac7uY1jlrX/s400/IMG_1989cr.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-11774285174164759612012-03-21T15:54:00.000-05:002012-03-21T15:54:04.154-05:00eleven things.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Thank you to one of my most favorite people on this earth, <a href="http://megkeith.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Megan</a>, for tagging me in this fun little blog game...er, whatever it's called.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;">Alright, so here it goes...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are five rules:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. Post these rules.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. Create 11 new questions.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. Tag 5 friends and go to their blog/twitter and tell them that you've tagged them.</span></div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>Picture of myself:</u></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>Eleven random things:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><u>One:</u> </span><i style="line-height: 17px;">{this is harder than I thought!} </i><span style="line-height: 17px;">I absolutely LOVE spring because it reminds be of an Alaskan summer...I really miss Alaska and two very special people that live there. (:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><u>Two:</u> I eat eggs, toast, and milk for breakfast nearly every morning and just recently added coffee, yum!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><u>Three</u>: I have not worn make-up for 10 days now and it sure has been super nice! Since </span><a href="http://marceyc.blogspot.com/2012/03/breaking-heart.html" style="line-height: 17px;" target="_blank">my post</a><span style="line-height: 17px;"> about wanting to majorly cut back on things that are unnecessary I have put on mascara twice. I realize this may not be new for some of you, but it is very new for me. I'd have a hard time, in the past, going anywhere without my face 'on.'</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><u>Four:</u> The first time I saw my hubby, <a href="http://changeinview.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alan</a>, {in 2001}<i>, </i> I remember thinking to myself...<i>"Is he a guy I could like? Nah, he has a MNU </i>{MidAmerica Nazarene University}<i> t-shirt on and who would go to a school like that." </i>hahaha...sorry, that makes me laugh </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><u>Five: </u> I have a really hard time not putting a (: after each on of these random things and I almost always have them through out every text I send.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><u>Six:</u> I saw this blog game thing on a friend of a friends blog and I secretly hoped <a href="http://megkeith.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Megan</a> would get tagged and then she would tag me and hooray! I get to do it! It is the simple things in life, people.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><u>Seven</u>: I am not a fan of Pinterest. Does that make me crazy?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><u>Eight:</u> I currently have spit up lovingly placed on my right shoulder and down my back. Can you blame me for not wanting to change my shirt for a fourth time today?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><u>Nine:</u> I really, really enjoy cleaning floors. There is something about vacuuming and moping that I just love. I like to see all the dirt cleaned up and how shiny the floors are. Ok...this DOES make me crazy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><u>Ten:</u> I hope someday that we can live in a house on a few acres, or more, just enough land to have a few animals...like chickens, horses, and cows. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><u>ELEVEN!</u> I am a chap-stick-aholic and have been since 8th grade.</span></span><br />
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>11 questions from <a href="http://megkeith.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mrs. Megan Keith</a>:</b></span></span></div>
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<b>1. In one word, how would you describe your first kiss?</b> Perfect (:<br />
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<span style="line-height: 17px;"><b>2. Do you like your passport/drivers license picture? </b>Most certainly not!</span><br />
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<b>3. If you had $100 to spend on yourself, how would you spend it?</b> This is hard! I don't spend money on myself very often. Um, hair-cut, pedicure, and new shoes!<br />
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<b>4. What is your go-to coffee order? </b>Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte...oh, those little guys are my favorite, favorite!<br />
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<b>5. What is your biggest insecurity? </b>Oo...good question...that is someone really knew my past and the very poor choices I made, they my look down apon me.<br />
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<b>6. Your hair looks best: straight or curly?</b> I like it straight for sure<br />
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<b><span style="line-height: 17px;">7: What is the most </span><span style="line-height: 16px;">embarrassing</span></b><span style="line-height: 17px;"><b> thing in your fridge right now?</b> Oh dear...lol! {had to go look} Because of our limited food budget, our fridge is usually on the empty side, so I'd say some shredded chicken from about 2.5 weeks ago. Better take care of that!</span></span></span></div>
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<b>8: What is one thing you would do different about your wedding day? </b> Hire different photographers, but really, it was perfect. I enjoyed every minute!<br />
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<b>9: What is one facebook-ism that gets on your nerves? </b> What is a facebook-ism anyway? I don't like it when people are constantly complaining about their life...negativity is something I try to avoid.<br />
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<b>10: What is your guilty obsession?</b> Facebook...lol! I check that thing WAY to much! Need to change that, too.<br />
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<span style="line-height: 17px;"><b>11: What is thing/rule you had as a child that you will be sure your children also follow/learn?</b> We try to be very careful of what our children watch. When I was growing up, I didn't watch anything that my Mom had not already 'previewed' and nothing over PG-13 till I was 13.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17px;"><b>Now 11 questions for the bloggers I tag:</b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17px;">1. Why do you blog?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17px;">2. What is your go to meal when in a time crunch?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17px;">3. What is your favorite color and why?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17px;">4. What is the last thing you watched on TV?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17px;">5. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17px;">6. Who sent the last text message you received?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17px;">7. What is under your bed?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17px;">8. What is your favorite time of day?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17px;">9. If you are going to be home all day with no company, do you stay in your pjs or get dressed/ready for the day?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17px;">10. What did you dream about last night?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17px;">And finally, 11: What is the strangest thing you saw recently?</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 17px;">Goodness...that took longer than I though! I tag...<a href="http://changeinview.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alan</a>, <a href="http://throughroseysglasses.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tina,</a> <a href="http://lovingthismoment.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Amanda</a>, <a href="http://www.onesmalltowngirl.com/" target="_blank">Ashlie</a>, and <a href="http://dorothy78.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kim!</a> Have fun friend! (:</span></div>
</span></span></div>Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-33226166772043293452012-03-21T14:33:00.000-05:002012-03-21T14:33:10.592-05:00overwhelmed.<div style="text-align: center;">
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Overwhelmed by the circumstances that currently surround me and those I love. </div>
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Overwhelmed by the sickness that has taken over my baby girl. </div>
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Overwhelmed by my long, never-ending, list of to-dos.</div>
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Overwhelmed by the anguish I feel for someone very dear to me. </div>
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Overwhelmed by the craziness of this life and the choices that need to be made.</div>
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<b>Overwhelmed by God's never-ending, never-changing love. </b></div>
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<b>Overwhelmed by the peace that He gives that passes any understanding I will ever have. </b></div>
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<b>Overwhelmed by the good that He continues to do.</b> <b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Overwhelmed by His grace that covers a multitude of sins. </b> </div>
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<b>Overwhelmed by the way He is faithful to meet me right in my place of need. </b></div>
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<b>Overwhelmed with the knowledge that He is in complete control...always and forever.</b></div>
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<i>"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ"</i></div>
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<i>Galatians 6:2</i></div>
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<i>"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."</i></div>
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<i>Galatians 6:9-10</i></div>Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-29558931088663119572012-03-16T15:03:00.001-05:002012-03-16T15:03:39.386-05:00little bits.It feels like summer outside with highs in the 80s! Is that suppose to happen in March? What happened to spring? Oh yea, we had that in January and February. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared for summer.<br />
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My house is clean. (: And that is a great feeling! Also, I have managed to stay on top of the laundry for a whole 2 weeks!! Can you tell I am a bit proud of myself? </div>
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We are seriously going to cancel our cell phones and I am so very excited about it! It will be so weird at first but such a blessing too! Not only will we be more 'unplugged' but we will have more money a month to pay down debt!</div>
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Speaking of debt <i>{such an ugly thing}</i>, we paid off the ugliest credit card we had!!!! That, my friends, is a GREAT feeling indeed!</div>
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I successfully made my own laundry soap and I LOVE it! <i>{probably the reason I have stayed on top of the laundry...it is exciting to use new stuff!} </i>And I found a very inexpensive way to get rid of stains. (: Promise to share more about that in another post.</div>
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I am so proud of my hubby!! He has been running for 2 weeks and not missed a day of his planned runs! He amazes me! Can you believe he gets up at 5:30am to run, comes home, gets ready for work, feeds the boys <i>{and me sometimes},</i> gets his lunch made, and then heads off to work so he can provide for us. Like I said, he is amazing! You can read about his return to running here on his blog: <a href="http://running4mykids.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Couch to 5K and beyond.</a></div>
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Here is my favorite girl and some of her new jabbers....</div>
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We finished the Beth Moore study of James last week and I am a bit sad about it. James has been my favorite book of the Bible for some time now; it was so fun to dig deeper and be challenged even more by those scriptures. Speaking of Beth Moore, in April myself and 7 other girlfriend are heading to Kansas City to one of her conferences! I am so thrilled that I get to go and even more thrilled that my baby sister is going with me!!! Oh how I have longed for a deeper relationship with her and these past few months have made my heart so full of joy as I get to know her better. God is so good, isn't He?</div>
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We are enjoying our patio furniture we bought on clearance last year and I just have to say my favorite part is the umbrella. I'm sure you would like it too if you got it 1/2 off and it was all your favorite colors together. (: </div>
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Miss Girl is sleeping in her own room...for a little while anyway. She started napping in there last Saturday, so that evening I decided to try to put her to sleep for the night in her room. She did fine <i>{at first}. </i>I however cried and cried as I rocked her before bed. I didn't cry with either of the boys so that was weird for me. But about 2 hours later, she began screaming and crying like I had never heard before...so of course I rushed in there and picked her up. We both cried. I probably cried more because she calmed down and went right to sleep. Alan saw me and said, "Hun, you can bring her back in our room if you want." He was probably confused by my crying. Anyway, long story longer, she slept the next two nights in our room and per the advice of a good friend, she now starts out in her room but when she wakes around 2am or so, she comes back into ours. This makes my momma heart happy for the moment. (:</div>
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Lastly, I think I am much better and a bunch of short bits of writing rather than a long post and that means you will probably see me do this more often. </div>
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Happy Friday!</div>Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-60605755778156519242012-03-07T10:31:00.003-06:002012-03-07T19:14:14.553-06:00wordless wednesday.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3967193410026276745.post-58208986731079766272012-03-03T12:37:00.000-06:002012-03-03T12:37:12.748-06:00breaking heart.I'm a bit nervous to share this but I feel like God is asking me to so here it goes. I have a very hard time talking to God 'in my head' without getting distracted so easily. So, before, during, and after I read His word I journal as if I am writing/talking just to Him. I don't share it with anyone and <a href="http://changeinview.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alan</a> doesn't even read it. As I was writing today, I felt God nudging me to share it so here it is. <div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>This week I came across a <a href="http://www.nogreaterjoymom.com/2012/02/yes-we-can-do-something.html" target="_blank">blog</a> that told about children in another country that were, basically, being starved to death. Some of these babies & kids have downs syndrome and have been left to lay in a bed, not being held or touched, only given a glass beer bottle with a nipple attached and filled with a liquid with very little substance. I cried and cried when I read the horrible stories. Last night when I was talking to Alan I had to stop talking because I began to cry. Lord, I want to do something but I do not know what. I want to adopt one of those children, but do I have the means to care for them? I need Your direction.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>It's in situations such as theirs that I start to question why you don't destroy the world. How can someone treat little ones like this? I live in such a comfortable, safe bubble here in the US, in our safe, small town. I almost feel guilt over it but I know that is not from You.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>I am making changes in the way I live so we can get out of debt and better be able to serve Your people in a financial way. So, until that day, I will pray and pray and change in ways You lay upon my heart.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>One example is I want to stop being dependent on make up-that is money much better spent on others. My self-worth should not come from my appearance. Another thing you have brought to mind is Noah's schooling. Should we send him to a private school? Or is that a selfish act on our part? I need direction for this decision. I thought I would get a 'sign' at the open house the other night but I didn't. It only felt more awkward. I trust in You for guidance. I {and I know Alan does too} want Your will for Noah, and all our kids, so we are willing to do what You would want us to.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Thank you for Your tremendous blessings You have placed on my life. Sometimes I wonder why because I know nothing I have done merits such wealth. ♥Your Daughter</i></span></div>Marceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04960527490364535833noreply@blogger.com4