tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78119414766282455482024-03-05T06:16:50.897-05:00Coffee Talk with the WrightsUpdates, reflections, recipes... Basically a good old conversation like you'd have over a cup of joe.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623754808639022373noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811941476628245548.post-73234662793687510692013-04-14T21:05:00.000-04:002013-04-14T21:05:05.763-04:00Feels like Freedom<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hi all, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It has been a busy couple of weeks: getting settled in to my new job, trying to do our spring cleaning/organizing, and we made a visit down to my parents last weekend! It was a blast to be back, see the ways the town has changed and stayed the same. We ate good food, saw good friends and family, and had beautiful weather. All of the best things in life. :) </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If anyone reading this has been in Americus over the last few weeks, I hope you have had the privilege of being at Central Baptist and hearing Bryan bringing the Word! He taught last week on what it means to carry our cross, and really count the cost of following Christ. It was challenging, powerful, inspiring... I have been meditating on those passages of Scripture all week. I must put down everything else, and just hold fast to Him. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In thinking about carrying my cross, I just starting praying about what this should practically look like in my life. Why we fight against it. Why He says we need to do it daily. And as I was praying about this, I realized that the thought of it made me feel... relieved. An odd emotion, I thought initially. People always talk about how hard it is to sacrifice our desires, to desire Him alone. So why would I feel relieved by the thought of carrying my cross?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And then, It hit me that compared to all of the other crap I carry around, carrying my cross is beautifully freeing. It is all I have to carry. I can choose to carry my shame, guilt, doubt, insecurity, sin, baggage... OR I can choose to lay all of those things down and pick up my cross, and follow Him. Not to say walking with Jesus will be a cake walk. He says that the Son of man had nowhere to lay His head. That we should hate our mother and father in comparison to our devotion to Him. That is hard stuff to grapple with. But compared to the alternative of struggling through life, holding on to all of that other garbage, it is an easy choice. It means I can quit trying so hard and rest. I can choose to invest in the things of earth, or the things of heaven. I am choosing the things of heaven! I am pressing into what it means to truly walk with Jesus and daily release everything but my cross. I know nothing else will give me more joy, peace, and purpose. He is so gracious to take our burdens. Yes, it may involve much difficulty and sacrifice- from a worldly perspective. But I will keep on taking heart in that I am building treasures for myself in heaven as I learn what it means to follow Him, step after step. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am loving this song, and this entire album right now. Give it a listen.. it will bless you!!! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Have a great week ya'll! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rach</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623754808639022373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811941476628245548.post-3622682321964299582013-03-28T22:02:00.002-04:002013-03-28T22:02:55.814-04:00my new job. Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to begin working as a hospice nurse. I started out working just once a week and continued my job in oncology, but a few weeks ago a full-time position opened up and I decided to leave Emory. It didn't feel sudden, it was over the course of a couple of months, and the way everything fell into place really affirmed to me that it was a good decision! I will be mostly in homes, with the patients and caregivers one-on-one. I will be working 8-5 for the first time ever! While there is a lot that I'm excited about with this new job, there are things that I miss about my old one. <br />
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I have been reflecting over how much I have learned over the past few years at Emory. I could never list everything if I tried. There is something very formative about a person's first "real job". I learned:</div>
How to wake up and be in my car on the way to work in 10 minutes flat. <br />
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How to think about at least 26 things at once and be able to mentally prioritize all of these. </div>
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How many different types of personalities there are! Not everyone is just like me (shocking, I know!) Many times my first impression of people was completely off. I've learned to pause before judging someone and get to know them.</div>
How listening more and talking less is always better.<br />
How to remain calm when nothing around me is calming.<br />
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I have learned that everyone is carrying a heavy burden of some kind. </div>
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.... Not that I have perfected these things, but I have definitely grown. Looking back, I learned them slowly, making a lot of mistakes along the way. I have been humbled many times. I'm reminding myself of that as I step into this next season and I keep on learning. I want to become the kind of person who reminds everyone around me that there is hope and beauty in this world. I want to lay my own heavy burdens at the feet of Jesus every day and help make others' a little bit lighter. </div>
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I don't have a lot of pictures from my job at Emory (this is a good thing, believe me!).</div>
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But I love this one that was taken on Christmas Eve last year. It was a fun way to spend my Christmas. I have been blessed to get to work with such an awesome group of people. I will always love my 7E girls!!!</div>
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Here's to growing, stretching, and new seasons of life! </div>
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623754808639022373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811941476628245548.post-77182623825103135962013-03-09T11:14:00.000-05:002013-03-09T11:14:23.701-05:00Saturday morning<a href="webkit-fake-url://160AEF4D-EA41-46E7-8BDE-9E019BE3AA02/url.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7811941476628245548" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>I think the reason I don't blog well, or often, is because I journal so much. It feels like double-charting (sorry for the nurse references!). And because I never slow down long enough to finish a blog post! I tend to be a little tornado that doesn't stop until I go to sleep and crash at night, but lately I have been learning about rest. God is teaching me how to do this and I have been enjoying the process! Hopefully, as this process continues my blog will get a little more TLC from me, but we shall see.<br />
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My Saturday mornings have become a little piece of rest heaven. In our new house we have settled into a nice, relaxed routine on the weekends and I try to preserve it as much as I'm able to! After a long, busy work week getting up at "dark-thirty" and starting a 12-hour shift, there is nothing better than being able to sleep in until 8 am. Nothing! I refuse to set an alarm. I allow my body to sleep 8 hours and I wake up feeling like Superwoman. Kip makes the coffee, I start on an actual breakfast... Biscuits, pancakes, or bacon & eggs... as opposed to the weekday protein shake we grab as we are running out the door. We watch the news while we eat our breakfast and then I stay in my robe all morning and watch what the Pioneer Woman is cooking up on the ranch. The day eventually picks up speed, but isn't there something special about a quiet morning at home with nowhere to be?? There is a time for everything, and I'm learning there is time for sloooowing down and enjoying a Saturday morning.<br />
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What are some of your Saturday morning routines? I hope you are sitting in your PJs relaxing too and on your way to having a fabulous day!<br />
Rach<br />
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<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623754808639022373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811941476628245548.post-1519670738016027902012-12-03T17:21:00.000-05:002012-12-03T17:21:02.527-05:00Answered Prayers! I just had to share something that happened last week that blessed me. To pieces! <br />
While at work on Friday, I ran into a patient's wife ... I had not seen this person in over a year, at least. She immediately asked me how I was, and if Kip had gotten a job yet. She proceeded to tell me that she'd prayed every single day since we last spoke, that the Lord would provide Kip with a full time job. I remembered how she would write down prayer requests in a book and in her spare moments she would pray over the needs specifically. When I told her that he started working full time in August, she threw up her hands with joy and praised God right there. It was such a humbling moment. I asked her how many people she prayed for every day..."Right now, 210." <br />
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This has caused me to evaluate the people I pray for, how inconsistent I can be, but also what an honor it is to intercede for them. So many times I pray only for what affects me, or for people whose situations affect me. I think there is something really beautiful about talking to God, honestly asking Him to meet other people's needs when it has no direct benefit to myself. How many of our prayers for others does He answer without us even being aware? I may never pray for 210 people every day, but I want to be transformed into a person of remarkable prayer. Our God does remarkable things, and I want to partner with Him in them. <br />
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This woman is still praying for us - now, that we would have children. She says she is asking Him for twins! :) It builds up my faith to know how she's praying so faithfully for someone she hardly knows, believing that God hears and answers. If I find out one day that I'm pregnant with twins, one of the first things I'll think about is her faith. And how much blessing one person's faith can bring to the world. <br />
Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623754808639022373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811941476628245548.post-64566518441865271612012-08-20T05:43:00.002-04:002012-08-20T05:43:32.552-04:00Stress Management!!! ! It's a new week, and I am so glad. Last week was a rough one... things have been a little stressful in the Wright household! Kip finished his first full week of school. I was working extra hours at the hospital. (Cannot even describe the stressful events that were going on there). We're trying to get last minute things together to close on our house. I tried to start packing our current place up, so we've been stepping over boxes. And the house is a mess for all of the above-said reasons.<br />
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I started thinking about the ways that the world tells me to manage stress: Take a nice, long walk. Or a bath. Do something you enjoy. Visit with a friend. Make sure you're eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep. Um, is it just me or is it true that when you are stressed out and sleep deprived you have less time than ever to do these things?? If I had the time to do all of those things I'm sure I wouldn't be stressed. But the truth is, some days you don't have the time to take a shower.<br />
I think that often what I do during stressful times is <u>endure.</u> Do the best I can with what little sleep I have, and when it finally passes-- I pass out on the couch, watch TV and eat cookies to "rebalance". I don't want that to be my coping mechanism! Not when I believe that God makes each day and gives us so many things to rejoice in. I know He has better for His children than simply enduring. So.... the Lord has been teaching me about stress management.<br />
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I definitely didn't handle this week perfectly. During an especially stressful moment at work when I was super hungry and had to go to the bathroom, someone asked me if I was doing okay. My response was not really stress-free. I said,"Sure, I just hate this day!" Whew, a little extreme. I immediately took it back. Not my best moment!<br />
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When I stopped enough to hear from Him, this is what He has said to my heart:<br />
Give Me each stressful moment. I will give you what you need to handle them. Don't be anxious. Things will slow down again. Don't compromise your time with Me. I want to use these moments to refine you and make you more like Me. And that as a result of these stressful days, I will make You more compassionate, patient, wise, and full of faith than you were before. I will take the load off of your shoulders. Throw Yourself on My grace and have faith that I will help you.<br />
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Now that is effective stress management! I hope that this week is a better week, but if not I want to keep on learning the principle of handling stress with grace and dependence. We have such a Good Father! Any other tips that you have, feel free to send them my way! :) Have a great week everyone<br />
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Rachel<br />
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<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623754808639022373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811941476628245548.post-23707358650301904562012-08-11T21:42:00.000-04:002012-08-11T21:42:15.129-04:00New StuffHi All!<br />
It has been such a fun, busy summer. I have not blogged much about it, but I've loved living it. Kip and I got to celebrate our sister and brother's graduation, take a few little vacations, grill, go to the pool, try some new restaurants. We celebrated Kip's 25th birthday and our 3rd wedding anniversary. I have lived off of iced coffee and fresh peaches like I end up doing every year. There are lots of things I love about summer. But fall has always been my favorite, and I'm excited about the coming change in season.<br />
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It feels like there are lots of new things in the air. Lots of friends having babies. A new season for Grace Midtown, our church here in Atlanta. More personally, Kip has a new job! It is such a perfect provision from the Lord... he is teaching 11th grade in a new school with a position that is now FULL time (praise the Lord!) It's about an hour north of where we are now. He just started this week and already feels so supported by the staff. After 3 years of him waiting for this teaching opportunity, we feel that this is exactly where God wants us to be. We are in the process of buying a house closer to where he'll be working. My prayer is that our eyes will be open to see where God is working and that Kip's workplace and our new neighborhood will be places to invest spiritually. We couldn't be more excited and grateful.<br />
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Here are a couple pictures of Kip's first day... I don't think I've been in a high school since I was in high school and it was exciting to be there! There's just something about a new school year. I wanted to visit with all of the kids and tell them to enjoy every day of it. Maybe a school nurse will be somewhere in my future??<br />
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Don't think I could be any more proud of Mr. Wright! What a natural.<br />
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Change is coming, and it is always a little bittersweet, but so exciting. I especially love knowing that whatever ups and downs are ahead, we have a Good Father who protects and keeps us anchored. Because of Him it's all good. :)<br />
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<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623754808639022373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811941476628245548.post-2111222048132022282012-06-17T14:54:00.000-04:002012-06-17T14:54:16.065-04:00Celebrating DadI am obviously not good at being consistent with my blog posts, but I wanted to take a minute today to talk about my dad. I am so grateful for him. There's something about a dad-daughter relationship that is special. So much of who I am is directly because of him.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlx9ZmnUQ5OxN7NBDPJ-lC-76xsHQyNKG3xlZVwcFsWPzT05Y6Me5dSgY8Z6mg0pQ1Qj2CP4Up_PliKyDI6m1LaggdFXbXucuj0-AE2tVwCHTP4-01Q_UPpwaiuNmcsGD9Yn4sK-dSPA/s1600/S5004207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlx9ZmnUQ5OxN7NBDPJ-lC-76xsHQyNKG3xlZVwcFsWPzT05Y6Me5dSgY8Z6mg0pQ1Qj2CP4Up_PliKyDI6m1LaggdFXbXucuj0-AE2tVwCHTP4-01Q_UPpwaiuNmcsGD9Yn4sK-dSPA/s320/S5004207.JPG" width="320" /></a>There has never been any question of my importance to him; I have always known that he loves me and is proud of me. I remember him sewing me a poodle skirt in elementary school and feeling so proud at school the next day, telling everyone that my DAD made mine for me. There was nothing he couldn't fix, make, or cook. He mediated many a "conversation" between me and my mom during those teenage years. I was fiercely independent all the while growing up, but always seemed to find it okay to sit in dad's lap. (Something I still do!). My first (brutal) year of college, I looked forward to two things: 1) choir practice on Monday nights and 2) talking to my dad afterwards while walking back to my dorm. I could always count on it. We still are able to talk about life, faith, and how we are growing with God. My conversations are with dad may be less frequent than the ones with my mom, but I have cherished each and every one of them.<br />
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On this day celebrating our fathers, I just had to pay tribute to mine. Everyone thinks their dad is the best and I guess I'm no different. He's the best. He has reflected the perfect love of my heavenly Father in a beautiful way. His love for me has always been consistent, steady, irreplaceable. I'm forever grateful to God for my dad.<br />
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Happy Father's Day!!<br />
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<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623754808639022373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811941476628245548.post-13992675202045748602012-05-14T20:10:00.001-04:002012-05-14T20:10:24.472-04:00Hello again!It has been so long since I've written on here, I'm really not sure where to start! It was an unintentional break, but things have been so busy around here and blogging kept slipping my mind.<br />
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So what's new in the Wright household...<br />
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1. We got a new puppy! Maxie joined our home March 17, 2012 (St. Patty's day!) and was probably the most impulsive decision Kip ever let me make. A friend of mine posted on facebook that this sweet dog needed a home and a few hours later she was in our living room! She is SO different from our other dog, Ollie. She is super stubborn, but so playful and funny. She makes us laugh every day! The first month we wondered what in the world we had gotten ourselves into. But we have researched the ways of puppy-rearing and gotten her on a good schedule and she doesn't drive us quite as crazy anymore. She's still always up for a good "chew on something I shouldn't"though, so the training continues!<br />
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2. I started on day shift at the hospital! It is a very long story, but after wrestling with the Lord over the stresses of working at night, and then coming to peace with it, He provided a day shift opening at exactly the right time. I am so thankful! The days are still super long and seeing people suffer day after day is hard on my heart. But cool things have happened as the God has allowed to minister to patients. That's the part that keeps me going.<br />
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3. Kip is continuing to look for a full-time job for the summer/fall. He has been busy with his classes winding down and tennis lessons picking up. But we feel God closing doors where we are and preparing us for something new. We have no idea what that is, but it is an exciting time as we wait to see what's next. We are totally open and praying that God prepare us and make us ready for anything!<br />
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4. We have gotten more plugged in at church and met lots of fantastic people. We have started going to a small group that has modeled Christian community beautifully for us. I'm thankful for that! It's taking some time to put myself out there and build the friendships. But Jesus makes strangers our brothers and sisters and I am learning to really treasure the Body of Christ.<br />
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5. Most recently, we have started eating a paleo-style primal diet where we cut out most grains, processed food, and refined sugar. Challenging at first, but we are already hooked and feeling great. We're only about two weeks in, so I'll let you know how it's going long term. Not to say I'll never have another biscuit or piece (who am I kidding, a whole pan) of cornbread again, but the majority of my diet most of the time is meat, fruits, veggies, and nuts.<br />
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I am so glad that summer is upon us! I have spent many hours already sitting on our back porch and have moved my runs from the treadmill to the great outdoors. We also have several trips planned for the summer break, and I am anxious for the time to get away. We are down to just netflix tv-wise so there will be plenty of time to enjoy the sunshine. My goals for the summer are to read more (my book list is insanely long right now), spend time each day thanking God, and to practice music more often. FYI, my current faves in the music world: Audrey Assad, Jenny & Tyler, and only1Noah (check him out on youtube... I hope he makes it big!)<br />
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Here are some photos of Maxie.. It feels good to be back in the blog world!<br />
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<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623754808639022373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811941476628245548.post-86071557675891467242012-02-27T06:48:00.000-05:002012-02-27T06:48:55.808-05:00Thoughts On Lent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I didn't grow up practicing Lent. But this year I found myself intrigued to learn more, and felt drawn into it over the past week or so. I would by no means consider myself an expert on the topic, but wanted to share a few thoughts I've been pondering. </div>
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1. I don't think it is really about <u>what</u> we give up, but <u>why.</u> The Bible is so clear that sacrifice without our hearts turned toward God is meaningless (Mark 12:33, Isaiah 29:13). When our hearts are set on seeking God, I think that He shows us and guides us with what our sacrifices should look like. I did find it interesting to learn that the sacrifices of the Old Testament were so substantial that they were total foolishness to the world. They gave the very best of what they had, trusting in faith that God would provide far better than what they could provide for themselves. With our finances, our time, our resources, what would it look like to really sacrificially give this way? To allow God to use all that we have in a way that may appear foolish to the world? I think it is absolutely a heart issue reflecting the depth of our trust in the Lord, and a gauge of whether we are really storing up our treasures in heavenly places. </div>
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2. If we are walking with Christ, sacrifice should be a daily matter. I loved the John Piper post "Lent or no Lent, Life is War", which really addresses this issue. As believers, we wage war against the flesh daily as we take up our crosses and follow Jesus. Anything that keeps us from knowing Him more deeply, we choose to turn away from and say "no". The things that draw us deeper into His heart and proclaim His kingdom forth, we say "yes". Not an easy thing by any means, but such a joy-filled struggle because He is worth infinitely more than whatever we are turning away from. </div>
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3. "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #231f20; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Traditionally Lent is a season of sober, realistic reflection on our own lives and our need for a Savior. It is a time for turning away from anything that has kept us from God and for turning or returning to him. It is a time to pray that God renew our love for him and our dependence on him" (John Piper, "Why Would We Observe Lent?"). I</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> haven't decided to fast from one particular thing for 40 days. But I am seeking God more in prayer and really looking at my own heart. I am more aware of how I am spending my free time and what it shows about my priorities. The depths of sin are so deep. But the heights of grace are higher! I am praying that God would show me areas in my life that need to be re-centered on Jesus. I want to walk day-to-day in the beautiful shadow of the cross, in HIS victory, and throw off everything else that hinders. </span></div>
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These are just a few humble thoughts from someone who has much to learn. It's so beautiful to me to think of the body of Christ celebrating and preparing for Easter this way for centuries. We are a part of such a bigger picture. I've attached a few articles below... feel free to check them out. And I would love to hear any other thoughts/wisdom on this! What are your thoughts on Lent? </div>
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http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/deeper-walk/features/28361-why-practicing-lent-is-crazy</div>
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http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/why-would-we-observe-lent</div>
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http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/lent-or-no-lent-life-is-war</div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623754808639022373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811941476628245548.post-49436056811726732542012-02-21T05:22:00.000-05:002012-02-21T05:22:52.394-05:00Baby Showers!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This weekend was full of baby showers! I had one for a co-worker (and good friend!) on Saturday and another one on Sunday for a good friend from Athens. It was such a fun thing to celebrate and share the excitement with these new mommas! So many of my friends are pregnant now/just had a baby, and I could not be more excited for them! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remember these books? I loved them! I think children's books make the cutest baby shower gifts :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lovely ladies of 7E</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Girl Mazlyn is on the way! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Marie's shower in Athens... she is glowing! :)<br /><br /><br />Yesterday Kip and I both had the day off, which is a very rare thing on a weekday! We had the best day, just relaxing and spending time together. We went out for Mexican for lunch (always a favorite of mine), and spent the afternoon doing some stuff around the house, playing with Ollie, and even took a nap. Wouldn't it be great if all weekends were 3 days long? I feel refreshed and ready to go again. I think!<br />Have a great week, ya'll! </td></tr>
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<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623754808639022373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811941476628245548.post-38082011173594285652012-02-15T06:32:00.000-05:002012-02-15T06:32:35.895-05:00All About Kip (Happy Belated V-Day!)<br />
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I met Kip when I was 18 in Americus, Ga. He was on a tennis scholarship to Georgia Southwestern State and we met at church one Sunday. I was going away to college (and thought he was way out of my league!) but we stayed friends and started dating when I was 19. I can't imagine my life without him! Like most married folks, we are totally different, yet we balance each other so well. And the longer we've been married, the much more we have become like each other??... something I was not anticipating I guess!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very early picture of us! Not sure if we were officially dating yet or not ...<br />what a cutie he is :)<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXu3c5ALXcmwTCBwbn2hkZhIIO7G-xWHs-zCf27Pl5u5quzaKq66-eGWqq_VRj2nIi7Yd1onJOP9gEiIjd4NUyewAMZS6DE_gn2osN_h9JC2ZA1CWUv5x_SG_QklAXnG0U2HQYErnCw/s1600/4668_511450842764_151300356_30464358_2195232_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXu3c5ALXcmwTCBwbn2hkZhIIO7G-xWHs-zCf27Pl5u5quzaKq66-eGWqq_VRj2nIi7Yd1onJOP9gEiIjd4NUyewAMZS6DE_gn2osN_h9JC2ZA1CWUv5x_SG_QklAXnG0U2HQYErnCw/s320/4668_511450842764_151300356_30464358_2195232_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At a friend's wedding... such a fun memory! (we are awful dancers though!!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfLKEgXioQFyrCaBMOGVYJQA_7c-jW1fURTnV6eFGiFUdnwSktqM94HGlFl5gcGspcKTk2e3KgahhfNDU_dqmniBZxiAgHFCAxTWOjH2bhrZF9gNsL7lqHuLkrUzj7_a2XyQLo_LMgw/s1600/S5003523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfLKEgXioQFyrCaBMOGVYJQA_7c-jW1fURTnV6eFGiFUdnwSktqM94HGlFl5gcGspcKTk2e3KgahhfNDU_dqmniBZxiAgHFCAxTWOjH2bhrZF9gNsL7lqHuLkrUzj7_a2XyQLo_LMgw/s320/S5003523.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engaged! February 7, 2009<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></td></tr>
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Wedding Day! August 1, 2009</div>
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Here it is ... A few things I love about Kip:</div>
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( I love a list!)</div>
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1. He is consistent, calm, steady </div>
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2. He's a weird goofball, but makes me laugh every.single.day</div>
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3. He has a beautiful, contagious smile</div>
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4. He loves to serve other people</div>
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5. He is genuinely thoughtful and kind </div>
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6. He teaches me how to play tennis</div>
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7. He is a great listener! Even lets me rant about vaccinations and cancer screenings...all things I know he could care less about </div>
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8. He knows sports trivia down to the minute details from decades ago.. I find this amazing</div>
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9. He cleans the toilets for me and has a weird desire to vacuum things. a lot.</div>
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10. He makes the best coffee</div>
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11. He is totally tone deaf and it is the cutest thing when he sings as loud as he can. Which he does often! </div>
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12. He encourages me to pursue my dreams </div>
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13. He prays with me/for me</div>
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14. He loves to travel</div>
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15. He has great priorities</div>
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16. He says/does hilarious things in his sleep</div>
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17. He makes up about 100 jingles during the course of a day</div>
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18. He's always honest with me, trustworthy</div>
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19. He's lighthearted and a true optimist (this is especially good for me because I know that I'm way too intense!) </div>
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20. He knows how to be a great best friend</div>
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I think I could go on and on but I will spare you! Hopefully you know Kip a little bit better. I am continually in awe of how good God has been to bring us together. I couldn't have known what I needed in a husband or how to be a wife. But I am so grateful for the grace and wisdom of the Lord. His ways are so good! </div>
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We are still learning every day how to honor one another more, have more fun, grow deeper together...But I can say honestly that marriage has been the most sanctifying, beautiful thing. I am not the same person I was, and I know that through the work of Jesus this will continue to be true. </div>
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Happy (belated) Valentine's Day Everyone! </div>
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"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us"... 1 John 3:16</div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623754808639022373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811941476628245548.post-87018381961956474012012-02-06T17:32:00.005-05:002012-02-06T17:34:46.927-05:00Friends in Town + ProverbsAnother week begins again! Even though we got a little rain, we had a GORGEOUS weekend here in Atlanta... felt like spring already and made me anxious for even warmer weather to be here!<br />
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We had friends of ours, Arthur and Erin, stay with us Saturday and Sunday and it was so fun to have them here and catch up. They live in Americus and both keep busy schedules. So it was one of those things we've been trying to make happen for months! We were pretty low-key but enjoyed chatting, eating, watching old Friends episodes and playing board games. I made chili and cornbread and we "watched" the Superbowl. It was great.<br />
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Here are a few pics from the weekend...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-0S1VpU1cgOuNGf0TgKopdCbN5DHNFEuIp0nrsWBKyCgPfFo1zF04esesn-oikgCHuGvV3iUvYcbOawhs4qxebr4quTydBkZzt1mpsYdXIklbP1Su2wBZV9sCHtpQQD5Lk-8t52G5w/s1600/DSCN0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-0S1VpU1cgOuNGf0TgKopdCbN5DHNFEuIp0nrsWBKyCgPfFo1zF04esesn-oikgCHuGvV3iUvYcbOawhs4qxebr4quTydBkZzt1mpsYdXIklbP1Su2wBZV9sCHtpQQD5Lk-8t52G5w/s320/DSCN0127.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Game time! Ever played the game Quelf? It was so weird/fun... reminded me of the Friends <br />
episode where Joey teaches them how to play Bamboozled! :) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch on our balcony after church on Sunday... beautiful weather!! </td></tr>
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We absolutely love having company, so seriously, you should stop by sometime!<br />
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We are currently going through a study of Proverbs at our church. It has really been great. I've never really dug into this book of the Bible before and God has been teaching Kip and I so much already. We are reading a chapter each day, correlating to the date of the month, and then coming together on Sunday mornings to learn together as a church family. The wisdom of God is what we need for life. And He wants to give it to us!! "But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all and without finding fault, and it will be given to him" James 1:5. Praying this week that in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in, we would seek Him and His ways. Whatever the situation is, He is the answer, and has guidance for us. He promises to come to us and give us everything we need for life and godliness. When we are humble enough to receive His wisdom, we can truly walk in confidence and freedom, knowing that we are making the best decisions possible.<br />
Here is a link to all of the Proverbs sermon series so far. Have a listen if you'd like... they are all fantastic. <a href="http://midtown.gfc.tv/category/sermon/">http://midtown.gfc.tv/category/sermon/</a><br />
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Have a great week everyone!<br />
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Rachel<br />
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<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623754808639022373noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811941476628245548.post-15677665363158932982012-01-30T06:36:00.000-05:002012-01-30T06:38:00.568-05:00Feels Like HomeKip and I had such a great weekend away! My parents now live in New Jersey, but they still have their house in Americus where I grew up. They came down for the weekend to do a little work on the house and we decided to join them. Kip and I realized we had not been back since last June! How can time slip away like that??<br />
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So this weekend was a much-needed homecoming! It was a flood of good memories at every turn. We saw great friends that we hadn't seen in a long time. It was fun driving through town as we remembered different things that we'd done or conversations we'd had (as there's not a whole lot to do in Americus!). It is the place I grew up, grew in faith, made best friends, and met Kip. When we went to church, all of the memories at Central Baptist were just too many to recount. There's a warm familiarity there even though it's growing and changing in awesome ways. My home church still feels like home. It is the place we were married and seems like the ending and the beginning of everything all at once for me.<br />
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Here are a few photos from the weekend. It was full of lots of laughter and love!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5e2_QVBK-FqqefDL-HwHvYmKwWmNBBgQrielA96rr5aGitZ8G-SvD-9Viv9ahTg25PI3UsT44JDh6eUo4cFgM0exoOJ1ERXb0PshA-Lu4T4lqBJQXLBPlX5U9eZ_rnVD0M0atOKbkQ/s1600/DSCN0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5e2_QVBK-FqqefDL-HwHvYmKwWmNBBgQrielA96rr5aGitZ8G-SvD-9Viv9ahTg25PI3UsT44JDh6eUo4cFgM0exoOJ1ERXb0PshA-Lu4T4lqBJQXLBPlX5U9eZ_rnVD0M0atOKbkQ/s320/DSCN0106.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My parents at the house</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kip and I at Joel's place</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMV0dtj8bHf5NrHYe2UV8c_hIbfum0lnSejpgJK-riOPUIK0_5WIwqlcBkgqAizhuevX0fb7x8p2rF45w2pBXPMdStIlui1D3DJBD8WphjI97ria1YHZbeq_GuspdWH0GCNZ3DFhIkTA/s1600/DSCN0110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMV0dtj8bHf5NrHYe2UV8c_hIbfum0lnSejpgJK-riOPUIK0_5WIwqlcBkgqAizhuevX0fb7x8p2rF45w2pBXPMdStIlui1D3DJBD8WphjI97ria1YHZbeq_GuspdWH0GCNZ3DFhIkTA/s320/DSCN0110.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good times with good people! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely McKenna and myself </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">making another pot of Sunday afternoon coffee! :)</td></tr>
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Kip and I drove back to ATL last night, feeling a little nostalgic and missing the small town life. But something kind of crazy happened when we finally reached the outskirts of the city and saw the skyline all lit up... It felt <u>good</u> to be back in the city. When did this transformation happen?? We are simple people who love the small town life and the great outdoors. We never wanted to live in Atlanta. Yet somehow God has changed our desires and given us a heart for this city. After a year and a half here we are getting familiar with it -- the traffic patterns, how to get around the back roads, where cool little restaurants are tucked away... And as we were driving through the city lights of downtown I just had to smile and thank God, because somehow this feels like coming home too.<br />
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<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623754808639022373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811941476628245548.post-12060355482396119342012-01-25T04:40:00.000-05:002012-01-25T04:40:03.865-05:00EASY Chocolate Chip CakeGood morning! I thought I would start your day off right... with a chocolate cake recipe!<br />
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I originally got this recipe from my mother-in-law and made a few tweaks to make it a little bit lower in fat. I love all things chocolate, and I love how easy this cake is. Literally about 5 minutes to mix and get in the oven.<br />
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<u>Easy Chocolate Chip Cake</u><br />
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1 box yellow cake mix<br />
1 small box chocolate pudding mix<br />
4 eggs<br />
1/4 c. oil<br />
3/4 c. water<br />
1 c. plain, low-fat yogurt (although you can use sour cream)<br />
6 oz. chocolate chips<br />
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Mix everything together and pour into a bundt pan. Bake at 350 for 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve. (And a scoop of vanilla ice cream never hurts either). Enjoy!<br />
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*Photo is courtesy of EatingWell*<br />
<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623754808639022373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811941476628245548.post-9236663392597199502012-01-23T08:03:00.000-05:002012-01-25T04:21:47.712-05:00The Little Things CountKip and I had a fantastic weekend! Productive at home, great time at church, good food, and a little too much Netflix watching. We are currently hooked on Prison Break with only 10 episodes to go... If anyone else out there happens to be as obsessed with this show as I am, please tell me so we can bond over it. (Just no spoiling the ending!!).<br />
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I got a card from a patient last week. It was a simple thank you card with only four words written inside: "The little things count" and her signature. I am amazed at the depth of wisdom in those words. I don't remember anything special about the week that I cared for her. We didn't have any grand moments or especially deep conversations. I didn't leave work thinking I had done anything important. I'm sure I was feeling tired and hungry, just like I do after every shift. It was just as most days are -- full of the ins and outs of the job--giving blood, managing pain, trying to stay on schedule while stopping to care for the patients when they need it. I know that for this time, my job as an oncology nurse is what I am called to do. But so much of the time it just feels like work. God used this sweet lady to open my eyes and remind me that the little things count so much more than I realize.<br />
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Don't we all count the small things? While pondering this over the weekend, Kip and I paid special notice to the things others did that meant a lot to us: A smile from a positive person at our usual bagel shop, someone from church who took the time to get to know us and invite us to a small group. Things that I'm sure these individuals had no idea were important to us. As much as they matter to us, I think they matter even more to Jesus. I am reminded of the parable in the Bible about the talents and how important it is to use what we've been given. Luke 16:10 says "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much...". Matt. 25:34-40 says that what we do for the least of these we have done for Christ: "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me." One day I will stand before Jesus' throne and account for what I did here on earth. And maybe I'll then realize more fully how big the little things really were. He sees the motive of our hearts, the actions that we may not even think are worthwhile. He treasures them, using them for His great purposes. Anything and everything done for His glory is used to tell the beautiful, redemptive message of the Gospel. "Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do it all to the glory of God, giving thanks to God the Father through Him"(Col. 3:17). I am encouraged (and challenged!) this week that the little things count. My response to a difficult situation, the words I choose to speak, and individual actions done in kindness ripple out and really do affect people. Each day is a chance to make a difference that can last for eternity. And that is far from small.<br />
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"Here lies the tremendous mystery--that God should be all-powerful, yet refuse to be coerced. He summons us to cooperation. We are honored in being given the opportunity to participate in His good deeds. Remember how He asked for help in performing His miracles -- 'Fill the water pots, stretch out your hand, distribute the loaves.'" - Elisabeth Elliot<br />
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"A good many are kept out of the service of Christ, deprived of the luxury of working for God, because they are trying to do some great thing. Let us be willing to do little things. And let us remember that nothing is small in which God is the source." -D.L. Moody<br />
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<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623754808639022373noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7811941476628245548.post-65323834723229521612012-01-17T11:39:00.000-05:002012-01-17T11:39:31.410-05:00Welcome to our World!Welcome to this blog, world wide web! I have loved reading others' blogs for quite some time now, but never jumped in myself. I suppose I figured my life is too average, or wondered how many people would care to read. I have kept journals for years-- something I've always found therapeutic, fun to look back on, and a way to see growth. But I think that there's something to be said for sharing with others and feeling understood. Which is why I continue to read so many others' posts about their day-to-day lives, struggles, and joys. And why I hope you enjoy reading mine.<br />
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My day-to-day life is probably similar to yours: work, housework, exercising, cooking dinner, spending time with my husband, Kip and my little dog, Ollie. But it is also filled with the presence of God. As I learn to know Him better, I see His hand moving in our lives, guiding and leading us on an adventure. And the ups and downs of that are quite exciting, if I do say so myself!<br />
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I named our blog "Coffee Talk with the Wright's" because I've found that there's nothing like a good conversation over a cup of coffee. Growing up in the midwest, my parents <u>always</u> had a pot brewing and some of my fondest memories are of sitting around the dinner table talking with a warm mug in hand. Some of the best conversations I've ever had, about everything and about nothing, have been shared over coffee. I hope that this blog bridges friends and family across the miles and makes us feel like we are sitting just across the table, relaxed and connected. And of course, in-person conversations are so much better, so if you find yourself in the Atlanta area please stop by and see us! Our door is always open. I'll feed you, put on a pot of coffee, and we can catch up!<br />
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<br />Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14623754808639022373noreply@blogger.com5