GOT MICAH?
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I received this from Lisa Samson, author extraordinaire and Swazi travel pal:

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"I'm starting a newsletter called Micah's Place that will have an article, some tips etc. on how to live justly, reach out, etc. Would you mind posting about it on your blog ? [Your readers] can subscribe by emailing me at lesamson@hotmail.com and putting Micah Newsletter in the subject line."

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THE BIG NEWS!
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A couple of days ago, I asked y'all to pray for my daughter concerning her interview with Adventures in Missions. Thank y'all so much for joining us as we sought God's will. Here's what I sent out to family and friends via email this evening:

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Dear friends and family---

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As you know, this past January, I was able to visit my beloved Swaziland with our two oldest daughters. Anna had already found out that Adventures in Missions offers the opportunity for high schoolers to go for one month of ministry in Swaziland, so while there, she had the chance to talk to AIM missionary Kriek Gerber about it.
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Fast forward a few months and after much prayer and a lot of talking, Anna has not only applied to go back to Swaziland next summer, but after her over-the-phone interview today, she's been accepted into their program.
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She'll be working primarily with children, many of them orphaned due to losing their parents to HIV/AIDS, at carepoints located in the Manzini area. She is very excited about this opportunity to go on an adventure for the Lord and we are thrilled for her....and proud, too.
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Next summer, she'll go for one week of intensive training at the AIM headquarters in Georgia before flying out for her four weeks overseas. She'll be part of a team comprised of other teenagers, led by a college student, and working in partnership with AIM personnel living there and Swazi nationals.
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For more information on the program she is going with, visit the AIM website at:
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http://www.adventures.org/a/nextstep/sum_am.asp
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To read about the ministry of Kriek Gerber, who is working with the carepoints in Swaziland, visit:
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http://jumbogerber.myadventures.org/
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Thanks for letting me share our big news and please keep her and us in your prayers as we prepare for this incredible trip...one that I know will absolutely change her life.
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With a grateful and blessed heart,
Elysa
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"Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world...I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matt. 25: 34, 40
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BEAUTIFUL BURGUNDY

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In honor of the upcoming Hawk Nelson concert, I cut and colored my oldest daughter's hair last night. I know I'm braggin', but she's looks really, really, really good.

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Life sure is fun with a daughter like her.

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IMPORTANT INTERVIEW

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Our oldest daughter is being interviewed today or tomorrow by Adventures in Missions concerning her desire to return to Swaziland next summer as an "ambassador" missionary for 4 weeks. Please pray for her during the interview and that she and the interviewer will discern God's will concerning this matter. We feel pretty good about this direction but ultimately, only want what GOD wants.

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Thanks in advance.

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To learn more about the Ambassador Team missions opportunity, visit the AIM website at:
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http://www.adventures.org/a/nextstep/sum_am.asp

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IN THIS WORLD
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"In this world you are an orphan— eagerly anticipating your adoption as God’s child. In this world you are a widow— longing for reunion with your Bridegroom. In this world you are a stranger— a pilgrim waiting to become a citizen of heaven. And in this world, God has called you to care for the orphan, the stranger, and the widow."

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---Tom Davis, Fields of the Fatherless

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At first, I was just going to post this photo of Julie Anderson with her adorable, adopted Swazi daughter Ellie, but you know me...I've just got to tell a bit of their story. Julie is a missionary with Adventures in Missions. We were blessed to meet them when we traveled to Africa in January. Julie teaches Swazi women about God and His plan for their life through Bible studies and being in a relationship with them. She also gives them a way to support their families financially as many of them are widows. She has taught them how to make beautiful Swazi purses which bring in money desperately needed by these women who are often the only financial providers for not just their children, but often many members of their extended family and orphaned children.

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Julie is one of the few Americans who has been allowed to adopt a Swazi child. The Swazi people are very proud of their culture and they want their children to be raised as a Swazi and all that entails when at all possible. It was truly a God-ordained plan that made it possible for little orphaned Ellie to find a forever family with Julie. Here is the first part of their story:

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"January 2005

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It's 2:30AM and I've just returned home from the government hospital here in Mbabane, Swaziland. There's a little baby girl there, not even three days old and less than four pounds, who was dumped on the hospital property and found by security guards yesterday morning wrapped in a plastic bag. Inadequate hospital staff, along with inadequate training and facilities, makes proper care for such a tiny baby nearly impossible. So we sat with her for a few hours tonight to do her hourly feedings (and flick cockroaches out of her bed) while another crew is heading out shortly to take over. I've never seen a baby so small. I can literally hold her with one hand."

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To read "the rest of the story" and more about Julie's ministry, go to:
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http://julieanderson.myadventures.org/?filename=bio
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LOVING WITH ACTIONS
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"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”
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Proverbs 3:27-28
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We Will Go Ministry

THE ATTIC...Before and After

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Before...obviously.

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Ta-da! And here are the "after" shots.

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Pretty amazing,huh? It looks so great and feels so good to have it cleaned out. In fact, it feels so good that I'm now motivated to start really cleaning out the rest of the house. It makes life so much simpler plus it feels good to know that others outside of our family are benefiting as well. Giving it away is so much an important part of the Christian faith but I find myself too often clinging to "my stuff". But every time this past week that I got tempted to hold on to something that I really did not need, I would be reminded of the verses in the Bible that referred to giving to the poor, especially the one about if I see my brother without a cloak and I have two, then I need to give him one. Well I definitely have more than one "cloak" cluttering up our house.

I'm finding that the more I get to know those in need, the easier it is to give it away.

As Shane Claiborne said in IRRESISTIBLE REVOLUTION, its not that the American church doesn't care about the poor, its that we don't know the poor.

Now I know the poor, my eyes have been opened, my heart has been changed, and I'm without excuse. Okay, I've got excuses, but in the face of the needs around me...and even bigger, in the face of Jesus' sacrifice...they're pretty lame.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Whew! The attic is now completely cleaned out and organized. My mom is amazing! I have got to keep this short as I've got a million things to do to make up for being tied to the attic for the last four days and I need to wash my hair so I'll look purty for hubby...truly....not lying!

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More later...including the photos that show the "before" and "after". Seeing is believing 'cause its like something off of one of those home improvement shows.

CLEANING OUT THE ATTIC IS A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE

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Still working on the attic. Today made three days of sorting, tossing, and remembering. Among the finds were hubby's Mississippi State yearbook, letter from Denise in Guam telling me that her then-boyfriend/now-husband was falling in love with her, notes passed in seminary to Adam and Karen, dead corsages from dances long ago, baby clothes that we forgot we had for Baby M to wear, my Journeyman missionary memory book, photos with wrinkle-free faces, and too many unmentionables.
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We're about 4/5 of the way thru so hopefully we'll finish up tomorrow.
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I'm ready to be done.
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Tonight we had a day-late birthday celebration for hubby so between the attic and the party prep I'm pooped!

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TODAY IS MY HUNKY HUBBY'S BIRTHDAY!
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Forty-three years ago, the love of my life was born. Of course, as a pea-sized, in-the-womb babe, I didn't realize that. But God did and already He had planned for me a blessing beyond what I ever could dream or hope for. While I was growing up here in the Deep South, he was growing up in Southern California and Canada. And in God's perfect timing, He brought us together, to meet on a sunshiney fall day in Columbus, Mississippi at MUW's Baptist Student Union. And the rest is history...and a pretty incredible history at that.

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I love you, Honey, and look forward to sharing many, many birthdays with you in the years ahead.

WHAT'S UP?

My mom and my nephew Cullen arrived here Friday afternoon. Cullen has been having a fun time playing on the farm with his cousins and my kids have been glad to have him here.

On Saturday, the kids and I, along with some of the youth and a couple of moms, went to Wingard House, a ministry to homeless families and others working on getting their lives in line with God's way of successful living. We washed dishes, sorted clothes, emptied out literally thousands of individual sugar packets into storage containers, played basketball with the kids living there, varnished a glider, organized canned goods, and just enjoyed hanging out. Its a joy to be at Wingard House.

Afterwards, Super Dad and I took our kids to the local fitness center and while they swam, I walked laps, worked out on the weight machines, and watched a skateboard competition on the TV while riding the stationary bike.

Sunday morning was church, then a picnic lunch at the park before heading to the Lancasters for their Sunday afternoon church service. The Lancasters and others involved with WE WILL GO minister to the homeless and others in need living in inner-city Jackson. Worshipping and serving alongside these people always lifts my spirit and builds my faith.

Last night we had our weekly pizza and movie night. Now its time to start a demanding week.

My mom and I are going to tackle cleaning out and organizing our attic. I've got heaps and heaps of stuff up there...some of it is stuff I've not unpacked since my pre-married days. Its going to be a monster of a job. I'm not relishing it one teeny, tiny bit but my mom is a wonder at this sort of thing and I know I'll feel good once its all over and done. In the meantime, I'll be getting a free sauna and having lots of time to grow in character.

I'll be scarce online the next few days but will be popping in here and on other blogs every now and again to find out "what's up" with you and yours.

LOOKING FOR MANURE TO ROLL IN

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In a previous blog post, you were introduced to Whimsy, Seth Barnes' pet extraordinaire. Seth is with Adventures in Missions and writes a blog that's definitely worth reading. After he found out how much I enjoyed his Whimsy post, he pointed me to another one he wrote about this little dog and I just had to share it with you here at Graceland:
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Last night I let Whimsy out to "go to the bathroom" (what kind of a euphemism is that? There is no bathroom out there, nor could the dog use it if there were one, unless he used it like he uses a fire hydrant).
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Instead, Whimsy met up with Abby, our outside dog, and the two took off for the deep woods and all points beyond. Their favorite place for adventures is a cow barn about half a mile from here across a meadow. Once I caught them returning from there smelling like manure (what is it about a dog that wants to roll in stinky stuff?).
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Each time Whimsy is gone on an extended adventure, we worry. We go to the front door like the father of the prodigal and shout, "Here Whimsy!" into the cool night air and wonder if this is the time he's going to get run over by a car.
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Last night at about 11 p.m., Whimsy and Abby showed up at the door smelling of cow dung. "Be sure your sins will find you out," I thought and immediately began to do the thing Whimsy hates more than anything - give him a bath. This morning, clean and dry, he's back on my lap again.
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Whimsy is such a picture of us as we struggle with our flesh. There is safety in the Lord's presence, but our flesh cries out for a night of gallivanting. When we return to our master, stinking like manure, He first cleans us up and then invites us to curl up on His lap.
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1,2,3,4, CHICKENS JUST BACK FROM THE SHORE

Little Miss M and I are enjoying "counting to the number 4". Would you like to count with us? Then come along to Sesame Street! Thanks to my pal Shauna the little blue eyed darlin' can't get enough and keeps saying "again"!



Of course, big brother 4 year old T wants to know when she'll stop watching it..."are you going to watch it for the rest of your life? I don't want to watch it, its really boring. Sigh...."

But Little M wins out and says "I want to do it again...YES!"

Umm...at this point I will quit writing their dialogue as its getting more than a bit heated.

Who woulda thunk that this simple song could be so incendiary?!?

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We're back! I was looking around YouTube and found this one:



It had T giggling and pleading for "MORE".

So I played it again and his baby sister saw it and she started laughing and squealing and loving it, too!

Now I have TWO of them saying "please, please, PLEASE" as they plead with me to play it again and again and again! I didn't like when they weren't in agreement, but being against a united front, especially one so adorable, is hard to say "no" to.

No more typing so I can go hit the "replay" button yet again.

YIKES!!!! ANOTHER PRAYER REQUEST!!!

I know I'm more than a bit of a ditz...and losing shoes or a book is par for the course. But in 17 years of marriage I've never lost my keys or a credit card. But now I can't find my credit card! Its really a debit card that I use instead of carrying cash or a checkbook. I know I had it on Tuesday when I went shopping. I'm always VERY careful to put it right back in its special compartment in my purse but now I can't find it. I guess I'm going to have to go online and make sure its not been found/stolen and used.

PLEASE pray that I find it. I have a feeling its somewhere dumb like stuck between stuff in my purse.

Thanks!

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Edit to add: FOUND IT!!!! PRAISE GOD!!!! It was in my daughter's bluejean's pocket. She had helped me check out and we'd both forgotten to make sure I got it back. Whew!
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WIERD PRAYER REQUEST...

PHOTOS, ORPHANS, AND THE P.O.

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Back when I went to Swaziland, I took tons of photos. The kids love having people "shoot" them. One of the young Swazi men that works with the kids emailed me later when we were discussing a particular photo and said that the children would LOVE to receive photos of themselves as most of them have never owned a picture of themself.

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I've gotten to know a lady in Louisiana thru her blog. Her husband is going to Swaziland with a ministry called Children's Cup. They leave Sunday.

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I ordered a ton of photos last week. I know, I know...I should have done it a lot sooner but I kept putting it off because I knew it was going to be a big project. But, in the past when I've ordered photos they've always been processed, shipped, and delivered within a week.

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After contacting customer service, I just found out that they just shipped out this morning. I was hoping I could get the order changed to overnight but its too late. They're already in transit.
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I know its not life or death, but I'd really like those precious children who face so many hard things in this life to know that someone didn't forget about them once they got home and for them to have the blessing of a photo. Mailing the package myself over there would cost an arm and a leg. I had already mailed some photos to the man going over...but not of ALL of the children. I don't want some to get photos and not all of the children.
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So would you please pray with me? I'm praying that the package would be fly thru the postal system and arrive there tomorrow before Dean leaves on Saturday.

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Thanks so much!

BEST KIND OF PROGRESS

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"God never places us in any position in which we can not grow. We may fancy that He does. We may fear we are so impeded by fretting, petty cares that we are gaining nothing; but when we are not sending any branches upward, we may be sending roots downward. Perhaps in the time of our humiliation, when everything seems a failure, we are making the best kind of progress."

---Elizabeth Prentiss

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THANKFUL THURSDAY



I am so thankful that NOTHING can separate me from the love of the Father.

ORPHANS OF GOD by AVALON

Who here among us has not been broken
Who here among us is without guilt or pain
So oft? abandoned by our transgressions
If such a thing as grace exists
Then grace was made for lives like this

There are no strangers
There are no outcasts
There are no orphans of God
So many fallen, but hallelujah
There are no orphans of God

Come ye unwanted and find affection
Come all ye weary, come and lay down your head
Come ye unworthy, you are my brother
If such a thing as grace exists
Then grace was made for lives like this

O blessed Father, look down upon us
We are Your children, we need Your love
We run before Your throne of mercy
And seek Your face to rise above

SOFT SOAP AND WISHFUL THINKING

"Christianity simply does not make sense until you face the sort of facts I have been describing. Christianity tells people to repent and promises them forgiveness. It therefore has nothing (as far as I know) to say to people who do not know that they have anything to repent of and who do not feel that they need any forgiveness. It is after you have realized that there is a real moral law and a power behind the law and that you have broken that law and put yourself wrong with that power - It is after all this, and not a moment sooner, that Christianity begins to talk...(Christianity) tells you how the demands of this law, which you and I cannot meet, have been met on our behalf. How God himself becomes a man to save man from the disapproval of God. It is an old story...All I am doing is to ask people to face the facts - to understand the questions which Christianity claims to answer. And they are very terrifying facts. I wish it was possible to say something more agreeable. But I must say what I think true. Of course, I quite agree that the Christian religion is, in the long run a thing of unspeakable comfort. But it does not begin in comfort; it begins in the dismay I am describing and it is no use at all to go on to that comfort without first going through that dismay. In religion, as in war and everything else comfort is the one thing you cannot get by looking for it. If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end: If you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth. - only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin with and, in the end despair."

CS Lewis, Mere Christianity

Why Christians S**k

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As many of you know, last year God started talking pretty strongly to our family about the comfort zone we were living in. He pointed out to us that though we had needed some time of rest and healing, it was now time to get back in the fight...the fight to set the captives free...free from the bondage of addictions, extreme poverty, abuse, sin, and disease.

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His plan for our family was to get our eyes off of our own needs and wants and on to the needs of those who we didn't necessarily run into every day...those we would have to work to be in contact with. He let us know that it would mean getting outside the walls of our church and the boundaries of our safe, comfortable neighborhood and getting out "there"...out where people desperately needed the good news of Jesus and His transforming love and power...the only news that can truly set them free. Part of his plan included getting us involved with two inner-city ministries as part of our church's SUMMER OF SIGNIFICANCE. Another part of His plan was to send me back to Swaziland, Africa, with my two oldest daughters this past January to love on HIV/AIDS orphans and widows.

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We traveled with an organization called Children's HopeChest. Tom Davis is the CEO of CHC and vision/misson trip leader extraordinaire. Tom has an incredible passion for the "least of these", especially orphans and those caring for them. Because of his love and desire to meet their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, Tom spends a good chunk of his time, energy, and resources passing this passion on to others. He leads trips like the one we were a part of, he writes books, he speaks at conferences, he meets with influential people to get them involved in the vision, and he blogs and writes articles.

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One such article is "Why Christians S**k"...not a fluffy, feel good read by any stretch, but an important one. Each of us that calls our self a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, needs to be asking ourselves if our lives really line up with what Christianity is supposed to be about.

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Here is the beginning of Tom's article:

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Each Sunday, millions of Christians in America gather to worship the God who commands us to “love our neighbor as ourselves.” We belt out praises to the God who tells us that “pure and undefiled religion is caring for widows and orphans in their distress.” We kneel in pious prayer before the Almighty God of the universe who describes Himself as loving, gracious, merciful, and generous.

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Then, we walk out the back door of the church, step into a world in need, and proceed to withhold the love, grace, and mercy that’s extended to us.

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We might as well give God the middle finger. Outside of a tiny minority of Christians, we have become a self-centered group of priggish snobs. In short, we s**k.

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Man, those are harsh words. But then Tom's not afraid to stomp on some toes if it means some little ones will be saved.

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To read the article in its entirety, go to http://www.beliefnet.com/story/234/story_23432.html

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REFLECTIONS ON THE 4th by a TWELVE YEAR OLD

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My daughter B wrote this on her blog a few days ago about the recent celebration of our country's Independence Day:

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exactly five days ago people all across our purple mountains majesty country celebrated 232 years of freedom, american-style. i wonder if back in 1776 our four fathers imagined that we would be this free for this long. god has been very kind to us to allow us to be this prosperous for so long. i just pray and hope that it will last for many years to come. after all, we need to think about our kids. just kidding, i thankfully don't have to worry about being a 'mum' for at least ten more years (thank heavens). so how did you celebrate our country's birthday? did fireworks burst in the air above your house into millions of radiant and dazzling colours? did you pig out on potato salad, kfc chicken, or greasy hamburgers? or did you just not care? well, my family went to the beach and watched tons of fireworks. so romantic, in a weird way. it's amazing how this year has passed, already we're over halfway to 09', america's 233 isn't actually that far away. so, what are you going to do to benefit our beautiful country this year? are goals set, lists made? i don't really have a list, but i do have a goal. it is that i will change our world a different way everyday. maybe you could help me, i need plenty of it. after all, one girl can't change the world all on her own, but, she definitely can make a huge difference.

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THE COMPLETE CHRISTY AWARDS LIST

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In my last blog post, I wrote about Lisa Samson's Christy win. I found out through my pal Shauna over at http://shaunarumbling.blogspot.com/ who the other winners are. Here's the complete list of 2008 winners:
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CONTEMPORARY (Stand Alone)
Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin
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CONTEMPORARY (Series, Sequels and Novellas)

Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon
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HISTORICAL

A Proper Pursuit by Lynn Austin
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LITS

Hallie's Heart by Shelly Beach
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ROMANCE

Remembered by Tamera Alexander
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SUSPENSE

The Cure by Athol Dickson
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VISIONARY

Scarlet by Stephen R. Lawhead
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FIRST NOVEL

The Stones Cry Out by Sibella Giorello
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YOUNG ADULT

Hollywood Nobody by Lisa Samson
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I loved Hollywood Nobody and even reviewed it in a previous blog post. I'm presently reading The Stones Cry Out and have heard great things about this book from fellow Five in a Row book addicts over at the Family Forum I frequent. I've also read Chasing Fireflies and Home to Holly Springs and found both to be great reads....though I personally think Lisa Samson's Quaker Summer deserved not just a nomination, but an award. That book was truly used by God to change the entire focus of my life.
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I guess I'll start working my way through the rest of the list now. Even though not all of the books are in my preferred book genres, I find often, that well written books are good reads regardless of their classification.

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LISA SAMSON WINS A CHRISTY AWARD!!!
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I've just heard from my beloved author friend, Claudia Mair Burney, that another dear friend, Lisa Samson, has won a 2008 Christy Award. Lisa actually received two nominations...one for QUAKER SUMMER (the book God used big-time to get me to Swaziland) and HOLLYWOOD NOBODY. She won her Christy Award for the latter one, which, by the way, is her first published young adult book.

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I'm so very happy for Lisa. She's a supremely talented author who is also fun, real, deep, oh so hip, and is passionate about Jesus and His unfailing grace and mercy. Gotta love that Lisa! God truly gave us a gift when He created her.

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By the way, even if you're not so young anymore, you might be very pleasantly surprised to find that HOLLYWOOD NOBODY is a great read. Its been my experience that well written young adult and juvenile books are good reads not just for children and teens, but for adults as well. And well written indeed is HOLLYWOOD NOBODY.

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Congratulations, Lisa! Your big-haired, Southern Belle friend is so very happy for you. And though I can't be there with you in person, consider this your virtual lipstick-kiss-on-the-cheek!

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Author Claudia Mair Burney (yov've got to read her book, ZORA AND NICKY!!!!), Lisa's elegantly beautiful and very funny bff Jennifer H. , the award winning Mrs. Samson, and the not-so-big-haired-in-this-shot Elysa Mac in Swaziland back in January 2008.

STILL HAVING ISSUES

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We're still having major issues with our computer. We don't know if its just on its last legs and is going to completely die or if there's something we can do to fix the situation. But until the situation is reconciled, one way or another, I will most likely continue to post infrequently.

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Also, if you try to email me but don't hear back from me in a timely manner, assume that I'm not able to access my email a/c and call me.

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In the meantime, I'll be getting a lot of housecleaning done with all my freed up time. NOT! Just more time for reading!!!!!

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Speaking of which, I'm reading Claudia Mair Burney's newest book, ZORA AND NICKY. I'm only a few chapters into it but it is SO good. Her first two books were really good, but I have to say that this one is GREAT! In fact, this is the kind of book that deserves critical acclaim. Hey you "Christy" folks....this book needs an award! Its honest and downright messy in places. But its dead on right about so many issues facing the church and Christians today.

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I'll blog about this in more detail later. For now, let me go before my pc betrays me and I lose this whole post!

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FRUSTRATING!

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I had hoped to get a lot more photos from the 4th "weekend" posted plus add more posts but the last couple of days have been crazy. The computer has been giving me fits and I've had to spend the majority of my online time trying to get it working right. Its been very frustrating. Plus, we've been having lots of afternoon and evening thunderstorms so I've had to stay off the pc during those times.

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ANYWAY...gotta keep this quick but just wanted y'all to know that I've not dropped off the face of the bloggy earth, just been dealing with complications.

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Hope to be back on my regular posting schedule soon.

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I'll post a quick pic in closing:

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This is of one of my children, who will remain unnamed, hiding from unpleasantness during our recent trip. Let me tell you, there are times I want to do the same...or throw a brick thru my computer screen!

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OUR L-O-O-O-ONG 4th OF JULY WEEKEND

We've not gotten away as a family for a while. And we'd not been to see family since Christmas. Add in the extra long 4th of July holiday weekend and it was a perfect opportunity to mix it all together and come up with a get-away....almost 5 days to be exact.

On Thursday, after much agony and effort, we managed to feed all the critters, batten down the hatches, pack up all the suitcases (do you know how long it takes to pack for NINE?), and get off purty near on time. We made a pit stop at Super Hubby's sister's beautiful house nestled in a lovely, historic neighborhood along the way and made it to my mom's house on the coast in time for supper and visiting before bedtime.

Friday morning, the 3 oldest girls and I went over to the mall which is within walking distance of my mom's. But no, we did NOT walk. Its stinkin' hot here in the middle of the summer and you know we had to look good to do some shopping! What motivated the trip was 1) my 3rd daughter had managed to pack 99.9% pink stuff and color theme freak that I am, my girl just HAD to have something patriotic to wear for Independence Day and 2) you put American teenage girls withing sniffing distance of a mall, especially one with a Claire's Boutique and the chance of seeing some cute guys, and you just know they're gonna be begging to get there.

Mid-day, my brother's family came over and we had a big ole traditional 4th of July lunch complete with hamburgers and hot dogs cooked on the grill, baked beans, chips, and an American flag cake. After stuffing ourselves, we grown ups sat around talking---mostly bemoaning politics and the election season---while the cousins had a blast goofing off and getting sand in their hair.

That evening, our 2 oldest boys went to spend the night at my brother's house and we took the rest of the kids to the fireworks show on the beach. We parked in front of my brother's best friend's house and walked the few blocks down to the shore. There was a good crowd of folks but not so crowded that you felt scrunched in. There was still plenty of elbow room which was a good thing considering the inebriated patriots who were haphazardly shooting off fireworks. Yes, fireworks are still legal in most parts of our region. 4 year old T was not a happy junior camper. He has never liked loud noises and fireworks are no exception even if they are pretty. He kept his hands clapped over his ears for the better part of the evening and did his share of whining and whimpering, but despite the drama, we all--- even the ear plugger, though to a lesser degree---had a fun time of it. Though it was dark, Super Dad took the younger kids out to splash in the very, very shallow water while 14 year old A and nearly 13 year old B explored on their own.

Once the fireworks started, it was pretty awesome to be able to look straight out over the sound and see one firework show fairly close up while over to the west and across the bay, see the next city's fireworks going off. In fact, as part of the neighboring show, I saw red heart shaped firework displays for the first time. They were very pretty...as was the whole experience with the boat, bridge, and building lights reflecting on the gently rippling waters of the gulf.

On Saturday, we loaded up and drove to my Cousin Beth's house in Mobile, Alabama. She and her husband Sam have a home that is great for entertaining and we enjoyed hanging out with their family. We took my son's oldest along and he plus the rest of the cousins thoroughly enjoyed their time in Beth and Sam's pool. Jim had to step in and perform life guard duties a time or two and Baby M said she liked going down the slide with him though she emphatically declined going down a second time.

After another traditional Independence Day meal (including some amazingly good banana pudding), my dad and his wife stopped by for a visit. We adults sat around the table mostly swapping family stories and looking at old photos and letters while the kids continued just being wild, but surprisingly, well-behaved kids.

As evening set in, we drove back to my mom's thru a typical afternoon rain storm, got back to her house, threw the little kids into bed, and then Super Hubby and I headed out for a date night. We ate outside at a little eatery called Government Street Grocery in the historic, artsy downtown part of the town where I spent my teenage years. Jim was having a hankering for fried shrimp so ordered a poboy. I indulged in a spicy roast beef wrap with fried okra. We split an order of freshly made hummus and warm pita bread. After a large lunch and such a delicious supper, we were full to the gills. A band called Rooster Blues was due to play, but we needed a walk desperately. After strolling through the quiet and quaint heart of the town, we were too pooped to go back for the live music so we called it a night.

Sunday morning, I spoke to my mom's Sunday School class at First Baptist about our trip to Swaziland and the dire situation going on there with the HIV/AIDs crisis. This class had faithfully supported us financially and prayerfully related to our trip and it was a joy to be with them. One lady said that after reading the first chapter "sampler" of RED LETTERS by Tom Davis that my mom had given her she had gone out and bought the book. It has really impacted her. Others asked how they could be involved in helping financially in the future. And one sweet lady, who had often bravely chaperoned many of the youth events and trips I participated in growing up, donated $50 for Children's HopeChest and their carepoint ministry.

After a patriotic-themed service, the church had a huge covered dish lunch and games. The kids enjoyed the chance to eat even MORE sweets plus participate in the activities, and I loved getting to see old friends. One young woman, who had been several years behind me growing up, gave me two bags of birthday party items to send to the children at the Moriah Centre carepoint. The generosity and love of the folks at First Baptist is such a blessing in my life. I told Mama Randolph after my talk on Sunday morning that though I can't remember almost anything said to me or taught to me during my years as a teen there, what I do remember is that I was loved. And that love was what I desperately needed during those often very difficult adolescent years. When I graduated and moved away to college, finding a church home was a high priority for me because I knew I wanted in my college years what God had blessed me with during my growing up years.

As soon as we could load up that afternoon, we headed north to Columbus where Jim's dad and step-mom live. They've built a darling guest cottage so we bunked there with the 3 little ones while the 4 older ones stayed in the main cottage with the grandparents. After a country breakfast, the kids had quite a time swimming and splashing in the good sized creek (actually a small river) on the backside of the property. Then after lunch, it was back on the road to head home Monday afternoon.

Yep, we were worn plum out after all our travels and visits, but it was worth it. Family and friends are true blessings and we are abundantly rich in this area.

Thanks to all of you who helped make this Independence Day holiday such a memorable one. We love you tremendously!

*I'll be adding more photos tomorrow and trying to tidy up the look of it all.

IN HONOR OF THOSE WHO FOUGHT

My oldest daughter A wrote this poem yesterday in honor of the 4th of July:
.
Inspire
.
What would inspire and drive men
to fight?
To sacrifice
Everything?
.
Riches? Honor? Fear? Power?
Yes to all of these, but in this case it is
an idea.
.
The idea that perhaps
people should be free to make their own choice.
That maybe, just because something
or someone
is older, more powerful and simply stronger
it's not always right.
.
The idea that
"all men are created equal"
.
The idea that
"we the people"
are maybe able to make
our own choices.
.
Such an idea
inspired men to face
fire and water,
cold and heat,
hunger and disease,
blood and broken bones,
and the ultimate defeat of death.
.
We can sum this idea up
into a single word:
.
Freedom
.
ACM

YOU KNOW YOUR SIX YEAR OLD IS SICK...
.

...when she is sitting on the couch contentedly watching a sewing show on PBS. Oh...and the fact that she's been throwing up since last evening.

.

Looks like this 4th of July might turn out to be, er, um, pretty "eventful" for this family of nine.

.

Pray for us, okay?

TUTT AND MR. TUTT BOOK GIVEAWAY

Yesterday I finished up a very, very old book that I had bought for a dime at a used book sale years ago. The book is TUTT AND MR. TUTT by Arthur Train, former assistant district attorney of New York county. It was published in the 1920's and reminds me a lot of the RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEY stories except set in America and, of course, in a different time period than the Rumpole stories.

Tutt and Mr. Tutt are law partners who have some highly interesting cases put before them. But unlike serious shows such as Perry Mason that are all about solving a crime, the Tutt stories are more about the people side of the cases with lots of dry humor, and even a bit of slapstick humor, thrown in. The stories are a bit of a cerebral workout and to be honest, I didn't understand some of the legal jargon or the dialogue concerning the stock market and finances (yes, my dh handles all of THAT aspect in our marriage), but the stories were enjoyable enough to pull me through to the end. I especially enjoyed the story SAMSON AND DELILAH and what happened to one law partner when mid-life crisis hit!

I should warn you that there is a good bit of political INcorrectness where immigrants and others are concerned, but considering the era it was written in, its fairly accurate, I'm afraid, of people's thinking and way of speaking.

Click here to see what Amazon.com had to say about the book: TUTT AND MR. TUTT


And if you'd like to read this book, leave me a comment. I'll have a drawing the second weekend of July for the winner.