tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75893743325841692002024-03-05T12:38:58.766-05:00 Them Pates Life TogetherThem Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-55990732751691824462016-08-22T11:57:00.002-04:002016-08-22T22:26:42.293-04:00Lessons from a Wipe Warmer <div style="text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:5</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I knew before having kids that the Lord had a lot to teach me through my own child and it's been a paradox of wonderful, hard, funny and even painful at times. It is amazing how He can use the smallest of things to teach us and encourage us. Here is one such example.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Soooo, pre-baby I thought there was no need for such a frivolous thing as a wipe warmer. My mom asked me a couple of times before Avery's arrival if I was sure I didn't want to pick one up from the store. I assured her that our baby would be just fine without one...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Fast forward to when we brought our baby girl home and diaper changes really began...she didn't like being changed one bit and let me know right away that she did not appreciate those cold wipes on her little bum! I was headed to the store in flash and a wipe warmer was purchased. (This would be the first of many things I had the wrong idea about! lol) This particular wipe warmer said it had a cute little heart shaped light that seemed like it would be handy for making a little light in the dark. I snatched that thing up, checked out, zipped home and got those wipes warming! (And it did in fact make diaper changes more bearable for us both!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the beginning, as long as you were holding Avery just right, bouncing her just right and keeping your toes crossed, she would sleep in a sunny room or a dark room but we very quickly realized that if we actually wanted to put her down to nap, any light whatsoever stimulated her and kept her awake.</span><span style="font-size: large;">When you have a child that is difficult to get to sleep and stay asleep, sleep becomes a top priority! </span><span style="font-size: large;">My mission became making her room as dark as possible. Heavy blackout curtains were purchased and blankets were even placed on the tops of those to drown out the sunlight that tried to peak over the top. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here was the thing though...the darker I tried to make the room, the more light I would find!! Light seeped in from everywhere...under the door (towel placed at bottom of door), through the sides of the door, the green light from the smoke detector, the fun lights from the humidifier indicating it was on and that lovely heart shaped light on her wipe warmer. I had little burp cloths tucked in and draped over anything with a light and trust me it sure makes for a designer looking baby room. BUT there was this one thing I couldn't get covered good enough - the wipe warmer. I would cover it with all kinds of things only to find light was still shining out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't believe such tiny lights could make such light in a dark room. During the day and with the other lights on, they weren't even noticeable but in the dark they were annoyingly bright. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Walking around, bouncing Avery one night, I was trying to think of another way to cover up that light. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I could feel the Lord speaking to my heart about how His light shines in the darkness, even more brightly in the darkness. Every single day the news is full of stories that can seem overwhelmingly depressing and even scary. In our own families and neighborhoods we hear of hard times for people we love. Perhaps you yourself are walking through a dark season in your life. Keep holding on, His light will pierce through that darkness - a beautiful sunset, a light breeze in the heat of the day, a card that shows up out of the blue, a hug, a song. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I do not say these things with some romanticized idea that it makes whatever you're going through seem so much better right now. Honestly I hesitate to write with such hope at times because I see all the struggles people are going through. Don't buy into the lies that Jesus doesn't care, the He doesn't love you or you wouldn't be going through this, that He isn't strong enough to fix "it." He does care, He loves you DEEPLY, He does have a plan, He grieves with you and will strengthen you moment by moment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Those that spread the love, peace and truth of Jesus shine in the darkness. Remember that your smallest acts of kindness to people can be His light that pierces through the darkness in someone else's life. I know that there is darkness in the world and I do not understand so many things - why does this person have to be sick? Why did that accident happen? How could somebody do that? but I am more confident still that Jesus has already won the ultimate battle and darkness cannot overcome His light. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I write this to remind myself on hard days that the darkness cannot overcome the light! Thank you, Jesus!</span></div>
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Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-90699176080699546522014-07-12T11:00:00.000-04:002014-07-12T11:29:30.709-04:00Why not? Go for it<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From the time I was very young, I have always loved trying, learning and mastering new things. It was such a blessing to have parents that nurtured and encouraged that part of me. I remember my momma putting a needle in my hand at a very early age and teaching me how to cross stitch. I was (and still am) fascinated at how good she is at it! We could be following the exact same pattern and hers <i>always </i>turned out looking so much better! My dad let me "help" him re-roof our house when I was 5. </span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My brother taught me how to make twisted rope friendship bracelets when we were like 7. </span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think I was about 8 when Dad was repainting his Toyota and he let me run the sander. But that's really just the tip of the iceberg...since then I've added these things to the list:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Quilting</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Horseback Riding</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Basketball</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Clarinet</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Woodworking</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Spanish</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Crazy Quilting</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hand Stamping Metal</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Baking Bread</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gardening</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Calligraphy</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Invitation Design</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Guitar</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These really are just some of things I've learned how to do over the years. People often ask me how I have learned all of these things and my answer is very simple...I just try it. And then I try it again and again and again and again....well you get the picture...until I finally get it! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>PERSERVERANCE IS THE KEY!</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I really don't think I'm any more naturally inclined to these things than most people, I just try it and keep at it longer than most.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of my questions is, what keeps people from trying and learning new things?</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's just my own personal theory on a few things that hold people back.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. Fear - fear of failure or disapproval from others. </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My take on this is that we shouldn't be afraid to fail because if we do, then we're really just right back where we started but if we succeed...we have totally expanded our whole world! Growing up, people told me often that I wouldn't achieve my goals but I just used that to drive me forward and then I learned how to plug my ears and not listen. As I continued working toward my goals,, the song of triumph became louder than the noise of their pessimism. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. Complacency - some people don't even have a desire to try and learn something new. I think this is because they have lost their curiosity and made their world small. We settle for watching tv and pinning stuff on Pinterest that we never actually do. The world is so big...there are so many people that do so many amazing things and most of the time, they're even willing to teach you! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. Excuses - top one: I don't have enough time. Now, don't get me wrong, I think that there are genuinely a few people that really are too busy to take on something new but most of the time there is time in everyone's day to dedicate to learning something new. You will be completely surprised at how just spending 15 minutes a day doing something on a regular basis will totally begin to add up and yield results. And guess what, most of the time you can even practice whatever it is with your favorite show on! </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Life never gets old if you keep learning.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are more things I hope the good Lord gives me enough time to learn:</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Harmonica (I stink at it right now. My dog, Winston goes and hides under the bed when I bring it out, lol, but I'll keep trying!)</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Photography - all that shutter speed, lenses and aperture lingo makes my head spin right now</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Painting</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mothering (don't know if I'll ever be ready for this one! lol )</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mandolin </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I know there will be new things to add that I will see and want to learn :)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am so thankful for a sweet husband that not only puts up with all my new endeavors but encourages me and gives me tools to go for my dreams. He's such a blessing!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Are there things in your life that you want to learn? I encourage you to go for it! There is so much information now right at our fingertips that it makes it easy to get started. YouTube is incredible and I've learned countless things from video tutorials. In fact, when I want to learn something, that's usually where I start! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Don't listen to that voice in your head telling you that you can't, it's too much trouble, you don't have enough time, no one cares, etc. Don't listen to the people that will tell you that you can't or that it's dumb. Listen to my voice telling you that you can! You can! And our world needs you to go for it because we don't even know what we're missing out on right now!</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Go for it!! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-19859810315996056772014-07-06T20:04:00.000-04:002014-07-06T20:06:05.933-04:00Independence Day<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite day of the year!</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love everything about this day:</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the weather - so hot and thick </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the smells - cut grass, sunscreen, mosquito spray, cookouts and gun powder</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the fireworks - sparkles, showers of colors streaming across the sky, pops and booms</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the flags flying - Old Glory, our beautiful reminder of the price paid and the freedoms we enjoy</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">the people - everyone seems to be just fine with hanging out all day long with no agenda besides hanging out and enjoying games, conversations, food and fireworks</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">the memories - oh the memories are my favorite and I will camp here for a little while.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">Of all the days that are distinct in my mind, I can remember so many fourth of July's from my life. </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">As a little girl, snaps, tanks, sparklers and the growing black snakes were my favorites. Dad would help me light them and then he would set off the ones I was too little to do yet and I would watch with delight. Then we'd head to Plainview to watch the explosions of colors in the night sky....so beautiful. Cars lined the highway and truckers honked as they passed by. We'd drive home tired and talking about our favorites.</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">As we grew older, we started saving money in June so that we could go to the fireworks stand and pick out some of our favorites. We had lemonade stands, pulled weeds, made friendship bracelets and anything else we could think of. It was usually Tommy, Wade, Cale and me. We would go get colored smoke bombs, lots of black cats and M-60s, bottle rockets, roman candles and a few other things that shot up, spun around, popped and had colors. We weren't really into fountains, lol...they were a little too tame for us. Then the fun began. We blew up ant beds and yes, sorry to say, the occasional frog. One of our folks would cook hotdogs and hamburgers for us and there was usually a watermelon to be had under the shade tree at Cale's. So, so fun.</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">One of the last times we saw a good friend of ours on this earth, Lauren Caraway, was on Fourth of July at Mama Gayle's house. She was sitting in the front yard visiting with everyone, with that beautiful smile and a ball cap. Then the boys got a little carried away and somehow started a whole bag of fireworks on fire!...people scattered as things shot out like small missiles. Lauren's Independence Day was not far away. Which leads into what I really want to talk about next. I could go on and on with memories but I want to talk about FREEDOM, true freedom.</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">I started thinking about independence and freedom and how we view those two words most of the time in America. I would dare say we usually think freedom means being able to do whatever we want whenever we want. I know that's part of it...but is that really it?</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">These verses came to mind as I lay still:</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (Jesus speaking) John 8:32</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">"I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (Jesus speaking) John 8:34-36</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil, live as servants of God. 1 Peter 2:16</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">You my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">The freedom we have in America is truly a blessing and like no other place in the whole world. I am so thankful for the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country. However, there is a freedom that no government can give or take away from us. </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">True freedom is only found in knowing the Son, Jesus. Jesus is the truth and when we know Him, He sets us free by making us right with God through his sacrifice, giving us forgiveness, taking our shame and bringing us into eternal life. <em>He gives us the ability to please Him. That's what freedom is.</em></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">We buy into the lie that freedom is doing whatever we want but then something happens...we become slaves instead...slaves</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;"> to - money, pride, drugs, careers, doing good things, sports, fear, anger...the list could go on and on. The very thing we thought would make us free or make us feel good has taken us captive. Instead of fulfillment there is emptiness, anxiety, fear, bitterness, addiction...</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">The two last verses I listed say that our freedom is to be used to SERVE in love not to just do whatever we want.</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">I challenge you to take a look at your life and see if what you are actually now <em>serving</em> what you <em>thought</em> was serving you...and if you find that you are in fact a slave...I invite you to call out to Jesus to set you free, set you free to serve him, please him and find fulfillment in your life. Maybe you've never called out to Him, that's okay, He's lovingly waiting for you. Maybe you know the Lord already but find you've started serving other things, just come back to Jesus. He's there lovingly waiting for you too.</span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;">I'll wrap up with this: Lauren Caraway knew true freedom, she knew Jesus Christ. She loved others and served others. Even though her life was not long on this earth, she had the ability to please God because she knew Jesus. She now lives in complete freedom and wholeness with Jesus - forever. She is completely free from sickness and the things we still battle here. Her Independence Day is every day and ours can be as well.</span>Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-5767145024117444172014-07-03T19:30:00.000-04:002014-07-03T23:12:54.417-04:00Wimbledon<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wimbledon - the very word just oozes tradition. Immediately perfectly manicured green grass courts with the Rolex clock, athletes in all white uniforms and The Royals in their box come to mind. I see in my mind the grounds of the All England Club, a place I've definitely never been in person before but have been to countless times through my television screen. It' one of my favorite times in summer leading up to my most favorite summer day - 4th of July.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial;">I see the athletes walk through the tunnel with their big racket bags, all white apparel, sweatbands or visors and steely eyes. I wish I was one of them. Their ability to direct that bright yellow ball wherever they want stroke after stroke intrigues me. I see them battle each other but even more so, I see them battle themselves. They battle to stay the course in the midst of the electrifying crowd, the media, nerves and the opponent trying to enforce their own will upon them. All of their countless hours of training is for now, this moment. They put themselves on display for glory or criticism - most of the time both!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial;">Such brilliant displays of grace, power, courage and brains. The ability to adjust to weather conditions, physical conditions and your opponent is a must. There's no one else to take the shots for you. You can't pass the ball to your teammate and there is no one to block for you. Winning and losing is totally on your shoulders. The ability to persevere is critical and the best have a dogged determinism that can't be equaled. And just like in any sport, any person can win on any given day so you must bring your best.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial;">What's interesting though is that I did not grow up playing tennis or even watching it. I remembered hearing when I was little that my dad used to play and that he was very good but at that time in our little town of 2400, tennis was nowhere to be found. The only 2 courts we had were by the golf course, cracked and full of weeds. When I did get into Junior High the only sports we had were cross country, basketball and track. I loved all three. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial;">I can't help but dream and imagine though about what it would've been like to compete in tennis. As funny as it is, I have literally dreamed of winning a big match on center court. It's definitely not in the Lord's plan for me to ever play on center court at Wimbledon but I do plan on going to watch a match there one day! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial;">My favorite player, Roger Federer, will be playing in the semi final tomorrow (on my favorite day!) for an opportunity to reach the final. I'll be cheering him on from here! I want him to show everyone that even though he hasn't had the results lately that he's had a certain points in his career, he is still one of the all time greats and capable of winning more Grand Slams.</span></span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial;">Why do I love Wimbledon so much? Wimbledon represents a dream to me. The dream to be great at what you do, no matter that is. It is the underdog pulling an upset and the champion executing the plan. What is your Wimbledon? What inspires you and shows you what hard work and greatness look like?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-67274998715107047002014-06-29T17:12:00.000-04:002014-06-29T17:12:18.441-04:00It's time<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a long break from blogging I feel like it's time to write again, to share about our life and what the Lord is doing in it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There really is so much to share so be on the lookout!</span>Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-40089833242502339242013-01-21T16:01:00.000-05:002013-01-21T17:07:32.167-05:00Wade: A Reflection on the Last 10 Years...I had originally planned to sit down and reflect a bit about my last 10 years when I turned 28 this past December... it's now January and will soon be February and I thought I best get with it, if I don't want this post to turn into the my last "11 years". Unfortunately, the moments when I have clarity about what I might want to notate about life are sometimes in the midst of a work day or a long run or the hustle and bustle of the day and sometimes when I come back to capture it, the eloquence (at least I thought it was when I was contemplating) of that thought has vanished. <br />
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In some ways, that's what happens with life - we set down with a pen and a paper or an open heart before the Lord and we aspire to greatness - no ordinary life for me we say and we pour out our desires to conquer through Christ all our struggles, we write our plans to live a life of lasting impact for His Kingdom, we aspire about the lives we'll touch, the relationships we'll mend, the blessings we'll share - and somewhere between the altar of the church and our car when we leave on Sunday morning, we lose focus. If I could characterize my last 10 years in any way, it would be to say that it's been a time of amazing clarity followed by moments of complete lack of focus. Sometimes when I put this in light of Paul's exhortation to "run with endurance the race marked out for us", I'm reminded that if you want to have the best "race", you need to stay focused throughout the race... but also, I'm reminded after my moments where I lose focus, that since it's a marathon and not a sprint, there's a lot of race left to focus on. I mean who remembers the person who is leading at mile 1 of a marathon or even who is winning (or behind) for the first 25 miles?<br />
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It's with that thought in mind that I think about my last 10 years - how 10 years ago in December, I was 18 years old - just finishing up my last season of high school football and thinking about thinking about what might lie ahead in life - if someone was to ask me then what I thought I would do with my next 10 years at that point in life, I would have probably stated some of these high level things:<br />
<ul>
<li>Graduate college</li>
<li>Have a successful college football career</li>
<li>Marry a beautiful girl </li>
<li>Start to work</li>
<li>Continue to love and serve the Lord</li>
<li>Stay close to all my family and friends</li>
<li>Grow-up</li>
</ul>
I didn't make a list of the specifics of all my expectations for the next 10 years when I was 18... but at a high level, I know something close to the ones above would have been on the list. Interestingly, there's much about the above list that I knew little about what it took to get to do these things or what it would take from me to accomplish them. I live a charmed life - most of my time is spent contemplating first world problems like how to save more money, where to take a trip to this year, what volunteer work to do, how much to put in the 401k, whether to take job A or job B, what to watch on TV tonight, is it time to upgrade to a flatscreen are some of the types of non-problems that I face along with the same really big ones, like am I making the most of this life God has given? It's pretty amazing to me that I've never ever been hungry a day in my life that I didn't choose to be hungry an that I've never been cold wittout the ability to warm up or warm without the ability to cool off in some fashion. I've had struggles and I've faced adversity, but I really don't know hardship. I create most of my problems. When I think about it in context of the world, it's amazing that I had things on the list to dream about at 18 years of age. It's even more amazing that God is His grace helped bring many of those to pass and taught me so much through the process. I still wake up everyday and wonder why I got to have the life I do - I don't know that I'll ever find out the answer besides that by God's grace He wanted me to have it - there's no better response to grace than gratitude and I pray that if there's one word I've spoke more than any other to God it's thank-you. Every day is like Christmas morning.<br />
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In the last ten years of those things listed above:<br />
<ul>
<li>I went to College - played football on a scholarship, got two degrees while on scholarship</li>
<li>Received a BMW - beautiful, marvelous, wife </li>
<li>Started a career with Ingersoll Rand</li>
<li>Continued to love, grow, and serve the Lord</li>
<li>Stayed close to maybe two handfuls (at best) of the family and friends I thought I would</li>
<li>Grew-up... learned how to be a husband, an employee, a teammate, a servant, a grown son</li>
</ul>
There's a lot more that has happened in my last 10 years than the short list above... but at a high level, you can see that most things turned out fairly close to expectations, with the wife overly exceeding expectations, the football career unerachieving, and the relationships being much harder to grow and maintain than ever expected. They say that for a man, the years between 18 and 25 are called "The Big Seven" - In prior times, in those years, men used to graduate high school, leave home, graduate college, get a job, marry, and start a family. I didn't complete the list, but I got close. Times have changed... I think now, most men delay adolescence to where they complete about half that list in about twice the time period. I don't know all the reasons why most men would rather stagnate than grow and why our world has been so accepting of it, but I will say that as I look around the world we live in, I know it's far worse off for having allowed such laziness. I've often wondered why the Good Lord made it where we only get two sets of teeth (in most cases), shedding our baby teeth sometime before we hit 10 years of age and then having the responsibility of caring for the "big teeth" for the remainder of our lives - but as I look around and within, maybe the reason we shed the teeth when we are young is because it's at that point in life when we are still resolute that growing up is a good thing, even if it hurts - we aren't so afraid of change and the thought of becoming more than we were yesterday. I'm glad that we cut our teeth when we are babies... if we had to do it later in life, I bet many of us would just opt for a technological advancement or a shortcut - or maybe even just go straight to dentures. I've learned in the last 10 years that if you want to grow, you have to be willing to suffer. The only way over is through.<br />
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I've learned a lot about Jesus in the last 10 years, probabably more so than the first 18 years of my life put together. Interestingly, I would say that as you grow older, it gets even harder to get those learnings from your head to your heart.... and even harder still to get your hands involved. I'm nowhere close to being an expert about the Christian life, about life in general, or even about myself and the deluge of questions I wake up with each and every day. I'm certain I have much more to learn than what I know already. A few of the nuggets I've learned in the last 10 years are:<br />
<ul>
<li>There are no shortcuts to anyplace worth going</li>
<li>Is easier to never say yes to something than to say no to it after you've caved the first time</li>
<li>Character is easier to keep than recover</li>
<li>If you are going pray for rain, get ready to deal with the mud</li>
<li>One of the biggest temptations is to settle for too little</li>
<li>He who kills time murders opportunity</li>
<li>No matter what your lot is in life, build something on it</li>
<li>Failure is not falling down - it's staying there</li>
<li>If you want to work for world peace, start by loving your family</li>
<li>I'm poorest when I have more than I need and think it's not enough</li>
<li>Consumption without contribution leads to entitlement</li>
<li>There's a friend whose closer than a brother... she's called your wife</li>
<li>Presence is more than just being there - if your absences doesn't make any difference, your presence won't either.</li>
<li>It's easier to smell a rotten egg than lay a good one.</li>
<li>Being thankful changes you.</li>
<li>When life is sweet, be thankful and enjoy.</li>
<li>When life is bitter, be thankful and grow.</li>
<li>Keep running the race, no matter how far off course you get, no matter if you are running all alone, no matter if you have to crawl on your hands and knees - it's worth it, so keep running.</li>
</ul>
More than anything in the last 10 years, I've learned that how you spend your days is how you spend your life. If you have something you don't like about your life - a struggle, a disposition, an addiction, an attitude - it's not going to go away until you not only move it out, but build something worthwhile in it's place. Sin is the number one life killer - "<strong>A man by his sin may waste himself, which is to waste that which on earth is most like God. This is man's greatest tragedy and God's heaviest grief.” </strong><strong>― A.W. Tozer</strong><br />
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I don't know how close I've come to the profoundness of thought that I had in mind (or at least I thought I had in mind) when I was piecing all these thoughts together over the last few months with the idea of posting a blog on what I've learned in the last 10 years... but I'm glad I took the time and had the focus to at least give it a shot for so much of life is wasted away on might have beens and at least, this isn't a post that almost happened. However good or bad it is... it is - rather than just another one of those things on my list I'll get to some day. As I write this, I'm already at work on my next 10 years.... so far, I've come out of the gates a bit sluggish, but this introspective look is definately a kick in the pants for me. I know that if one does as he always has, he'll end up where he's always been. I don't want to do that - how often I'm reminded that his one life is the only one I get. No matter how many Stapples commercials I see, I know there's no easy button out there for anything worth having.<br />
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In the next ten years, I want to learn how to redeem the time, overcome the struggles and make the most of this vapor that I call my life - I want to keep the focus and I want to be running down that straigth and narrow path each day, I want to learn how to praise in the valley and on the mountaintop, I want to learn how to dare and dream big dreams, I want to fail forward, cause I know I will fail along the way, I want to grow-up... there's a full measure in Christ and I'm far from it, I want to find a way to love my wife more than I ever have before, I want to leave these next 10 years of life better than I found them... I don't so much care to mount on wings like eagles or run and not grow weary - I just want to learn how to walk with Jesus, day by day, and not grow faint. <br />
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What do you want to do with your next 10 years?<br />
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I'll leave you with a wonderful thought from Katie (Kisses from Katie author):<br />
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<strong>"Life is not made by lives saved or bellies fed or words written. To adore the One who created the heavens and the earth, to give thanks for who He is and all He has given, to worship and commune with Holy God, whispering in the quiet, clinging in the noise, believing in all circumstances - that is what makes a life large."</strong>Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-44918002188267186112012-12-17T10:49:00.001-05:002012-12-17T10:49:40.249-05:00Presents vs. Presence<p>Yesterday at church the sermon really challenged each person to look at their own heart and see if they were desiring the presents of God or the presence of God.</p> <p>“Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.” Ex. 30:3</p> <p>This was after Moses had come down from the mountain and found the people worshipping the golden calf. The Lord was so angry. He said though he would give them the Promised Land but would not go with them. He would give them what they had been desiring but not Himself. </p> <p>Moses and the people were so upset. Moses’ reply was the following:</p> <p>Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” –Ex. 33:15</p> <p>Moses would rather have stayed in the desert and have the Lord’s presence than go to the Promised Land without the Lord. </p> <p>The question posed to us was, if God said he would give you exactly what you had been longing for and desiring, but not himself, would you take it? would you still want it? Can I honestly say that I would rather stay in the desert (figuratively speaking – that could be ill health, poverty, estrangement from family, job loss, etc) and have the Lord than go to the land flowing with milk and honey…let’s say “easy street” but without the Lord? </p> <p>I know in my own life it’s easy to focus on what I want FROM God and I too easily forget that His PRESENCE is the greatest gift He gives. I want what I want and when I get it, I think I will be satisfied…but only for a little while, then I want something else. But when I truly seek the Lord’s <em>PRESENCE</em> over his<em> presents</em>, there is such satisfaction and peace in my heart. </p> <p>Christmas time is full of presents…don’t miss HIS PRESENCE – the greatest gift, Jesus. </p> Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-32350879731712975782012-10-07T17:03:00.001-04:002012-10-07T17:27:21.555-04:00Jars of Clay<p>Nearly every day I am reminded that this body is a jar clay…a fragile vessel. From hearing of another person that has been diagnosed with something hard, watching my mom bravely suffer with severe rheumatoid arthritis, to how my body just doesn’t feel quite as good as it used to…yeah, I’m reminded.</p> <p>I have really wrestled with physical or bodily suffering this year. I mean, I know all the “right” answers when it comes to the topic of suffering. For example, “it makes you stronger, “ “it’s the consequence of living in a fallen world,” or “God never gives us more than we can bear.” Now don’t get me wrong, I believe all of those statements, but that doesn’t make it easy to swallow or watch.</p> <p>I was comforted by 2 Corinthians 4:7-18, especially the following verses.</p> <p>v. 7 <strong>But we have this treasure in jars of clay</strong>. – that treasure is THE GOSPEL, we have JESUS!! No matter what we go through each day, that is always a reason to rejoice!</p> <p>v. 8 <strong>We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed.</strong> – this is a promise, one that I need to keep in front of me often and remind my loved ones of.</p> <p>v.16-18 <strong>Therefore we do not lost heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.<br></strong>These verses are just loaded with good stuff!!</p> <p><em>DAY BY DAY – </em>grace for the moment. What a promise that we are being RENEWED INWARDLY each day.</p> <p><strong> </strong>A couple of words really stick out to me here,<em> fix, temporary, eternal</em>. <br>FIX – this takes a conscience effort each day, to fix my eyes on the unseen, on Jesus<br>TEMPORARY—everything on earth is temporary, good health, bad health, good times, bad times and fixing my eyes on the seen things will throw me off.<br>ETERNAL—a word that’s hard to even comprehend, but I know that I and those that love Jesus will spend an eternity in perfect relationship with him and in perfect health and this life on earth is really just a blink of an eye in comparison.</p> <p>I’m never going to be okay with watching people suffer because God has put it in my heart to long for more and I will continue to long for all to be made right until I go to be with Jesus or Jesus comes back. </p> <p>I thank the Lord that we are never ever alone and that He does promise to bring beauty from ashes and good from bad. </p> <p>I don’t know if you relate to these ramblings or not, but if you do, I hope you are encouraged and if you are the one actually suffering, I pray you are comforted and that the Lord gives you the grace you need to walk by faith and not by sight. </p> Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-84910622555056502412012-10-05T12:44:00.001-04:002012-10-05T12:44:58.568-04:00Our New Home<p>Whoa! I can’t believe it’s been almost 3 months since my last blog post! We have been going pretty much nonstop since then!</p> <p>August and September were especially a blur!</p> <p>During that time, we bought a house, painted it from top to bottom, moved out of one place and into our home, and went on a wonderful vacation!</p> <p>Here are just a couple before and after pics our home.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BkxyfE33BPU/UG8OXXaxGDI/AAAAAAAABbE/LeY-MHkPsqc/s1600-h/DSC02696%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02696" border="0" alt="DSC02696" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GIckarxApWc/UG8OXyAI9zI/AAAAAAAABbM/DL6Qpsf0OvY/DSC02696_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="422" height="253"></a></p> <p align="center">Painting the trim white made such a HUGE difference!<br>(took FOREVER, but was so worth it!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UbSGc-hdAcM/UG8OY63YuSI/AAAAAAAABbU/Q-78BNeN_NM/s1600-h/IMG_0084%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0084" border="0" alt="IMG_0084" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDAVOBHhCWcXAzIxHaU7T7InpMMyW9tC92UK5d0LIqagzbQx5IMB7Zv_F2P7Sm7_9bp9TkuxBjKHAhIZUrh-ogYBHx7_4ks6D1mS7n03ZrpTx4DiF-tCQCjFxpCHkQBL6O96kpxNpTGOj/?imgmax=800" width="420" height="330"></a></p> <p align="center">ta da!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jVKnaTr6n9w/UG8OapTNiPI/AAAAAAAABbk/RGMMljKKD6c/s1600-h/IMG_0085%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0085" border="0" alt="IMG_0085" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dNlAmpFpIqs/UG8ObRzA-TI/AAAAAAAABbs/pdBWfxbnVY8/IMG_0085_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="337"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKi06gvQ5S142quoHCOpcRFd2EmF7tLhUKQejEjs_YJF7NOtcs7nq1jJCwbLSlPC0dyiIj0vqhxssaglvoaWrbIbMN4oJOIpccyqeU9xhxE3b_aFykd0qE-y_PB6OkF20TBpfFAcxxhsn/s1600-h/DSC02697%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02697" border="0" alt="DSC02697" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4umRglvlAlA/UG8Oc-koQUI/AAAAAAAABb8/PRimPIllVTs/DSC02697_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="417"></a></p> <p align="center">We took the bar out and had enough space for a great sitting area where we could look outside into our pretty courtyard</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T8s1xHaQGw4/UG8OeT-ng8I/AAAAAAAABcE/LkCTjaB7yDg/s1600-h/IMG_0088%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0088" border="0" alt="IMG_0088" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ej7VnpVBCWk/UG8OfEq223I/AAAAAAAABcM/h42v-fte0QA/IMG_0088_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="333"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVn0B3YbfDC0038l86ss83dl9PnzCLDp4lofRsiFSWhvFxoj6IPwBvqsf2KMEhdipXKoPazs_mdmI53bFo3EHGAmUdb6_YYRRoFI-3kBRklj7TVCEnLLJBO7Hw-wLxmJ39TXS6WDfmot2e/s1600-h/DSC02703%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02703" border="0" alt="DSC02703" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LwKp8eNzQI0/UG8OgUgLCTI/AAAAAAAABcc/tFKejtQlKYE/DSC02703_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="260"></a></p> <p align="center">love this room so much without the red and diamonds!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5l6nNBJKmn-TZTHQdMG8ZgLlwTT-IATdHhBLMVsAp1fM2CcSAroR1-Wd2qqPVm6AY6RISruJguoJQpt0EdWQiZOTjWrCvMK1IDHi9WFGUIMAPuTk8Xc_uvxMLx-W3PPTpBMgcu-4v5hYK/s1600-h/IMG_0079%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0079" border="0" alt="IMG_0079" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhtY3wETbYwoFqthyphenhyphenYuwkK5thQB_yRRvGmh0WEbnrZD2aBb6a-He39NlTmBvZDnzuRu2cq-peAN2gocnYpi6FTPty90q8vJSl-rEj32P3L74wqOB0WFgag4FGXDaaP8aUyJJkKQ96K-nb/?imgmax=800" width="430" height="338"></a></p> <p align="center">We really love living here and are so thankful the Lord blessed us with this home!</p> Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-52501719281427823802012-06-26T10:31:00.001-04:002012-06-26T10:33:09.256-04:00Old Stomping Grounds<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIN9cglpo3kkrwVb7_ZXyfx_F7GqQyRMBbcpa1hv15CqupHe4SMYVIBVvEtxDpjTpZcqIQ0ZZlKrjBUzgazsZrYdV8_H60mFV2q1Lauq2RBJHtzezGScPtsbzi6Pt6sUPjICu8VsfXsJ1J/s1600-h/DSC02312%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02312" border="0" alt="DSC02312" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SEJ2v-OwJOI/T-nHjQF9Q3I/AAAAAAAABa8/2RQejza5ZZk/DSC02312_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="472" height="291"></a></p> <p>What a difference in greenery from this year to last! I remember going out with my brother to shoot guns last year and being so dirty and dusty. Everything we stepped on just disintegrated it was so dry. The draw looks beautiful right now though.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-N8qkqnaL4yc/T-nHj42tSzI/AAAAAAAABZE/Amg_WxxOvhQ/s1600-h/DSC02315%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02315" border="0" alt="DSC02315" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zJ91urZ8z7WVY96JoLaFh7QjsH9EJ8CrMRILB11KIZtGqiNe4jzubf39l4Z0hgtSPeXg0GSSl1tCWft7pJJza4-WeG2B_XY6KDsxD6mWZnwHZLVkEOFS_veQYgFr2C-itbVGz_Tgs4Fi/?imgmax=800" width="193" height="351"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>My brother, Tommy, is an awesome marksman and I love going out to shoot guns with him. He’s practiced so much he can calculate for different distances and wind speeds with ease. </p> <p>We shot the AR-15 and his BIG gun, lol, don’t know what it’s actually called. I was a tad rusty but got the feel back pretty quickly. I hit the target several times from 100 yards with this gun. As I shot, my arms got tired and it got harder for me to keep the gun still and on target but overall, I did good.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9UBsDhVJ0WA7DX55Xo-hdr75qGWx0gqZj2CCylEDMgwKgCXIVAWQ1pLhPuSNE4zYXcugiKPM0ZOkDl25c83IDJYRUBU3Yz_xsfkyFU1lBAGfeYorv75zMfe6xWLebYC8nRzrAiHoX943g/s1600-h/DSC02306%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02306" border="0" alt="DSC02306" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3jriZUF50fc/T-nHm1xBmnI/AAAAAAAABZc/8WQdpYDO0n4/DSC02306_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" height="351"></a> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9U9bexfOGbeW_pIMrGLEXW70VWGAz-bwuHfT79zZYO9Z0a0S74dwOr-FUENNdAz2CkoNXG27tFk-IvQtdlV5tRzMMpCoHXaofeaPKsBroOF_NsrEs3X9UXe1AsnXWXD3o0VV8ZUljPL33/s1600-h/DSC02313%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02313" border="0" alt="DSC02313" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BCyx7u_aGSs/T-nHoVgmBsI/AAAAAAAABZs/wsldLPkluEU/DSC02313_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="272"></a></p> <p align="center">Tommy has hit targets from at least 900 yards with this gun!!</p> <p align="center">We only had time to get to 500 yards, but I hit the target every time I shot!! (even in 20 mph winds!!) There are knobs on the scope to adjust for wind and distance. Tommy would tell me where to set those and then I would adjust the height of the gun with a small bean bag in my left hand that sets under the butt of the gun. Then you just set the sights on the target, relax and pull the trigger. (and of course, hold the gun tight to your shoulder!!)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JvWdC53xjP4/T-nHpJXFQeI/AAAAAAAABZ0/0_YtJOy8-D4/s1600-h/DSC02319%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02319" border="0" alt="DSC02319" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oCJb-hCcCWU/T-nHp1_i6uI/AAAAAAAABZ8/WA0UFLmHWtc/DSC02319_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="466" height="279"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNO6Abnz4noNAXRy7TEWXULWZvPsN0FNzZpycrcA15K1CcjibQFRuE2hPgkNUQVMLaCOUeqrwQ5MhOkzlbanwp53ollV4ItNug_F4ZOk6VL4qurwialJphwtLOT-8I72DRbNb1opqabxX/s1600-h/DSC02309%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02309" border="0" alt="DSC02309" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeoJBrzHyxeq6hv2JJCUGpMqNlvLfdVdBNWDRXxJ9nQ9MMG-N5iZ__9fOhm12lBMsZW-t6Te_avZZPMCEi8Ke8FNQvgO3LG4X4hp3PWJqXHPubod4AUarVdQigeteWGPtIQ1bT61TKzDB/?imgmax=800" width="210" height="382"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>After we shot the AR-15, Tommy spray painted the target so we could easily tell where we hit with the big gun. </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-H4KYeOxs8xw/T-nHsZVsWyI/AAAAAAAABaU/6vWY-ipDYkw/s1600-h/DSC02316%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02316" border="0" alt="DSC02316" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TyxVW9emb20/T-nHs38rWeI/AAAAAAAABac/7Zkrzcd_TqE/DSC02316_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="460" height="295"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-O7lpgI3AQs4/T-nHt09GXvI/AAAAAAAABak/2S4kwwoWZuA/s1600-h/DSC02326%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02326" border="0" alt="DSC02326" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dqGzp2y-mzo/T-nHucaZwqI/AAAAAAAABas/M5UvvXYCUZg/DSC02326_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="473" height="283"></a></p> <p align="center">A nasty storm was rolling in so we had to cut our outing short. The wind and dirt were BAD, but it was fun to watch the storm roll in. </p> <p align="center">Thanks Bro for a really fun time!!</p> Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-72495817987282385072012-06-10T14:09:00.001-04:002012-06-10T14:09:07.776-04:00Fun Getaway with Friends<p> </p> <p>The AuSable River in Michigan has become one of my favorites! I wouldn’t recommend fly fishing on it unless you are EXTREMELY patient, but it is perfect for kayaking! </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4OQ3Z-qf6kh7V9cJKKk3TZYBSjlM5daiSeC1cQrDKL0Jn6fHzPlh0gtXpfcjQLje94WChH6RqehNWkKqndxiBmAWPNEbb69k8VGlPTkGZ40T0GP9dxZdbU8Dn8fOuLzblFBOfgPQMqoe/s1600-h/DSC02254%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02254" border="0" alt="DSC02254" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aYEqMSMB7nk/T9TifOi7YkI/AAAAAAAABWY/i-0NyCFOlQM/DSC02254_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" height="238"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jhfc4oZaelA/T9TigLokaqI/AAAAAAAABWg/gIvLyAh63NU/s1600-h/DSC02205%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02205" border="0" alt="DSC02205" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ah-b_Xs9zAk/T9TijGLjNoI/AAAAAAAABWo/IZcxTAQefDM/DSC02205_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="239"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTK4-dXWPvEOzRR_04eSKFyJtNNIbjRQd6AsgHZAkVK7N6ryLW6I0wu80exr7IQoW0XXsIf6-uJXzBAPsAM-Whk8npmEg3HE9oLckrk32vHwoQDeVqKf2CRe2upAiYBfhnFgmw8ccrsWu9/s1600-h/DSC02231%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02231" border="0" alt="DSC02231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXApG0ROtOPbFIvWNACehstcr9tc-BPitPMXZWepCM6hepRknDh1zTJDSL3qwcX1i3QFHGa9SArCcywSWeFwFnhV1JsfA5QLvT-aNt65JkJf_UlzGZFObBQxM45F8stmVqQnuHAfM6AgD/?imgmax=800" width="403" height="250"></a></p> <p align="center">We only had one capsize this trip down the river and no phones were lost :D</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AZegUY5nnD0/T9Til2okI2I/AAAAAAAABXA/rKESDStoCZ8/s1600-h/DSC02218%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02218" border="0" alt="DSC02218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggep-HjJEqAxPyu7hesk3O4BDs1S_ygXX_Yh0TVniHHC_SM_qGqFvz3FvjGHP5hDjDlxz-F4Z10zSPHfNvzwSjVpmhxNoWmSrk02BftggJn2fz-qEaf6p5KvpC3IB5doKPOE3Rsfd0HBl8/?imgmax=800" width="231" height="421"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oGq0eyWLrJE/T9TinSumulI/AAAAAAAABXQ/eIIW9RCCCVs/s1600-h/DSC02243%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02243" border="0" alt="DSC02243" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xDQUTJxoDVQ/T9TioCBuG6I/AAAAAAAABXY/eGp8nu7sme8/DSC02243_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="257"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NtYiH6pwQbg/T9TipETJpsI/AAAAAAAABXg/jpw9S7GcrpI/s1600-h/DSC02252%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02252" border="0" alt="DSC02252" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gW7_oFCPmHc/T9TiplbnT6I/AAAAAAAABXo/Z2OAMHBp7Eo/DSC02252_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9zbQecYO5IQ/T9TiqkupiNI/AAAAAAAABXw/JPVbZz6334M/s1600-h/DSC02210%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02210" border="0" alt="DSC02210" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v64u8_Oz6cE/T9TirL57N9I/AAAAAAAABX4/LJi46xlx3r8/DSC02210_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="457" height="274"></a></p> <p> </p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g5fwzy6uA_o/T9TisKl1YdI/AAAAAAAABYA/SEpZNCQ5RAk/s1600-h/DSC02262%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02262" border="0" alt="DSC02262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zZeUtFj67Q43PjogWze8Bnceq52Ch7e42spI_2_MNZMKpO_Tq5Wkl2BNOrLekqtdKPQHTlMDwgWiR9kjAdAjP3C2CMvXcwDcDpgkkE-t5kDDF9FqqnZBNUFuhU1ab3Y2tuJ5jvQabbaD/?imgmax=800" width="439" height="263"></a> <p align="center">It was wonderful to have to wear sweats one last time before coming back to Texas to just sweat for the next few months!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WlUsQPPbNRg/T9Tiul7pptI/AAAAAAAABYQ/h_mWjx6C2ec/s1600-h/DSC02273%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02273" border="0" alt="DSC02273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAAMkPuZ9QETDmRgi5AINbFjfxzzd5OIkIh-cRuMib8CYFNHVxosn51AkcaZgTsUEVizfTfVHyVrtJdnZjAuBCM6uXQ02AfrD_j92yE2qiJg_fyK1m1JwiIDanKpbvZmNezgGjYBU7RXR/?imgmax=800" width="440" height="264"></a></p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0QtwAi3WyAM/T9TiwDuig7I/AAAAAAAABYg/AMWDJM3cNMQ/s1600-h/DSC02264%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02264" border="0" alt="DSC02264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST5Wc2QY2hyWAn-WcAi693O2Pq0Dw_NfV-g_wAUZghhBqsljUI1-H6_VVWYulvGtodJ5F5ZiGWabj2d7KW5EyxlhOmXiQuXZcPEtREuFFGDuEocQZHt7iy-qixGAD_RDZyRn-_kqwAPnd/?imgmax=800" width="446" height="267"></a> Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-68327300044997610092012-05-11T09:38:00.001-04:002012-05-11T09:38:07.665-04:00I Know You…<p>From the time I was born until 18 years of age I lived in the same town and pretty much the same house my entire life. I grew up in a town of a little over 2,000 people and went to K-12th grade with the exact same people. One of the best (and worst things at times) of living in a small town is that everyone knows you. Not everyone knows you at the same level, but 18 years is a long time to interact with people and you learn what they’re good at, what they’ve been through and about their character.You know who to call if you’re having car trouble, if your A/C breaks, if you want some fresh sweet corn on the cob, need the church opened, forgot something at school, or just need some company. </p> <p>Since high school, the longest I have lived anywhere is our current residence….coming up on 2 years. I have really enjoyed the changes and the traveling, sometimes I even get a little antsy and feel like it’s almost time to move again, lol. The Lord definitely knew that I was going to have to move a lot and gave me a willing spirit and a little gypsy inside that makes moving fun. And, Wade is the best friend I could ever want to move around the country with!</p> <p>Every once in a while though….I miss the comfort of being around people that have known me my whole life. (of course I mean my parents) but I also mean my friends. When I moved from West Texas, I definitely lost touch with most of my friends and have kept in close touch with only a couple. Most of the time I’m totally great and don’t even think about it…but recently I was sure missing being around people that know me. </p> <p>I thought about how fun it would be to go plop down on my best friend’s couch, watch her TV, get whatever I wanted from her fridge and not have to answer all the questions that come when making friends with new people. So…I did seek out one of my best childhood friends and told her if she was around for the weekend, Wade and I were coming over. I hadn’t seen her in years, but we picked up right where we left off and she was such an encouragement to me. </p> <p>The next week I was driving around town, running some errands, still thinking about how I felt largely unknown by most people here….Then…I heard it, soft, but clear as day…<font size="4">”<strong>I</strong></font> know you.” Whoa. I was overwhelmed….who did I hear in the car…<font color="#333333"><strong>Jesus. </strong>Instantly my heart was overwhelmed by the magnitude of such a gift and such a TRUTH. Instantly I was comforted and at peace. The human heart definitely has the desire to know and to be known and the person that knows you the most this side of heaven is your spouse, but Jesus knows you and understands you in the deepest, closest, most perfect way. I had been looking for that comfort of being known from people…but I did not feel the comfort and peace that came to my heart until I knew, really knew, that the God of the Universe KNOWS me…inside and out….and LOVES me completely and perfectly.</font></p> <p>Psalm 139 definitely says it best. Here are a few of my favorite parts from it.<br>v. 1: O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.<br>v. 3: you are familiar with all my ways<br>v 13: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb<br>v 16: All the days ordained for me were written your book before one of the came to be</p> <p>I know this truth but sometimes I only know it in my mind, but there are moments when God’s truth just sinks into the deepest part of your soul and you know what….it changes you, and it changes how you respond to the world. </p> Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-57757245508595414812012-04-25T15:30:00.001-04:002012-04-25T15:31:38.801-04:00Pictures from Easter…<p><font size="3" face="Pristina">Wow…this month has just flown by in a bit of a blur… but it’s been a good blur. .</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Pristina">Here are some pictures from Easter. We had a wonderful time celebrating Jesus’ resurrection with family. Sloan is growin like a weed and we enjoy watching all the new things she does and says.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mQ1xOXrOVjI/T5hQjGesDgI/AAAAAAAABUM/iZxLwW9J4iw/s1600-h/DSC02034%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02034" border="0" alt="DSC02034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglA366Jp7WFrKdhyybMuTHRCO9KQiCwcokxOaiW7Gk_bf-EPHxaYLsyLB0Tn2xONzXhWGk5h83zh2YNKAOF3cNpeqM6ku2vsaeTaz79OSDe_xwKrS9vw-wtyj3XM5IqHlh4h4E1msLoekX/?imgmax=800" width="377" height="226"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEwyPiLG6oyFuu7HZWOlh2qavl4BT289IYkjP0p5MJU-u5KN5gquXVDfpOW8MWptMN2bSBgZIo3iPMkyk4nY3S5lkQ4d4Ada4RCkUJZsivc918VgdrBxBsiKR9ONfMkYiC4VSm73zCsKP/s1600-h/DSC02026%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02026" border="0" alt="DSC02026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzE7Outetc9yqMaR9gRL5A8LVgsQr81obGS-6YtQRH0WB9qVdgRlgai29iz0hfT-sQmG-c1vlbn1mBL3Y_20KgLcOb7jFG_U9SSzwHuqDgSf64Krl5157YvCtZ0qcp6SrgmvD4U6WTY21/?imgmax=800" width="165" height="300"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Pristina">There was a little sand playin…and swingin</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtraoaH_K99oD3TuQJGtRfUAtv4oO3575Rwj1zzZeteleGMKLGrH2KMBPBGZERQztUg7VJnyvX5DVyKfUYsKBOT3oPm-mKHc-4ZBMVDnnY-DDEHk9p6f4Csxfpvvua5-v7UD25esRaaLxw/s1600-h/DSC02060%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02060" border="0" alt="DSC02060" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gtyqfHwQ6aQ/T5hQnOQGrII/AAAAAAAABU0/LUH9fM7Lr2M/DSC02060_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="412" height="247"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Pristina">being silly…</font></p> <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oLrOyKrV6ihlUXJ8vMiu1CNG0EOxrHUCl6Q4FkTTtAC15ZW6FmDJBLGA5XDdZJLXVs5MbN79v9JLwaqJMw1KRZg23SVsOvMcnJbF6ERnkjeJc-n1b9bBmTJCrPl9ThM2UiGwOtvXC5Cn/s1600-h/DSC02019%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02019" border="0" alt="DSC02019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ngr1t5GoXS8/T5hQpFpU_-I/AAAAAAAABVE/Vfx-jy7nSvo/DSC02019_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="196" height="357"></a> </p> <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3w8kwbmpdzrcRx_1RpG8H19EV2lL5lHnBYEUcF8FhjQBh_CTJtjDk4wCZILRq-6Uc3A9ekIXd81fL50s3ZzZov883VShj-bIWIjS9_DL0ZwcUAQ_w0fs-CgIQ3IeUsyjgjf1UrIOOQ9mY/s1600-h/DSC02069%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02069" border="0" alt="DSC02069" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-87DYKcljKEo/T5hQrwtEfBI/AAAAAAAABVU/P7bYM99YeBY/DSC02069_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="217" height="403"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Pristina">and sittin around the fire…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4Do81ApD-e0/T5hQtCPPszI/AAAAAAAABVc/b7HQd0faWX8/s1600-h/DSC02043%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02043" border="0" alt="DSC02043" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OHwnqGAxeVo/T5hQtiDEShI/AAAAAAAABVk/QZbZqDrUuFY/DSC02043_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="418" height="251"></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Pristina">All dressed up for Easter church service…</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwPNq_27V72HX3TXx-TpDaTfX7y6xwErlq8tEe5A4OFK3eUidHwJrBdGRgTbNRL1uGOegbVtCGfzBwpwtdUeXsX8DxtpgdrlG5OMyKA9foBhs44O6ZafGdkPt9BYXNeFIbZKmFdctaWMXw/s1600-h/DSC02058%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02058" border="0" alt="DSC02058" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WdYYOMWTv-4/T5hQvM9F55I/AAAAAAAABV0/GSmZJTsmpeo/DSC02058_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="212" height="386"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhfdL6VlB_1b1_2L1fok874aFMma_ae_5-2gaWpK2Sfss1j7y2MwOOsXCzG9OjVGCmfvuWSjRQ-7xKkg7sqbGVj_gSyT7_f4h8keAXejAd-igxZtW2-uLFLu5s3g4XD1-U4SxYu2q_rWv/s1600-h/DSC02054%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC02054" border="0" alt="DSC02054" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7Uz8SOlGR0Q/T5hQxgq0tdI/AAAAAAAABWE/q8p1j2fvTBM/DSC02054_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="272"></a></p> Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-51966771509762015422012-04-02T10:21:00.001-04:002012-04-02T10:21:41.868-04:00Mentoring and<p><a href="http://oj.gcc.org/missional-life"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="" src="http://oj.gcc.org/sites/default/files/images/GospelVillageLogo_color.jpg" width="458" height="185"></a></p> <p><font size="2">It’s hard for us to believe, but we have been mentoring for a year already! After our experience with <a href="http://www.thempates.blogspot.com/2012/03/he-sets-captives-free.html">Epiphany</a> in March, it is clear in our hearts that mentoring is a MUST. </font></p> <p><font size="2"><strong>Gospel Village</strong> is a ministry that our church has started that partners with the local school district. There is a 3 faceted plan in place. </font></p> <p><strong>VILLAGE FRIENDS:</strong> Village Friends provides support for leadership and teachers of adopted elementary schools. It allows teachers to focus on teaching by supporting them with acts of kindness, encouragement, and administration. <p><strong>VILLAGE MENTORING:</strong> Village Mentoring is an off-site one-on-one mentoring program designed to form an intentional relationship between a child mentee and qualified adult mentor. Mentors will commit to meet two hours face-to-face weekly with his or her mentee. The goal of each mentoring relationship will be to form relationships that develop a well-rounded student while also earning a hearing for the gospel in the mentee’s life. <p><strong>VILLAGE EDUCATION:</strong> Village Education refers to an after or in-school tutoring and literacy program staffed by volunteers from Gospel Village partner churches. <p><font size="2">We have really enjoyed the 2 kids that we have been mentoring. Most of the time we just pick them up and come back to our place to hang out. Pizza is pretty much a staple, lol. We watch movies, play video games, take walks, play putt-putt, make cupcakes, paint nails, visit Barnes and Noble, get ice cream, play at the park and whatever else we can think of. We try our best to be constant, to demonstrate that God loves them, that they are special and that God has great plans for their lives. </font></p> <p><font size="2">Our kiddos are in Junior High…I remember those days…it can be a tough place.</font></p> <p><font size="2">I wish we could say that we have seen a huge change in the kids we mentor, that we’ve made such a difference, but most of the time we don’t really know if we’re making a difference. BUT, we trust that God uses our obedience and continue on. <font size="2">It has been blessing and we look forward to more time with them. </font></font></p> <p><font size="2">Please pray for us to have wisdom as we encounter difficult situations and try to speak truth into these kids’ lives. </font><font size="2">Please pray and think about mentoring wherever you are. You don’t have to have a program in place. There’s always a kid out there that needs someone to look up to, someone they know cares deeply about them, and will help them navigate this crazy world. It is a commitment, but one well worth the investment.</font></p> Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-54963213189722023432012-03-23T12:55:00.001-04:002012-03-23T12:56:53.157-04:00First Touch of Spring<p><font size="4" face="Gabriola">I finally removed the dead old plants from last summer and replaced it with something much more lively! Sometimes I get overwhelmed by the amount of flowers at Home Depot, but I saw this little place and decided to stop. This basket immediately caught my eye because of the great colors and variety of flowers. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Gabriola">The planters on the balcony rail are still empty but I hope to get to them next week.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ESdUCUw-AQ4/T2yrFB-DOdI/AAAAAAAABUE/fSmc9tZOzx8/s1600-h/DSC01992%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01992" border="0" alt="DSC01992" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OaT82bilLVY/T2yrFyB9gNI/AAAAAAAABUI/LRT2dTl_xlY/DSC01992_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="458" height="289"></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="4" face="Gabriola">God’s springtime begins with renewal within you. – M. Buchanan</font></p> Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-69192818799085832422012-03-20T13:31:00.001-04:002012-03-20T13:31:33.379-04:00Fun at the Museum<p><font face="Candara">Who says you can’t have fun at a museum? We sure did!</font></p> <p><font face="Candara">Here’s some pictures of our fun times at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, AR.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPd8kFDkru0W3BQw7808c36rIqhBfjtcsYzMo9Unoddh3j9-YSqHwCH1oibmBuv_U2zQxq8ZgJY2xQhlgBXdD_s-53mtl5KKKbPjSur1qiKKdjk03CuzztyOsxEY8ZkMOYXVhs7gylchRf/s1600-h/DSC01983%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01983" border="0" alt="DSC01983" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Woyq9GtK8T0/T2i-soip_gI/AAAAAAAABRU/AeBxt9z5d4w/DSC01983_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="211" height="384"></a></p> <p><font face="Candara">This picture started it all…from here the poses just got more fun!!</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Candara">Me and my buddy George Washington!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g_MiNvCah_U/T2i-um6AYRI/AAAAAAAABRc/pb6V0PyuT58/s1600-h/DSC01963%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01963" border="0" alt="DSC01963" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhea8o5NMhgq3Dv7LKQvFR54Yt467x29T1cW2vMFwYlGrCclkky04NF1tCJEoV9_fqzl0yL7LbjZKRBkVHzPeSiFt85KZp9crO9SPtc7XerfpMIUPu9pW1DZ6YBLLhjggj_OgQ_tgM7YaMb/?imgmax=800" width="404" height="251"></a></p> <p align="center"><font face="Candara">Dad really got that eyebrow matched almost perfectly! hehe…</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUx6imuAVseLuxA17U636c2nwkY2cwM6Gc5Ye4o5mt8iflqx9SJmfds6r3Fp2XfTibo530lVb2_o95H1wIFEoyLlVJllOcF3kEnvf7AQ_GHj4EVKipZyDgzER2Eyij2PMRlvAm-W1JGK6s/s1600-h/DSC01965%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01965" border="0" alt="DSC01965" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s8URdUoBjZk/T2i-xMIeP-I/AAAAAAAABR0/-ocpMG_toPM/DSC01965_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="403" height="242"></a></p> <p align="center"><font face="Candara">hmmm…I see a resemblance…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-F8MMwU0y6JU/T2i-yg89mNI/AAAAAAAABR8/vv1jMqvA_8s/s1600-h/DSC01978%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01978" border="0" alt="DSC01978" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zNJZLXuBs9Y/T2i-ztAaiWI/AAAAAAAABSE/S5cF-OPeoYA/DSC01978_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="405" height="288"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PBEjxIvtnF8/T2i-0VEMKyI/AAAAAAAABSM/1Dcjfhj2MXg/s1600-h/DSC01979%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01979" border="0" alt="DSC01979" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTv_3FK3xjFZlODvipsIrRUDlMWM6-da2dY4zFX739DFtvL0bzwu_Xt85-_Z0NHG8Nw65roM5f1i_Nf_bpfNGo9f1Hth_lc1zIGzDUy3yXrCVT_6RaPkO4Tj3wb_iXZlPJ4hAlaEvQltZ/?imgmax=800" width="268" height="498"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Candara">I didn’t know Uncle Jimmy had this kind of talent! I think I’m going to start calling him, <br>Tiny Dancer…hehe</font></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BwflAsxZWos/T2i-1iw-VXI/AAAAAAAABSc/5DI6Nbf4o5Y/s1600-h/DSC01982%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01982" border="0" alt="DSC01982" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkdNdYeAq-hIOt2OiSoeU5PxDE6FrtLYlJ9bzVkOjgMP5rwz4ocfItWfCxjWRZVVQDprSauNaJeyQtI8Q9SSMG_0QMReW3_ruUiEN4SMNbfDRSOkGk_TBMJVf08PBz8QU5joWb9v3UJHv/?imgmax=800" width="245" height="447"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Candara">Look, it’s “Estochio!” Wait, I mean Pinocchio! </font></p> <p><font face="Candara">Good one, Mom!!</font></p> <p><font face="Candara">In all seriousness though, this was a wonderful museum! I had a lot of fun admiring the paintings and sculptures. It’s hard for me to believe people can paint such</font> <font face="Candara">beautiful scenes and that they have the imagination to make such pieces. </font></p> <p><font face="Candara">What’s even more amazing though is the God who created this intricate, amazing, too wonderful to say world….from…nothing! <font face="Candara">He is infinite in His creativity and ability! Each of us is limited but the Lord sure did give us great inspiration!</font></font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Candara">Here are a few more of my favorite pieces from the museum.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-U1w6uGUoBQY/T2i-3NYcstI/AAAAAAAABSs/xJoAjlEdtIQ/s1600-h/DSC01970%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01970" border="0" alt="DSC01970" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgn0chabG7lgd9um-JLWJIqEIXwPVQq-jYAJZH1oywcA-9aIEfMrFD0XolbkfKRZKKsw3wdGhjyu-B5feGj10RTMgatCKMn3g3cVhMnrJUAyGBnuvP9o4RjXaEa0w2Z9ZUHPkZ5bFxbDpI/?imgmax=800" width="165" height="300"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Candara">This looks like a real man’s picture…but it’s actually a sculpture! Everything was so incredibly life like that it was almost creepy! The hair, lips, eyes, skin…everything looked REAL!</font></p> <p><font face="Candara">This next picture shows how big it actually is…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QOWHub-0Z6k/T2i-4WcW5OI/AAAAAAAABS8/I1kwsdyHA9c/s1600-h/DSC01969%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01969" border="0" alt="DSC01969" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XUDcgVMRZYg/T2i-5BES97I/AAAAAAAABTE/uPHsfeTi3zk/DSC01969_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="313" height="188"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CffRALlnUxI/T2i-6K4dpHI/AAAAAAAABTM/f1Si3BlZ8Hw/s1600-h/DSC01977%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01977" border="0" alt="DSC01977" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBQirH0sGIussDk0z3w6EXWtPBU6n4fSene-0QebyOMKK6_fjH4ChJWBX-pECxfqLpltocMYNDdJ94MZe7Yx3LvCq2nuPVsunuz_V3X7CUEWlNT65xuffpG3Oe5sioy-RDrtIvCu76XfH/?imgmax=800" width="162" height="294"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Candara">This version of The Last Supper was made from hundreds, if not thousands, of individual spools of threads that are different colors! And…it was upside down! When you looked through this clear sphere, it allowed you to view it right side up…</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MjqK1Y0RQPw/T2i-8QvOmZI/AAAAAAAABTc/cV2EIdfoHqM/s1600-h/DSC01976%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01976" border="0" alt="DSC01976" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg619q33nonJvmJ1SgnntTqVHkRBRL-ZE1vdPDKKWCibFgD8XQc5HOKK_s7jynE8Y2rONvyQHchH8848GTPnrZbh934kIyf9JljhMEA1ZPpoARVbXmzSGrlSA5eLHjzERWU9GPly3afNYt1/?imgmax=800" width="329" height="198"></a></p> Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-80314915834519171512012-03-19T12:36:00.001-04:002012-03-19T13:06:06.151-04:00White River Fishing Trip<p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JBvaeh9opX8/T2df7Vh0HoI/AAAAAAAABP8/7jtOFlR5ysY/s1600-h/DSC01945%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01945" border="0" alt="DSC01945" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYplA1seJSzNJMzjfaUSaM-_0SUNhUPWJAeW3iWm15BltO3TpwHxuKPw3iFBCRv9J4e4wd8dbq9Z9pYv9_GZnOn5X6moBhjsZ443YrKFmqpdqgMS2ACHPCNyLHUZcpNeuuhyphenhyphenEu3VxGq79/?imgmax=800" width="407" height="261"></a></font></p> <p><font size="2">Wade and I have heard about the great fishing on the White River for sometime and we decided this was the year for us to go! Instead of going by ourselves though, we thought it was time to get our parents together. We haven’t all been together since our wedding three and half years ago! So my planner, Wade, got all the details together and we went this past Wednesday.</font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JwWaHPPiopA/T2df-V0h97I/AAAAAAAABIc/gsjqWwmC-Fk/s1600-h/DSC01916%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01916" border="0" alt="DSC01916" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqguet8JzsRYGMneilt_c7fZHiPwww9zhufObI5Omf7UPUFqT7y7R_6sTffdl9ypO8r14NOBx6e3dsoOME9nfxk1v1PK1R9kCu9E5zl9CZSE2alymhIkl4JLOMG6uVT0Xr2oPn6ZAPb_vp/?imgmax=800" width="195" height="355"></a></font></p> <p><font size="2">It was every bit as good as we had hoped for!! The weather was perfect and</font> <font size="2">we caught over 150 fish in 2 days! That’s the most fish by far I’ve ever caught, not to mention in 2 days! We were able to be choosey and keep our limit of 5 fish apiece each day. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J3ToR8l1Q-E/T2df_jXCryI/AAAAAAAABIs/hWJ7ZRE7AW4/s1600-h/DSC01922%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="2"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01922" border="0" alt="DSC01922" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayMaSi_ywWt372LUm6-5zpg0l5rySyHhwxpMZTH5GndjkjB4Fjjrir6F0o6WA2-bBqVM9hXXyjxWybqD3YNq2CFuxJBzx_eF_98m0Hog2tiVCEkjG7p-SjaiJiO2L1NMSZb6Lbn_9zspD/?imgmax=800" width="192" height="349"></font></a></p> <p><font size="2">Wade caught a really nice Brown Trout. Catching a brown trout is rare so it was cool that all but one of us got to reel one in, but you can’t keep a Brown unless it’s at least 24 inches long (and that’s even more rare!).</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fHtViK2jkW8/T2dgBE8_cWI/AAAAAAAABI8/a3OnsyW0H-U/s1600-h/DSC01899%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01899" border="0" alt="DSC01899" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-avkg2hjFttk/T2dgBtru3lI/AAAAAAAABJE/dD_QAULweO8/DSC01899_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="199" height="362"></a></p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="2">Mom actually caught the first Brown. (that’s the guide, Albee, holding mom’s fish for her). I think she won the most fish caught category! Every time we looked her way, that pole tip was bent and she as reeling one in!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K1n8iiHCffA/T2dgCRgfe0I/AAAAAAAABQE/mdvU9pD9OMw/s1600-h/DSC01940%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="2"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K1n8iiHCffA/T2dgCRgfe0I/AAAAAAAABQI/db7uMheLaoU/s1600-h/DSC01940%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01940" border="0" alt="DSC01940" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v8GXilby-FQ/T2dgCw1WWeI/AAAAAAAABOw/NXW_4WPc_bE/DSC01940_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="185" height="343"></a></font></a></p> <p><font size="3"><font size="2">There was definitely some trash talk going on by day two, but I think that just made it even more fun.</font> </font></p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8OTrpXM2gSAi_NpzWZ-W3eUTkQ_ojUCkQ4F_OAEBWZZDk9noJntxWXYOPqIrwIQQmXE9l3FO2_Lztvv8PibGZvCMBjuuJNu3mITCCxIT9E8qsPHOXoG6O2dzc8c1DyeD9FbeTD-gVtnd/s1600-h/DSC01936%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="2"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYh7xSvDRrwVXHwu4X0uhlRqDB8yhvAJyMqpCKZ12tHPCLA9f5-kJXbulEVjBbuSP689Dj4hBxdikfzDZwDqxGwe-AnbiV2gimPdtXS61qeqMFuwbjOLr3siQabwqQY3ygBNwhdoXqWiq/s1600-h/DSC01936%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01936" border="0" alt="DSC01936" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YRZt-_qdUc0/T2dgD8OEZWI/AAAAAAAABO4/pEls546028M/DSC01936_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="172" height="320"></a></font></a><font size="2">We were also celebrating that exactly 9 years ago Wade and I met each other for the first time in Dallas at an FCA banquet. Neither one of us had a clue at the time that the Lord was introducing us to our future spouse! God was just keeping our story interesting :) </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNp2bof5rslDd3Dm0BaQ1HDE3HFm0riAxEc8W_n4qqi8I4aE9eIgggbDhtMba7fxUhfTov-eHYzaIdTTTkQLMRpzA2fwMkSx3HBDWM9szRn3ixyeJVR06dQ1blcPpcsazm5JoGm25J7bI8/s1600-h/DSC01947%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01947" border="0" alt="DSC01947" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PlfRpTBupiY/T2dgFDKaF1I/AAAAAAAABPA/Fq8D1hDh_FA/DSC01947_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="197" height="365"></a><font size="2"></font></p> <p><font size="2">So, for all you singles out there…keep trusting the Lord, you may have already met your future spouse and just don’t know it yet! It was over 2 and half years before Wade and I even spoke again! But God is the Grand Weaver and He is always working His plans out for His glory and our good!</font></p> <p><font size="2"></font> </p> <p><font size="2"></font> </p> <p><font size="2"></font> </p> <p><font size="2"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bfrRLSIbspg/T2dgHZA8ijI/AAAAAAAABQU/YvQcsu7OLLU/s1600-h/DSC01905%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01905" border="0" alt="DSC01905" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6Qtu8SBMyjT4PNyyx9whD_4TQhsW-98FaV9rwC6jd7YU_uGUXmyApLcc7V8ZAZl8UFWN1tCIV-4p2jxKp2IgAhisbmX1Acx5BuGkhr44Lr0SjGx034_i4eheTI1ON3ylO9EJ48Hv9yG5/?imgmax=800" width="421" height="273"></a></p> <p><font size="2">Dad was trying to act like he caught this big one, but it was all mine! (he did help me get it off the hook though!)</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9liqv45Mz8yMpw-kHWTmVkau5CpbGKbusWz72ZTHjF7VCg2s54tmbDQzXLLyrBoqTPEfS2919ajTuU151Z76P1tZUWctQYkYaeCZv4cGSp5OjqRroEv5fS7iJ2pACK1GQ0BL59naQM-V/s1600-h/DSC01930%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01930" border="0" alt="DSC01930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bjo6BlCezMq_JWnRhMP7RykZCnNZzGpPdsvtZnroYBNNu1gNzslQ4uNgBrCwmU0mS5K5275FIPZW4v7y2H-suzb12po9yPz9CC6rGD_LozZbu_PUa2lhOXaVLNgQ00Pmkjq3Zyyy0Q0J/?imgmax=800" width="399" height="261"></a></p> <p><font size="2">The river itself is absolutely beautiful…the water is super clear and you can see the shoals and rocks all the way along the bottom.</font></p> <p><font size="2">The houses along the banks aren’t too shabby either. I think I could live in this one.</font></p> <p><font size="3"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfH53iwXwXu7lg9L1lcgARVXHEF1yNOcf9ZcA9-PBw_9KehpVX3nKSYoxi-CE_KaPgtxzeeGWXwA_Cxg8IBpDR6bwHPH5kG3zBbC6-cuLb4h99emU9aNmyNZG1LbFnlGOUCulpNWooNYQE/s1600-h/DSC01921%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01921" border="0" alt="DSC01921" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NBl7Dn3NOcg/T2dgLWY6I0I/AAAAAAAABK0/YVOM16r6Xxk/DSC01921_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="410" height="255"></a></font></p> <p><font size="2">We learned how Bull Shoals got its name. Cotton used to be transported up the White River on narrow rafts. The rafts were then pushed up the river by slaves that the people called “bulls.” The bottom of the river has flat looking rocks that are called “shoals,” thus Bull Shoals Lake came about.</font></p> <p><font size="2"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3-JIrZnoQFqC7ExUsm5b3WCsTtsPgxJ4-Pdl0HzKowNxUoqBMNLpNTAqhVFUoq0ZrBEeTA0URjl3kDQJIMaV-8lvAvN8nQkJyrc-PdpYDxf-m_sOQckvrZKNh_aQzb-Punw1M1CgTjgD/s1600-h/DSC01933%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01933" border="0" alt="DSC01933" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CjLC7oL80Ws/T2dlnc7ysVI/AAAAAAAABPM/7Vb-gV7L5nk/DSC01933_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="181" height="244"></a></font></p> <p><font size="2"> This was our first Bald Eagle to see in the wild. He sure did look pretty flying across the sky!!</font></p> <p><font size="2"></font> </p> <p><font size="2"></font> </p> <p><font size="2"></font> </p> <p><font size="2"></font> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_g3LvS0b_vwqj8_w-oKbkdNpKwapymqqJCXbvM-PNcfQFK7Y-DV7FPioGGml2EJ8VwLRpk1aWIhWxQlgDDKFQDjEbE71UX1jhq2YhMgwDEr7JObQqNBeMCPXAQVwt-kJNkNUIPi-s31C/s1600-h/DSC01872%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><font size="2"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01872" border="0" alt="DSC01872" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1BT5YUXMdnc/T2dgNQVDO_I/AAAAAAAABLE/QriuyOrSDAM/DSC01872_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="255"></font></a><font size="2"> We all stayed together in a cute cabin by Bull Shoals Lake called The Hermitage.</font></p> <p><font size="2">We brought groceries and took turns cooking each meal. </font></p> <p><font size="2">Mom made her famous carne guisada with beans and rice one night and then Angela fried some fresh caught trout while dad grilled up some burgers another night! </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnyN6Zin8B2Ya1XrwWRKUa-Mm4OqhXoZAruF6GdZHW45dLBbn7qvAu8756zXgqQhR2vkG6F9aiXJvu-FQKy2mIdE0KeHfP9XYOgpica7_2kBE5zzotLeK25tDDkAmU3y1S2_f80ZBI8Q7/s1600-h/DSC01911%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01911" border="0" alt="DSC01911" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9z-HQFtaJhUchjyVsMZf1k902sjBv7VsXNh6vJomSDTeWYOFLjzVguAlGS4vG5yZCdidaU-Ngw_t7lfkcuORjVrEUcuAK3a-M0Tuc9oHQzcadxG6Jt4nxvCEHW5zxagCzPDq2fWJoVBf/?imgmax=800" width="393" height="236"></a></p> <p><font size="3"><font size="2"></font></font> </p> <p><font size="3"><font size="2"></font></font> </p> <p><font size="3"><font size="2"></font></font> </p> <p><font size="3"><font size="2"></font></font> </p> <p><font size="3"><font size="2"></font></font> </p> <p><font size="3"><font size="2"></font></font> </p> <p><font size="3"><font size="2">We played horse shoes and sat on the deck, taking i</font><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ueeMCWEHIbM/T2dgQZN8fuI/AAAAAAAABQk/14dNC0z8A84/s1600-h/DSC01948%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="2"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ueeMCWEHIbM/T2dgQZN8fuI/AAAAAAAABQo/osJgaDYBlqw/s1600-h/DSC01948%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01948" border="0" alt="DSC01948" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnx_5mFRly9azX9YPEuS48M3raLra9VTX3bqcGgEM1CSFxxwqgRlGi3XbkUp2IBIMiTQq3bRADMHlyIDMPAEZxTVGosLsL8TE8fXycSyWU21TNqiTrbptSIcX8rlKenomKwOkrKqs4T6R/?imgmax=800" width="188" height="349"></a></font></a><font size="2">n the beautiful views and peace and quiet</font>.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NhwFrgxnOHk/T2dgSYzc6wI/AAAAAAAABPc/nCZn_pa7kZE/s1600-h/DSC01884%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01884" border="0" alt="DSC01884" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbzV1RLZf8x_lfqfWrIauqLGIMynRN4VViweneFRMmhDQsEvUMlwM78mhPF4OKq-7tBQHH_SQ5AmhNDC5iKpm5dlZLKn57t9XUA0s0laEbIJgvEw4oJIcWrqUqd7cQ0s8c9lJyV57LPVg/?imgmax=800" width="170" height="311"></a></p> <p><font size="2"></font> </p> <p><font size="2"></font> </p> <p><font size="2"></font> </p> <p><font size="2"></font> </p> <p><font size="2"></font> </p> <p><font size="2"></font> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="2">None of us really knew how to play, so we just made up our own rules, lol, and it was very fun that way!</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBz9XGNqjV2lRHYNtpmFFrxMxjoOdUfZSIv-bN_oHlvR9P5mIy3-iZ2xqpeDQ3UWgaujbG_8xp6LBWf2lQYLIlNCYvBCBMsRasx8_y5NLNZcj3ZTwA2qPkfQI3zCIAe4wBatn_8nK6FFz/s1600-h/DSC01876%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01876" border="0" alt="DSC01876" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J8BgTvJ4tWo/T2dgXZBv0NI/AAAAAAAABQw/hnHFH6hlCPk/DSC01876_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" height="264"></a></p> <p><font size="2">Winston and Toby had so much fun chasing each other around and exploring the woods.</font></p> <p><font size="2">We tried to keep a pretty close eye on them though…lots of hawks were flying about….</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwKkl1NhkNd4HPvG3NQjZcl2dNJNB1nooGNEJkNhQ-aU6foXdQbvnxaR2iptDeajbtsOQ9gugg60Jg9HsQlKxsmlBIgFGMU57z_9q__xJtTQh_PTjHmPQJ8YwrKPihrsDNwqUt0nT6J_Z/s1600-h/DSC01950%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01950" border="0" alt="DSC01950" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VUelw1lz0K4/T2dgViHTcmI/AAAAAAAABQ4/NWjBgsF9BwY/DSC01950_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="409" height="272"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraCZIdT-tVX9-Smg0SKDWCs_6w6UUL648puEwPR9QJvfypU1e2qQ7ILOkqfDtYKXMGMK60-0eeMr6Fzsky5nf0AdcAe-2T7y-iXRhYuXvA5fPPC51W0W60vmaTcPaO6aXOW-MIa3LYF_3/s1600-h/DSC01878%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01878" border="0" alt="DSC01878" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-04rZJKnL4_4/T2dgZECLihI/AAAAAAAABMk/K6u5urkS1NQ/DSC01878_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="257"></a></p> <p><font size="2">It was great that we were all able to fish together on one boat! The only guide service that takes out more than 3 more people at a time is White River Family Fishing. We would definitely recommend them to anyone that wants to take a family trip! Our guide, Albee, was great!</font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9QWQb2uugVg/T2dgaIk6AZI/AAAAAAAABPs/D_BLHeZZlaM/s1600-h/DSC01934%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01934" border="0" alt="DSC01934" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YiB-oRlSm4g/T2dgacE9ptI/AAAAAAAABPw/9QaM6HXZbXU/DSC01934_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="209" height="388"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cfnfH0mgTv0/T2dgbFPpMaI/AAAAAAAABP0/JvAWwZBjAO0/s1600-h/DSC01938%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01938" border="0" alt="DSC01938" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UcuwT7X_mu8/T2dgb-3WJ6I/AAAAAAAABP4/0jL3hCR-040/DSC01938_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="202" height="383"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Here’s my Brown trout!!</p> <p><font size="3"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="3"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font size="2">Here’s a few other fun pics from the trip.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2">We are so thankful for our family and this is trip we will never forget!!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1cYoioUPGXw/T2dgdMcZwwI/AAAAAAAABQ8/UugA18sm7ns/s1600-h/DSC01958%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01958" border="0" alt="DSC01958" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj628-KORIKnMZcXUKJXIbHwdt036Bi-gWwUb6-3kx1sQdTg9RjDjOwsuT_WidSEGPeZhRjpfZ3WtXtb1Tx1Ns1VsdPrZJB6oUniAVFRB2xDnR0poZ-39F9YRFaZaBdFvgCCxb3VSQebJrK/?imgmax=800" width="413" height="260"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ux1VJYv19xLArvnMWFdlciTGqA9zUsQ9_k9MGGqaP6Gg6vnxjGGgON5B016VNpWVKgWFlFX-TsR-MC6lLGf1tiGuWYpmOFsWTcFx6aT4ZxPKFhwiF-S8t8wb_0cFkkKkhDS2Nh-5CtPF/s1600-h/DSC01932%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01932" border="0" alt="DSC01932" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACe9JZ3snuQTYWN6whTOhMz9naLLJ679XiAYBZWPFmW1tCGfnA4f9287GFX9CB001nj8FaNsjDEWymaj9CaP37hKyDusUBQaeBP2zHN2bmAtHQNowjCGkrRKzwguEXrA-scHLvoQHncus/?imgmax=800" width="424" height="261"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJJjb7fRJFaiSbRLMOl5RYqIpFICmLYgFA_9ECfehNqcYrdtXhl2ZsGHw3hoXOjpQgJhn8UlEUeFQNZJ6BBHW5SgWLqaDeE8tdUnTJS_mqvzU5rWn0tsoJ0JKjSjKGi1yl3XH0UqVxVdF/s1600-h/DSC01909%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01909" border="0" alt="DSC01909" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4v6R0d2ntGg/T2dgi6pUwHI/AAAAAAAABN0/bD4UglWmV2U/DSC01909_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="409" height="257"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYEWS7j9opVS3zLrDMG6muJVKblcILn2wW_zwmJYWcvPxH1KISab6_BO2J2yYuvJwJ3u61IuiPVzPYDRNIykSlkI_ecVN2BSVJqDBM_6iucCp1-0nBTRIZtAWh46g0vvb_y5f3jj8OqNh/s1600-h/DSC01954%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01954" border="0" alt="DSC01954" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NwjMaYpFB7w/T2dgk0W8RmI/AAAAAAAABOE/L3lQU2SGdd0/DSC01954_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="276"></a></p> Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-74559890729780290872012-03-09T15:06:00.001-05:002012-03-09T15:06:05.212-05:00Xylitol<p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">We had quite a scare yesterday!<br>The day started normally and Winston was being his nosey self…I usually always close the <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pLsa8NGJufE/T1piqlU96EI/AAAAAAAABH8/bmHuskeFdxk/s1600-h/DSC01862%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01862" border="0" alt="DSC01862" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1w4I6V-1Z1F0eJK1ijaS83-tfsapJ6pwwIcm155KgJRYomKBc9B0GACFYwjCqa6XkHv-mgdlOWNR7w4S8B44CTsPAfMiw2GdoS116RvkW0Amu3m8fZ6YnKz6rJGtWHzN2UwLe3uqsMpnB/?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a>door to our bedroom, but I was fixing my hair in the bathroom and left it open…Not long after, Winston tore out of there with my pajama pants, no big deal. I thought he went back for sock…but when I didn’t see him for a little bit, I went looking for him!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">I found him tearing into a box of trident gum! I immediately ran and got a treat to trade him with (otherwise I never would have caught the little booger!)<br>I really didn’t think it was that big of a deal. I called Wade to laugh about it and asked him if he thought I should worry about it. He checked it out online…and the race to the vet began!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">Turns out that some gum, Trident being one of them, uses an artificial sweetener called Xylitol. This substance is more dangerous to dogs than chocolate! It causes a rapid drop in blood sugar and can cause liver damage. If it is not caught in time, it can be fatal. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">Xylitol can be found in sugar free gum, Jello, cake, frosting and just about anything else that uses artificial sweeteners so be on the lookout!!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">Thankfully we got Winston to the vet in time and he is just fine now, but it was scary and the vet bill wasn’t cheap. They had to make him throw up to try and get all the gum out of his system and then they monitored him all day. I had to take him back this morning for one more check up, and all his levels were good – great blood sugar and no liver damage.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">I learned a very important lesson! We always do our best to not let him eat anything besides his dog food and dog treats, but I will be even more careful to make sure he doesn’t get into anything sweet! I hope if you were like me and didn’t know about Xylitol, this will help you keep your pet safe!</font></p> Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-10126813816106459042012-03-07T00:53:00.001-05:002012-03-07T00:53:15.827-05:00He Sets the Captives FREE!<p align="center"><font size="3" face="Gabriola">Jesus says in Luke 4:18<br>”He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners<br>and recovery of site for the blind,<br>to release the oppressed.”</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Gabriola">Disclaimer…this is lengthy but well worth the read!!</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Gabriola">What an incredible weekend! We saw God move in a powerful way in the lives of 16 juvenile offenders and the hearts of the detention center workers and Epiphany team members. I really do not have the words to adequately describe what happened this weekend, but I’m giving it a try…just know…captives were set FREE!</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Gabriola">The theme of day 1: You are loved!!</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Gabriola">On Day one the boys came in and really didn’t know what to think about us or the program. Our team made a lined walk way and cheered as each boy’s name was called. They walked through the line with hard faces and lifeless eyes. I thought to myself…”this could be a long few days…” little did I know, the days would go by all too quickly…</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Gabriola">Our whole job was to love, love, love and listen, listen to these boys. Through activities and talks they were told about how much Jesus loved them and that we loved them as well. By the end of Friday they seemed a little more comfortable and were enjoying at least being able to eat some good food and have a change of routine. We were starting to learn a little more about each of the boys.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Gabriola">I smiled as I watched the boys interact with Wade at one table and my mom at the other. Mom’s so great with kids and these boys just ate up all the attention she gave them. The boys’ respect for Wade was evident and they were very impacted as he told them what he saw in them and how he knew they could make a change.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Gabriola">We discovered that they are an extremely talented and creative bunch – artists, writers, leaders, helpers…</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Gabriola">The theme of day 2: Forgiveness</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">As the boys came in the second morning, there was way more enthusiasm…high fives, smiles, a few shy, side hugs…</font><font size="3" face="Gabriola"><br>We continued loving but also began talking about forgiveness—forgiveness available for them and people they needed to forgive. Early that day they were given a small square piece of paper to write names of people they needed to forgive as the Holy Spirit prompted them throughout the day. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">Different members of the team had different “talks" and skits they had prepared in advance. As each person shared about their topic, they also incorporated their life stories…I was totally amazed at how God used their vulnerability to open the hearts of the boys and to show them that other people have been through extremely difficult times as well, but God was with them through it all. We had some amazing team members to work with and many of them had been involved with Epiphany for many years…working diligently. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">One of the major parts of day two is a birthday party celebration. Each boy is given a small birthday cake with their name on it and bag of gifts. When the boys walked into the party they could not believe their eyes. They were totally overwhelmed by the moment. Many of them started crying their eyes out. Several of them had NEVER had a birthday cake or celebration EVER! And the rest hadn’t had a birthday party since they were very little. <font size="3" face="Gabriola">My heart broke to see these boys who really did think that nobody cared about them and it didn’t even matter that they were alive. </font>They just couldn’t believe these total strangers would care enough to do this…maybe they were valuable after all?</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">After the birthday party, the boys were even more alive and really starting to believe that they could be loved and I would watch them writing names on their little squares throughout the day…</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">We gave each boy a Bible and then had times to show them how to find scriptures and talked about the different parts of the Bible.<br>My Star, Esgar, asked me questions like:<br>--Why is there an Old Testament and New Testament?<br>--What is a prophet?<br>--How could God become a man?<br>--How is Jesus also God?<br>--Is John 3:16 a page number?<br>It was such a blessing to be able to share with this young man how to use his Bible, to tell him more of how perfectly the Bible fits together and its purpose.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">Saturday ended with a SHABANG! </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">The majority of the boys made decisions to follow Christ and came to Salvation! I believe that it was genuine. We were then off to the Chapel for a forgiveness service…</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">The boys were given an opportunity to nail their lists on a cross that had been set up at the front of the chapel (an empty dorm we converted). One by one we all went up and left our burden of unforgiveness on the cross. Afterwards, we sang Amazing Grace mixed with My Chains are Gone….it was such a powerful moment. There in that prison…prisoners were set FREE! Arms were raised, voices were lifted in song, yells of praise and sobs of freedom!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">We were so thankful the staff at the detention center allowed our program to run 30 minutes late to accommodate for the moving of the Spirit. It was one of those moments though that we all knew was so very special, one of those moments you wish would never end…</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">Day 3: Jesus calls you to walk in a new life</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">Sunday we continued loving the boys and talking about hanging in there after we’re gone. We were able to talk about the Holy Spirit, the importance of accountability and finding a good church home when they are released. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">We listened in joy and amazement to the boys give testimonies of the change that had taken place in their hearts since Friday…most of the boys said,</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">“Before this weekend, I felt totally alone. I didn’t think anyone loved me. I didn’t think I could change my life. But now I know that I am loved, I am forgiven, I am not alone and I can change my life!” (some even said they didn’t even think God existed before or if He did, they didn’t see him as involved in our lives)</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">We ended the weekend with a cross ceremony. Each young man was given a chance to accept a cross necklace that had been prayed over specifically for that boy. All 16 boys accepted their crosses and openly proclaimed their love for Jesus. One of the female workers at the detention center even accepted Christ!! They did not have to accept the cross, but all did. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">As the cross was placed around their neck, Linda would say, “Jesus loves you.” and as they accepted their crosses, they said, “And I love Jesus!!” We all cheered and clapped and praised the Lord…what could be more glorious?</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">It really was hard saying goodbye to the boys, knowing that we could not be there with them or even check on the regularly. We told them they would be in our prayers, we would write often and those close enough, would be there the 3rd Saturday of the month to visit. We trust the Lord is able to keep those in his care.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">So…in closing, if you ever have the chance to participate in an Epiphany…GO FOR IT! It is exhausting, but the best kind. The Epiphany team was absolutely incredible and I am so thankful the Lord lead us to this particular team. What a blessing it was to serve with my husband, my mom and my aunt!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola">Please continue to pray for these boys as they grow in their faith in a difficult environment. I am excited to see how the Lord continues to move and am confident we will see many amazing things in their lives.</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="3" face="Gabriola">My heart smiled and still does at the thought of Jesus’ praises ringing off those concrete walls…<br></font><font size="3" face="Gabriola"><em>Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found was blind but now I see…My chains are gone, I’ve been set free! My God my Savior has ransomed me and like a flood, his mercies rain…unending love, amazing grace. </em></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola"></font> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola"></font> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Gabriola"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Gabriola"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Gabriola"></font></p> Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-4101894392712986942012-02-29T13:59:00.001-05:002012-02-29T13:59:20.962-05:00Epiphany<p><font face="Cambria">The dictionary defines an epiphany in two ways:</font> <p><font face="Cambria">1. A sudden realization: a sudden intuitive leap of understanding, especially through an ordinary but striking occurrence</font> <p><font face="Cambria">2. The appearance of God</font> <p><font face="Cambria">Wade and I have the opportunity this weekend to help with something called Epiphany Ministries. If you have ever heard of or been on a Walk to Emmaus or Chrysalis weekend, this is similar, but adapted for a juvenile prison.</font> <p><font face="Cambria">“Epiphany ministries is a short three-day course in Christianity that brings to incarcerated juveniles the message of God’s love, grace and forgiveness. It is an ecumenical (nondenominational) Christian ministry for young people who are in custody.”</font> <p><font face="Cambria">We are very thankful for this opportunity to minister to a completely different group that normal and to get out of our comfort zones. We’re not totally sure of what to expect but we do know that God is going before us and with us, so let’s go!</font> <p><font face="Cambria">I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little apprehensive, but my desire to share Christ’s love outweighs staying home and doing nothing. It’s also a spiritual check for me…I mean I have to put aside stereotypes that I may have. I really have to mean that Jesus can forgive you NO MATTER WHAT and that He can make you a NEW CREATION! Sometimes just knowing those things in your head is easier than living them out and sharing them with those you know have done some “bad” stuff. But I do believe that Jesus offers forgiveness to everyone, no matter what! And I want to share the greatest news on earth with these boys…JESUS LOVES THEM and YOU!</font> <p><font face="Cambria">We would ask for you to be praying for us this weekend. If you would commit to praying for us as some point during this weekend, would you please leave a comment on our blog or Facebook? In this setting we definitely need all the praying people we can get! We will be writing everyone’s names on strips of paper that are praying in order to form a HUGE paper chain as visual for the boys that people they don’t even know care about them and are praying for them. We are told this normally makes a really big impact on the boys. </font> <p><font face="Cambria">We are praying for an epiphany in both senses of the word – that the boys will have a new understanding of Jesus’ love for them and that God will show up and move and work in all of our hearts. </font> <p><font face="Cambria">Thank you in advance and I look forward to adding many names to our chain!</font></p> Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-62555277612062710982012-02-24T11:21:00.001-05:002012-02-24T11:21:46.511-05:00Puzzles<p><font size="3"><font face="Aparajita">My parents started my brother and me on puzzles at a very young age and I have loved them ever since. I like how all the colors and shapes mix together in the box just asking to be sorted and fit together. </font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqfYmnLrSfRryBpn7CuxPkG7VHddxZkgy03yiJojh_OjOUNBS-ph3gT7kPgyYc5VrdJvq1Ay0Dojdvt5JphXpHAYoJq0-VhygKMFANMgYqp9IBMrcM1Uc6ugXWAAonI_oWtyvB4PF71Wd/s1600-h/DSC01821%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font face="Aparajita"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01821" border="0" alt="DSC01821" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xqORmdh9CnA/T0e4_rwW0kI/AAAAAAAABHE/T3svdVzZW5k/DSC01821_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="253"></font></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Aparajita">The easiest part of putting the puzzle together is finding all the edge pieces. The frame comes together rather quickly and I foolishly think, “Man, I am so good at putting puzzles together. I got this frame together so quickly! I’m sure I’ll be done with this baby in no time…” Then the real work begins. Looking at all the pieces clumped together gets to be a little daunting, but since I trust that all the pieces are there, and that they fit together, I dig in.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Angsana New"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-60woLUOk9ys/T0e5AhkllzI/AAAAAAAABHM/daaCIztjIgE/s1600-h/DSC01819%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01819" border="0" alt="DSC01819" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lIFINhsbiRUZTKGXAEQCDNCejTq2Qc6UvTM3iYnocUGURIYux_HfFZd4qzSplmaEo8ImcafE2Pdij64rAAlkRIjAGI2LFm55m8zFFl-h_LdMd7007ICJUNILSqCneayzp2PBXNuVU1P7/?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><font face="Aparajita">Hands start sifting and </font></font><font size="3" face="Aparajita">turning all the pieces over right side up, separating them into piles that are similar in color. When that’s done, I usually just stare at all the pieces, pick here and there and realize this may take a little longer than I thought and maybe I’m not such a great puzzler after all… time for a break, lol. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Aparajita">I force myself to step away and do something else, but before long all the pieces laying strewn across our dining table call me back.</font></p> <p><font size="3"><font face="Aparajita">Getting that first piece of a group started is usually the hardest part. It’s so weird that I know all the pieces are there but it just takes a while to figure out how they all fit together. I usually don’t even look at the exact color that’s on the piece. Instead, I look for an odd shaped edge and find the partner. Little by little</font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieXzfkWqQK-qE5ANrbT8Zc8FbNByX4Zi3Yhh6h2gpA-GCLtge9rRSNV13TPB1pZLfVwKEnMvsv6CKsnBaH7cP2ZO7vTYu7dWf_JZvWPJS9QaPnuG2pX2yZzNwiGnUTdvvrkWfmiwvArs3p/s1600-h/DSC01820%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font face="Aparajita"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01820" border="0" alt="DSC01820" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUz4kKxwqKSg81T7s1c5w2_xFjb81oMBsCj6XenOvPZuL8rbFkwMSJNiQaKpttqK_-Zw6vl_Z4sByWthMu2cmD9FpxiJx3oOfxSDdTiZT87BVbFjVrDjD3lXVF_LtS7jy7z7vE5SCRhRs9/?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></font></a><font face="Aparajita"> I am able to figure out what goes where and to my surprise, sometimes the pieces were laying right by each other for a while, but until I got more of them in the right place, I just couldn’t see it. I also realize that many of the pieces I thought looked like the right color, are in the wrong group or that a piece I was searching for didn’t look anything like I thought it would.</font></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Angsana New"><font face="Aparajita">While I was working on the puzzle tonight, I was thinking about how much of life is that way. Our whole life is this puzzle, full of millions of pieces. When I try to make sense of them all, I usually get bewildered, but little by little God starts to </font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-awWAO8CtXmU/T0e5Fw7w-WI/AAAAAAAABHs/LDH_qQCb7TQ/s1600-h/DSC01822%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font face="Aparajita"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01822" border="0" alt="DSC01822" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2qGcRYf7Y8kUR9ZC8nBxTwbgAqYUjJSfiDIToowjTtRwmEUCMIMWkAKtaSytsttC5qbqzDV_r4og87t3VfJAW-8x7GvM6hEmhhnGlRR6UxkfSTQA-Xunjce2cZCqPH1MbNlHNpeN-Twy/?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></font></a><font face="Aparajita">show me how the pieces fit together. Ah ha moments come and all I can think is, wow. There certainly are pieces of my life that look totally different than I would have originally thought, but the Lord is constantly putting things in order and making a beautiful picture. Sometimes things happen that we can’t imagine being able to fit into the puzzle of our lives and they might just lay there in our heart for a while, until one day, we see just how perfectly that piece does fit. One little grouping will come together and then we move to a new part of the picture of our lives and the process begins again.</font></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Aparajita">If you are in a place in your life where you can’t imagine how the pieces could ever fit together, don’t give up; don’t get discouraged. It may take a while but God knows what the completed picture looks like and He never stops putting things together until it is totally finished. </font></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="3" face="Aparajita">All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.<br>Psalm 139:16</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="3" face="Aparajita">For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. <br>Colossians 1:16-17</font></em></p> <p align="center"><em><font size="3" face="Aparajita"></font></em></p> Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-42635767065636732072012-02-23T23:50:00.001-05:002012-02-23T23:50:15.693-05:00Girls’ Night Out<p><font size="6" face="Vijaya">What do you get with 4 women together without their husbands?</font></p> <p><font size="6" face="Vijaya">Lots of hilarious stories, laughter, encouragement and dessert!</font></p> Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-52405961305564357662012-02-21T14:15:00.001-05:002012-02-21T14:15:33.165-05:00The List Continues…<p><font face="Euphemia">I am still counting the things I am thankful for throughout the day. Some days I definitely have a more thankful heart than others but my list reminds me to keep looking, to keep counting.</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Euphemia">256. Kind words from my husband</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Euphemia">257. A gentle smile</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Euphemia">268. Green grass poking through last year’s dead remains</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Euphemia">269. Mom has felt good for a few days</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Euphemia">287. 1500 piece puzzles</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Euphemia">289. Tiny spider webs laced with dew glistening in the morning sun</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Euphemia">more to come…</font></p> Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-57170480066712111192012-02-20T15:39:00.001-05:002012-02-20T15:39:23.462-05:00If At First You Don’t Succeed…<p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSefge8b7oZqSfN29YNm5b87R_2X-m39ldsPV1omavwXgrXDm6UBPu_V-o4QGcKEn7fS8_2oKcchexi0Xwqk2IezQsFc-v55Bf5JP2fGcF3MYigqm4xmN-zCx24Bk_oJT1b0NAWwt1PGx/s1600-h/DSC01816%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01816" border="0" alt="DSC01816" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BdGQKCWwPx4/T0KvakeJl7I/AAAAAAAABGk/N5OVZhuwqNg/DSC01816_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="265" height="208"></a></p> <p><font face="Berlin Sans FB">Try, try again :)</font></p> <p><font face="Berlin Sans FB">I love learning how to do new things! Sewing, woodworking, basketball playing, metal stamping…riding horses..all of these were things I didn’t know how to do at one time, but now I do!</font></p> <p><font face="Berlin Sans FB">One of the things I’ve wanted to learn how to do for a while is play guitar. My brother started playing when he was in high school and just had such a natural talent for it. He was playing full Metallica songs within a couple weeks of picking it up! My experience was not quite the same. My hands just felt so awkward…I couldn’t get that guitar to make any kind of pretty sound! I was also way too busy with basketball to really give the time it required to learn. So, couple having a brother who is awesome at playing and my awkwardness and you get…someone who doesn’t try to play guitar.</font></p> <p><font face="Berlin Sans FB">But every time I hear<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7n6fyx106UY3BKi31VF0NQ-mdVKdbIIvHkYSBblXy6HpwCnm9fvP1XEBuur3wO0cFdEmfEDM3q40qnd-2usgHdqk2tyuzKxbY0XGC81yUjY6IryKcpU2uyFviKyGoB_vuXR7alzC0ekc/s1600-h/DSC01817%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC01817" border="0" alt="DSC01817" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DtG2DaVxl5Y/T0KverFtMJI/AAAAAAAABG0/C7nA0sWxJTo/DSC01817_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="173"></a> a song that has a guitar piece that I like, I think, “man, I would love to be able to just sit and play a few songs I love, especially praise songs!” So why wait any longer?</font></p> <p><font face="Berlin Sans FB">My dad was kind enough to lend his guitar to me to start learning on. I went and picked up some light strings and one of my friends strung it up for me.</font></p> <p><font face="Berlin Sans FB">The first day was much the same as the last time I had attempted to learn how to play over 10 years ago…awkward. I spent an hour trying to get my fingers to play the G cord…all I ended up with was sore fingers and an ugly sound.</font></p> <p><font face="Berlin Sans FB">I won’t be discouraged this time though and I can now play a G, C, and D. I’m still a long ways from playing a song, but little by little I’ll get there.</font></p> <p><font face="Berlin Sans FB">I hope that if there is something that you have been wanting to learn how to do, that you will go for it! Start by researching it more and getting a few small tools that will help you begin.</font></p> <p align="center"><font face="Berlin Sans FB">“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson</font></p> Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7589374332584169200.post-88112211425369336312012-02-15T07:43:00.001-05:002012-02-15T07:43:57.785-05:00How to Follow a Blog and Add it to Your Sidebar <p class='bloggerplus_text_section' align='left' style='clear:both;'><font face='Georgia' >Since joining the blogging world, I have learned A LOT and still have A LOT to learn. <br><br>One of fun things about blogging is finding other people's blogs that you enjoy reading. You can then decide to "Follow" their blog. By following someone's blog you are saying that you want to keep up with what they post. <br><br>To follow a blog through Blogger, first <i>Log In</i> to your account. Logging in takes you to the <i>Dashboard</i>.<br>On your Dashboard there is an area that says "Blogs I'm Following."<br>Beneath that are two buttons that say "Add" or "Manage"<br>Click the <i>Add</i> button.<br>After clicking the "Add" button you will type in the web address of the blog you want to follow or you can copy the blog address and paste it into the URL spot.<br>This address doesn't have to be from a "Blogger" blog.<br><br>There are different blogging sites. For example, Blogger, WordPress, Livejournal, Xanga, Open Diary and list goes on... <br><br>Under <i>Manage Blogs</i> click <i>Design</i> and that will take you to a new page.<br><br>Once you click Design, on the right hand side click "<i>Add a Gadget."</i><br>This will cause a box to pop up. This box will have lots of cool things you can add to your blog, but scroll down until you see "<i>Blog List</i>" and click.<br>The box will disappear and you will be able to see where that gadget was added to the right hand side of your page.<br>Next to Blog List click on "<i>Edit</i>."<br><br>Here you can customize your settings.<br>Add the name of the title you want. Our says, "Our Blog List."<br>Then you have the option of how you want the blogs you follow to be sorted. Choose from <i>alphabetically</i> or by <i>most recently updated</i>.<br><br>I prefer to sort mine by most recently updated because I can see who has posted something new.<br><br>Next decide what info you want to show up. I like to see the Icon, Title of Most Recent Item and the Date of Last Update.<br><br>After that, click the "<i>Add to List</i>" button. You can type or paste in the blog URL or you can choose from a list of blogs you are already following already by clicking on "Blogs I'm Following."<br>If you click on "Blogs I'm Following," just click on the boxes next to the blogs you want to be able to see updates on from your blog page.<br>The cool thing about having the blogs you follow on the side bar of your blog page is that it allows the people that follow your blog and read it regularly to see who you like to follow and when the most recent post was.<br><br>Last step...click "<i>SAVE</i>."<br><br>Click "View Blog" to see what it looks like on your page. <br><br>There are so many ways to follow blogs. To find out more ways, check out the following blog posts that are specifically geared to help you learn more about blog following. I am interested to learn more about the different ways myself!<br><br>Visit:<br><br><a href='http://jeremynjenprice.blogspot.com/' target='_self'>I Believe in Love</a> -- Google Reader tutorial<br><br><a href='http://studiojru.com/blog/' target='_self'>Studio JRU</a> -- Linky Followers tutorial<br><br><a href='http://beyondwordsdesigns.com/?page_id=527' target='_self'>Beyond Words Designs</a> -- BlogLovin' tutorial</font></p>Them Pateshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05794749940790581565noreply@blogger.com3