tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58755967928309392852024-03-14T02:27:48.662-07:00Sacred Celebrationmusings on the beauty and splendor found in the everydaySusie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.comBlogger319125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-59836374114221274942014-09-24T11:54:00.005-07:002014-09-24T11:55:00.059-07:00Glamour & Grace Guest Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Psst! I know I'm on hiatus from the blog for now, but I shared some of the fun details of our wedding over at <a href="http://www.glamourandgraceblog.com/2014/intimate-evening-diy-wedding/">Glamour & Grace</a>. It was really great to reminisce and think about the choices we made to prepare for a marriage, not just a wedding day (though let's be honest there was a lot to prep for in three months to pull this off!).<br />
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Enjoy!Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-42571436064287057872014-09-18T08:47:00.002-07:002014-09-18T08:58:03.855-07:00Jumping InEver feel like you're being asking to dive head first into the unknown? You have a gut sense God is involved in this crazy jumpy endeavor but it feels absurd, counterintuitive, and terribly disruptive. And yet, and yet, feels like l i f e.<br />
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That's me.<br />
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For a time, and I don't know how long, I'm going to stop posting to Sacred Celebration.<br />
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I need to recalibrate. I need to r e i m a g i n e. I need Him. I need to nestle in to some questions. I need to root deeper into my hiddenness in Him. And truthfully I just have a sense, a little more than a hunch that <i>this is the way, walk in it. </i><br />
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I don't want the blog to be birthed out of pressure....pressure to be someone, pressure to be seen, pressure to keep up. And it certainly isn't always that, but somedays it is.<br />
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I've heard God beckon me this way before and I'd be wise to follow.<br />
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I love what <i>Sacred Celebration </i>has become for me...<br />
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* it's a place to share my story--and I believe everyone has a story worth sharing and uncovering.<br />
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* it's a place to name things in my life and be reminded of the intimate ways of God.<br />
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* it's a place to encourage us all that we're not alone, our life is one of meaning and purpose, and we all struggle with that.<br />
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* its a place to celebrate the sacred amidst all the mundane, everyday, and normal stuff of life.<br />
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But I also know there is more. And for now, I need to let that little seedling have some time to birth and root.<br />
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Bless you friends for creating s p a c e in your day to celebrate with me.<br />
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Appreciate your prayers.<br />
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Much love in Christ,<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Susie</span></i><br />
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<br />Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-23255067827741077732014-09-11T09:01:00.001-07:002014-09-11T09:35:43.656-07:00Her, AgainI don't think this struggle of comparison is new to our generation. It may feel more in the forefront of our consciousness with social-media but it's been a core struggle of the feminine heart ever since Eve decided she wanted to be like God.<br /><br /><br /><br />There's a funny little thing that goes on in that Genesis exchange. Eve wants to be like God, knowing good and evil, but what she has failed to internalize is that she already was like God, created in His image. She dwelt with God. She walked with God. She was created by God to do good things with Him.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTr23h-CSmwu68WpGogdJ4r3RedOx2eaZ7Lbcd0Z1mSgSLw_vLm8MoOqARbFH6_REbFCm_ec4OFu847EhNYfur5UXgKe8ysOothDq09AhtOxCMhX4mPQqoZP8bfAfkGjAOWl_QFpEyH_s/s1600/640px-Tizian_091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTr23h-CSmwu68WpGogdJ4r3RedOx2eaZ7Lbcd0Z1mSgSLw_vLm8MoOqARbFH6_REbFCm_ec4OFu847EhNYfur5UXgKe8ysOothDq09AhtOxCMhX4mPQqoZP8bfAfkGjAOWl_QFpEyH_s/s1600/640px-Tizian_091.jpg" height="640" width="498" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />But. It. Wasn't. Enough.<br /><br /><br /><br />She did not trust where the boundary lines had been set. She did not believe the limits were part of the b l e s s i n g. She did not trust God to be God and her portion to be enough.<br /><br /><br /><br />And I follow in her footsteps. We all do.<br /><br /><br /><br /><strike>Period.</strike><br /><br /><strike><br /></strike><br />That could be the end of the story. In fact, I'm often tempted to tell myself, <i>Nothing's ever gonna change. I will always feel this gaping reality that I don't measure up, I am a disappointment. </i>Then because I am a Daughter of Eve, I begin to strive and try hard and manipulate who I am on the outside with what's really going on inside to cover over that terrible emptiness.<br /><br /><i><br /></i><br />But here's the deal....this fallen reality no longer has to rule me. It may tempt me, but it's not the end of the story. The story is much more h o p e f u l.<br /><br /><br /><br />I may be pulled to try to measure up to you. I may even sweat and labor in vain to get your approval. I may exhaust myself and exhaust you to do it.<br /><br /><br /><br />But....<br /><br /><br /><br />But....<br /><br /><br /><br />In Christ, I have tasted a different fruit....within.<br /><br /><br /><br />In Christ, I have had sweet moments of r e s t.<br /><br /><br /><br />In Christ, I have felt seen and known and sought out.<br /><br /><br /><br />In Christ, I have been set apart, chosen, refashioned.<br /><br /><br /><br />And when I set my heart there, when I disrupt that nanosecond decision to prove myself and instead look on Him the temptation doesn't look so attractive. My "person of the hour" to compare myself to so I'm assured to come up short, is humanized. Befriended. A Daughter of Eve too. <i>But a Daughter of the King more!</i><br /><br /><i><br /></i><br />She struggles too.<br /><br /><br /><br />She is on a journey.<br /><br /><br /><br />She is human.<br /><br /><br /><br />She has limits.<br /><br /><br /><br />And it's when I get here, in this heart s p a c e, that I am able to o f f e r me and r e c e i v e you. Just. As. You. Are. Because He accepts me just where I am. He fills that gaping hole with His l i f e. He expands my vision to see the wide open spaces he has given me and the boundary lines that have fallen on good places.<br /><br /><br /><br />He reveals the limits <i>are the blessing.</i> For my good, my protection.<br /><br /><br /><br />He reveals I am enough because He said so.<br /><br /><br /><br />He reveals his wondrous works in my heart and reminds me to sing His song---the glorious song of His story, in my life. Whether in word, deed, presence, or hiddenness when I look in His eyes and catch His gaze I'm caught up in this n e w l i f e and it's good, beautifully messy, and expansive!<br /><br /><br /><br />Suddenly...<br /><br /><br /><br />The urgent is temporal.<br /><br /><br /><br />The measuring up feels ridiculous.<br /><br /><br /><br />The stillness is magical.<br /><br /><br /><br />The moment is full.<br /><br /><br /><br />I am who I am. He has set His gaze on me. He will carry it out. He has dreams for me far above my own.<br /><br /><br /><br />Glory! Birthed in rest.<br /><br /><br /><br />Glory! Revealed through the new covenant....a new way.<br /><br /><br /><br />Glory! Unveiled in an intimate moment with the Savior.<br /><br /><br /><br />And in the wild, kingdom reality of a sacred moment, there is no other person I'd rather be.<br /><br /><br /><br />Me!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggq-N6MAypEwpYeOq7zNp3t-raed5zBMrkH45a-Ln02x_HSbqwAIKP-4neHF99Nfzo1MXoueO5EiYqQ5JNnzgjl0KSRy8P17I5PcTiZ-706dasGJyhBENt1uZtH8FjGF7yX7eQGtPeQWE/s1600/me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggq-N6MAypEwpYeOq7zNp3t-raed5zBMrkH45a-Ln02x_HSbqwAIKP-4neHF99Nfzo1MXoueO5EiYqQ5JNnzgjl0KSRy8P17I5PcTiZ-706dasGJyhBENt1uZtH8FjGF7yX7eQGtPeQWE/s1600/me.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:1-10 ESV)<br /><br /><br /><br />Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-55925172242375162692014-09-09T20:52:00.002-07:002014-09-09T20:52:23.506-07:00HerI imagine her life, all exciting and dynamic. New opportunities abound...she's sought after, brilliant, moving and shaking up the world that's waiting on her doorstep each day. She get's 500,000 blog hits, maybe more like a million! Everyday she gets up knowing her deep value and worth. She brings it again and again and not once does she falter. She is tenacious and never let's defeat get her down. She faces the giants, again and again.<br />
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<i>She </i>is an illusion.<br />
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<i>She </i>is made up in my mind.<br />
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<i>She</i> taunts me daily.<br />
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<i>She</i> steals my joy.<br />
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<i>She</i>, my somewhere-out-there blog savvy, family friendly, object of perfection.<br />
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If I could just get to where she is then ____________.<br />
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And I know I am not alone.<br />
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Whomever I've given that exalted place of having "arrived" becomes the object to which I measure myself. I am drawn by her words, they are beautiful and eloquent and true. They are lovely.</div>
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But the slithery and stealth Seducer twists and tangles them, corrupting the beauty being offered and enslaving my soul. <i>What have you done? Look what she's doing with her life...You will never be enough. Why try?</i></div>
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The words that are meant to offer l i f e--the beauty that has been hard won and birthed in the deep dark-- now get all jumbly and twisty within me, comparison has set in, corrupting and corroding the heart receptacle and I miss the offering. I miss the piece that is for me and now try to become her.</div>
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<i><br /></i>And in just a few nanoseconds, I subtly begin to tuck away the dream, the risk, the little step of faith, the creativity and rather comatose quietly resolve to do the life-sucking thing because O<i>h yea, I forgot, I'll never be enough. There's nothing really special in me that hasn't already been done a million times better than I ever could so why try? </i>And here I am again, picking the safe bets, the measurable things, the path of least resistance.</div>
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She slithers away, for she is no longer needed. I've agreed. I've gone along. All is safe once again. I'm a little more anesthetized to my life and a bit more withdrawn from my purpose.</div>
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But....<br />
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I am beginning to dismantle <i>her</i>.<br />
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We are....<br />
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In little holy huddles here and there, we are beginning to dismantle<i> her.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">print by emilymcdowelldraws:<br />
sold on etsy<br />
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We are starting to talk more about it: the toxicity of comparison. We're gathering in coffee shops, churches, over the phone or Skype, in conference rooms, in counseling offices. </div>
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Our generation more than any other in history is bombarded by a woman who doesn't exist. We are living in a cyber-reality that every day offers us a little bit of l i f e but a whole lot of temptation.</div>
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How do I reap the benefit of the beauty being offered through blogs, Pinterest, magazines, and Instagram without desecrating my soul?</div>
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How do I engage culture and my present reality while not losing myself to something "out there" and miss what's "right here"?</div>
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How do I live the beauty of Christ's life within me, going forth through me, if I'm consumed with being someone else?</div>
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What if someone else's obedience is not my obedience and I'm spinning my wheels being <i>her </i>and not doing the risky, vulnerable work of learning what it means to be me?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>a million little ways</u> by emily p. freeman *</td></tr>
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What if the hidden things are THE things?<br />
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What if offline is really what keeps our hearts online?</div>
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Is that enough?</div>
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Will. I. Let. That. Be. Enough.?<br />
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Will I believe, this day, <i>I am enough</i>. Period. End. Of. Story.<br />
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* A friend and I have started intentionally talking through some of these questions together. To jolt our conversation we are reading <u>A Million Little Ways</u> by Emily P. Freeman. Join us!</div>
Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-2489708573361008322014-09-03T08:44:00.002-07:002014-09-03T08:44:54.771-07:00What I Learned in AugustToday I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.chattingatthesky.com/2014/09/01/lets-share-learned-august/">Emily over at Chatting at the Sky</a> to talk about what I learned in August. Here it is in no particular order....<br />
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1. Events like baby dedications, always catch me off guard in how they merge the ordinary (family, kids rumbling about, loud chatter) and sacred (setting apart a little one to Jesus, extending your hand in faith and commitment, cherishing the sacred invitation you've been given to love this little one and her parents well). All my family sat in the front and worshipped together. Moments like that are rare and so, so special!<br />
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2. I love to watch my friends kiddos. Having Mr. F around to join in the fun makes it that much better. Slides are awesome! But somehow, they don't last as long as an adult?</div>
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3. It's true! You gain weight in your first year of marriage. Bummer. I guess something in you relaxes and says I am loved no matter what, more cookies please!<br />
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4. In the same way I dashed into my Grandma's bedroom and put all her jewelry and fancy clothes on, my niece now associates our home with bling. It never gets old and that little girl in me has not gone away! Doesn't Mr. F look fancy?<br />
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5. Quilts make great tablecloths! This idea will make it's way into our dinner parties! Speaking of which in August I decided I WILL host a dinner party by the end of this year!<br />
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6. I learned (well relearned) what an extraordinary privilege it is to be a step-mom. Eric is a kind, fun-loving, tender, welcoming soul who brings so much into the world. He is also teachable, open, and pliable....as in he learns from his mistakes and is growing in wisdom. What a humbling and beautiful gift it is to co-parent with Mr. F. We cherish this season as he transitions to leaving the nest.</div>
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7. When <i>Downton Abbey </i>is not available (dying for Season 5) we turn to <i>Call the Midwife </i>for our BBC fix. Its a simpler story but I never tire of watching those babies be born and I'd like to think I'm learning some things along the way should we be blessed to have our own.</div>
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Well there you have it....what I learned in August!</div>
Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-11809287177817347452014-08-21T08:40:00.000-07:002014-08-21T08:40:02.235-07:00Summer Collapsing into F a l l....Ah, can you feel it? Fall is coming....<br />
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I once said this to one of my best friends, Elizabeth, who grew up on the East Coast and she rolled her eyes and let out a deep sigh.<br />
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Apparently Californians have a very different picture of the signs of fall than others!<br />
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But I feel it....the sun is setting earlier, the light is shifting in the sky, the clouds are coming more readily, and I pray, dear God, some rain will visit us soon.<br />
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This week I'm laying low and enjoying the quiet moments. I'll be back to blogging next week. So in the meantime.....<br />
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Lord, draw us ever nearer with the vastness of your g r a c e. Help us s l o w d o w n to hear and respond to you in the quiet. May we not react but respond, and rejoice when we actually do it. Help us hush when the temptations to fill the s p a c e and awkward come. Teach us to be sensitive to your Spirit and enter one another's hearts with life-words...for you are there.<br />
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Bless your weekend friends!Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-17333735875463419772014-08-15T11:48:00.001-07:002014-08-15T11:48:52.302-07:00L i g h t Found in a Week of Hovering DarknessThis week marks a week of heaviness for our collected consciousness.<br />
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Everyone felt it in some way, shape, or form.<br />
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The Middle East.<br />
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The Ukraine.<br />
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Robin Williams.<br />
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The stigma of mental illness being catapulted through every online magazine, blog, and news program.<br />
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And the reason it matters, every bit of it, is because each of us carries round with us our own story. Our own familial wars, religious wars, mental wars, and they are tucked away in a little place we call the subconscious, influencing us day-in and day-out. We may be unaware but each of us have several story-lines playing in the background that make it to the forefront of our consciousness during weeks like these.<br />
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It's like the world is forced to take a collective p a u s e.<br />
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But rather than go all ginormous on you and "out there" I'm gonna bring it back in to right here, right now, right in my little life.<br />
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This week felt BIG, perhaps because the collective circumstances of our world collided with some tender places and important s p a c e s in my story. It's like God lifted up the rug of my life and dust and debris flung everywhere but are settling on good places, holy places, places reserved for the remnant of God.<br />
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My heart went back to His words replanted earlier this year:<br />
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<i>You sought and inquired of Me and required Me on the necessity and authority of My Word, and I heard you, and I delivered you from all your fears. You looked to me and were radiant. your face shall never blush for shame of be confused.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>My poor daughter cried, and I heard you, and saved you out of all your troubles.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I, the Angel of the Lord, the incarnate One, encamp around you who revere and worship me with awe and deliver you.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Oh Beloved, taste and see that I am good! (Psalm 34: 1-9, personalized from Amplified Bible)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Then His words spoken just weeks ago:<br />
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<i>I will keep and protect you, Beloved, for you have found r e f u g e in Me, you put your trust and are hidden in Me.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>You say, "He is my LORD, I have no good, beside or beyond Him..."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I am your chosen and assigned portion, your cup. I hold and maintain your lot.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>The lines have fallen for you in pleasant places, sweetheart, YES! You have a g o o d heritage.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>You will bless Me! I have given you good counsel, yes, I even instruct you in the night seasons.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>You have set Me continually before you, because I am at your right hand, you will not be moved!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Therefore, let your h e a r t be g l a d and let your g l o r y rejoice; your body too shall rest and confidently dwell in safety.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>For I shall not abandon you to death, neither will I suffer you to see corruption.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>I will show you the path of l i f e; in My presence is fullness of j o y, at My right hand there are p l e a s u r e s forevermore. (Psalm 16, personalized from Amplified Bible)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
You see when it's all said and done His words and His l i f e are what carry me, hold me, settle me during weeks like this. Drawing upon my memorial stones of His faithfulness, pursuit, correction, and guidance are what breathe true h o p e and g l o r y! <br />
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These Scriptures remind me of the bigger story of my life and the intimate ways Jesus has come for me. They take me back to heartbreak, anxiety and depression, friendship tensions and fallouts, ministry disappointments, family hurts, and all those little subplots my life holds.<br />
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In a week we were all tempted to hide in the dark or be coerced back there, God gave us a collective opportunity to tenderly hold grief, confusion, bewilderment, mysteries, and dark places we don't like to go up against His l i g h t. And that, that friends, changes things. Changes everything.<br />
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Was it hard?<br />
<br />
Yes.<br />
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Will it be hard or even get harder?<br />
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Probably.<br />
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Does He care?<br />
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Yes, deeply. The cross at the forefront.<br />
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Can change happen?<br />
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Yes, absolutely. The resurrection--new life!<br />
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In the midst of all we are holding this week, try to step away from the blogs, articles, and feeds and take a deep b r e a t h e. Ask the Lord to help you wander through the storyboard of your life and bring to mind recollections of His care and l i g h t in the darkest of times. If you can't imagine where he was, just ask Him, and wait. You may want to do this with a trusted friend or mentor.<br />
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He is God with us--Emmanuel!<br />
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Happy Friday friends and may His l i g h t ever shine....<br />
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<br />Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-67762524249209297122014-08-13T08:55:00.001-07:002014-08-13T08:55:59.117-07:00Life in the Dark<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1992</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I'm sorry to hear about your friend's sudden death...." my sixteen year old self feebly offers to her.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Thanks. He's in a better place now."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Uh? Was she serious? How would God let him in when this guy was clearly so selfish...suicide! How could someone take their life when they have so many people around them who love them and would be devastated by their act?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I smugly and ignorantly wondered where her friend really was? The contempt and judgement secretly oozing through my membranes seeking to box-in and make sense of such pain and suffering. My stern, black-and-white God sucked of compassion and reeking of pat answer faith.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A teenager running from her fears, putting on competency to counteract her feeble footing. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* * * * *</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1998</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">She takes a walk along the Danube River trying to quiet her mind. She stares out into the mirky waters of the river running by, the matchbox communist skyscrapers span the horizon. Her eyes search out the expansive skyline, a foreigner in an oppressed land, longing for the freedom and safety of home. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The leadership had designated this time to reflect on the summer. An exercise Susie would rather skip over than face. The utter vulnerability of not knowing where the Susie she once knew had gone. <i>How to even begin trying to process a dream shattered, a heart broken, a mind breaking down</i>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Stopping along the rivers edge I watch as she leans her back against a concrete pillar, collapsing in a curled-up ball. Head tucked between her knees, the tears and anger come, <i>Why God? Why would you allow all of this? I can’t take more. What have I done to deserve this?</i> </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes, let it come. All that fear, anguish, confusion has to get out. Breathe. Feel it. Enter it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There is a weightiness and dignity to her confession. I startle knowing we are on holy ground and I long for her to know this is good. So good. Even if it doesn’t make sense. Yes Susie, He is here, closer than you think. But to her God has allowed heartache and brokenness beyond what she can bear.<i> How could He?</i> Her heart opened wide to love only to be tore open, wrenched out and flung down throbbing in disbelief. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>How can this be good?</i> </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">She weeps, crying out to God for some measure of relief. Weeks of oppression have paid it’s toll. <i>Why? </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Why.</i> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I watch as she begins to confess every dark sin and thought she could recall: <i>What ever had she done to bring this on?</i> Painstakingly she clamors for relief. Head pressed back against the pillar, she begs God to do something, anything to release the captivity of her mind. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">What she didn’t know was all that wild stuff raging in her mind had been suffocated way too long and just wanted to get out. It had become a jumbled concoction of partial truth mixed with major distortions, subtle fears becoming paralyzing ones, paranoid at the darkness that could be uncovered within. To her it felt like she was going crazy. Well, she kinda was. That’s what happens when a heart gets tired, hurt, run down, and holds it all in. But forgive me for even using her word “crazy” that would be making something like this far too simple, too boxed in, for she didn’t yet know about the battle set against her life. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">*<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>*<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>*<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>*<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>*</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2014</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I look back on my life it seems a lot like looking in on a storyboard. Like in the movies, when the director has all the pictures--scenes--up on the wall and you know there's a story, a good story, in there it just hasn't fully panned out yet. The scenes above are windows into my life in different seasons.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The storyline of anxiety and depression runs deep. Even before my little life came on the seen these dark and frightening characters had been playing in the foreground and sometimes the limelight of my family line.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In 1998 life handed me a great heartache, the loss of a boyfriend, and my first bout with an anxiety disorder. The girl at sixteen had no idea of it's darkness and the battle one wages when living day in and day out with the dark hovering.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unless you have experienced it, full blown medical anxiety or depression, you won't get it. You can't speak of it cause you don't know what it's like to have a cloud hovering about, to not be able to escape your ruminations and the dark that taunts you. You don't know what it's like to just want to watch a movie or go to sleep to escape the internal torment. You don't know what it's like to have God with you but still feel Satan ever so near.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I praise God for the journey companions he gave me along the way reminding me I'm not alone. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I praise God for the medication that sets things back to their proper, God designed balance of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">serotonin and norepinephrine.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I praise God for the doctor and counselor who got to the bottom of my torment and treated me.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I praise God, and this is B I G, for the anxiety and depression that led me to the lowly places...broken places...barren places....for there, there, I would SEE GOD!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdHJjf1CsQwzzYwd-ln1xeEYsFY9cBNbq2P0vm-Bo_9BexLlHnZoMyOxAoGB8kNWrkjsaljX0efY-AmctNIBoKcNCVQh9w4Wqldd9Vplbd92p6ixa5y2M10qWSn_XrRdtRIUyLDbR4Os/s1600/robin-williams-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdHJjf1CsQwzzYwd-ln1xeEYsFY9cBNbq2P0vm-Bo_9BexLlHnZoMyOxAoGB8kNWrkjsaljX0efY-AmctNIBoKcNCVQh9w4Wqldd9Vplbd92p6ixa5y2M10qWSn_XrRdtRIUyLDbR4Os/s1600/robin-williams-.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i>Robin Williams, I never knew you, but I admired you. You made me laugh as a kid in that silly egg spaceship and visiting my friends on Happy Days. I cried when you dressed as a clown and touched those patients lives. I wept, deeply, when you hugged Matt Damon and fathered him in a way only grace can. I belly rolled off my seat when you dressed as a woman to reconcile a marriage. I hopped on my desk and my soul soared belting out a giant YESSSSSS when you read of art and sacred living to those boys in the classroom who you were inviting to become men.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i>While we call it "acting" I know you cannot act that kind of depth. It is hard won and it reeks of a living, breathing soul that is dealing with the cards life has dealt. A life that has lived in the dark but recognizes true l i g h t.</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i>I didn't know you and yet somehow I did. As life does. I am sad you are gone. I am sad that you suffered so. You were loved.</i></span></span></div>
Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-62005195124466810662014-08-07T08:44:00.000-07:002014-08-07T08:53:34.904-07:00Freedom in the Light<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">The dark is a frightful place. There we are either hiding from God or pretending primarily to ourselves and ultimately to God. Worse our vision of God becomes clouded by shame and we mistake the voice of l o v e with the life-sucking, self-condemning, self-loathing, dark forces of shame.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">There was a time when I mistook the enemy as my friend. That somehow there was importance to shame and accusation because it was correcting me and giving me something to work on. When in actuality it only dug me deeper in the hole of darkness. Shame is the horrible cloud that twists thoughts and dismisses dignity.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">L o v e, however, calls us forth, meets us in the dark, and surprises us with His light. Love, when we are in the darkness of the self--self-loathing, self-contempt, self-pity, self-deprication--startles us with it's generosity! Love feels too good to be true. G r a c e dumfounds and bewilders in the sweetest ways and shocks me by it's generosity, patience, kindness, and favor.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 22px;">It dissipates the darkness and "Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee......" suddenly and quite mysterious the heavy laden fog in my mind dissipates and life looks different. Way different! I have what it takes, held by this grace, to embrace my imperfect, confess my sin, and rejoice in my acceptance.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px;">Jesus does that! Jesus lived for that! Jesus continues to live on in us to be ambassadors of that! And you can only represent it, that kind of gospel-life goodness, if you've held his hand and transversed the inner darkness and been carried into the glorious light!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 22px;">Freedom folks, beautiful, undeserved, shockingly good and gracious--freedom!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; line-height: 22px;">He lived for it and died for it that we might have true life and be light bearers to it's gloriousness! His gloriousness!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><i><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"><br /></sup></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><i><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">17-19 </sup>And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They’ve refused for so long to deal with God that they’ve lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can’t think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">20-24 </sup>But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. (Ephesians 4:17-20, The Message)</span></i></span></div>
Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-70285857824194164092014-08-05T09:00:00.000-07:002014-08-05T09:00:09.256-07:00The Terror of Darkness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As a little girl I never liked to go to bed with the room dark. The door needed to be cracked just a little so I knew life was still going forth in the other room, I was not alone, and light still had access in the creeks of the night. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wonder when I shut that door? I wonder when the darkness started to become more familiar than the light? I wonder even more so when the darkness became confused with the light? When the hiddeness of shame and the blanket of fear began to provide false shelter?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Layer upon layer of coverings: </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">--"do-gooder" works scrutinized by shames tyranny, "You will never be enough."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">--"helper" and "care takers" promises of connection and relationship nagging and critiquing, "You must come through or you will be alone."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">--"go-getter" exhausting her resources and pouring out in spite of drought, "You don't matter unless you're needed and coming through."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The coverings hide and dismiss my weariness. They pretend to cloak, cover, and protect when really they weigh down, make me sweat, and offer no relief, no flicker of h o p e, as I lay in the dark. But they promise something I desperately want identity and independence. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't have to risk anything behind their cloak, I'm covered over, never really vulnerable to another.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The power of shame.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hate it but it's become my familiar, though false, comfort.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">L o v e will not let the door stay shut.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">L o v e will knock, rattle, disrupt, dispute, shake, and pry open the door to bring back the light. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNqOnL1OALpMvcNDLgbHZ0Tg6UH5N7yKz4ihlB7w34P8D7eejhwkY7Wic-hG-sNeqZ_3PozPzQJvn-Mx9OQhvkCsVmmZnz8w_5mc6_s49wRfHRB0PgArh0bHlIATlyALpCgJTSRRuvRE/s1600/IMG_1360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNqOnL1OALpMvcNDLgbHZ0Tg6UH5N7yKz4ihlB7w34P8D7eejhwkY7Wic-hG-sNeqZ_3PozPzQJvn-Mx9OQhvkCsVmmZnz8w_5mc6_s49wRfHRB0PgArh0bHlIATlyALpCgJTSRRuvRE/s1600/IMG_1360.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But at first, it's disruptive. It disrupts our slumber and our eyes of avoidance and withdrawal must adjust. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpY7vIPdeCh-qvQAII0wsUJNDQLROwXkSUEmdtsyr1sjdcgEiLwF36RcFrlh_blv0AhYr1GgCZqsoJJRy3oaxLlNzNXqhht-Sqdpe6DBsPGofTULZHqc8Fiv7HOnFbKNe1z_T-8n73bg/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpY7vIPdeCh-qvQAII0wsUJNDQLROwXkSUEmdtsyr1sjdcgEiLwF36RcFrlh_blv0AhYr1GgCZqsoJJRy3oaxLlNzNXqhht-Sqdpe6DBsPGofTULZHqc8Fiv7HOnFbKNe1z_T-8n73bg/s1600/photo+2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For light dissipates darkness. Even when only a flicker. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Light is ruthless, because it is light. It exists to allow us to see. Truly see.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fear is powerful, but light overcomes.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Period.</span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus, open wide the door and blanket our fear with your life and being.</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></i><br />
<div class="first-line-none chapter-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text Eph-5-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 24px;">Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Eph-5-2" id="en-NLT-29267" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.</span></span></span></i></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text Eph-5-3" id="en-NLT-29268" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </sup>Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.</span> <span class="text Eph-5-4" id="en-NLT-29269" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </sup>Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.</span> <span class="text Eph-5-5" id="en-NLT-29270" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </sup>You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text Eph-5-6" id="en-NLT-29271" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </sup>Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.</span> <span class="text Eph-5-7" id="en-NLT-29272" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </sup>Don’t participate in the things these people do.</span> <span class="text Eph-5-8" id="en-NLT-29273" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </sup>For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!</span> <span class="text Eph-5-9" id="en-NLT-29274" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">9 </sup>For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.</span></span></i></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text Eph-5-10" id="en-NLT-29275" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">10 </sup>Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.</span> <span class="text Eph-5-11" id="en-NLT-29276" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">11 </sup>Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.</span> <span class="text Eph-5-12" id="en-NLT-29277" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">12 </sup>It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.</span> <span class="text Eph-5-13" id="en-NLT-29278" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">13 </sup>But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them,</span> <span class="text Eph-5-14" id="en-NLT-29279" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><sup class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">14 </sup>for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="text Eph-5-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">“Awake, O sleeper,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eph-5-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">rise up from the dead,</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Eph-5-14" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and Christ will give you light.” (Ephesians 5: 1-14)</span></span></span></i></div>
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Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-62389375264539304192014-08-01T08:51:00.002-07:002014-08-01T13:17:55.443-07:00When I Say You're B e a u t i f u l...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I say you're beautiful, I speak of g r a c e and offering l i f e.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I say you're beautiful, I'm drawn to clasp your hand and enter your delightful world.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I say you're beautiful, I hear your giggles and must bend down to join your play.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I say you're beautiful, I reach out to live where you live, just to be where you are, and soak up all your wonder.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I say you're beautiful, I see your tears, your tenderness and need and long to depend like you.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I say you're beautiful, I want to bottle up your curiosity and live freely in the simplicity of your questions.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I say you're beautiful, I'm stunned by your mind and the intrigue of the information it wants to gather.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I say you're beautiful, I want to twirl and wear crowns and dress up and be seen like you.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I say you're beautiful, I am filled by your generosity and the freedom of it's offering.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I say you're beautiful, I want to hunker down in forts with stuffed animal "friends" and be in the moment, letting my imagination run wild.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I say that you are beautiful, I'm saying you are f r e e. You draw me to l i g h t and l i f e at it's best. You teach me of tenderness, openness, and g r a c e.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I say you're beautiful, I'm saying I need more of that kind of beauty. More of that kind of life. More of what your three foot plus frame teaches me of love and faith.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipt58NzNDmvTbNuR-B8sTpKQoCBbCsO8V7vG17jbYzOm8E3lG4QQ0wSiKFrQ_R7FwCcIjq7n3_4embMp2jsSxk1nFLb6ctcRGNi9wR0_SBLsmdD8kcgF_J6-BS9p7MmtYdLLWBx-jgtNM/s1600/IMG_1545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipt58NzNDmvTbNuR-B8sTpKQoCBbCsO8V7vG17jbYzOm8E3lG4QQ0wSiKFrQ_R7FwCcIjq7n3_4embMp2jsSxk1nFLb6ctcRGNi9wR0_SBLsmdD8kcgF_J6-BS9p7MmtYdLLWBx-jgtNM/s1600/IMG_1545.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You are b e a u t i f u l Emma, in the truest sense of the word. Your four years of life has graced us with so much. Happy 4th Birthday!</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love,</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Auntie Sue</i></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-55508836271193161102014-07-30T06:00:00.000-07:002014-07-30T06:00:05.789-07:00What I Learned in JulyToday I'm linking up with Emily over at <a href="http://www.chattingatthesky.com/">Chatting at the Sky</a> to share "What I Learned in July." So, let's begin:<br />
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<li>I love getting a tan. Plain and simple. Mom, be proud, I use SPF 30 now but I still get some color! I just feel sexier and prettier tan. Bamm! There it is!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMiucCsyvavFrFwB7kITy6uqs6LMxRQBrUJOhWDVNt0buv5-jwHYH7HdnXrs2uXzthwSkx7i8XD2UJakTWywMOCrTFoTcLltxXnohIN4kJoNpw4hQ_mRT9cXFQnXx3o4-Is0JiVFb9s0/s1600/IMG_1687.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKIagmXmjDFlypk17V79H4S0q5c5SYnHIuAYF7zsT46P3XMSMA7RpNcfb-Q_LPYkDhWzkIwG9AU95Yg2kdSflozxz-ePWiiRzUU9ICD9vEGQRPYe8Lq9HJGhVcqCoeQldXNQqYFjhpA0/s1600/IMG_1791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKIagmXmjDFlypk17V79H4S0q5c5SYnHIuAYF7zsT46P3XMSMA7RpNcfb-Q_LPYkDhWzkIwG9AU95Yg2kdSflozxz-ePWiiRzUU9ICD9vEGQRPYe8Lq9HJGhVcqCoeQldXNQqYFjhpA0/s1600/IMG_1791.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<li>Road trips with Mr. F are so, so nice. I spent many a miles in the car by myself over the years and it's just so nice to have someone by your side to talk to or be silent with.</li>
<li>On said road trip we listened to TED talks. I LOVE Ted talks! I married a man who loves Ted talks! I think we will raise a family on Ted. This one is still my favorite:<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/iCvmsMzlF7o?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></li>
<li>I like to know what's ahead and feel in control. This costs me. God has been speaking to Mr. F and I about our future, this blog, creativity and what faith looks like vs. fear. We started listening to a Brene Brown series about lovely topics like shame, fear, scarcity, vulnerability, and courage. It's blessed and disrupted as all good teaching does. </li>
<li>Fireworks are the best when you dedicate a firework to someone. (a.k.a. "the newlywed" "the auntie" "the uncle" "the Coco."<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMiucCsyvavFrFwB7kITy6uqs6LMxRQBrUJOhWDVNt0buv5-jwHYH7HdnXrs2uXzthwSkx7i8XD2UJakTWywMOCrTFoTcLltxXnohIN4kJoNpw4hQ_mRT9cXFQnXx3o4-Is0JiVFb9s0/s1600/IMG_1687.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMiucCsyvavFrFwB7kITy6uqs6LMxRQBrUJOhWDVNt0buv5-jwHYH7HdnXrs2uXzthwSkx7i8XD2UJakTWywMOCrTFoTcLltxXnohIN4kJoNpw4hQ_mRT9cXFQnXx3o4-Is0JiVFb9s0/s1600/IMG_1687.MOV" height="480" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiTm0w3T5Pg95roYGBoxRQKRub9SUgW4LkCBc1xYHBUP-oebN_b0j_gylQJ5p_TxbBsaIeSKXarUlmI3fkaUBIFmhaTqfDVX0s0ro-YL9EEiMb14YMRvrKUcD0b2be6_gC5-I_ZV-sy0/s1600/IMG_1669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiTm0w3T5Pg95roYGBoxRQKRub9SUgW4LkCBc1xYHBUP-oebN_b0j_gylQJ5p_TxbBsaIeSKXarUlmI3fkaUBIFmhaTqfDVX0s0ro-YL9EEiMb14YMRvrKUcD0b2be6_gC5-I_ZV-sy0/s1600/IMG_1669.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></li>
<li>Look who came off the shelf... I'm hesitant to even share about it because I have so many fears and critic voices to push through. But last night something came over me in the shower as I thought of the demands and expectations that swirl about within and how I let the voices steel my j o y. So I dried off, put on my jammies, and marched in to Mr. F, "I want to read some of my book to you." Bamm! There it was. It was heavy, hard, beautiful, and holy.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0Z8E6oIE1iNSoMjwQTugwdyQOi-bO3qrNumK0NGvryER6IrwcdS-prywyeKU06VUJRGZDblFkhBb8swIUXgnt5H5oZqPeeU8TRkkymxpKYgVqeiYCyq_7ssWiGQHF76I8KDsNeTkIQg/s1600/photo-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0Z8E6oIE1iNSoMjwQTugwdyQOi-bO3qrNumK0NGvryER6IrwcdS-prywyeKU06VUJRGZDblFkhBb8swIUXgnt5H5oZqPeeU8TRkkymxpKYgVqeiYCyq_7ssWiGQHF76I8KDsNeTkIQg/s1600/photo-3.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<li>The color of our year is aqua. Both Mr. F and I are having a love affair with it. Just look at his hat? So we were in hog heaven when we saw this...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10ihRymLaPrgLzZB-eP5rvt7R7SCQ_CbYDG4w-YPEpFsbPzwY1W0-ts0jxXRwF_CdEydSQoXFZ31lRkSnPjiSDXjF1DCZqH0CEE5bUbKFzga5af7bi-AOuVYA2mlv8LbTeqUujq3RGyY/s1600/IMG_1872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10ihRymLaPrgLzZB-eP5rvt7R7SCQ_CbYDG4w-YPEpFsbPzwY1W0-ts0jxXRwF_CdEydSQoXFZ31lRkSnPjiSDXjF1DCZqH0CEE5bUbKFzga5af7bi-AOuVYA2mlv8LbTeqUujq3RGyY/s1600/IMG_1872.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></li>
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Mr. F's big brother and nephew have spent the last few years rebuilding this 1955 GMC. They've decided to give it to us for a late wedding gift? HA!? Seriously people, so, so p r e t t y!</div>
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Wow, July you have been full and meaningful. Summer is such a gift! But I also struggle to fully r e c e i v e it. I waste so much of her precious generosity with Facebook, emails, shame, and shouldas and oughtas, what if I chose a different path? What if I hear those old storylines and instead didn't give in to the pull? What if I woke up and said, "Nope. Not today. Not now. I choose ______ this day!"</div>
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Jesus, help me here. I need you.</div>
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Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-75104674210342833402014-07-24T08:45:00.000-07:002014-07-24T09:07:58.897-07:00V a c a t i o nAhhh vacation!<br />
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Back in my CRU days, I remember talking to a college student who was trying to convince me vacation was a selfish act and no where in the bible does it talk about it so therefore it's not a godly practice. He went on to explain how his dad hadn't taken a vacation and how the family does mission trips instead.<br />
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God bless 'em!<br />
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I'm not going to argue that point here, but I will say the Lord once had me take an entire summer off with the assignment to rest, play, and know Him more in it.<br />
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It was one of the hardest and most enjoyable assignments of my life!<br />
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<i>Rest....</i><br />
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P L A Y....<br />
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<b>Know Him....</b><br />
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And that's a lot of how our annual vacation to Lake Tahoe went.<br />
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Only this time....yup!....it was with this hottie!<br />
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Do y'all see those calve muscles? I digress....<br />
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Tahoe has become a familiar place with it's own landmarks, scents, and feel. Driving in, seeing the pine trees, watching the scurrying squirrels, taking in the expanse of the lake, looking up to the majesty of those mountains, my soul takes a deep b r e a t h e.<br />
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I see it and marvel. Vacation unlike any other space in my life gifts me with her freedom and ability to be present to my surroundings. It's God whispering, "See. See this! See that! Isn't it beautiful? My glory revealed. My craftsmanship displayed. Enjoy! Take it in. Breathe it in. It's yours. Our shared joy."<br />
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I wish these pauses happened more in the everyday, but I'm a work in process believing little by little I'm slowing down to r e c e i v e what's right before me.<br />
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Just look at that gorgeous lake we hiked up to tucked away between the mountain ridges...who knew?<br />
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And these cuties who light up our life, ask us to take ourselves a little less seriously, and keep us present to the moment.<br />
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You better believe they were giddy to have Uncle F there to play and splash in the pool everyday!<br />
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And for good measure look at this foreign substance that fell from the sky? Pitter-pat, pitter-pat.<br />
Ahhh, glorious. <br />
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It's the little things people. The little moments, the unexpected pitter-pats, that hope to get our attention, "<i>Taste! See! I am g o o d."</i><br />
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<i><br /></i>Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-50164247838886124002014-07-23T08:42:00.001-07:002014-07-23T08:42:08.203-07:00New Look!Hey gang! I'm back from v a c a t i o n...<br />
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Spent my usual blogging time yesterday rebuilding the site. I hope you like it!<br />
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I'll check in and update you later this week about the trip and some things Jesus was stirring in us as we traveled.<br />
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Much love,<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>Susie</i></span>Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-14513013166729645212014-07-11T08:47:00.001-07:002014-07-22T21:13:57.226-07:00R e s tIt's that time of year to shut things off, play with the kiddos, lay by the pool, stroll by the water.... v a c a t i o n. It's time to vacate the ordinary and open up to a new adventure.<br />
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Meet you back here in a week!<br />
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<br />Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-22672521044789926972014-07-08T08:46:00.000-07:002014-07-22T21:15:06.494-07:00Celebrating SummerYesterday, I walked downtown to meet a friend for lunch and, ahhhh...., the air was sweeter, the sun was dancing her brilliant show, and I had an extra skip in my step celebrating summer. Oh summer, you bring such spontaneity, fun, rest, and play.<br />
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I wrote a chalkboard sign in the shop the other week, "Summer gives laziness the respectability it deserves." Can I get an amen?<br />
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But beyond just laziness, summer gives us all permission (wish we didn't need it) to slow down, take ourselves less seriously, say yes to the unexpected evening out with friends, not hesitate to do something out of the of the ordinary, open up a little more to a lingering conversation, and worship God in His manifold wisdom, gifting us with seasons. How wonderful that we have been given seasons!<br />
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A season we cast out nets anticipating the good things, satisfying things, we will get to enjoy.... </div>
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A season of abundant fruit, unexpected provisions and generosity that settle us, awe us, magnify Him, and display everyday glories and graces to all.<br />
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A season of laughter, playfulness, silliness, and plain ridiculousness! The behavior that laughs at shame and fear, welcoming the arms of the Father and trusting his generous heart.<br />
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A season that open us up, inviting us to have a seat, stay for a while, enjoy the view, and be rejuvenated.<br />
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Ah, summer, we welcome you with o p e n arms!<br />
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p.s. today I'm linking up with Sue over at Welcome Heart to taste and see the LORD is g o o d.<br />
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<a href="http://www.welcomeheart.com/" title="Welcome Heart"><img alt="Tasting on Tuesdays" src="http://welcomeheart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/tasting-on-tuesdays-button.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-62562277905458221012014-07-02T09:00:00.000-07:002014-07-02T09:00:22.986-07:00Beauty Never Gets OldHappy Mid-Week friends! There has been a lot of celebrating and l i f e happening over here. Birthday last week, besties weekend, and this week more evenings out with friends. This...<i>this </i>is what I love about summer!<br />
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Monday's post was a lot. I think the challenge of those questions helped solidify some of the reasons I show up to this blog each week. Not because I'm an amazing writer. Not because I have all this extra time on my hands to write. Not because I am sure I have something to say each time. No, I write because I need to. I write because the internal chatter has value and needs to get out and I realize this each time I show up to the blank page. I write because I think everyone finds a little more peace, a little more comfort when we utter, "You too?"<br />
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You are not alone.<br />
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Ahhhh....<br />
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Deep breathe.<br />
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Isn't that wonderful?<br />
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So today I'm creating my own p a u s e. I'd like to share with you some of the b e a u t y that's sprung up in the everyday. God's creative delight to share with you (friends, family, nature, home). Don't miss it!<br />
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Yes, dessert! An especially creative delight for this one!<br />
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Have a great 4th of July friends! See you next week!<br />
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<br />Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-90421215967550626162014-06-30T06:00:00.000-07:002014-06-30T18:00:18.861-07:00Blog Tour/ My Creative Process<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi Friends! Happy Monday to ya'! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I was invited by this lovely, my co-worker extraordinaire, Sue, to hop on a blog tour with her.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn't that fun? It sorta jolts me out of the ordinary blogging I do each week and creates a necessary p a u s e to think more about why I do what I do and share with you some new blogs. More on that in a bit.</span><br />
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Gang, I can't tell you how great it is to work with a sister in the Lord and participate in the little kingdom adventures we get to have at our thrift store. You would not believe how many little parables are lived out in that place daily. One of the things I appreciate most about Sue is how she makes our customers feel like they are an honored guest in our midst. I hear her buoyant voice now, "Heeeelllllloooo Jerry! How are ya? So good to see you!" She makes them feel like the most important person in the place. Reminds me a lot of how Jesus made the outcasts feel... w e l c o m e!</span><br />
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Hop on over to Sue's blog <a href="http://www.welcomeheart.com/">Welcome Heart</a>. I promise three things: you'll laugh, you'll relate, and you'll feel Jesus' welcoming heart jump off the page!</span><br />
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Sue invited me to jump on this blogging train by answering four questions about how and why I create. Such a good and necessary p a u s e. Not just for me but for you too! Why do you create? We're all co-creators in some way, and I've found partnering with God creatively is awesome in the truest sense of the word! Wow, what a great thing to celebrate!</span><br />
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I am an a r t i s t. Oooo, that's hard to type. See how Resistance has already started to rear her yucky face.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I make beautiful s p a c e s (i.e. decorator/event designer/merchandiser). Gack! Can I say that? Can I name before you and truly own that I have a gift of making spaces prettier than before?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am a writer, exhorter, and person of wisdom. Dear me, it's ever so hard to say I am these things. To joyfully accept that Jesus has gazed into my eyes, lifted my head, and said, "You, yes you my Beloved, offer these precious gifts in my name. I am glad you are these things, I celebrate them, and long to use them on behalf of My Kingdom."</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So grab some coffee, nestle in, and let me share with you, and normalize, the beautiful mess of my creative process.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i><b>1) What are you I working on? </b></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Being a new wife. Seriously. I took a break from blogging during our engagement and spent time preparing for marriage (counseling) and a wedding. The last six months I've primarily been a wedding planner, thrift store worker, and fiance/wife. I was working on staying present and receiving the generous gift being handed to me!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">I'm now back to blogging and feel more excited than ever to share with my readers life in my early days of my marriage--through my home, musings on Christ found in the everyday, and expanding my heart to love through "wifeing" and step-mothering. God has pulled the rug on the identity I found in singleness, longing, waiting, and the ache (I didn't even know I had built my own little kingdom on these things until now) the dust is floating everywhere and the new sacred ground is being relayed and restored built on union, the now, flourishing together, and the process of becoming one. Just when you think you begin to get life with God, he adds a whole new colorful dimension and depth to the ground he originally laid.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">My memoir is on the shelf right now (literally the manuscript is sitting on my bookshelf). She whispers to me every now and then, "We're not done." And depending on the day I either smile and say, "Yes, I know. I'll see you soon." or grimace, "Gack! What was I thinking believing I could pull that one off?"</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i><b>2) How does your work differ from others of its genre?</b></i></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">Great question (and more hesitancy as I own what I bring). I think I bring a conversational intimacy with God into the content. I primarily like to share about how God wants to tell us a new story each and everyday about our lives. He does it in the most ordinary things that then become extraordinary! God shows up in the everyday, so I like to share about it. Things like decorating, gathering, working, going on walks--all that everyday stuff we do He wants to participate in! </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">I love to share how He is rebuilding me from my old, wobbly self into a new being, more secure, and enjoying my new kingdom self rebuilt by Him. And this all takes t i m e. Lots. Of. Time. And journeying. I want to invite you into the process that I'm in, to normalize it and name it for what it is. I call this soul care. Letting Christ care for my soul so I can care for others. I try to model that on the page and celebrate it!</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i><b>3) Why do you write/create what you do?</b></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">In part, I write for me. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">God has given me the privilege of walking through some tough terrain (depression/anxiety, singleness, and some tough years in ministry), and we developed a beautiful intimacy through it.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"> He has regularly reminded me I am to share and "sing our song." One way I do that is through writing. Writing helps ground me in my life and name things God is doing in it. My writing, in many ways, has become a spiritual practice. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My decorating both at work and in our home settles me and brings me incredible joy. I celebrate beauty in its many forms and can't not try to make something look prettier than before. It's deeply satisfying when people come into the store or our home and comment on how lovely it is and how much they enjoy being there. I think God longs for us to create sacred spaces and/or go to sacred spaces to look for him and enjoy him.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i><b>4) How does your writing/creating process work?</b></i></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">I am not one of those bloggers who has a quarterly plan of the content they are going to cover. My process is pretty organic. I write about what God is up to or, maybe better said, own more of what God is up to as I write it. I work best on a deadline so I tell myself twice a week I need to post something. It's a really important exercise in my life with God and worship. It's been a long journey owning my voice and letting Him have His way with me.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;">In terms of design, I excel working within limits. I think it's why I thrive decorating at the thrift store. I would feel totally lost if someone said, "Here is a blank check, go buy what you want." That is not fun to me. I like to work with what is already there and maximize it's beauty or place in the collective whole. I make things work with what is there and then buy things to compliment it (and get rid of things that just don't belong). Creating beauty is definitely part of who I am and what I bring and something I think women can overlook as part of their life with God. I hope to talk more about that down the road.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, now that you know more about me, I hope you will continue the tour at <a href="http://www.welcomeheart.com/">Sue's place here.</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I learned something being a part of this blog tour, I don't have many regularly blogging friends. That's fine, everyone has different things they are asked to do with their time. So the next leg of the tour will change from hearing the answers to the above questions to sharing some of the blogs I follow. Enjoy!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.chattingatthesky.com/archives/">Meet Emily</a>--</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5ibx1oxh-qSEA0uJbRPwLEjS95PLcJoAwT5Zt6FFrd55gIy65O3PDgYeXVd2w52mg4bnUE7yXo5xSfJ0CqdPrprR5EmSHPkzuqSrS33lzz725FCqbuzCDVpYF7pWupi1oBdf3Cevumo/s1600/emily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5ibx1oxh-qSEA0uJbRPwLEjS95PLcJoAwT5Zt6FFrd55gIy65O3PDgYeXVd2w52mg4bnUE7yXo5xSfJ0CqdPrprR5EmSHPkzuqSrS33lzz725FCqbuzCDVpYF7pWupi1oBdf3Cevumo/s1600/emily.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My sister Lisa introduced me to her and I immediately realized she was a kindred! I've since then found out there are similar folks we read and have received mentorship from. Your soul will take a deep breath through her writing! <a href="http://www.chattingatthesky.com/archives/">http://www.chattingatthesky.com/archives/</a> (when I wrote this Emily's home page wasn't working so I'm sending you to the archives that includes a bunch of wonderful topics...love, love her soulful writing!)</span><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.anamcara.com/blog/">Meet Tara</a>--</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CW4iHH0BGDoNmB8ykck2p7PDinS6sJDBpPqtk1GCghmUz5JG-2Hqm83p00ocM1T1aEqVsVb-dOACYHogAyiV9SmBzS6yH28yF4p6OHjCT9MOrwSiZwZ-boGYM7MQ4aBKt_Gqu1miTvA/s1600/tara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CW4iHH0BGDoNmB8ykck2p7PDinS6sJDBpPqtk1GCghmUz5JG-2Hqm83p00ocM1T1aEqVsVb-dOACYHogAyiV9SmBzS6yH28yF4p6OHjCT9MOrwSiZwZ-boGYM7MQ4aBKt_Gqu1miTvA/s1600/tara.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tara is a warrior in the kingdom and a sacred listener and truth teller. I receive spiritual direction from her regularly and am blessed to have her voice and presence in my life. She's coming out with a book that's in the final edits and I can't wait to share it with you so you can benefit from this lovely's wisdom too! <a href="http://www.anamcara.com/blog/">http://www.anamcara.com/blog/</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/blog/">Meet Lisa-</a>-</b> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZytl5R5NkM-KLcalreZ1vO3yTRRCKw9xBDAcFG8v5yvMVp_k55OV-U9w1zvTgwSfqXapiRUcChhFIzulZYkukByEgoRcFVVPLTpi3NZ8NiV1qgbbqvupu6XdzOmcKv-tRwmZ4lpDohW4/s1600/blog_header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZytl5R5NkM-KLcalreZ1vO3yTRRCKw9xBDAcFG8v5yvMVp_k55OV-U9w1zvTgwSfqXapiRUcChhFIzulZYkukByEgoRcFVVPLTpi3NZ8NiV1qgbbqvupu6XdzOmcKv-tRwmZ4lpDohW4/s1600/blog_header.jpg" height="165" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I met Lisa a few years back. She is lovely and a soulful woman. Anytime we catch up when she pops in the store, I'm a little more inspired and stirred by her life. <a href="http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/blog/%C2%A0">http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/blog/ </a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.thnester.com/">Meet The Nester-</a>-</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started following Myquillyn's design blog a while back and have recently reacquainted through her book <u>The Nesting Place: It Doesn't Have to be Perfect to be Beautiful</u> She is a design kindred and she's sisters with Emiy. Talented, godly family! <a href="http://www.thenester.com/">http://www.thenester.com/</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.incourage.me/channel/blog">Meet the (In)Courage girls</a>--</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I check-in with this blog periodically because I appreciate the collection of voices. All these women are trusting that as they vulnerably share on the page their seedlings of faith God will multiply them! this blog reminds me that I'm doing that too in my own little way. <a href="http://www.incourage.me/channel/blog">http://www.incourage.me/channel/blog</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for letting me share! Enjoy theses lovelies!</span></div>
Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-66049199924935886012014-06-26T08:49:00.000-07:002014-06-26T08:49:43.855-07:00How Great Thou Art <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525; line-height: 22px;"></span><br />
<dl style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.2em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder</i></dd><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>Consider all the works Thy hand hath made.</i></dd><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,</i></dd><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>Thy power throughout the universe displayed.</i></dd><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><br /></dd><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;">Lord, when I consider this past year--when I consider the awe, wonder, magic, and glory of this year I scarce can take it in. Last year, on this day, when we walked that Labyrinth prayer walk a second time because it just felt right the first time to go inward but this time to step outward as a symbol. To say to you, YES! all the journey up to now was worth it. Who I've become, who I've seen you to be, My First Love, who you are making me....Yes, Lord. I will offer her. I will open up. I will risk something. I will offer me, laying low and being less than perfect I will let you take my life and let it be consecrated unto Thee. Lord, I will spill out my life however you ask, with whomever you ask, each day, again and again. </dd><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;"><i><br /></i>
<dl style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.2em;"><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee;</i></dd><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>How great Thou art, how great Thou art!</i></dd><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee:</i></dd><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>How great Thou art, how great Thou art!</i></dd><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></dd><div>
And three days later from that prayer walk, choosing to show up to the unknown. The blindest date I'd ever been on (is blindest a thing?) and just saying "Yes." Yes, to the awkward. Yes, to the sweaty brow and imperfect hair from the triple digits of that day. Yes, to keeping the conversation going when we felt all over the place and I wasn't sure what to make of Him. Yes to staying open to the possibilities when I could have judged and overanalyzed and concluded it wasn't enough.</div>
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</dd></span></dl>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525; line-height: 22px;"><dd style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></dd><dd style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation</span></dd><dd style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!</span></dd><dd style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I shall bow in humble adoration,</span></dd><dd style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!</span></dd><dd style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></dd><dd style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;">And Jesus you came! What j o y, what utter j o y fills my heart today. Not the far off, distance of heaven but the n o w! Your outstretched arm, your tender embrace. You gave me a giant wink and smile, "Oh dear one. You were never forgotten. I have always heard your trembling tears in the loneliness of the night. I have taken on your ache and longed with you for your partner in this life. I have never been intimidated by "Adam." Haha, honey! No, no. I was waiting....letting the desire draw you. You were not the only part of the story, you see. It's always hard for my friends to see this, that Our Father is working within the boundaries and visions for The Greater Story and that involves others. Yes, sweetheart. I was doing a work in R...Oh, as you say Mr. F's story. Would you not agree now, the timing, perfect?"</dd><dd style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></dd></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525; line-height: 22px;"><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee;</span></i></dd><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How great Thou art, how great Thou art!</span></i></dd><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee:</span></i></dd><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How great Thou art, how great Thou art!</span></i></dd><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></dd><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus, as I write this from our bedroom, with our things, and waking up to this man, I weep. You have given me good gifts. Before Mr. F and now. I am flourishing. We are flourishing. And you are The Giver. The Sustainer. The Source. Thank you feels so trite but the holiest, most humbling words I can utter today from this place, this new perspective. </span></dd><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></dd><dd style="line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank You.</span></dd><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQwV6fO1t3A-T-alxvOBptjzSsKQB-Y969dfhs080RDsTnfciUluITvlApgVgeua7ff9e-PQs78A4vmYVmingCmChu65ELfIRFd6_qBBZqKzM-S0U0e9bEoOnj2bmCILHPlVBwpyYEts/s1600/IMG_3059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQwV6fO1t3A-T-alxvOBptjzSsKQB-Y969dfhs080RDsTnfciUluITvlApgVgeua7ff9e-PQs78A4vmYVmingCmChu65ELfIRFd6_qBBZqKzM-S0U0e9bEoOnj2bmCILHPlVBwpyYEts/s1600/IMG_3059.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Selfie I took the evening of our date. Yes, leia braids!</div>
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(have never done my hair that way since..haha)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNGon0cikCM10ibaxup_CQx2YNaTKx0sIibuooKi4lKkF2X8HjS-A-mpTU_vKZIUg3bpF8LSIfjM2ikmrVP-zv-ZTrNzvzkrZJBmgK6TSrd4yxa1MtxbVUWiaY0Av1oXkZMkUjKSNPq0/s1600/IMG_3453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNGon0cikCM10ibaxup_CQx2YNaTKx0sIibuooKi4lKkF2X8HjS-A-mpTU_vKZIUg3bpF8LSIfjM2ikmrVP-zv-ZTrNzvzkrZJBmgK6TSrd4yxa1MtxbVUWiaY0Av1oXkZMkUjKSNPq0/s1600/IMG_3453.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<dd style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.6; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; text-align: center;">Two weeks later at Mr. F's place.</dd></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><ul style="line-height: 1.6; list-style-image: url(data:image/png; list-style-type: disc; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.3em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></ul>
</span>Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-5716029285110015942014-06-24T09:15:00.001-07:002014-06-24T09:15:53.387-07:00Remaking (Life) Together<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The original framework was good. It had a solid frame, a sturdy foundation, and was practical and functional. It worked.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EzonK563Iwt7n9VG7Ns_qhpTF7XYJdQ3SbyrilK38WalO4eO3xiVN9aQf4MLZFfNCFZ_Ggbn2LCT50cr0VNtLV2DeK529A6hnFJX2XEDzEnmjtwXhBjxjKtptYMkhmn77d74_loIYJo/s1600/IMG_0264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EzonK563Iwt7n9VG7Ns_qhpTF7XYJdQ3SbyrilK38WalO4eO3xiVN9aQf4MLZFfNCFZ_Ggbn2LCT50cr0VNtLV2DeK529A6hnFJX2XEDzEnmjtwXhBjxjKtptYMkhmn77d74_loIYJo/s1600/IMG_0264.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
But could it be more? Could it become something beyond what it already was? Taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5_8PGNBh9Iy7n04N-r79FxQQBTuFZTpcfnF8BjpeJjHMMvZ8YhpZnSQUE258yDw_pzfQoTBsXLZ1eXI6DoyX2tvSrWTWn3260dp_xzxMKF2fKd3xnU9Fa2wKeOGjOWsZtc25X9fscDo/s1600/IMG_0293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5_8PGNBh9Iy7n04N-r79FxQQBTuFZTpcfnF8BjpeJjHMMvZ8YhpZnSQUE258yDw_pzfQoTBsXLZ1eXI6DoyX2tvSrWTWn3260dp_xzxMKF2fKd3xnU9Fa2wKeOGjOWsZtc25X9fscDo/s1600/IMG_0293.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
Would we see beyond the original? Would we use the framework and foundation as our start and t o g e t h e r restore, re-imagine, and repurpose the old into something fresh, new!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQZW_Bsx9zg8ajpR1vCnjk4bjLb2cj5RimzBQ0kZIn2ht-Dpy2P5HJQ80OErfB1R5qbvuhulVGFXASo3G8yOB9SlKZ4Ol-2wrR9NR749HG19C-3yjxCSSE0Qod0oijmWKFQRCwyxglRg/s1600/IMG_0281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQZW_Bsx9zg8ajpR1vCnjk4bjLb2cj5RimzBQ0kZIn2ht-Dpy2P5HJQ80OErfB1R5qbvuhulVGFXASo3G8yOB9SlKZ4Ol-2wrR9NR749HG19C-3yjxCSSE0Qod0oijmWKFQRCwyxglRg/s1600/IMG_0281.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEEplYo5GWIkoCPwAEun740BLhNzN7CnDmBqFT0fJUHQvXXhH3sFqpfa29V2QakNIDNjxPoJ9NxndGvyWagBjYsJUREbm6XVGtGykNlE6FR65rrm3kdazmH7_PW5AK7Jte_wGJCfjkZU/s1600/IMG_0294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEEplYo5GWIkoCPwAEun740BLhNzN7CnDmBqFT0fJUHQvXXhH3sFqpfa29V2QakNIDNjxPoJ9NxndGvyWagBjYsJUREbm6XVGtGykNlE6FR65rrm3kdazmH7_PW5AK7Jte_wGJCfjkZU/s1600/IMG_0294.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMHJJcr4pDklgAL9U4on9PCNSm_-ghByI6YPwJYXCIDnHz71cXWoDj2lObyPQKSAY215B_bfZo4S_LwK0XsG2KM4-g89ga_FTFgbaPUpVlfrH6zYfrAAjI7-bHuLor-TKoDhAhG8V6ow/s1600/IMG_0347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitMHJJcr4pDklgAL9U4on9PCNSm_-ghByI6YPwJYXCIDnHz71cXWoDj2lObyPQKSAY215B_bfZo4S_LwK0XsG2KM4-g89ga_FTFgbaPUpVlfrH6zYfrAAjI7-bHuLor-TKoDhAhG8V6ow/s1600/IMG_0347.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><div class="vk_ans" style="font-size: xx-large !important; font-weight: lighter !important; margin-bottom: 0px;">
<span data-dobid="hdw">to·geth·er</span></div>
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<div class="lr_dct_ent_ph" style="font-size: large;">
<span class="lr_dct_ph"><span>təˈgeT͟Hər</span>/</span><span class="lr_dct_spkr lr_dct_spkr_off" data-log-string="pronunciation-icon-click" jsaction="dob.p" style="display: inline-block; height: 16px; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 2px; margin-top: 0px; opacity: 0.55; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;" title="Listen"><input height="14" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAA4AAAAOCAQAAAC1QeVaAAAAi0lEQVQokWNgQAYyQFzGsIJBnwED8DNcBpK+DM8YfjMUokqxMRxg+A9m8TJsBLLSEFKMDCuBAv/hCncxfGWQhUn2gaVAktkMXkBSHmh0OwNU8D9csoHhO4MikN7BcAGb5H+GYiDdCTQYq2QubkkkY/E6CLtXdiJ7BTMQMnAHXxFm6IICvhwY8AYQLgCw2U9d90B8BAAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==" type="image" width="14" /></span></div>
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<div class="lr_dct_sf_h" style="padding-top: 10px;">
<i>adverb</i></div>
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<span><b></b></span></div>
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<strong>1</strong>.</div>
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<div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">
with or in proximity to another person or people.</div>
<div class="vk_gy" style="color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important; font-size: small;">
"<span>together they climbed the dark stairs</span>"</div>
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<table class="vk_tbl vk_gy" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(135, 135, 135) !important;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="lr_dct_nyms_ttl" style="font-style: italic; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap;">synonyms:</td><td style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span>with each other, </span><span>in conjunct<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">ion, jointly,</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"> </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">in c</span>ooperation, </span><span>in collaboration,</span><span>in partnership, </span><span>in combination, </span><span>in league, </span><span>in tandem, </span><span>side by side,</span><span>hand in hand, </span><span>shoulder to shoulder, </span><span>cheek by jowl</span><span>;</span><span> </span><span data-log-string="synonyms-more-click" jsaction="dob.m"><div style="display: inline;">
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<span></span><span></span><span></span><span></span></div>
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<i style="padding-right: 4px;"></i><span></span><span></span></div>
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<strong>2</strong>.</div>
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at the same time.</div>
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"<span>they both spoke together</span>"</div>
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For marriage is the re-imagining of two once separate persons having the faith and courage to repurpose their very lives together, better than before. To every day grab the tools, open their hearts, and repurpose a life. One life. One home. One body. Holding fast to what was originally built in their soul architecture, all the while trusting that something more, something greater is being rebuilt by their lives lived together. Even, or perhaps most especially, when they don't see what is being displayed only trusting that the work is happening and being seen, even admired, by others.</div>
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Will I trust The Master Carpenter who ever so carefully and creatively built the original piece? Will I ask for his eyes to see the new framework and new design being created in the rebuilding? Will the new piece, be better than before.</div>
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Will I trust, <i>will you trust?</i></div>
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<i>I make all things new....</i><br />
<i><br /></i>Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-4250127288027812014-06-20T09:03:00.000-07:002014-06-20T09:03:29.056-07:00On My Nightstand (and Dresser)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love our little night stands. They were my Grandma's. Many a slumber parties were had with these night stands standing tall. Now, I get to have regular sleepovers with Mr. F and I can't tell you how fun it is to get to stay the night with your best friend....</div>
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Now, let me tell you a bit about what's in that stack over there.</div>
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Starting from the top:</div>
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1) My journal. Confession--I don't journal nearly as much as I used to. Even though you all may think of me as a writer, I'm much more an external, verbal processor. When I write in my journal it's normally to take note of something spoken or experienced already. It's a memorial to the things God's up to or I'm taking note of for the future. Sometimes I'll process on the page by writing a memory or confession but primarily I talk it out with God (verbally) and friends. I sometimes find myself feeling ashamed for this, like if I was <i>really</i> a serious Christian I would write for days in that little book. Well at thirty-eight (thirty-nine next week) I'm making a little more peace with who I am and the way I'm wired. Just this morning the Lord corrected me, "Honey, please don't dismiss the way we pray and converse together."</div>
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How gracious and kind he is, always fighting for my heart.</div>
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2) <u>Daily Bible</u>. A friend gave this to me years ago, 2002 to be exact, and it's something that has stuck. You can tell by the binding it's well loved. It's the bible in two years (I know I take longer, maybe 4). I love that it is separated out for me with prayers in between and I get to work through the whole story of God and us. But man, do you ever read stuff and go "I just don't get it? But Lord, integrate these things into my faith and understanding in your way and timing." </div>
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3) <u>Sheet Music</u>. Yes! The bed sheets, not piano. We read some of it close to the wedding and now I pick it up here and there. We affectionately call him "The Good Doctor." It's a good book about the beauty and fun of making love. The guy has good humor and loves sex! But he is a good man and shares some things that are helpful to understanding a man and a woman and the ways different things bless us.</div>
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4) <u>The Power of a Praying Wife</u>. Wanna know something super sweet? The first time I went to Mr. F's place we had dinner. One his table he had a stack of books, on it was <u>The Power of a Praying Husband</u>. Later I came to learn, a friend had suggested it as a means to pray for his future wife. Mr. F lived a very full life parenting <strike>his </strike> our son, so it wasn't until about three or four years ago when our son was getting to be mid-teens that he sensed God had a wife for him. Then he too entered the tumultuous heart space of longing and waiting. Oh that ache! While he was waiting in faith, not knowing the outcome, he began to pray--for me! No. Words. Now I periodically grab it to pray certain things for my husband's life. His work. His walk. His character. His fears. His dreams. Good stuff!</div>
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5) <u>The Mystery of Marriage</u>---Ahhhh......love, love, love this book. Read it twice as a single and now Mr. F and I pick it up every now and then and read it to each other. It's a slow read. There's a lot to absorb (a lifetime) and just so, so rich. Get this on your bookshelf! Read it with your spouse! Pray it in your singleness! So, so worth it!</div>
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<i>"...to be naked with another person is a sort of picture or symbolic demonstration of perfect honesty, perfect giving and commitment, and if the heart is not naked along with the body, then the whole action becomes a lie and a mockery. It becomes an involvement in an absurd and tragic contradiction: the giving of the body but the withholding of the self." (MM p. 144)</i></div>
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6) That. Journal. It's the one I wrote about another guy in to process my longings years ago. It's the one I cried out to God in when I thought he was being cruel and misleading. It's the one I wrote about Mr. F in when he came into my story. It's the one that holds a future letter to myself, for the days that will be hard or disillusioning in our marriage. For the day I will need to be reminded why I said yes and what I adore in this man. when tired, fearful, weary, or disheartened days come. And I'm assured they will come by my married friends. Mr. F wrote one as well.</div>
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And, for good measure, my dresser. That was Grandma's too! Right next to that laptop is Downton Abbey. We booked through Season 1 & 2 and are now onto 3. Shhhh....don't tell Mr. F. I know, I know he has no idea what he's in for. But he's hooked! And he likes Brits! Athough my British roots are not nearly quite as posh, I did insist to many a friends my nana in England was, in fact, the Queen! Oh, and my American grandpa, none other than Bob Hope! Ha!<br />
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Ok friends....many blessings wherever your weekend takes you. God's grace and beauty shower you. His Presence uphold you. His Spirit enliven you. His mercies astound you. Thank you Lord for Sabbath and the rest that gives birth to new life, new mercies for next week.Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-61363836694388150522014-06-17T14:44:00.001-07:002014-06-17T15:11:10.794-07:00Desecration to Renewal: Our New H o m e<br />
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Given the title you'd think we'd bought a house, demolished it, and had built our dream home...Well, you could say all of that is a work in process, only the place is our hearts. Our hearts having become one, are now <i>becoming </i>one. </div>
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Marriage requires two people to bring all their building assets and weak spots to the sacred space and lay them down, "Here. Here I am. Here <i>we</i> are. Master Craftsman, what might you build?"</div>
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These early months are delightful--learning the hidden places of my husband, holding his hand and catching his gaze across the room, running errands and going to bed together early because we can. But lest you think these days are all rosy and perfect, you should know these wonderful gifts are completely disorienting!</div>
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Mr. F listens patiently and intently to my musings and ramblings about my inner life. <i>What does my life with God look like now that there's you? What am I supposed to do with my soul care experiences and training now that, well, I'm not really doing it anymore? Do my friends hate me because I'm not available as much? Who am I and am I doing a good job in this new season?</i></div>
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The foundation I laid being ripped about and dug up, thrown here and there. Thrashing interior structures, debris flying everywhere!</div>
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<i>My life.</i></div>
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<i>My ego.</i><br />
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<i>My familiar pressures and demands for production.</i><br />
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<i>My kingdom.</i><br />
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Being. Demolished.<br />
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For if singleness revealed the new kingdom structure of identity in Christ, marriage is revealing the bedrock of interdependence and sharing the everyday graces of Christ with another.<br />
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For Christ never demolishes something he doesn't intend to rebuild--breathtakingly so!<br />
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And so I am learning to normalize the thrashing about and settle into my sure foundation. For<strike> I,</strike> we are rebuilding. We are showing up to today. We are bringing the elements of who we are and saying, "Yes, here I am, use me. Use me on behalf of the other. Mix and remake our life to be better than before."<br />
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The thrashing quiets and the new frame appears, the structure far more secure and spacious than before.<br />
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A new home. Us.<br />
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p.s. <div align="center">
<a href="http://www.welcomeheart.com/" title="Welcome Heart"><img alt="Tasting on Tuesdays" src="http://welcomeheart.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/tasting-on-tuesdays-button.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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I'm linking up with Sue Donaldson over at Welcome Heart to share the many ways, each in our unique seasons and circumstances, are tasting and seeing...the Lord is good!Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-24688109409853806672014-06-12T09:02:00.001-07:002014-06-12T09:02:21.302-07:00Sacred Home<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;">Decorating <strike>my home,</strike></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;"> our home has been soooo much fun! I've wanted for a long time to incorporate on the blog my love of pretty decor, repurposing, and color in the home but soul care and the home seemed like two subjects not very well connected?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none;">However, the more I mature and integrate faith with everyday life I realize you can't separate the two. Who I am, what I believe, and how I live that out play out in not just the big things of faith--theology, ideology, morality but the little things, or what we would call little. The more I integrate new life in the kingdom and conversational intimacy with God, the more I realize nothing is off limits for Him and everything is opportunity for faith.</span><br />
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God made me a creative being.<br />
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God has given me eyes to see space and re-create spaces.<br />
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God is honing this skill.<br />
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God is always giving me opportunities to partner with him in his creative work.<br />
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But here's the thing, we are <i>all </i>works in progress. As in, sometimes I get too attached to things looking good. Too attached to getting it <i>just right. </i>Too attached to creature comforts.<br />
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It doesn't mean they're horrible, it means my heart and what it does with them needs rerouting and renewal..<br />
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But I digress....<br />
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What I wanted to show you (and celebrate) is the evolution of my creativity and eye. Now you'll have to understand these pics span a decade, looks have changed, and, dear Jesus, I hope I've changed.<br />
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Okay now look at this girliness...<br />
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So. Much. Purple.</div>
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I don't even like purple?</div>
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But I was seeking to repurpose some things I already had and make it work. It was the shabby-chic craze and I loved the softness it brought to my very intense ministry life in that season. I look at it now and it's just too much!</div>
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Then I was over it! Soooo over it. I had a thing for pink and brown and found this shiny duvet at Bed, Bath, and Beyond (why I was there, I do not know? That place overwhelms me and drives me mad!?). </div>
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So. Much. Pink. Two year old girls around the world will love me! I rocked both the pink and the purple. </div>
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Oh, if you're wondering about those strange window treatments, you should be, they were my sister's centerpiece cloths at her wedding. Hey, I'm thrifty, clever, and sometimes ridiculous!</div>
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So. Much. Pink. Gack! But I thought the brown balanced it. See those chairs? Scored for $15 at Goodwill. I still love those chairs. Many soul care sessions took place in those chairs. </div>
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See that wall? I was proud of myself for not painting it pink. Now I just see poop brown. But then I liked it!</div>
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I moved to SLO and pretty much just brought my same bedroom with me.</div>
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Then one night i just lost it! I was on a walk, reflecting on a HGtv show I had watched earlier that week. It was about a single woman who's decor was too girly, too froo-froo. I was found out! I had to<a href="http://suzshaw.blogspot.com/2010/04/making-room-for-masculine.html"> make room for the masculine</a> !</div>
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(This is where you <a href="http://suzshaw.blogspot.com/2010/04/making-room-for-masculine.html">click on that post</a> so you see what the heck I'm talking about...)</div>
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Now, I wish I had more pictures of how that room concept developed. I really loved it, but if I'm honest the overly girly started to creep back in. Which is why when we were registering, when Mr. F handed me the gun I ferociously stared him down, "You need to stop me! I'm gonna start getting all girly, too girly, and I need you to balance me out. I need the masculine!"</div>
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I. Need. You.</div>
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I need you to be you. If you are you, I will become the best version of me.</div>
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The beginnings of covenant.</div>
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Stay tuned to see how <strike>I've</strike> we've evolved and merged our styles to create something wonderful together, reflected in our h o m e.</div>
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<br />Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-51030112443916344322014-06-10T08:51:00.000-07:002014-06-10T09:01:40.478-07:00The Soulful Home (Sacred Symbols)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dark and light became a guiding image for our wedding and reception. Over the years both of us have experienced the reality of John 1:5. In our darkest His light came. </div>
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Now His light is not always what we imagine...the clouds parting and the sun rays gleaming, rather it tends to show up hidden-like and in ever increasing g l o r y. Sometimes it burst forth out of nowhere, but often it's like the Central Coast in June. The fog overlays the light and the sun shines, you know it's there doing it's work but the darn fog comes and tries to dispel the light. But then the sun comes stronger, brighter, and the fog gets thinner but is still there until finally the sun shoots out and the fog just can't take it anymore and disintegrates leaving the warmth and brilliance of the light.</div>
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See those lights up above us? I l o v e them. They are part of the church we now go to. So when we landed on having the wedding there, we knew that would become a part of the celebration. <br />
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Now looky what we have here....<br />
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This is our living room. We've added two Edison lights. They look great! But more importantly they reflect something to each of us day-in and day-out. They remind us of that sacred night. They remind us of His light. They remind us of the light that has guided us out of the darkness. The light that has radiated and warmed our hearts. The light that illuminated us to one another. The light that has guided us and continued to guide us from engagement into marriage.<br />
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The light that will gleam and illumine how to love an 18 year old son. The light that will reveal and release us into creating new life and having a child. The light that will discern next steps and homes and jobs and trips.<br />
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And so when you come and sit in our home you may just see two fun lights. But we see a sacred symbol, a little of Jesus in our everyday, popping in to say <i>Hi, I'm here. I'm with you. I'm for you. I'll lead you--now as I did then.</i><br />
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How are you making space for sacred symbols in your home? Have some fun...ask Jesus to reveal what they are? I promise you they're in your story. Once something has been revealed (a flower, a piece of art, a quote, a picture) do something about it. Put it somewhere where it will disrupt your day and draw your heart into His!Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5875596792830939285.post-89802765344915598202014-06-06T09:17:00.001-07:002014-06-06T09:17:52.947-07:00Weekly Celebration<div>
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It's been so fun reminiscing about the wedding and the wonderful people God has written into our story. Gratitude does that you know? Spreads wide the roots of love and thanksgiving, deepens the heart space for joy and receiving, and blossoms into fragrant beauty that goes forth and opens others up to grace and acceptance. </div>
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Thanking God and simply remembering His good gifts (yes, even the waiting and ache that tilled the soil for harvest) is all part of the journey of learning how to live in the new life. He is g o o d, so good! And when we live in the moment and receive the gifts he is offering now, we're able to trust Him with some of the longings and desires that are still simply seedlings of h o p e. We see His goodness and graces in the now so we trust him more for the not yet. <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/one-thousand-gifts-book/">Ann Voskamp </a>wrote a whole gloriously good book on this, so if you'd like to linger here a bit pick up this summer read.</div>
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Gang! Is your calendar chalk-full of a bunch of special occasions this month? Ours is packed! So many wonderful people, milestones to be celebrated, and presents to be given. Love. It.<div>
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Here's a few things we celebrated this week.<br /><div>
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This lovely niece turned 9! How it is possible I do not know. Wasn't I holding my sister's hand in that hospital room just weeks ago, looking into her eyes and thinking...This. Is. Happening. And now here we are with this confidant, smart, gracious little girl. We had ice cream cake that was divine!<br />
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And these guys could care less about American Girls, but, hey, why not begin their entrepreneurial endeavors pitching American Guys?<br />
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This little bug is walking a bit and discovered her tongue!<br />
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These two are still celebrating wedded bliss and the joy of life together! They're on their way to this girl's big day....<br />
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My step-son's girlfriend graduated. Graduation! Now that seems like forever ago and then in a weird way a few months back...Isn't time funny? </div>
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Milestones are God's gift of pause. To remember. To take in. To accept. To bravely face what's next.</div>
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Praying you and yours have a beautiful weekend, trusting Our Lord with the now and not yet. Trusting his goodness. Trusting the inner ache. Trusting what you don't know is ahead will be okay holding his hand, eventually okay, but he is good. In the unexpected...in the momentous....in the heartache....in the mountaintop. He. Is. Good.</div>
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Susie (Shaw) Fitlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03735819460302821348noreply@blogger.com1