tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59159195543763525512024-03-13T08:35:14.488-07:00live SIMPLY LOVE extravagantlymy ramblings on faith, life, marriage and motherhoodThe Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-68651312284353225162014-06-29T13:53:00.001-07:002014-06-29T13:53:07.488-07:00One Year Ago<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>One year ago I was 1 week and 5 days "overdue." (Can I just say how much I hate due dates and the unnecessary pressure they put on pregnant mama's?! I think if we have another baby I will just give people a due month instead of date...especially since my babies seem to turn their noses up at their due date and find my uterus quite comfortable.)</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Anyway, back to a year ago. In spite of my feelings about due dates we were still feeling the pressure of having to be transferred to a hospital if he didn't arrive in the next 48 hours. I had delivered Riley at the birthing center and really did not want to have to go to a hospital with Matthias. Towards the end of my pregnancy with him I felt a lot of surrender. I longed and prayed for a peaceful, calm birth experience with him begging God to be present in it. Not only for our health and safety but desperately (as weird as it might sound) wanting this little boy's birth to be a worshipful experience. As we faced the reality of how close we were getting to a possible transfer that would likely result in an induction I heard God telling me to surrender. I remember that Saturday, after having tried numerous natural things to try to get things going and nothing working and feeling so discouraged, having an emotional breakdown. Through the love and leadership of my sweet husband I remember praying a prayer of surrender. As desperately as I wanted this birth to look a certain way and be worshipful I found myself trusting that God had this and even if his plan was different than mine, it could <u>still</u> be worshipful. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>(Here I am at 41 weeks in all my pregnant glory!)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>After that point, I feel like Matthew and I just worked together to do what we could to ensure what we believed to be the healthiest birth possible but continued to remind each other (okay, mostly Matthew had to remind me) to trust God. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>For those of you that like the details even though I hadn't gotten into active labor I had been having decent contractions, they just weren't consistent. But luckily they were dilating me ( I was at a 7 without any consistent contractions) and Matthias was super low and in a great position (good news but made for a very uncomfortable weekend!) so even though there was some concern that things weren't really starting we knew once it did it would be fast. By Sunday afternoon we decided the best call was to go in and have the midwife break my water. I was pretty uneasy about it but we decided that it was a better option than a medicated induction which is what I would have been facing the next day. So we went in at 2:00, they broke my water at 2:30, contractions started at 3:00 and went from 0-100 in their intensity. He came at 5:04pm after only 9 minutes of pushing! </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We were at the birthing center. The midwife left the room after breaking my water and came in periodically to check on us. The lights were dimmed, I had a playlist I had made on, Matthew was an amazing support. I don't remember timing well but after a while of laboring on the birthing ball I asked to get in the tub. The midwife got that ready for us and it was amazingly relaxing and pain relieving. I wasn't planning either way as far as a water birth but things went so fast at that point that it just kind of happened. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It was fast and furious so I definitely didn't sound peaceful (ha!) but I feel like it was such a beautiful environment. Matthew was behind me, my dear friend Jen was "next to me" via facetime on my ipad and the midwife and her assistant were there and encouraging but minimally intrusive (only as needed). The moment of his birth was so surreal and beautiful and I still remember pulling him up into my arms and feeling incredible joy and relief. As well as thinking "OMG he is huge!" which was later confirmed when he weighed in at 9lbs 12oz. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>(My sweet boy, moments after birth, in all his giant glory!)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>God gave me the beautiful, worshipful birth I had hoped and prayed for. But thankfully he brought me to a place of surrender first which made it all the better. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>As I have encountered the mommy emotions of realizing that I cannot cancel tomorrow... although I would like to try... and my little boy is turning one I have struggled with some mommy guilt over his first year of life. We have had quite a year and faced a lot of challenges. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I realized early this year that I struggled with PPD in the fall in addition to having some personal/family struggles I was working through. There were a lot of emotions and loneliness. It was a tense time in our marriage because of all that, especially since we hadn't really realized what was happening. Additionally Matthew has faced the most challenging year at work and has had to balance a lot between home and work during this time. Thankfully there has been good growth and I feel like we are very much out of the worst of it. </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But I have struggled as I think about the fact that those struggles have, for me, defined the first year of my sweet son's life. </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Today though as I watch this much too big boy quietly reading books in the playroom I am reminded of what God was teaching me a year ago. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>My plan for this year was much different than what, clearly, God's was. But today He is reminding me of his goodness in his plans. My doubt has made me question why "shit hit the fan" so to speak all at the same time as we faced work challenges, depression and a newborn. But today I reflect on it all and believe that God has in this last year made me a better mom through those struggles I also believe that it was for my good, Matthias' good, and His glory that the timing lined up like it did. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>So I am still feeling all the mommy feelings about not wanting to believe that tomorrow I will be singing my baby boy Happy Birthday but I also feel a lot of joy that we not only get to celebrate the growth in him over the last year but also the growth in me.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>(No picture could capture him better! He is such a joy!)</i></span></div>
The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-74733442326585219762014-04-02T12:24:00.002-07:002014-04-02T12:24:38.978-07:00My Sweet MatthewI am reading "Restless" by Jennie Allen and loved this quote she shared by Brennan Manning,<br />
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"In a futile attempt to erase our past, we deprive the community of our healing gift. If we conceal our wounds out of fear and shame, our inner darkness can neither be illuminated nor become a light for others... Hope knows that if great trials are avoided great deeds remain undone and the possibility of growth into greatness of soul is aborted."<br />
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My words here are deeply personal. As I have felt these feelings shared below I have also wrestled with a lot of fear and shame. But I share them today because this is my reality, the truth of my past and even my present and I no longer want to hide the "inner darkness." My hope in sharing is both that exposing this darkness of mine... this sin... will help me find freedom and that, possibly, you might too.<br />
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My Sweet Matthew,<br />
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I long to release you from a burden I have unknowingly placed upon your shoulders for our six years of marriage.<br />
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The need of my heart, the need for love, was and is real and purposefully placed deep inside of me. God <b>made</b> me to <b>love </b>me<b> </b>and for me to <b>love </b>him. He desired relationship with me. These are all truths I have "known" but I am learning that my heart hasn't truly <i>known</i> them.<br />
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I have been unknowingly bound by the wounds this broken world has given me. I believe family was designed to point us to the deep love of our God. But my family was broken. I learned a lot about who God was but realize that far too much of it was based on my works and worthiness.<br />
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When I reflect on our relationship I see so much of God and so much of his grace. I see his grace when I look back on how desperate I was for love and how he graciously placed me in a place where I was not able to be in any kind of romantic relationship. I see his grace on how he introduced us in a season of protected friendship and when that season was over, he surrounded us with friends and mentors who directed us to keep our relationship focused on Christ. I see our wedding day and how we longed deeply for that day to be a reflection of Christ's love and carefully chose the elements of our wedding to point to that.<br />
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But I recently realized that even in all of that there was still so much of me that was longing for love, and you were giving it, so I chose you. It breaks my heart to write those words. I have felt shame and sorrow as I process them.<br />
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Gracious words from a couple of dear friends and my sweet sister have allowed me to both sit in that reality a bit and be okay with the sorrow I feel over it. But then to look it over and realize that my story, while sad and dark in moments, is beautifully painted with the grace of my precious Jesus.<br />
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It doesn't take much imagination to realize how easily a different road could have been walked in my quest for love. I see so clearly now the beautiful grace of God that he gave me you. That in my need for love you were the one that was there to love me. For that I feel deeply blessed and grateful.<br />
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I am also realizing that I have continued to burden you with my need for love. I have demanded that you be my source, a role you were never designed to fill. I have placed an impossibly high expectation on you and when you have (understandably) failed to meet it I have become hurt and angry at you. I have created a tension in our marriage. I have locked you into a corner where you can't win. Even when you try you fail because what I want you are not able, nor were you made, to give me.<br />
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I even wonder if I have taught you not to always try. I wonder if there are times that to love me, how I expect, seems so impossible that it isn't worth trying. I wonder if this expectation is laid down if it will give our love room to grow. If you will be freed to love me in the way that I know in your heart of hearts you desire too. I wonder if that removing this burden will be a fresh breath in our marriage. I wonder if it will allow me to see more clearly how much you actually do love me and how blessed I can be by you when my expectation of you is healthy.<br />
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Release. I want to release you Matthew. I want to lift the weighty burden I have placed on your shoulders. And I want to release others. I feel like those nearest to me have been trapped by me. I have held them tight fisted because I needed them.<br />
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But I am learning that I don't need them. I am learning that my source of love is Jesus. I am learning that he is near and gracious and gentle. He is still big and mighty and powerful but additionally I am seeing how <b>truly</b> close he is, which really just makes it all more amazing. So big but so near. So mighty but so tender.<br />
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There is freedom in this for them and freedom for you, and there is also freedom for me. Freedom to love being loved by those God has gifted me with. To thankfully and joyfully receive the acts of love that my precious people send my way. But to not be desperate for it and demanding of it because of the realization that I am receiving a constant flow of love straight from the source of love.<br />
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So today, my dear husband, I release you. You are my husband- my kind, sweet, and blessing of a husband. But you are not my God. I do not need you. I want you. I choose you but I do not need you. I hope you feel the freedom in that.<br />
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My tendencies and triggers are still there. Even today unexpected things take me back to this place. But the truth is permeating my circumstances and I am remembering I am loved. I have a place where I don't have to search for and demand love but I just get to rest in it. There is peace and hope and freedom there.<br />
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So Matthew, I don't need you. You are not my breath. You are not my water. I want you. You are my chocolate cake.<br />
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And you know how much I love chocolate cake.<br />
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<br />The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-69756628622333586602014-03-26T14:02:00.005-07:002014-03-26T14:02:55.757-07:00He Meets Me Here<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I haven't known how to share these words. The last several months have felt terribly hard and dark. Suffocating loneliness and things from my past that I had never even identified have been surfacing left and right. In the midst of all this the thought never crossed my mind but recently a friend also mentioned the postpartum side that very likely added to these struggles. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>In the midst of all of this I felt pretty angry. I could share with anyone in articulate language what I felt I needed. From my husband, from my family, from my friends. I could justify it and then felt very angry when I felt failed by the people who I was desperately relying on. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>There's a part of me that wishes I had some dramatic, explosive story to tell you about how I was brought out of this place but I don't. But I think that my story is more beautiful because of it's simplicity. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>So much of my faith and so many of my encounters with God have happened on the mountain top, literally- ski trips and figuratively- retreats, conferences...etc. God has a way of pulling us out of our day to day and putting us in his creation or under incredible teachers and worship leaders and showing us himself. My life has been deeply moved and impacted by these experiences and I definitely believe they have the ability to touch lives. But I have also seen how when these experiences lack the discipleship to teach us how to live out this radical faith in the day to day, often mundane, parts of our lives we come "down" and feel a little lost. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>When I first heard about the IF: Gathering (<a href="http://ifgathering.com/">http://ifgathering.com/</a>) I was thrilled. The message of this movement resonated so deeply with me AND it was on my birthday so it completely felt like fate. I hungered for the message they were talking about but more than that just longed for a place to escape. I pictured a girly weekend with friends, convinced Matthew to rent a hotel room for whoever I would go with, had conversations with a dear friend from out of state about her coming down and spread the word trying to convince people to join me. Well interest seemed scarce and then as many times as I tried entering my information it wouldn't go through and then sold out. Long story short is that it didn't even work out for me to get to a local gathering to watch the conference and so I just moved on. Then a friend who had watched the conference encouraged me to buy it so I could watch it myself. It was a great price and you got a free travel mug (I love myself a free mug!) so I downloaded the videos. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I still haven't made it through all of it but have been DEEPLY touched, challenged and moved by what I have listened to. There are crazy powerful messages that have been incredibly important to me where I am at but I will save that for another post. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>One of the biggest things I learned in this was what it looks like for me to meet with God. I have listened to these teachings right here at my computer desk in the middle of my living room. Sometimes while children napped but often with a loud almost 3 year old and a newby crawler making mischief right behind me. I have processed these lessons through text messages and phone calls while doing dishes and making meals. I have sat at friends tables or restaurants and talked through the powerful work that God is doing in my life. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I have had it regularly validated that this season (raising littles) is uniquely hard but am also being reminded through those mothers ahead of me that it is a season and one day I will no longer have to have any part in taking care of the pooping and peeing of another human being and what a glorious day that will be! God graciously, through making my If: Gathering happen alone in the midst of the beautiful craziness that is my life, taught me how to meet him HERE. There is beauty on the mountain and there is a time and place for that but how much more valuable is knowing how to find Jesus in my day to day...in my reality. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We started there and over the last 6 weeks I feel like in what to any observing eye would look like a rather uneventful life of a stay at home mom I have been on a journey with my Jesus and he is growing me and shaping me and is SO near to me. I am excited to share the deeply valuable things he is teaching me but I am starting here because this is where he started with me.</i></span>The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-1703445006830096452014-02-18T08:18:00.004-08:002014-02-18T08:18:44.134-08:00An Invitation<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>It has been the coldest winter I ever remember having. It has chilled us to the bone and trapped us indoors. I bought R new shoes over the weekend so had her try them on. Which of course lead to an immediate request to go outside. The dog needed out anyway so I told her she could go out, fully expecting a quick re-entry to escape the cold. But yesterday was a warm and sunny respite to the harshness that has dried out our skin and made me want to hibernate with a mug filled with hot liquid and under a warm blanket. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>So my sister and my littles headed outside with me. We played and ate and pulled weeds until I couldn’t put naps off any longer. After I got both of them down I went back out. My sister was still pulling weeds. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>When we bought our house we quickly established lots of dreams and wants for our yard. Gardens and decks and furniture to allow for meals outside. But with news of a pregnancy within a couple months of moving in, the busyness of life and never having cared for a yard before those thoughts have remained dreams. It didn’t help that within the first 6 months we had multiple people with way more knowledge than us raise suspicion about the health of our tree. So plans were delayed until we, finally, had someone come confirm that it needed to be removed. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I felt sad. I remember driving up the first time we looked at this house. There was life in that tree. She was green and appeared to be thriving. There were baskets with flowers hanging in her limbs. She has provided entertainment during meals with the life she invites to explore her limbs. I have delighted in my daughter, delighting in the birds and squirrels that have explored there. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>But we have seen less life there and it was confirmed that this tree I loved was not thriving. So we had her removed this weekend. It was my birthday so I left while they were just taking down branches. We came back later that day and our yard was empty. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Then yesterday out back my sister started the endless project of pulling weeds back there. After I joined her without kids I looked at the part she had worked on and it looked barren. Before a quick glance at the yard and you would have seen green and flowers and life. But like our tree it wasn’t healthy. It was full of weeds and the healthy grass beneath was suffocating. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Early in the morning while disciplining my daughter and reminding her that God loves her she asked, “Where is God?” I told her that God is everywhere and she pointed around the room asking, “God’s on the floor? God’s on the wall? God’s on the ceiling?” I loved the simplicity of her understanding of that truth. And was reminded of it myself in a moment I desperately needed it. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>With the memory of his presence I heard him speak to me through His creation. He gently showed me that I am not healthy. That even the things that appear healthy aren’t coming from a place of thriving life. He spoke his love and his desire to remove the things that bring death and make room for life. Not like the men who in what felt like to me (although likely not to them) one fell swoop took our tree. But like my sister. Sitting in the dirt, determined but gently using her hands. Not with a goal of making things look good for now but with a desire to make room for life. So slowly and carefully she grabs each weed at the root and pulls. This picture of tenderness is what he promises me. With loving patience he will grab at the things in my life that bring nothing but death and make room for life. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>It will hurt. It will take time. It will leave the reality exposed and barren, like my backyard. But it will make room for life. It will make room for me to thrive. So where there has been fear of this season that I feel Him calling me into, today there is peace. Because I see so clearly that he isn’t sending me into this alone. He is inviting me to come and sit with him so that I can find Him. </i></span></div>
The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-15103608571874406272014-01-27T19:53:00.000-08:002014-01-27T19:53:02.809-08:00Made it Monday: Happy Anniversary<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Matthew and I are about to celebrate 6 years together! CRAZY!!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-55lNUZowksE/Uuci19CXvNI/AAAAAAAADP4/PFO8P11sE0k/s1600/wedding+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-55lNUZowksE/Uuci19CXvNI/AAAAAAAADP4/PFO8P11sE0k/s1600/wedding+2.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oVepsrdKR9A/Uuci2fgwnmI/AAAAAAAADQE/oMYauZ-xMiM/s1600/wedding+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oVepsrdKR9A/Uuci2fgwnmI/AAAAAAAADQE/oMYauZ-xMiM/s1600/wedding+4.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></i></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jdX4LVLezeo/Uuci121_cbI/AAAAAAAADP0/hKXDSNQrWL8/s1600/wedding+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQytwwmwfg4/Uuci14OJjDI/AAAAAAAADQM/tbcp-bB69WQ/s1600/wedding+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQytwwmwfg4/Uuci14OJjDI/AAAAAAAADQM/tbcp-bB69WQ/s1600/wedding+3.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> These are my absolute favorite pictures from the wedding. These were literally taken RIGHT after the ceremony while we waited to start taking the "real" pictures. The only word I can use to describe this moment is bliss. I was in giddy shock that I was actually married and that this man was MINE to love for the rest of my life! </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I will save all the sap for another post but I feel incredibly blessed that in all the joys and challenges of the last six years this man was by my side.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>In 6 years we have called 4 places home. One was only ours for 6 weeks... and 3 weeks of that was Matthew living there before the wedding...and 1 week of that was our honeymoon, so that never really felt like home. In Austin we lived in 3 apartments, one of those moves though was literally jumping across the hall to a bigger apartment after we had Riley. Then a year and a half ago we bought our first home! We looked at some homes that we would have had to fix up and even made an offer on one. I am SO thankful that it didn't go through since we found out we were pregnant a month after we moved in. Our house was move in ready so while there are things we would like to do we haven't had the stress of trying to remodel. Really all we have done is get some new furniture and slap some paint on the walls!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We have been talking for awhile about redoing our bedroom. So we decided to take the plunge and for our anniversary put some money into that. We started with the closet because we needed some organization to happen in there, especially since we have 2 big dressers we are getting rid of. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I lamely forgot to get a before picture but there was just one rod for hanging clothes that went all the way around and had a shelf on it. And now we have this:</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>On Friday we cleaned everything out, tore down the shelf, sanded, and Matthew ran to Ikea to pick up what we needed. Saturday we painted and Matthew installed the rods. Sunday I made the bad choice to try to put the shelf together on my own and I got this far:</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Then not only was I not able to get the last 2 sides on but I also had the realization that I was never going to be able to lift this by myself. Matthew came to my rescue after he got home from work and put it up! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We are both loving how much more fits in there and how organized it is. We are still deciding (agreeing on!) what else we will do in our bedroom so stay tuned for that!</i></span></div>
The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-23428027089873512612014-01-06T18:24:00.001-08:002014-01-06T18:24:40.190-08:00Made it Monday: Confession<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I have a confession..... that I have a problem.... I am a hoarder. Not of everything but of one thing...</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F89lp_aZ0wk/UstgeDhXm8I/AAAAAAAADPM/xPwhxD74HwA/s1600/2014-01-06+19.22.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F89lp_aZ0wk/UstgeDhXm8I/AAAAAAAADPM/xPwhxD74HwA/s1600/2014-01-06+19.22.30.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Yep...glass. That is 59 glass jars/bottles. And that doesn't include the jar from the pasta sauce I used for dinner is on the drying rack. Or the fact that we use mason jars as drinking glasses. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I think it all started a few years ago with pinterest. After so many pins of ways to reuse them ever single jar had so much potential. And to throw them away just seemed sad and wasteful. I didn't really realize how bad it had gotten until I had Matthew help me gather it all tonight. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>These have taken up space on a shelf in the garage and a cabinet above my fridge since we moved (18 months ago) and the collection has continued to grow. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Now for a tiny bit of justification I have utilized some of them. In addition to drinking glasses I have made these:</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_sGxV4Gd8js/Ustgj5J7XrI/AAAAAAAADPY/Zn1asX6w1fs/s1600/2014-01-06+19.25.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_sGxV4Gd8js/Ustgj5J7XrI/AAAAAAAADPY/Zn1asX6w1fs/s1600/2014-01-06+19.25.28.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>My mom used to work at a Christian bookstore and passed on some damaged bibles to me so one of those is covered with the book of Matthew and one with the book of Psalms. I have Modge Podge and more bibles hanging out in my craft closet so it is on the priority list to get more of these made.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I also made these way easy vases with some acrylic paint for Riley's first birthday party:</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4pbmAdRheBY/UstgjN6_x8I/AAAAAAAADPU/gwyfqkoqF2E/s1600/2014-01-06+19.24.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4pbmAdRheBY/UstgjN6_x8I/AAAAAAAADPU/gwyfqkoqF2E/s1600/2014-01-06+19.24.55.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>But I am on a mission to not just leave these all on a shelf for another year. Call it a New Year's resolution if you like. So help me by sending some inspiration my way. Or if you'd like a scripture covered wine bottle, let me know! :)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-42602921802223765512013-12-23T19:38:00.001-08:002013-12-23T19:38:18.768-08:00Made it Monday (with a twist)<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Well today's made it Monday post is mostly just me saying I made it to Monday. The craft we made this week got eaten by the dog. (Note to self: salt dough ornaments are good dog treats... Not sure if they're actually healthy or if acrylic paint is recommended for ingestion though...) </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We have had a crazy week. A lot of highs as we get to spend time with Amy who is home from Uganda. And a lot of lows as we have dealt with sickness, sleepless nights and new discipline issues. But in the midst of it all I have had some sweet moments with my kids this week. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Matthias is getting so fun and interactive. He is sitting(ish) and rolling and wiggling everywhere and laughs all the time. I feel a little overwhelmed by how fast time has gone and can't believe he is about to be 6 months old! It doesn't help that tonight I put him in 12 month pajamas and he completely filled them out.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(I love this sweet boy!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Riley got to make some sweet ornaments to give as gifts this week. And even though most of them have been ingested the memory was still sweet. This girl loves to get her hands dirty and create. She also loves to make things for people. I want to continue to encourage this and it gave us a great chance to talk about what we are celebrating this week. </i></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r_r2zbqIrps/Urj_WLeHX5I/AAAAAAAADOQ/7xMf-CpcGLw/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r_r2zbqIrps/Urj_WLeHX5I/AAAAAAAADOQ/7xMf-CpcGLw/s200/photo+1.JPG" width="150" /> </a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KEF8M9atUqk/Urj_OKULu3I/AAAAAAAADOA/0-llfWAAZ_w/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KEF8M9atUqk/Urj_OKULu3I/AAAAAAAADOA/0-llfWAAZ_w/s200/photo+2.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz08BUVNWt8/Urj_Owd71sI/AAAAAAAADOE/qwoZP-fYYd0/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sz08BUVNWt8/Urj_Owd71sI/AAAAAAAADOE/qwoZP-fYYd0/s200/photo+3.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(My little creator hard at work!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I shared with her about why we give gifts and are given gifts this time of year. I reminded her that on Christmas we will celebrate Jesus' birthday and that God gave us Jesus and that He is the greatest gift we've ever been given. I told her that we give gifts to people to help them and ourselves remember how much God loves us. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I know her understanding is limited but I am thankful that when I look for opportunities to share this message with her they are easy to find. God has surrounded us with Himself and I want to teach my children, and myself to see Him more. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(We did have a survivor that was hanging on our tree.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>We found the tutorial to make these at <a href="http://www.mommypotamus.com/how-to-make-salt-dough-ornaments/" target="_blank">Mommypotamus</a>.</i></span></div>
The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-90898715737611384592013-12-17T08:45:00.002-08:002013-12-17T19:17:25.161-08:00Made it Monday (On a Tuesday)Kind of lame to miss this on the second week but better late than never. I did think about this at like 9:30 last night but I was sitting on the couch watching TV with my sister and she does live in Africa so that's a good excuse right? And I also was, ironically, crocheting a Christmas present so at least I was still making something... :)<br>
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Anyway, I thought I would share about something that riley really made. And when I say that I mean it.<br>
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I think control is something we all struggle with to one degree or another. And being a parent seems to reveal how much. I also believe that it is probably a little bit specific to our own gifts, likes, and talents. So my tone-deaf self will probably not struggle with being controlling over my children's musical talents, if they happen to have any. But I love to craft. And Riley loves when we make things together. And it is a struggle for me to help her when needed (like with the hot glue gun) but not with the things she can do herself.<br>
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So about a week or so ago we were talking with G-ma and Riley found out that G-ma didn't have a Christmas tree. Riley found that completely unacceptable so I thought we should make her one. I had seen some made out of popsicle sticks on pinterest and had everything we needed on hand so we went for it.<br>
<br>Step one was to paint the sticks green. And this is what we got:<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-blyEZYCUIuQ/UrESHwhHWaI/AAAAAAAADNc/GsRlKpg26Kg/s640/blogger-image-382990826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-blyEZYCUIuQ/UrESHwhHWaI/AAAAAAAADNc/GsRlKpg26Kg/s640/blogger-image-382990826.jpg"></a></div><br>
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It took a lot of self-control to not try to "help" more than I did and have them all perfectly painted green. And same thing with my mind wanting to evenly space the "ornaments" and bring a bit of order to the color pattern. But I managed and I think it is way better this way. My guess is my mom is over getting crafts made by me (at least on this level) and she probably loves it all the more knowing that it was Riley's creativity and not my control that made it look the way it does.<br>
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And it's beautiful!<br>
<br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_u4irLUlRHo/UrES7uTk9jI/AAAAAAAADNk/idcPYgAfySo/s640/blogger-image-1417922019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_u4irLUlRHo/UrES7uTk9jI/AAAAAAAADNk/idcPYgAfySo/s640/blogger-image-1417922019.jpg"></a></div></div>The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-75498821571144457902013-12-11T19:05:00.003-08:002013-12-11T19:05:58.389-08:006in7 (7in7: Day 7)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TrONqEBwpfg/UqkoDPoa3II/AAAAAAAADNA/6lhQagB-mtk/s1600/7+in+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TrONqEBwpfg/UqkoDPoa3II/AAAAAAAADNA/6lhQagB-mtk/s320/7+in+7.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I am really good at making plans and strategies to do things. I can't even count the number of cleaning schedules I have laid out to keep up with my house and then end up quitting. Same thing with meal planning. Same thing with reading. Same thing with exercise. Same thing with bible study.</i></span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I think that I have an expectation of perfection and when I fall even slightly short I just throw my hands in the air and quit. It seems like it would be better if it just looked like I wasn't even trying something than if I was trying and not excelling.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>So I got this crazy idea to do 7in7. And even when I signed up I knew I was stepping outside of my comfort zone. And it has by no means been easy but yesterday was a long and busy day, and a late night, following what has been a long and emotional week. And I just couldn't do it. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And I think that was good. It was good to fail. I wouldn't even really call it a failure but it was good for me to feel the freedom to not do it perfectly. Because for me writing 6 things in 7 days is crazy good. And the challenge of it has done some good things in me. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I am a creative person that has, for a lot of reasons, failed to have a consistent creative outlet. And this week of writing has given me a hunger and desire to express my creativity consistently. I think that will look differently every day but I think that it is a gift that I have failed to use. And it is also a means of worship and communion with God that strengthens my faith. It helps me to see him and I need to see him more. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It also pushed me to process some things "out loud" that I have been holding onto. I am in a place where a lot is being surfaced and I need a means to work through it. I don't think that writing is the only means to do that. I don't know that when I do write that it will always be done publicly but this has taught me that I need a tool to get out the things I am wrestling with.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It has also helped me realize that I have a voice. That there are things that I am learning and wrestling through that would help others to hear. There are truths that God is speaking to me that could be an encouragement to someone else. And the things I am learning even have a greater impact on me when I articulate them to someone else. Whether through writing them in a blog or sharing them over coffee. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I have also realized that I thought 7in7 needed to involve something profound and artsy and unique. And I think I am coming to understand that there are times that my writing may be those things. But before what I write is for someone else, it is for me. It is for me to learn and process and grow. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>So I am glad I did 7in7.... or I guess 6in7. Because the goal really wasn't perfection. It was to let go of my fear and try something that scared me. And it feels good knowing I did that. It has also made me want to do 2 things more. I want to more consistently create. To not let the inspiration that surrounds me everyday sneak by without capturing it. And it makes me want to continue to step out of my comfort zone and overcome my fears. So whats next? Cooking class, karaoke, dance lessons... Stay tuned! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It has also kickstarted the habit of regularly creating, of not letting inspiration sneak by without capturing it. </i></span></div>
The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-18422213348244154672013-12-09T20:09:00.002-08:002013-12-09T20:09:35.203-08:00Ronnie (7in7: Day 5)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMUr09U1r98/UqaT3z2jeKI/AAAAAAAADMs/CkDSzJTl9E4/s1600/7+in+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wMUr09U1r98/UqaT3z2jeKI/AAAAAAAADMs/CkDSzJTl9E4/s320/7+in+7.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I got home from Ronnie's memorial and got the kids fed and put to bed. I have been sitting in front of my computer for over an hour since then trying to find words to say. I feel incredibly heavy. I ache for Ronnie's family and for my pastors and my friends. I feel hope in the truth that was taught tonight, both about Ronnie's present and my future. I feel thankful for my church and that I have pastors who, in the midst of their pain, are teaching us to grieve with hope. I feel challenged by Ronnie's life. Challenged to loosen my grasp on the things of this world and live as a stranger like he did, longing for heaven. Challenged to love the word and hide it deep in my heart. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Everyone who spoke tonight shared precious stories of our brother and powerful truth. Fabs shared a beautiful passage of scripture that I found so comforting. There isn't anything better I could say after a day like today. </i></span><br />
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<span class="text Rom-8-18" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text Rom-8-18" style="background-color: white;"><b>"</b>For I consider that the sufferings of this present time <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28119AG" title="See cross-reference AG">AG</a>)"></span>are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.</span><span class="text Rom-8-19" id="en-ESV-28120" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>For the creation waits with eager longing for <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28120AH" title="See cross-reference AH">AH</a>)"></span>the revealing of the sons of God.</span><span class="text Rom-8-20" id="en-ESV-28121" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>For the creation <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28121AI" title="See cross-reference AI">AI</a>)"></span>was subjected to futility, not willingly, but <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28121AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</a>)"></span>because of him who subjected it, in hope</span><span class="text Rom-8-21" id="en-ESV-28122" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>that <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28122AK" title="See cross-reference AK">AK</a>)"></span>the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.</span><span class="text Rom-8-22" id="en-ESV-28123" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>For we know that <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28123AL" title="See cross-reference AL">AL</a>)"></span>the whole creation <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28123AM" title="See cross-reference AM">AM</a>)"></span>has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.</span><span class="text Rom-8-23" id="en-ESV-28124" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28124AN" title="See cross-reference AN">AN</a>)"></span>the firstfruits of the Spirit, <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28124AO" title="See cross-reference AO">AO</a>)"></span>groan inwardly as <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28124AP" title="See cross-reference AP">AP</a>)"></span>we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28124AQ" title="See cross-reference AQ">AQ</a>)"></span>the redemption of our bodies.</span><span class="text Rom-8-24" id="en-ESV-28125" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span></span><span class="text Rom-8-24" style="background-color: white;">For <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28125AR" title="See cross-reference AR">AR</a>)"></span>in this hope we were saved. Now <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28125AS" title="See cross-reference AS">AS</a>)"></span>hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?</span><span class="text Rom-8-25" id="en-ESV-28126" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>But if we hope for what we do not see, we <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28126AT" title="See cross-reference AT">AT</a>)"></span>wait for it with patience.</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text Rom-8-26" id="en-ESV-28127">Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28127AU" title="See cross-reference AU">AU</a>)"></span>we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28127AV" title="See cross-reference AV">AV</a>)"></span>the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.</span><span class="text Rom-8-27" id="en-ESV-28128"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>And <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28128AW" title="See cross-reference AW">AW</a>)"></span>he who searches hearts knows what is <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28128AX" title="See cross-reference AX">AX</a>)"></span>the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28128AY" title="See cross-reference AY">AY</a>)"></span>intercedes for the saints <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28128AZ" title="See cross-reference AZ">AZ</a>)"></span>according to the will of God.</span><span class="text Rom-8-28" id="en-ESV-28129"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>And we know that for those who love God all things work together <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28129BA" title="See cross-reference BA">BA</a>)"></span>for good,<b> </b>for <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28129BB" title="See cross-reference BB">BB</a>)"></span>those who are called according to his purpose.</span><span class="text Rom-8-29" id="en-ESV-28130"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>For those whom he<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28130BC" title="See cross-reference BC">BC</a>)"></span>foreknew he also <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28130BD" title="See cross-reference BD">BD</a>)"></span>predestined <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28130BE" title="See cross-reference BE">BE</a>)"></span>to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28130BF" title="See cross-reference BF">BF</a>)"></span>the firstborn among many brothers.</span><span class="text Rom-8-30" id="en-ESV-28131"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28131BG" title="See cross-reference BG">BG</a>)"></span>justified, and those whom he justified he also <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28131BH" title="See cross-reference BH">BH</a>)"></span>glorified. </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text Rom-8-31">What then shall we say to these things? <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28132BI" title="See cross-reference BI">BI</a>)"></span>If God is for us, who can be<b> </b>against us?</span><span class="text Rom-8-32" id="en-ESV-28133"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span><span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28133BJ" title="See cross-reference BJ">BJ</a>)"></span>He who did not spare his own Son but <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28133BK" title="See cross-reference BK">BK</a>)"></span>gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?</span><span class="text Rom-8-33" id="en-ESV-28134"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28134BL" title="See cross-reference BL">BL</a>)"></span>It is God who justifies.</span><span class="text Rom-8-34" id="en-ESV-28135">Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28135BN" title="See cross-reference BN">BN</a>)"></span>who is at the right hand of God, <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28135BO" title="See cross-reference BO">BO</a>)"></span>who indeed is interceding for us.<b> </b></span><span class="text Rom-8-35" id="en-ESV-28136">Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?</span><span class="text Rom-8-36" id="en-ESV-28137"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>As it is written,</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“For your sake <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28137BQ" title="See cross-reference BQ">BQ</a>)"></span>we are being killed all the day long;</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Rom-8-36" style="position: relative;">we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”</span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text Rom-8-37" id="en-ESV-28138">No, in all these things we are more than <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28138BR" title="See cross-reference BR">BR</a>)"></span>conquerors through <span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28138BS" title="See cross-reference BS">BS</a>)"></span>him who loved us.</span><span class="text Rom-8-38" id="en-ESV-28139"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,</span><span class="text Rom-8-39" id="en-ESV-28140"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"> </span>nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."</span></span></i></div>
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<span class="text Rom-8-39"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Romans 8: 18-39</span></i></span></div>
The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-63780611624711288802013-12-09T09:31:00.001-08:002013-12-09T09:31:07.490-08:00Made it Monday: Mini Christmas Banner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Okay because 7in7 wasn't enough I am going to try another blog challenge. Made it Mondays. I am going to try to do a weekly post about something I have made. I love to create. To take something that is basically nothing and make it beautiful. To make something warm to be worn, or a toy to be played with, or a decoration to create a place of peace and beauty. It is cathartic for me. And I don't do it enough. So this will help with that. Although I, luckily, have a stockpile of stuff I have made lying around in case I fall behind. </i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So here goes, I will start with Christmas!</i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am tradition obsessed. I think that because my parents weren't together and traditions were at most an every other year thing I tend to go a little over the top with trying to make traditions, especially now that we have kids. Luckily Matthew is my realistic anchor who keeps me from going too overboard. </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>But we do have a tradition of putting our Christmas tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving. I would even do it right after the meal but that is the non-football fan in me so we hold off until Friday. Then I spend the rest of the month adding creations little by little to make it homey. And every year I have to buy more storage bins for our Christmas decor. And every year our house gets a little more spirited. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>In the summer of 2012 we went to Indiana to visit Matthew's parents. We had fun doing some antiquing (which I totally loved and want to do more of!). We bought some antique windows that have since been wrapped up in a box and left in the garage but I finally convinced Matthew to bring one in for our entry table. It felt like a grand reunion when I saw how perfectly shabby it is with its chipped paint and rustic feel. But it needed a little help getting into the spirit so I decided to make a little banner. </i></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZV5IH3fsUqM/Up6wcMLYcFI/AAAAAAAADLQ/dUTyD1AYqkY/s1600/Photo+Dec+02,+4+10+16+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZV5IH3fsUqM/Up6wcMLYcFI/AAAAAAAADLQ/dUTyD1AYqkY/s320/Photo+Dec+02,+4+10+16+PM.jpg" width="240" /></i></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I wish I could get a better picture but our entry way is super narrow so this is me standing with my back against the wall and the phone pulled back next to me as far as I could get it so it will have to do!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>So simple and I had everything on hand so it was also free. WOOT! I cut out the burlap triangles. I did it freehanded and just used one I cut as a loose template. I kind of like that they aren't identical though. It adds to the charm. I had an alphabet template on hand and used paint pens to add the letters. Then just my good ole hot glue gun and some twine to finish her up! And I only burnt myself once!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I had this idea on a whim and can't even give credit to pinterest (not to say I haven't seen something similar on there before but whatevs!). I think it is a charming touch to our entryway and it finally made me put one of our awesome windows to use! Now just to figure out what to do with the other 3 that are still in the garage...</i></span><br />
<br />The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-89676935715538164022013-12-08T20:08:00.001-08:002013-12-08T20:08:08.314-08:00Broken- Part 2 (7in7: Day 4)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bItC11js-TE/UqPxmspZj0I/AAAAAAAADMg/1I3Wm13pZZc/s1600/7+in+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bItC11js-TE/UqPxmspZj0I/AAAAAAAADMg/1I3Wm13pZZc/s320/7+in+7.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is part 2 to yesterdays post, so if you haven't yet, read that! My thoughts were still rambling but I just felt like it needed to stop where it did. But it definitely wasn't the end so here is the rest! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>In the darkness He came. He met her there and took her hand. He turned her head to look back into the mirror and spoke His love to her. In her broken place. When she felt ugly and worthless and unfixable. He held her. Just as she was. Infected. Wounded. Broken. In that place He paused and He loved her. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"My daughter, you were made in my image. I knew you before you existed. I created you beautifully and wonderfully. I carefully and precisely knit you together to be just who you are. And you are lovely. You are always on my mind. I love you deeply. I want to share with you great and mysterious things. Look for me, my darling, and you will find me. Rest in my love and do not be afraid."</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Her fear had kept her wounds covered. But now love would uncover them. She had known He loved her. But the belief hadn't penetrated her heart. She deep down believed the lie that she had to earn it. That she had to be enough. That is what life had taught her. That the love she needed wasn't there because she wasn't enough for it. So she strived. She strived to be what she thought He needed her to be.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>But in this moment, where she saw the gravity of her brokenness like never before. He paused. And the pause mattered. He didn't wait for her change or be fixed. He just whispered His love to her.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Then He, still holding her hand, gently and graciously removed the first bandage. It ripped her flesh and reopened the wound. But there he tenderly and carefully treated it. He continued to speak His gentle words as He did this. Speaking truth over the lie that created each wound. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>This wasn't a moment that marked the end of her brokenness. It was instead a beginning. A beginning of a journey that He was inviting her on. To more deeply understand the height and depth of His love for her and to enable her to be a reflection of that love.</i></span>The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-28633919722528606662013-12-07T20:08:00.001-08:002013-12-07T20:12:21.389-08:00Broken (7in7: Day 3)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bItC11js-TE/UqPxmspZj0I/AAAAAAAADMc/suf-ctYTetM/s1600/7+in+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bItC11js-TE/UqPxmspZj0I/AAAAAAAADMc/suf-ctYTetM/s320/7+in+7.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>She has moved forward. Years have passed. Many would say to leave everything behind. To live now and let go of anything from before. In some ways she does. But under the surface she is still plagued with the effects. She has identified some tendencies. She picks fights to keep him close. Because anything is better than feeling like he is gone. She avoids the depth because its dark there. So when people get close she only lets them so far in. She would rather sting than be stung so she will hurt before she allows herself to be. She knew there were scars. She even knew she needed healing. But life kept moving and she kept pushing down the feelings that were swelling up. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>She didn't even know him. She couldn't know him. He should have been the man that she loved to visit. Whose lap she could climb up on and listen to him tell stories. But he wasn't safe. She had to be protected from him but still pretend that everything was normal and ok. Over twelve years had passed since seeing him. He was very sick. Not even really there any more. And she felt nothing. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>But then he died. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>He was a crack in the wall that she had built to protect her from everything. Suppressed memories rushed over her like a flood. Anger and hurt overwhelmed her. She couldn't even identify what was wrong until a few awful days passed. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Suddenly it was as if she stood before a mirror for the first time. She saw the truth. The ugliness of the wounds. Every hurt. Every feeling of abandonment. Every hurtful word. Every time words that were needed went unsaid. Every time she needed love and couldn't find it. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>No one taught her how to treat these wounds. So they were hidden. Infection grew and these bandages didn't just cover her. Her flesh attempted to heal around them. The pain stopped.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>But the bandages became her. They became her identity. They hid the reality of her brokenness. She was deeply broken. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-78677686411238320332013-12-06T09:10:00.001-08:002013-12-06T09:31:13.913-08:00Thankful for a Life (7in7: Day 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-heaeK5Jf3W0/UqIE8GSIrUI/AAAAAAAADL8/R6EWGasgnDY/s1600/7+in+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-heaeK5Jf3W0/UqIE8GSIrUI/AAAAAAAADL8/R6EWGasgnDY/s320/7+in+7.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>I feel at a loss for words today. Emotions come in waves. I hug my husband a little tighter and he pauses to say goodbye to our daughter. We didn't know him as well as others but we were still deeply touched by his life. And his death brings on so many feelings. We mourn this loss and ache for his family and those that were close like family. We do ministry and live life with these people and they are hurting. But we also rejoice, along with them. We rejoice because he is home. And we give thanks for a legacy that was greater than I think anyone realized. </i><br />
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<i>Trying to put "pen to paper" this morning was hard. All the ideas I have had seem unimportant after a day like yesterday. As I sat at the coffee table thinking my daughter came and picked up the book that we keep there and asked me to read. </i><br />
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<i>I sat back with her and started to read. But instead decided to pull up his sermon. And we listened to him while we flipped through the pages. </i><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gua1SJKEwQM/UqIJv7cIeNI/AAAAAAAADMI/wQHR5Fzc444/s1600/2013-12-06+09.30.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gua1SJKEwQM/UqIJv7cIeNI/AAAAAAAADMI/wQHR5Fzc444/s320/2013-12-06+09.30.14.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>This will be the third year we celebrate Christmas with the tradition of reading The History of Redemption. We eat breakfast together and before we open a single present we use this book to usher us into worship of all that this holiday means. And we find hope there. I remember reading it on the Christmas after Sandy Hook and when there were still so many questions and so much grief, we were reminded of the incredible hope that we find in Jesus. </i><br />
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<i>We have been working on the habit of memorizing scripture with our daughter. She has memorized songs so easily and parts of her books that it just seems silly not to work with her on this. And, in reality, it has been good for Matthew and I too cause even some of these basic verses aren't committed to memory. </i><br />
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<i>I was touched and challenged by the words written in his introduction to The History of Redemption. </i><br />
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<i>"Scripture memory is a waning discipline in the Western church, and it is my desire that you too feel compelled to commit this epic story to memory or at least begin making scripture memorization a part of your daily routine."</i><br />
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<i>This placed it on our hearts to memorize this book and commit this story of redemption to memory. Our hope is that this will honor his life and death. And we would encourage and invite anyone else to join us in this endeavor. </i><br />
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<i>(if you would like to memorize this with us, please comment or message me, we would love to do this as a community and be able to encourage and hold each other accountable)</i>The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-42283125049201884302013-12-05T11:57:00.001-08:002013-12-05T11:57:52.498-08:00Torn (7in7: Day 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ASsihuSxKoM/UqDaUsHYt-I/AAAAAAAADLk/LUw6QAZ3KhU/s1600/7+in+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ASsihuSxKoM/UqDaUsHYt-I/AAAAAAAADLk/LUw6QAZ3KhU/s320/7+in+7.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Her memories are lacking. The few she has are blurred. This helped her cope. But it gave a false sense of healing. The hurt was buried so deep that she couldn't recognize the lingering effects. Though buried deep and not recalled often, the memories are still wounds that sting. It's like a deep bruise that stays forgotten until it is bumped. And then the pain comes on quick. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>She remembers little about the day. What caused the fight. What they wanted. Why she was in the middle. But she remembers the moment. The two people who should have given her the most security stood on either side. Each took a hand. She was old enough to remember but young enough to distort the memory. It likely only lasted a few seconds but felt like it never ended. They pulled. She was afraid. She felt unsafe. She didn't know who to turn to because she should have been turning to them both. Each wanted something different and trapped her in between. She never left this place. It never happened again-- but this feeling stayed with her the rest of her life. The safe became unsafe. The known became unknown. And a little girl stood alone in the middle. </i></span>The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-27332883477317242752013-12-03T19:34:00.001-08:002013-12-03T19:34:58.774-08:00Fearless<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Syj5RrUsWl4/Up5PqXtAZyI/AAAAAAAADLA/WxkQDOZkIHs/s1600/Riley-Fearless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Syj5RrUsWl4/Up5PqXtAZyI/AAAAAAAADLA/WxkQDOZkIHs/s200/Riley-Fearless.jpg" width="200" /></span></i></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I love this picture of Riley. I snapped it at a wedding we went to last month. She had the time of her life. She danced, tumbled, jumped and laughed across this field. So carefree. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Every time I have looked back through my pictures and seen the pictures from this night I have been overwhelmed by how I feel. I couldn't pin point the emotion at first. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Envy. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am envious of my daughter's fearless freedom.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She fearlessly paraded around this lawn. Just like she does anywhere we go. She desires to be delighted in... and she knows that she is. She desires to be protected.... and she knows that she is. She is oblivious to any judgement (to the degree that her tights fell down and she didn't care).</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am afraid. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Paralyzed </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Anxious</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Ashamed</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It is embarrassing and almost comical. I would rather not try and feel safe than try and risk failure. Trying new things make me feel exposed. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And I am not even talking about things that seem understandable. Like singing before a crowd, or dancing on a stage. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I am talking about cooking a new meal for my family. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I would rather eat beans and rice or the same old chicken dish than risk buying everything, taking all the time to make it, and it being horrible... or burnt... or ruined. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I have realized this for a while. And hated it. I feel stupid. I want to shake it but I feel trapped</i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. And I feel like it is a reflection of me. I let that fearfulness define me. </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>But it's being stripped away. </i></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And I feel a little bit naked. </i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have been stepping out more over the last couple years. Cooking more. Crafting more. But I have felt like it was time to get drastic. And to be okay with the fact that what is drastic for me is easy for someone else. To give myself the grace that, as my sister said, my experience has taught me that I am only loved for doing good, and that risking failure is risking being unloved. I know in my head that isn't truth. That God loved me deeply and intimately before I ever existed, let alone did anything good. But I am realizing that I have to risk that kind of failure in order to move that belief from my head to my heart. </i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So here I go. </i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am going to write. </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Me, who fought to pass English classes. With a <a href="http://www.sarahdrinka.com/" target="_blank">sister</a> who is an amazingly gifted writer. A mom who published a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grace-Shadow-Cross-Ann-Jorgensen/dp/1609576144/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386107909&sr=1-1&keywords=grace+in+the+shadow+of+the+cross" target="_blank">book</a>. And another <a href="http://www.simplyloveblog.com/" target="_blank">sister</a> with stories that will bring you to tears and challenge your faith. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It is far from my gifting but as I have been working through some trials I have found it an amazing tool to help me process and heal. But I have remained private. In the safety of a journal, occasionally shared with my husband or sisters, but never made public. Cause that is safe. But it is time to let go of feeling safe. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I am doing <a href="http://www.create7in7.com/" target="_blank">7 in 7</a>. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>In short that means that I will be writing 7 complete posts in 7 days. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I am terrified and excited to see what this turns into and praying that this is just the beginning of a season of God stripping away my fears and giving me a boldness that honors him. </i></span></div>
The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-16904192613287829602012-07-21T14:15:00.007-07:002012-07-24T08:05:15.229-07:00Daddy's Girl<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RkjOmcPR8v4/UA2adIvU4II/AAAAAAAADFc/H1Du_-PrVuM/s1600/daddyandr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RkjOmcPR8v4/UA2adIvU4II/AAAAAAAADFc/H1Du_-PrVuM/s320/daddyandr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5768436523084341378" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">R helping daddy get pumped for cross fit!</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />R is becoming quite the daddy's girl and this mama couldn't be happier. I think it is absolutely adorable how much she loves her daddy. And M does a great job of making time with her special. We are also trying to get better at making Friday's a day for special family time, which looks like breakfast together made by dad and then a fun family outing. We have decided that once a month this will be special daddy daughter time while mommy escapes for some mommy time. So in a couple weeks I will be heading to get my hair done with a friend while they go on a special date.<br /><br />But in addition to special times like these M really just loves the small day to day times with his daughter, and is good about pausing for a few moments before he leaves and right when he gets home to connect with her. They have made a habit of going on walks together with the dog and if R sees him getting the leash down and hooking Jake up she gets pretty demanding about going along. I am trying to learn the balance of finding this adorable but also teaching her that she just needs to use her "words" (signs for now) and say please when she wants to go.<br /><br />I am so thankful to have M as my partner in parenting. We are definitely still growing and learning in all aspects of life, especially our parenting. But I am thankful that we are learning together and very much on the same page with each other on how we want to raise and discipline our children. I am so thankful for the strong desire M has to lead our family in a godly way and have seen so much growth in him lately.<br /><br />We just got back from a morning family walk and M is off to work and I got Riley down for a nap so now this mama is going to go make some coffee and enjoy some peace!<br /><br /><br /><br /></span></span>The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-3126565606029500642012-07-18T11:05:00.005-07:002012-07-18T11:50:58.789-07:00Weekly Scripture<div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Here is a quick follow up to my last post. I really want to maintain the habit of sharing scripture with R and memorizing verses as a family. I found a cool simple resource that is an ABC book of Scriptures. I am excited to build this in to our family's routine, making it part of meal time and bed time. I have also already been able to bring this week's verse into my discipline. When I talked to R this morning about gentle hands I reminded her that our verse this week says As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. We serve God by obeying his commandments and his greatest commandment is to love God and love others. It isn't loving others to hit. Try again with gentle hands... anyway you get the point.<br /><br />Here is the link to the printable ABC scripture book: http://www.icanteachmychild.com/2011/10/abc-printable-scripture-cards/<br /><br />Does anyone have any ideas for starting to teach scripture to your toddlers?<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-30419846273458359442012-07-11T15:14:00.004-07:002012-07-16T09:15:35.480-07:00This is the day!<span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." --Psalm 118:24<br /><br />We randomly started a new habit this week. When I go in to get R in the morning I quote this verse and also say it several times throughout the day. She has picked up on it and usually laughs or smiles or spins or some combination of the 3 in response.<br /><br />I really had no plan or intention of doing this. It just kind of happened once and stuck. But from it I am learning a few things.<br /><br />First, it is just a reminder to me of the impact of scripture and taking the time to meditate on it. This verse has been on my mind the last week and it reminds me at the beginning of my day that this is true. This day was made by God, complete with the joys it brings or the sorrows, and because of THAT, no matter the outcome of the day, I can find joy. It helps me focus more on God's goodness and provision rather than on the struggles, stresses, and difficulties of my day (which honestly, tend to be ridiculously minimal in the grand scheme of things!).<br /><br />I am also learning and being challenged by my role as R's mother. I am reminded that I am discipling this young life! And she is at a place where her understanding GREATLY exceeds her ability to communicate. I believe that the repetitiveness of some of the things I am telling her is truly impacting her more than I understand. And I also believe that even where her understanding might lack the habits I am creating for myself are vital to her life.<br /><br />I have the gentle hands conversation at least 8 times a day. "God tells us to love one another. Our hands are a tool to show others love. When you hit/scratch/pinch that hurts and that isn't showing mommy/daddy/..... that you love them. Try again with gentle hands." After the 8th time it is easy to feel very silly (especially in front of others) and question the effects. But I remind myself that even when it doesn't seem like it, she understands it more than I would think and it creates a good habit for us now, setting a path for how we want to always discipline.<br /><br />And this is why I feel desperate to grow in the habit of starting my morning fresh, before R is up. When I do that I take a moment to love on Jesus, get my body moving so I am really awake, and make a game plan for the day which makes me so much more productive and so much more patient. I was doing okay (meaning more days than not) before we went on vacation. But I haven't been able to get back on track since I have been home. I know the truth though.<br /><br />So I am taking a challenge. I have been following a blog called Inspired to Action and am going to take her Hello Mornings Challenge this fall. (<a href="inspiredtoaction.com/hellomornings/">inspiredtoaction.com/hellomornings</a>) I signed up today and am excited to have some virtual accountability and encouragement to be faithful to create this habit.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;">"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."<br />Hebrews 12:11<br /></div>The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5915919554376352551.post-32093807293349783202012-06-25T07:46:00.005-07:002012-07-11T15:01:29.496-07:00simply love<div style="font-style: normal; font-family:Times;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><i>We recently received a sweet gift during a time in prayer together. M and I were praying about a decision we needed to make that would greatly effect our lives and the focus of our time and energy. While I was praying these words came to me:</i></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-family:Times;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; text-align: center; font-family:Times;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><i>live simply. love extravagantly</i></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; text-align: center; font-family:Times;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-family:Times;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><i>For months I have been wanting focus. A statement to remind myself of daily and to teach our children that helps us remember what we are living for. I know that God has a calling on us as a family and wanted something to keep us united working towards that call.</i></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-family:Times;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-family:Times;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><i>I love that these words came in prayer. Cause if I am honest, I don't pray faithfully, and on top of that we definitely don't pray faithfully together. This didn't come from hours of consistent prayer life. This came from a desperate place of needing God's direction and help with a decision. Really hoping for a quick yes or no to direct our next steps. But I feel like God gave us more than that answer, he refocused us on the call on our lives. </i></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-family:Times;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-family:Times;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><i>So there you have it...</i></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-family:Times;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-family:Times;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><i>live simply. love extravagantly.</i></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-family:Times;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-family:Times;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><i>A simple phrase with deep meaning, that is still being uncovered. It has been a powerful starting point in a season of simplicity and change. It keeps us grounded in our convictions so that as we make decisions, big and small, we can check them with God's call on our lives. We are commanded to love the Lord with all our heart, soul and strength and to love others as we love ourselves. And we have come to believe that we need to simplify our lives to make that happen. </i></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-family:Times;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><i><br />So this is a launching point. For our lives and for this blog. We have a lot of anticipation for what is to come as we work daily to remember who God is and what He is calling us to as a family. I am excited to (try!) to use this blog as a place to share those things to encourage others and glorify God.<br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div>The Moore Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08425289250546256502noreply@blogger.com0