tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184776422024-03-05T06:11:45.014-05:00This Beautiful GraceHe fills the longing soul with good things.
Ps. 107:9sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comBlogger657125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-14800467335734216602020-06-10T09:19:00.001-04:002020-06-10T09:28:17.718-04:00The "I'm Bored" List<br /><div>The summer has just started, but on the heels of an 11-week quarantine, it feels like the summer has been going awhile. The boys love playing together. Except when they don't. Then there inevitably ends up being weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. </div><div><br /></div><div>We do have screen time around here, but it is a double-edged sword. It keeps everyone happy while I clean out a closet, but in the meantime they forget where they put their brains and imaginations!!</div><div><br /></div><div>I've used a list like this for years. It has changed as the kids change. Obviously, ours is heavy on the boy stuff. But you can make one with baby dolls and unicorns too!</div><div><br /></div><div>When the kids can't think of anything to do, just whip out this handy-dandy list and let them go for it! Make a list that fits your family. Include mostly things they can do with little help from you, and a few things that require your help.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbd9PHtmOQXyZIiqYmi4XJARiz-KpfTzDhnjKk5LM5rQL2Qi_6OgGsq4BxNVAkpIcfDRb2zsWVRejpa5YDF3uxWh7C3XTM5gn-1PiIEVnI1GkyTWhj7BhcLcW0XjOkCRlFAOr/w487-h640/i%2527m+bored+list+picture.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="3632" data-original-width="2761" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbd9PHtmOQXyZIiqYmi4XJARiz-KpfTzDhnjKk5LM5rQL2Qi_6OgGsq4BxNVAkpIcfDRb2zsWVRejpa5YDF3uxWh7C3XTM5gn-1PiIEVnI1GkyTWhj7BhcLcW0XjOkCRlFAOr/w487-h640/i%2527m+bored+list+picture.png" width="487" /></a></div><div><br /></div>sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-52499975540631517942020-05-07T01:19:00.002-04:002020-05-07T15:39:31.003-04:00Questions to ask during an emotional crashThese questions do not solve your problems or necessarily pull you out of an emotional crash, but they can gently lead you to the answers and tools you need to deal with where you are in a healthy way. <br />IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are having recurring thoughts about suicide, call a friend right away and ask them to check on you. It is hard. I know how hard. But you must.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYLoa4jShyREoUKXBj2_z2kFOXFsriurl7xuvP-ZFVjA5vV_egRZhKI3U72fbelezy0vvGYJEHsJDAmyh06nf3WR0AXiX3eai4GFWQZjfDdFF991hSWnVJOjtizujFhYKoIVW/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5523" data-original-width="3682" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYLoa4jShyREoUKXBj2_z2kFOXFsriurl7xuvP-ZFVjA5vV_egRZhKI3U72fbelezy0vvGYJEHsJDAmyh06nf3WR0AXiX3eai4GFWQZjfDdFF991hSWnVJOjtizujFhYKoIVW/w266-h400/ian-espinosa-rX12B5uX7QM-unsplash.jpg" width="266" /></a><br /><span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";"> </span><!--[endif]--> <br /> <br /><br /><br />Am I
safe? Am I having reoccurring thoughts
about suicide? <br />a.<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";">
</span><!--[endif]-->My 3 safe people:<br />1.<br />2.<br />3.<br /> b. My 3 reasons for living:<br />1. <br />2.<br />3. <br /><br />Is this a
new or old struggle? Do I already know
why I am struggling right now?<br /><br /><br /><br />Are there physical or hormonal issues at work?<br /><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">a.<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";">
</span><!--[endif]-->Am I getting 8 hours of Sleep?<br />b.<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";">
</span><!--[endif]-->Hormones?<br />c.<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";">
</span><!--[endif]-->Vitamins?<br />d.<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";">
</span><!--[endif]-->Nutrition? </blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;">e.<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";">
</span><!--[endif]-->Dark days (less sunlight)<br />f. Being inside a lot/lack of movement</blockquote><br />What are my primary stressors?<br /><br /><br /><br />Am I too busy?<br /><br />Write down all of your responsibilities. Is there anywhere I can:<br />Let go<br />Postpone<br />Ask for help<br />Delegate<br />Simplify<br /><br />Are there reoccurring thoughts that are bothering
me?<br />This is who I will talk to about my troubling
thoughts:<br />This is what I will use to break the cycle of those thoughts:<br /><br /><br />Are any
of these happening?<br />Catastrophizing<br />Filters<br />Flooding<br />Triggers (being with difficult
family members, hurtful conversations, significant dates)<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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<br /></div>sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-72744165818542027372019-12-16T17:23:00.000-05:002019-12-16T15:35:39.667-05:00Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening - Robert Frost<div class="c-tier c-mix-tier_offset" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 40px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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<span style="font-size: 1em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Whose woods these are I think I know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 1em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">His house is in the village though;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 1em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">He will not see me stopping here</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 1em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">To watch his woods fill up with snow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 1em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">My little horse must think it queer</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 1em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">To stop without a farmhouse near</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 1em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Between the woods and frozen lake</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 1em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">The darkest evening of the year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 1em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">He gives his harness bells a shake</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 1em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">To ask if there is some mistake.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 1em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">The only other sound's the sweep</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 1em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Of easy wind and downy flake.</span><br />
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The woods are lovely, dark and deep.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 1em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">But I have promises to keep,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 1em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">And miles to go before I sleep,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 1em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">And miles to go before I sleep.</span></div>
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sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-75815676259555353242019-12-13T09:37:00.003-05:002020-05-07T01:13:00.858-04:00Doxology<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sitting on the floor in my room, over our corn chowder and fruit picnic. Hands clasped with my sick 3-year old. Singing the Doxology as the prayer of thanksgiving for our meal.<br />
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Her body is thin and weak - her eyes sunken and dark from almost constant sicknesses that her body has been fighting for months. But her eyes are closed and she sings the doxology in the strongest little voice she can muster.<br />
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Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!<br />
Praise Him, all creatures here below!<br />
Praise Him above, ye Heavenly Hosts!<br />
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!<br />
Amen!<br />
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<em>And the tears come. God is good. All the time. In sickness, in health. In times of exhaustion and energy. He changes not.</em><br />
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Our blocks creations are spectacular - a castle, a highway, a city skyline topped with half-grapes. We watch pieces of online Sunday night services together. We try to nourish her body and let it heal.<br />
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And I desperately wish that my love could protect her. But I know that it can only buffer.<br />
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And I admit that my fear for her health nags me. I know first hand that the phrase "God will work it out" does not always mean health, wealth and rest. And watching children suffer is a very difficult thing to understand, indeed.<br />
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Just the other day, my high school students shared some of their own fears. The things that challenge them in their Faith and Trust. But things haven't "worked out all right" for all of them, either.<br />
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So we talked about it...what exactly <em>is</em> it that we're trusting in? That things will turn out allright? No - certainly not in this life. Most of us have seen enough that we should understand that. For peace in the storm? Not always. Sometimes the storm so surrounds us that we must patiently wait for peace.<br />
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We dare not trust that God honors those He loves by dumping benevolent happiness and health upon us in direct proportion to our holy performance. Because when those good things are taken, our faith crumbles beneath us.<br />
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We must trust something deeper, stronger - Eternal. My faith. My joy. The rock of my life - is grounded upon the fact that God is who He Is. He is good. He is love. And that cannot change.<br />
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I do not believe this is a concept that you can understand without fire. When the good things are still piled around you, or you've never walked through fire with someone dear, it's very easy to still trust in the good things. Instead of the Good God.<br />
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And when that rock is established. And as my spiritual muscle builds through the trying of my faith. Then I am free to enjoy the blessings that he does pour out in unspeakable abundance.<br />
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The fluffy falling snow. The dew on the flowers. The brilliance of the sunset. The softness of my babies. The companionship of my lover. Because my faith is not based upon these things. Not based upon a God who guarantees <em>any</em> of these things in this life.<br />
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But upon a God who guarantees that He will be to me....I am that I am. The eternal, unchangeable God who is Love.<br />
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God is life. Everything else is details.<div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div>From the 2007 Archives</div></div>sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-90700790012056802292019-11-15T14:42:00.005-05:002019-11-15T17:04:45.964-05:00Thanksgiving Resources<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Fun Family Resources for the Thanksgiving Season:</div>
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Gratitude Activity Printable Pack </h2>
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This is my newest resource - just downloaded it today from <a href="https://www.notconsumed.com/free-gratitude-printables-and-gratitude-journal-for-kids/" target="_blank">Kim over at Not Consumed.</a></div>
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30 free pages of Thanksgiving ideas and activities! Bible verse cards, Gratitude journal for kids, Thanksgiving scavenger hunt, Thankfulness hymn & verses, Gratitude cards, and a link for how to have a <u><a href="https://www.notconsumed.com/how-to-host-a-blessings-party-gratitude-activities-that-give-back/" target="_blank">"Blessings Party."</a></u></div>
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Thanksgiving - A Time to Remember</h2>
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This one has been part of our family for many many years. I love the CDs - one is an audio story and one is Thanksgiving music.<br />
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The Legend of Squanto</h2>
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Focus on the Family Radio Theatre never disappoints!</div>
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Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving</div>
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I'm sad - I can't find the audio version of this that we have! </div>
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You can <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22https://www.amazon.com/Squanto-Miracle-Thanksgiving-Eric-Metaxas-ebook/dp/B008745A88/ref=as_li_ss_il?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=66f44cf442d5f84911d105bf76f3cfdb&language=en_US%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3E%3Cimg%20border=%220%22%20src=%22//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B008745A88&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US%22%20%3E%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US&l=li3&o=1&a=B008745A88%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E" target="_blank">get the Kindle</a> version for $1.99 right now!</div>
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We also like this Rabbit Ears version (only $2.77 on audible!)</div>
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<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Family Nights Tool Chest - Holidays</h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There are two family nights for Thanksgiving in this book. These books are just awesome for an occasional special family night with younger kids.</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Holidays-Family-Nights-Tool-Chest/dp/156476737X/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=holidays+family+nights+tool+chest&qid=1573846579&sr=8-1&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=d0ce5b57fadc2905fb70c831e067d35f&language=en_US" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=156476737X&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
THE BEST RESOURCE I'VE EVER USED</h2>
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OVERLOAD WARNING: Please remember - these resources have been collected over many years of parenting and family time. If you are new to using resources to make holidays special, you have to PROMISE me you won't try to do all the things. Using one of these resources would be a gentle start. You don't use them all in one year. You don't use them all at all! And maybe the right thing for this year is to do nothing - to just be sure you sit down for a meal as often as you can with your kids and say something for which you are thankful during this season. The point is to slow down - not to speed up in a frenzy of pumpkin-colored stressfulness. The best gift you can give your kids is your presence. That's the best resource of all.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
A few other Thanksgiving books off our shelves:</h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Watch for them at thrift stores!)</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Turkey-Thanksgiving-Eve-Bunting/dp/0395742129/ref=as_li_ss_il?crid=91F1LVCMF5HU&keywords=a+turkey+for+thanksgiving+by+eve+bunting&qid=1573855209&sprefix=a+turkey+for+thanksgiving,aps,291&sr=8-1&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=cc1c820bdd33fdbae782a7fad34bb7a9&language=en_US" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0395742129&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Little-Bears-Thanksgiving-Janice-Brustlein/dp/0688510787/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=little+bear%27s+thanksgiving&qid=1573855291&sr=8-3&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=396585ba9eb08bf97ad6af1f417b5c77&language=en_US" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0688510787&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/N-C-Wyeths-Pilgrims-Robert-Souci/dp/0811814866/ref=as_li_ss_il?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1573855346&sr=8-1&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=0e43177666cce0c465dee706b9f972ed&language=en_US" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0811814866&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a></div>
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Disclosure: I may receive compensation if you purchase through these Amazon links.<br />
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<br />sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-69519484005172497762019-11-13T12:22:00.000-05:002019-11-13T17:10:08.424-05:00Good AdviceSome "Good Advice" I ran across somewhere long, long ago....<br />
a fantastic list to live by...<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.' </blockquote>
<br />
1. Pray<br />
<br />
2. Go to bed on time.<br />
<br />
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.<br />
<br />
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.<br />
<br />
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.<br />
<br />
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnQ4SIB-IDnVzTTvnQyGV110Y-_K0f2FJDg8vtSS50iMahyaDWzAKZsmoHNaHODjYurNOsWAB6DYrHXYcMq9FbEhLircQ3T5QA54aXjKk-4uRiVPVL1mgu7ND7iKaZoXIU1u-/s1600/samantha-gades-BlIhVfXbi9s-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnQ4SIB-IDnVzTTvnQyGV110Y-_K0f2FJDg8vtSS50iMahyaDWzAKZsmoHNaHODjYurNOsWAB6DYrHXYcMq9FbEhLircQ3T5QA54aXjKk-4uRiVPVL1mgu7ND7iKaZoXIU1u-/s320/samantha-gades-BlIhVfXbi9s-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)<br />
<br />
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.<br />
<br />
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard <br />
things all together.<br />
<br />
10. Take one day at a time.<br />
<br />
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have <br />
you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.<br />
<br />
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.<br />
<br />
13.. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, <br />
extra stamps, etc.<br />
<br />
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.<br />
<br />
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.<br />
<br />
16. Carry a spiritually enlightening book with you to read while waiting in line.<br />
<br />
17. Get enough rest.<br />
<br />
18. Eat right.<br />
<br />
19. Get organized so everything has its place.<br />
<br />
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life..<br />
<br />
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCIlnxhq3GAyiIPMR-BNwAWjGuz1-m4kaK9-KCfqRxB4xZpduaem28S0nnI8UsBkdTTHS5luyK35PAP5PdjtTq3ZsRzwg12C1Q26PEz_fiYf_JJN7BgAMer-8ex2cIO8p1YuB/s1600/jess-harper-sunday-aA6z6hn-yro-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1116" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCIlnxhq3GAyiIPMR-BNwAWjGuz1-m4kaK9-KCfqRxB4xZpduaem28S0nnI8UsBkdTTHS5luyK35PAP5PdjtTq3ZsRzwg12C1Q26PEz_fiYf_JJN7BgAMer-8ex2cIO8p1YuB/s320/jess-harper-sunday-aA6z6hn-yro-unsplash.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
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22. Every day, find time to be alone.<br />
<br />
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.<br />
<br />
24. Make friends with Godly people.<br />
<br />
25.. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.<br />
<br />
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus .'<br />
<br />
27. Laugh.<br />
<br />
28. Laugh some more!<br />
<br />
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.<br />
<br />
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).<br />
<br />
31.. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).<br />
<br />
32. Sit on your ego.<br />
<br />
33. Talk less; listen more.<br />
<br />
34. Slow down.<br />
<br />
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.<br />
<br />
36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEpaptxQd1ISFDpfaYFotnpX-1JP_DGosyWt63G6tKU2bu7L2ZrFFsrk192onVozMu4idsmC-1Fx3F-opxN51E81QWuWqyD48gufyckZ0O_uN7Qk1rfODnjgmGUM9fAbXuA4O/s1600/freshh-connection-tuei08u_9SU-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1600" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEpaptxQd1ISFDpfaYFotnpX-1JP_DGosyWt63G6tKU2bu7L2ZrFFsrk192onVozMu4idsmC-1Fx3F-opxN51E81QWuWqyD48gufyckZ0O_uN7Qk1rfODnjgmGUM9fAbXuA4O/s320/freshh-connection-tuei08u_9SU-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
'If God is for us, who can be against us?'<br />
(Romans 8:31)<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a>If you happen to know the original author of this list, please let me know!<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><br />
<blockquote>
</blockquote>
sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-80014290363598156142019-11-10T15:56:00.000-05:002019-11-10T16:08:22.438-05:00Calm<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Calmness is the cradle of power.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;">J. G. Holland</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fLjbrv8S5QIxrjMnYqSJsnxbrE-6IEGu9pOBwhnP-e3svXTBU9oV9mbVemVHpV7pJm2v1ZNUcl58SDRl7HdoxTlyx-orkSnWs3hXssarUnXJcZdxl_e0JIuMESpl-q-xn6wG/s1600/faye-cornish-Uq3gTiPlqRo-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fLjbrv8S5QIxrjMnYqSJsnxbrE-6IEGu9pOBwhnP-e3svXTBU9oV9mbVemVHpV7pJm2v1ZNUcl58SDRl7HdoxTlyx-orkSnWs3hXssarUnXJcZdxl_e0JIuMESpl-q-xn6wG/s640/faye-cornish-Uq3gTiPlqRo-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">**********</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">For thus said the Lord</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span class="small-caps" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: x-large;">God</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isaiah 30:15, ESV</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-10235054483658867442019-11-09T05:00:00.000-05:002019-11-11T23:16:58.420-05:00GraceStory 2019 - Session Notes<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q5Eyq22mSVTNjRl59oYrXCGew9SC6fvAtI7TI4VYgqdXZTe5Psr0K_3CBkBTUuY2w7yv0l7j9u9RSY2o9m6GY_xjYDJTY4nCfwSnHnxHpMpnfScPw2VgkpzqkQGQD_8Tz-Db/s1600/Picture4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q5Eyq22mSVTNjRl59oYrXCGew9SC6fvAtI7TI4VYgqdXZTe5Psr0K_3CBkBTUuY2w7yv0l7j9u9RSY2o9m6GY_xjYDJTY4nCfwSnHnxHpMpnfScPw2VgkpzqkQGQD_8Tz-Db/s400/Picture4.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The Brain: Anxiety, Depression and Self-Care</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Overview: </h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Understanding some of the basics</span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">How the brain functions</span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Layers of life</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Upward spiral – practical points that bring it all together</span><br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Practical Tools (with clickable links)</span><br />
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</span> <span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://www.sarahfry.info/2019/11/gracestory-my-recommended-reading.html" target="_blank">Link to recommended booklist</a></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> Understanding depression</span></h2>
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Some contributors to depression:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<ul>
<li>Grief</li>
<li>Stress</li>
<li>Body chemistry</li>
<li>Difficult relationships</li>
<li>Abuse (many kinds....physical, emotional, sexual, spiritual, mental...)</li>
<li>Trauma</li>
<li>Lack of rest/exhaustion</li>
<li>Unresolved Anger</li>
<li>Genetic predisposition</li>
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If you suspect you may be clinically depressed, you can take an online screening. This is not a diagnosis by any means, but can help you to know if you should seek help.<br />
Here is one example of an online depression screen you can take for free.<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.uptodate.com/contents/calculator-depression-screening-by-a-nine-item-patient-health-questionnaire-phq-9-in-adults" target="_blank">PHQ-9</a></span></b><br />
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I also mentioned the life stressor scale. <a href="https://paindoctor.com/top-10-stressful-life-events-holmes-rahe-stress-scale/" target="_blank">Here is a link</a> to a good article about the top life stressors and their effects, how it can relate to illness, as well as a discussion about the difference between chronic stress and episodic stress.<br />
<a href="https://paindoctor.com/top-10-stressful-life-events-holmes-rahe-stress-scale/" target="_blank"><img alt="Top 10 Most Stressful Life Events: The Holmes And Rahe Stress Scale | PainDoctor.com" height="98" src="https://cdn.paindoctor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/most-stressful-life-events-chart.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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Whatever level of depression you may be experiencing (bad days, bad seasons, or severe clinicial depression) some of the same things can help. And understanding what is contributing to your depression is one of the biggest helps.<br />
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Our body needs several "happy chemicals" in order to have a feeling of well-being.<br />
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One example is Serotonin. SSRI medication helps the body to use and "recycle" the Seratonin that it has. Most of our Seratonin is made in the gut, but it cannot cross the blood/brain barrier, so any Seratonin made in the brain has to be used in the brain. So recycling Serotonin with a medication, is a great idea!<br />
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Medications are only one option. But sometimes they really are a good option. They can act as "water wings" to help hold our heads above water while we learn to swim again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lb3Jje1Y_nYWBaR0K-zNwtGCE-szBu-lJpOQliJ4DmIRMt0Djbqh7ZlKWhzv3YS52oMpWiwWbAzdVjJUmfKHmVBFw_9eHIZzN_tagvmpqKVyQRcJDEewzw6vBSOPGgWUfM5-/s1600/Slide13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lb3Jje1Y_nYWBaR0K-zNwtGCE-szBu-lJpOQliJ4DmIRMt0Djbqh7ZlKWhzv3YS52oMpWiwWbAzdVjJUmfKHmVBFw_9eHIZzN_tagvmpqKVyQRcJDEewzw6vBSOPGgWUfM5-/s200/Slide13.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
Safety/suicide: Take suicide ideation seriously!<br />
Particular danger signal: Knowing Where, When and How suicide would be done.<br />
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Understanding LABELS</h2>
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Labels are just tools - Don't freak out about them! Sometimes we fail to deal with the cluster of symptoms we are having because we are afraid of the possible labels.<br />
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You don’t take an antibiotic for a cold – it does more damage.<br />
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A cluster of symptoms can often equal a diagnoses. This cluster of symptoms helps us to know what to pursue in order to get better. It's that simple.<br />
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Use labels for what they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whoopty-ding about Mental illness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">This whole "mental illness" stigma thing ends here. With you and me and the people we touch.</span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">If you go to someone and they tell you you're struggling because you just need to "trust Jesus," you have my permission to hug their neck and go find someone else to talk to. </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Of course it is true that a sinful and uncommitted life has many consequences that can contribute to anxiety and depression. But that does NOT mean that your anxiety and depression mean that you are not committed to Christ or trusting Jesus. </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The chemicals involved with anxiety and depression are just as physical as a cold or allergies!</span><br />
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Jesus is VERY interested in helping you through your story of depression or mental illness or whatever. But He usually does not simply "cure" anxiety or depression in a trip to the altar any more than he does that when you have the flu!</span><br />
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</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Come come my friends, come come. Let's be sensible.</span><br />
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<b>Understanding Anxiety</b></h2>
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Everyone has it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you don’t have any, you are not functioning properly. It is a God-designed gift to keep us safe.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijC2WWXJVhVytkJDTIZQgmRm8sxC8IyxVm3fgdBPK3a0JIFsJ7nTJmNdWZzheXfwPqZY9OqAiZMHNRbBAyvB-lupOW2eo6U4lerBpivsFmwlZfNKZDXjdhoIQEm0SLF9x_Yrn_/s1600/Slide16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijC2WWXJVhVytkJDTIZQgmRm8sxC8IyxVm3fgdBPK3a0JIFsJ7nTJmNdWZzheXfwPqZY9OqAiZMHNRbBAyvB-lupOW2eo6U4lerBpivsFmwlZfNKZDXjdhoIQEm0SLF9x_Yrn_/s200/Slide16.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>The Amygdala</b> – 2 almond-shaped sections of the brain that are the stress and danger response center.<br />
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When triggered, it sends oxygen to the limbs – shuts down or slows down certain body functions like digestion, raises blood sugar, dilates the pupils, gets us ready to fight or flee or freeze.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsn6XrxvLs1lSnd4lPKQ-q4Gg_306zTxUE2UDDvtFcyNcT6DxJIL-T1qwEyR0Z_DsErfXHR_WiFYlV3J0wNeSUkMiPpRNt-rKi4nrJ0etn6Sln1E501WbyYsLdhqGLqv-Fej9P/s1600/Slide17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsn6XrxvLs1lSnd4lPKQ-q4Gg_306zTxUE2UDDvtFcyNcT6DxJIL-T1qwEyR0Z_DsErfXHR_WiFYlV3J0wNeSUkMiPpRNt-rKi4nrJ0etn6Sln1E501WbyYsLdhqGLqv-Fej9P/s320/Slide17.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The amygdala is designed to remember fear, so that it can be clear on what is safe and what isn't. But because it takes charge when it is activated, it keeps the prefontal cortex from sending messages of safety.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEENT8pHg5B8_KnMqPe8TfXFCaYqR2ZPWFM_b0DXIy9qp98a4e6YTW1G5bwfsRGE58-bX97PovQqK6aiUH3A5lXC9m27Ea8irryHp7haLY4K5LuZVtr8juivhTrFB_ReCJpTp/s1600/Slide18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEENT8pHg5B8_KnMqPe8TfXFCaYqR2ZPWFM_b0DXIy9qp98a4e6YTW1G5bwfsRGE58-bX97PovQqK6aiUH3A5lXC9m27Ea8irryHp7haLY4K5LuZVtr8juivhTrFB_ReCJpTp/s320/Slide18.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Front of the brain (prefrontal cortex)</b> – This is thinking part of the brain, and helps you process and file your experiences. This is the part of your brain that brings you back to reality when your amygdala has signaled a false alarm. You see a shadow, you feel instant fear and a cold feeling in your stomach. But quickly, the prefontal cortex kicks in and reassures your body that it was just a shadow and you are safe.<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">But sometimes, the amygdala "hijacks" the brain, tunes out the practical advice of the prefrontal cortex, and stays in charge much more than it should.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/stress/amygdala-hijack" target="_blank">When we have "amygdala hijack"</a> - we have to learn to create time-space so that the prefontal cortex (thinking part) can regain control. Breathing, counseling, mindfulness, and understanding are just a few tools. I have seen people learn to do this simply by being aware of what is happening when they start to panic, and talking their way through their reaction.</div>
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<b>Base of the brain</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- deals with the automatic functions (like body temperature). This part of the brain holds the automatic functions of the body, but it also stores emotion, especially associated with trauma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Sometimes traumatic experienced don't get filed properly, and get stuck in the base of the brain. This can happen when a child is pre-verbal and has no words yet to label and file an experience, or fearful experiences in which the person has no way of escape. Or deeply traumatic experiences like a car wreck or being on the battlefield.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZx90rgtPxqNomTBtkp6Yw0nzpAr_-oe-pBR32aM8xQ7EoHn65CBZlhf-ULtmpIu32barOoevS_iEdOz7d8iuYY7mfJPaIR1g3T9Ie2JjTGwJhDAWangWNv34hPDLqtw62WiW/s1600/Slide19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZx90rgtPxqNomTBtkp6Yw0nzpAr_-oe-pBR32aM8xQ7EoHn65CBZlhf-ULtmpIu32barOoevS_iEdOz7d8iuYY7mfJPaIR1g3T9Ie2JjTGwJhDAWangWNv34hPDLqtw62WiW/s320/Slide19.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The thing is, you c</span>an't think your way to the base of the brain to reason with those traumatic experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try to think about your body temperature and raise it or lower it by thinking. It doesn't work. But if you get up and do jumping jacks, you could raise it! Things stored in the base of the brain are similar. You have to know how to access them in order to refile them - you can't just "think" your way out of it. That's why you may be reacting in ways you don't even understand. And you might need someone to help you figure out how to access and refile those experiences.<br />
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Sometimes we need counseling help to sort through what the anxiety is coming from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some awesome ways to help your brain get it out of there so the front of your brain can file it away in the right place.</div>
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Anxiety is a messenger, similar to pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to learn how to interpret the message by becoming a curious listener.<br />
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</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Learn to listen to the message your anxiety is telling you. Perhaps:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">You're doing too much.</span></li>
<li><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">You need rest.</span></li>
<li><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">You have something to grieve. (We grieve lots of things, not just deaths.)</span></li>
<li><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Your body needs healing or nutrition or balance or exercise</span></li>
<li><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">You need to deal with the emotionally unsafe people in your life.</span></li>
<li><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">You need help to refile some things in your brain </span></li>
<li><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">You need help to make sense of your story</span></li>
<li><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">It would be helpful to learn to see some things through a new lens.</span></li>
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<u><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_behavioral_therapy" target="_blank">Cognitive Behavioral Therapy </a></u>(CBT) is one way that a counselor will help you to think better so you can act better. Together, you will refile things and reframe things that have become distorted or troublesome in your brain. When you make sense of your story, you can react in a healthy way.<br />
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But also: Remember that some things we just have to ride through. There isn't always a pain-free way to fly over the issue. Sometimes we have to hold someone's hand, put on our armor, and just walk through it.<br />
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Breathing is one of the best ways to stimulate the brain stem. It also calms the nervous system, sends oxygen to your brain, and lots of other nifty things. Remember to focus more on the exhale than the inhale. And don't hold your breath! Simply pause at the top and bottom of the circle. Counting to 4 on each section is a good way to get control of the brain.<br />
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<h3>
<u> Brain Breaks </u>(very helpful for teachers!)</h3>
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<h2>
BRAIN/NEUROPLASTICITY</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q5Eyq22mSVTNjRl59oYrXCGew9SC6fvAtI7TI4VYgqdXZTe5Psr0K_3CBkBTUuY2w7yv0l7j9u9RSY2o9m6GY_xjYDJTY4nCfwSnHnxHpMpnfScPw2VgkpzqkQGQD_8Tz-Db/s1600/Picture4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Q5Eyq22mSVTNjRl59oYrXCGew9SC6fvAtI7TI4VYgqdXZTe5Psr0K_3CBkBTUuY2w7yv0l7j9u9RSY2o9m6GY_xjYDJTY4nCfwSnHnxHpMpnfScPw2VgkpzqkQGQD_8Tz-Db/s200/Picture4.png" width="200" /></a><br />
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Neuroplasticity is the ability to change our brains.</div>
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There are around 86 billion neurons in your brain!! Think of each neuron as connecting an activity, action, or thought pattern.<br />
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As you think thoughts, a <a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/myelin/" target="_blank">myelin sheath</a> coats that neurological pathway and makes it thicker and stronger.</div>
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It's like digging ditches in our brains. The brain takes the path of least resistance.<br />
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This shows up big time in music practice. If you practice a measure the right way over and over, your brain has a strong pathway to follow automatically. But if you practice the measure wrong multiple times, you never know what your muscles will do when it gets to that measure because you haven't given it a strong, automatic pathway (muscle memory).</div>
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<h3>
How to use neuroplasticity every day:</h3>
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<a href="https://drleaf.com/" target="_blank">Dr. Caroline Leaf – </a>A Christian neuroscientist who teaches how to biblically "renew the mind."<br />
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Switch On Your Brain</div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=0801018390&asins=0801018390&linkId=670329063ba3af361a856169713407aa&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
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<a href="https://www.21daybraindetox.com/" target="_blank">21 Day Brain Detox</a> Thoughts are neurological "trees." You can kill neurons by ignoring them. And grow new ones by feeding them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFQe_y9e4mBqiQVfBcc8b5DGJ2feeMQnziWXKSWI9p5vaMFwZs7IyDiHbdC7wEIN7mcYVNLW2cL4pgrYxbRo3kZ8XgL4Sxjece3HDmGl3begTP440Krhk814AkhUffzD4ANz6/s1600/thoughts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFQe_y9e4mBqiQVfBcc8b5DGJ2feeMQnziWXKSWI9p5vaMFwZs7IyDiHbdC7wEIN7mcYVNLW2cL4pgrYxbRo3kZ8XgL4Sxjece3HDmGl3begTP440Krhk814AkhUffzD4ANz6/s1600/thoughts.jpg" /></a><br />
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Feed the good thoughts, starve the bad thoughts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEQgn5RLvkFIDFuaGrtqILjjyCrYXEcXV_mIcs_tV-1e0CQDZUPPS1VbIzo3eSMQXPq5FomRi0i8t94FthYfrAcI0S2Pd2n1ofvFQALjfolfowAftYfLwSuxT9h_YGG6pTm0a/s1600/sci_213_review_que3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="500" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEQgn5RLvkFIDFuaGrtqILjjyCrYXEcXV_mIcs_tV-1e0CQDZUPPS1VbIzo3eSMQXPq5FomRi0i8t94FthYfrAcI0S2Pd2n1ofvFQALjfolfowAftYfLwSuxT9h_YGG6pTm0a/s320/sci_213_review_que3.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://theswitch.app/" target="_blank">“Switch” app</a> (Based on the 21 Day Brain Detox by Dr. Caroline Leaf).<br />
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<a href="https://theswitch.app/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="273" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXy_wZ1RLH_SlVZtPcDi-o1rr8fnLCxxvjtN9OiJ7z2VzvJRql7pSzxRI95GiyYYjSpBvTpeXHFA6rlsak_tzsfdB-qh_J-eYn3a2Z7RwTGL2JPrv7P83fBnjV11pB4Tn3qX9Q/s320/right_phone_small-min.png" width="139" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpYf-Wk7VE1qXBzbwYGDrdvkcw4xWqeb4s311PL4m3eElAeL-wM80aRRP7kRLE-epfT_ZtsTRs5GlHEfPaGpwaRbLJ5_DhjVH5B9np6FB9sQSrafekIt0mpeRCSz4R8J5ojYr/s1600/Picture3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="286" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpYf-Wk7VE1qXBzbwYGDrdvkcw4xWqeb4s311PL4m3eElAeL-wM80aRRP7kRLE-epfT_ZtsTRs5GlHEfPaGpwaRbLJ5_DhjVH5B9np6FB9sQSrafekIt0mpeRCSz4R8J5ojYr/s200/Picture3.jpg" width="132" /></a>You can't just say: "Stop thinking about your big nose." It just reinforces the whole nose connection even more. You must replace the thought you are trying to kill with a thought (truth) you want to feed. (Like another postive feature you may have. 😊)<br />
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Principle of replacement:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew 12.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The guy who is delivered from a demon does not fill his house with good things. He leaves it empty, so the demon brings along 7 friends and says..."he made room!"</span><br />
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</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">We must replace the bad with </span>something good. On purpose. Every day.<br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">“Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right … Think about all you can thank God for and be glad about" (Philippians 4:8 TLB).</span></blockquote>
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<span style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Put off the old/put on the new. If we aren't purposeful about putting on the new thought habits, trying NOT to think the old thoughts is actually counter-productive.</span><br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">Each morning, decide one thought you are going to starve, and decide what Truth you will feed in its place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get ready for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put on your armor so it is ready when you need it!! Get out the Sword, polish it up, practice a little, and put it right next to your heart where you can get to it when you need it.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="background: white; color: #404040; font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%;">For me, if I don't prepare in the morning for the mental battle, I am often buried before I even get out my sword. Making the decision how to fight back - ahead of time - is crucial.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. </span>Hebrews 4:12</blockquote>
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You may not even understand yourself, but God’s Word does!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.</div>
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<span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">John 1:1</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Garden a beautiful brain, one tree at a time.</span><br />
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My damaging thought is often: “I’m not good enough”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">I'm not a g</span>ood enough mom, wife, daughter, pastor’s wife, musician, house cleaner…<br />
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My response? <b>"I have everything I need!"</b> because....</div>
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<span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. </span>2 Peter 1:3 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">Your thought responses become automatic because:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;">What fires together, wires together.</span></b><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><b> </b> </span></span></span><br />
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</span></span></span> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">(Like pickles and saliva : ) </span></span></span><br />
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Make your mental thought habits good ones!! Apply the Truth.<br />
Sometimes when I am struggling and confused or tired, I have trouble finding the Truth I need to fight back. I go to friends who get it and say. "I'm struggling. Help me find Truth to apply to this situation."</div>
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<h3>
Life Layers</h3>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;">When we are struggling with depression or anxiety on any level, there are usually multiple layers of life involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">My layers included:</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Many kinds of exhaustion, Sleep Apnea, Hormone Imbalance, Carpel Tunnel leading to lack of sleep, Low seratonin, Life stressors, Emotional/mental habits that needed rewired, Relational misunderstandings, Brain stuff that needed refiled, etc.</span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Someone can become depressed from one of these layers. Grief would be an example of this. But usually, when we are buried, there are multiple layers of life piled on us at once, feeding into the swirl of struggle and making it hard to get our head above water.</span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The first step is simply to make a first step. Here is what that looks like for me:<br />
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</span></span> <b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">The Upward Spiral </span></span></b><br />
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Living this life is like c</span>limbing a mountain or climbing wall. Over time, as we engage our story, we develop hand holds to help us climb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are small, some are bigger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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</span> <span style="line-height: 107%;">Some of them are like solid ledges of Truth or help that give us more we can rest on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 107%;">When I “crash,” it is like a mud slide – I can usually feel it coming.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 107%;">There are many ugly things at the bottom of a mud slide. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“ I’m worthless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mess everything up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People would be better off without me. I’m fat and ugly.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is NOT a pretty place.</span></div>
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</span> <span style="line-height: 107%;">But as we learn what our handholds are, we get pretty good at climbing back up!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> And we keep learning new handholds/tools along the way.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Upward-Spiral-Neuroscience-Reverse-Depression/dp/1626251207/ref=as_li_ss_il?crid=3501PG61T9EYK&keywords=the+upward+spiral&qid=1573519885&sprefix=the+upward,aps,232&sr=8-1&linkCode=li1&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=5a2804de0c5739b5cf202d86978fd3c4&language=en_US" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1626251207&Format=_SL110_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a>Small steps add up. This is called the upward spiral.<br />
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Do one thing every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get a backpack full of handholds and footholds and ledges</div>
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Wondering where to start?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> If you are currently in a dark place and aren't sure where to start: </span><br />
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Make a list of ideas – pick the thing you have the energy to do today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe get more sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe experiment with vitamins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe schedule an appointment somewhere. Definitely find someone safe to walk with you. If you try to talk to someone and it isn't safe or they don't seem to understand or care or know how to help, find someone else! People who have been through it and learned how to survive and thrive are usually happy to talk with someone else about it! Don't give up.<br />
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I promise, there is hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The best views come after the toughest climbs.</span><br />
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Kintsugi</h3>
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“God shattered my plate glass life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he took the pieces and built windchimes.”<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.lifegate.com/people/lifestyle/kintsugi" target="_blank">Kintsugi: </a></b> God can take our shattered pieces and glue them back together with the golden glue of Himself. Then we are stronger and more beautiful. Our cracks show the story of His redemption.<br />
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Maybe you are you have such a tight grip on life because you subconsciously know that if you let go, you might fall apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Release the pieces to Him. </span>Sometimes (usually) it gets worse before it gets better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then you don’t have to hold on so tight, because He is holding you together.</div>
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Possible Tools/Handholds</h3>
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<b>Counseling:</b><br />
Many counseling centers accept all types of insurance. Others provided a discounted rate based on your income. The investment is so worth it! If you don't know where to go, ask a friend who has been to counseling, contact your local Bible College, or go to <u><a href="https://www.focusonthefamily.com/get-help/counseling-services-and-referrals/" target="_blank">Focus on the Family</a></u> for their list of approved Christian counselors in your area.<br />
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You absolutely must find someone safe to talk and walk with you. This step is not optional.</div>
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<b>Vitamins</b><br />
B Complex & Magnesium are key vitamins for me. Do some exploring and find out what your body needs!<br />
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<b>Medical Issues</b><br />
Tell your doctor/nurse practitioner/natural health person what is going on with your emotions, ask for a full blood workup, including vitamin deficiencies. If they say no, get another doctor!!</div>
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<b>Hormones </b><br />
This goes under the medical category, but I cannot stress it enough. Find out if your hormone levels are normal. Get a Dr. who will help you explore. This is one of those waves that you can't overcome on your own. It will knock you over every month if things are out of whack. It's worth looking into it.<br />
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<b>Sleep</b><br />
You should just google it. Or<u><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Does-Family-Good-Deprivation/dp/1589976096/ref=sr_1_1?crid=UQO702TH2OKW&keywords=sleep+it+does+a+family+good&qid=1573520842&sprefix=sleep+it+does%2Caps%2C190&sr=8-1" target="_blank"> read a book about it. </a></u> Sleep is absolutely essential for well-being. Set a schedule. Go to bed. <span style="font-size: large;">Get off your phone!</span> Put your phone in another room if you don't have the discipline to turn it off. Take a sleep aid. Get a weighted blanket. Do something, anything, to make sure you are getting adequate sleep.<br />
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<b>Create margin</b><br />
Schedule/create/leave space in your days to breathe and think and rest. Living without margin is a recipe for depression.<br />
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<b>Music</b> <br />
This can have a powerful effect on some of us. Make a playlist of happy tunes, tunes that lift you, tunes that give you courage. Use it as a tool. Plan ahead, so that when you feel a dark day coming you can respond quickly. (GraceStory has a playlist on Spotify!)</div>
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</b> <b>Prayer/quiet/solitude</b><br />
It takes quite a lot to get my brain quiet. But that is when Abba sorts things out for me. It is a discipline that is life-changing.</div>
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<b>Apps that I love</b>!!!<br />
Yes, I use all of these apps linked below. Some of them have paid versions, but use up alll the free stuff they offer first. If you love it and use the free part of the app a lot, it will help you to know which one you want to purchase. When you find the right app to help you get quiet and think Truth, it is worth the investment.<br />
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<a href="https://www.soultime.com/" target="_blank">Soultime</a> This has been a huge blessing in my life. Soul-searching devotions in sortof a meditative format that help me get quiet with God. The Holy Spirit has spoken to me through this app many, many times.<br />
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<a href="https://thinkup.me/" target="_blank">ThinkUP</a>. This is an amazing way to replace bad thoughts with Truth. You can record your own statements in your own voice. This can be Scripture verses, or truth like: "God loves me exactly as I am." "I am excepted and loved." "I have everything I need." "My abuse was not my fault." or whatever Truth you need. The app will play them back to you with gentle music behind. Speaking Truth out loud is absolutely powerful, and this is one of the best ways I have found to do it. When my brain is especially muddled, it helps me to have my own voice recorded to speak Truth to me.<br />
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<a href="https://anxietyreleaseapp.com/" target="_blank">Anxiety Release App</a>. This is based on EMDR. You may want to find a counselor who specializes in this powerful way to access things stored in the base of the brain. It has been incredibly healing for me. If you have had trauma, you will want to wait until you have learned about EMDR with the help of a counselor before you use this app.<br />
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<a href="https://www.anewliturgy.com/" target="_blank">A New Liturgy</a> This is created by the husband of Shauna Neiquist, author of Present Over Perfect. It is worship and scripture sequences that help to get my brain in the right place. You can listen online to a lot of it without purchasing.<br />
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<a href="https://www.headspace.com/" target="_blank">Headspace</a>. I have used the paid version (the sleep music is amazing). But right now I just use the free basic 10 sessions. It is literally just guided breathing. It helps me get my brain to shut up before my quiet time. It helps me settle down when I'm wound up.<br />
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<a href="https://abide.co/" target="_blank">Abide</a> - Stories from the Bible, quiet music, Guides from scripture for working through tough situations, topical meditations. Lots here.<br />
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<a href="http://contemplativeathome.com/" target="_blank">Contemplative at Home</a>. This is actually a podcast. It is based on the practice of <a href="https://transformingcenter.org/2019/07/lectio-divina-engaging-the-scriptures-for-spiritual-transformation-2/" target="_blank">Lectio Divina</a>. A Scripture is read several times slowly and quietly, giving you time and space to dwell and hear the Holy Spirit. Powerful application of Truth!<br />
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Here are the headphones I use. There is something about headphones that helps me to block out the environment and focus.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=as_ss_li_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B079GXWSWG&asins=B079GXWSWG&linkId=eead765f371247ed32d39c88c447a718&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;"></iframe><br />
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<a href="https://www.rtor.org/2018/06/21/therapy-in-nature/" target="_blank">Get Outside.</a> It's free. It's easy. It's fast.</div>
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<a href="http://www.sarahfry.info/2019/11/gracestory-my-recommended-reading.html" target="_blank"><b>Read/educate yourself! </b></a><br />
When you understand better what is going on, just the knowledge itself can help to diffuse the situation. You know how to respond in a healthy way, and sometimes can refocus your energy from trying to figure out what is wrong with you to using healthy tools each day. Learning the terms that correspond with your experiences can help you to react better, just because of the knowledge. For instance, there is a term "flooding." This means a person gets overwhelmed with emotion to the point of not being to communicate or react well. Since I know this, I can recognize when I am getting flooded and put space before my reactions.<br />
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<b>Exercise</b></div>
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Exercise is said to help with happy hormones as much as medication! It's worth a try. Surely there's something active you like a least a little bit. I like to walk on the treadmill while I watch funny old episodes. And I especially love walking outside...it clears my head like nothing else. I also LOVE dance aerobics!<br />
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<b>Calming tools</b> (breathing, etc). Google it. There are hundreds.</div>
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<b>Get a project done</b><br />
Cleaning out a closet does not, by any means, cure clinical depression! But when I am feeling myself starting to slosh around in the mud a little bit, sometimes both the activity and the reward of getting a project completed can help to get me back into the upward spiral.</div>
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<b>Connect with a friend</b>. Connection is powerful. Some of us tend to withdraw when we are feeling low. Just reach out.<br />
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<b>Change of scenery</b><br />
Sometimes when my blues are getting bluer, I realize I just need a change of scenery. Maybe you need to get out of the office and eat lunch in the park. Maybe you need to take a Saturday and go for a drive through the country. Even a trip to the mall alone for returns can reset my brain a bit and help me to re-enter life with a better perspective.<br />
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<b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 22.8267px;">Clickable: <a href="http://www.sarahfry.info/2019/11/gracestory-my-recommended-reading.html" target="_blank">Recommended Reading list</a></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1T-6ozBPhU1wSyLiErvo3LgbtK-A-hoYRa1I0Z6wv8zl6BikJHJjRAPgGZtyDUTE3rAwFsYgUw_WE0TDf6T_4g8jm3BhzR3xXPM4IsIVZAfI_sVMk9239FoAfkn5lJYcef9B/s1600/Slide50.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: 400; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1T-6ozBPhU1wSyLiErvo3LgbtK-A-hoYRa1I0Z6wv8zl6BikJHJjRAPgGZtyDUTE3rAwFsYgUw_WE0TDf6T_4g8jm3BhzR3xXPM4IsIVZAfI_sVMk9239FoAfkn5lJYcef9B/s400/Slide50.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.gracestoryministries.com/" target="_blank">www.gracestoryministries.com</a></h2>
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Full Disclosure: I may receive reimbursement for Amazon links followed through this blog.</div>
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sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-16357072324878896832019-11-07T11:00:00.004-05:002020-01-05T15:11:59.731-05:00GraceStory: Reading Resources<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/715Rh93S+SL._AC_UY218_ML3_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Switch On Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health" border="0" height="200" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/715Rh93S+SL._AC_UY218_ML3_.jpg" width="129" /></a><b>GraceStory Note</b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>: </b> I am bringing almost all of these books to GraceStory! They will be on display in a booth with 2 wine colored chairs. If you're the kind of person who needs to flip through a book to see if you want to buy it, come by and take a look before you purchase something on Amazon.</span></span><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
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View the post for a topical, clickable list of recommended reading.</div>
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<b>Brain/Neuroplasticity/Renewing the Mind</b></h2>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393340627/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0393340627&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=3be1979741c7ba4e60dffac1487cff6f" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1576838684/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1576838684&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=2f260a87bc6b68207830364bfedc8d30" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1576838684&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /></a><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0393340627&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Switch-Your-Brain-Happiness-Thinking/dp/0801018390/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=switch+on+your+brain&qid=1573141076&sr=8-2&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=aedbbb45b87d1f76f999a34da981f198&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0801018390&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rewire-Your-Brain-Think-Better/dp/0470487291/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=rewire+your+brain&qid=1573151991&s=books&sr=1-4&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=be85a1bfe86753af9f3798959587b080&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0470487291&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/101-Brain-Breaks-Educational-Activities/dp/0999022008/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=brain+breaks&qid=1573487057&sr=8-2&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=a15665b9adfd18380f423eb096a68a32&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0999022008&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-family: "times new roman";">Anxiety for kids:</b></h2>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wilma-Jean-Worry-Machine-Julia/dp/1937870014/ref=as_li_ss_il?crid=3VDAT4RX8JWSP&keywords=wilma+jean+the+worry+machine&qid=1573142913&s=books&sprefix=wilma+jean+the+worry,stripbooks,173&sr=1-3&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=922e28ab53e1fa98a2543eb64d2fb43b&language=en_US" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1937870014&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Outsmarting-Worry-Older-Managing-Anxiety/dp/1785927825/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=outsmarting+worry&qid=1573143076&s=books&sr=1-1&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=c97764b569e81f2a23f1d561bde5667c&language=en_US" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1785927825&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wilma-Jean-Worry-Machine-Activity/dp/1937870030/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=wilma+jean+the+worry+machine+ideas&qid=1573142970&s=books&sr=1-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExMDRYSUtDMklYVlU1JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODU5NTk0MVI5NUI1MkJYTVVDMiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjg0Mzg5M0lOUTRYSjQxVTBWViZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=874e28199b6baacdfa3ec17f66d22ed6&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1937870030&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Worry-Much-What/dp/1591473144/ref=as_li_ss_il?crid=1296M8EV2FPGF&keywords=what+to+do+when+you+worry+too+much&qid=1573143026&s=books&sprefix=what+to+do+when+you+worry+too,stripbooks,181&sr=1-3&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=b506f2d4bf9c333f76f21ff108c49a14&language=en_US" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1591473144&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Dont-Apart-What/dp/1433827131/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=what+to+do+when+be+apart&qid=1573152270&s=books&sr=1-1&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=e0ee8e62181ba20699b6ede453935b49&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: start;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1433827131&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Mistakes-Quake-What/dp/1433819309/ref=as_li_ss_il?crid=2860Z4W54MHOS&keywords=what+to+do+when+mistakes+make+you+quake&qid=1573152221&s=books&sprefix=what+to+do+when+mistakes+mak,stripbooks,179&sr=1-2&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=2d3ea27ef3864c0d200a913d017dcf44&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: left;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1433819309&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a> </div>
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<b>Ocd for adults and kids:</b></h2>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0812931173/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0812931173&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=63d328a23be29f8158bb7ec2b01e9a79" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0812931173&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Brain-Stuck-What/dp/1591478057/ref=as_li_ss_il?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1591478057&pd_rd_r=2a00d49d-1a68-4d54-8a1f-50d1b085565b&pd_rd_w=7pY0j&pd_rd_wg=9LoNu&pf_rd_p=09627863-9889-4290-b90a-5e9f86682449&pf_rd_r=79KMVY6Q2CAQCB8ZTA6N&psc=1&refRID=79KMVY6Q2CAQCB8ZTA6N&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=f44f6a7937af94d6b810f65583b64d81&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1591478057&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Down-Worry-Hill-Childrens-Obsessive-Compulsive/dp/0979539250/ref=as_li_ss_il?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0979539250&pd_rd_r=d218ca8b-1f5e-41db-b82b-eacbcb80dfc5&pd_rd_w=0QR4s&pd_rd_wg=Ex3y0&pf_rd_p=09627863-9889-4290-b90a-5e9f86682449&pf_rd_r=NZXBH7AS100FDWV9CGXJ&psc=1&refRID=NZXBH7AS100FDWV9CGXJ&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=e9848c14bf0c34e3119062fc74aa8f3f&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0979539250&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Blink-Clop-OCD-Storybook/dp/0983454922/ref=as_li_ss_il?crid=1W03I9FJN58WL&keywords=blink+blink+clop+clop&qid=1573143229&s=books&sprefix=blink+blink+c,stripbooks,228&sr=1-1&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=0b798d9c3d8fe2721a43f16964fd6c75&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0983454922&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Brain-Lock-Twentieth-Anniversary-2015/dp/B01N7P1KDB/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=brain+lock&qid=1573141272&sr=8-2&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=25446a486b841d9d6379e34f7f49a7fb&language=en_US" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B01N7P1KDB&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a><br />
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<b>Depression</b></h2>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0801048761/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0801048761&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=d1e0c854fe3d277b7021e024436e0e15" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0801048761&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Upward-Spiral-Neuroscience-Reverse-Depression/dp/1626251207/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=the+upward+spiral&qid=1573143537&s=books&sr=1-3&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=d1c25b8eab029c8ac19128ca11a93665&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1626251207&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a></div>
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<b>Anger Management for kids</b></h2>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anger-Management-Workbook-Kids-Activities/dp/1641520922/ref=as_li_ss_il?crid=PEZOJ6NOSQG1&keywords=anger+management+workbook+for+kids&qid=1573143502&s=books&sprefix=anger+management,stripbooks,205&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEySk1ITDdYTTRGSjJOJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDc2MTU4MVpDOFFSOUw3NTU5NCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjAzODgzMkpWOVVYS0I4TjhTVyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=e0a953406bc752e164e47ab34a7dae89&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1641520922&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Take-Grrrr-Anger-Laugh-Learn%C2%AE/dp/1575424940/ref=as_li_ss_il?crid=2I0YGIIJB4Z42&keywords=how+to+take+the+grrr+out+of+anger&qid=1573143459&s=books&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sprefix=how+to+take+the+grr,stripbooks,195&sr=1-3&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=944a70cf051644e30ee1844f5d8b4e1a&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1575424940&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/What-When-Your-Temper-Flares/dp/1433801345/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=what+to+do+when+your+temper+flares&qid=1573143407&s=books&sr=1-3&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=c7c7be6a26c5a31d70d5cc7a5d400533&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1433801345&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a> </div>
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<h2 style="font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<b>Growth Mindset for Kids: </b></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Building resiliency/"I Can Do It, I Will Try" attitude</span></h2>
<div style="font-weight: 400;">
<b><u><br />
</u></b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Big-Life-Journal-Mindset-Children/dp/B074T998DC/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=big+life+journal&qid=1573143858&s=books&sr=1-3&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=059b5f29b040445bf1b8fae9425b2854&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B074T998DC&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a> </div>
<div style="font-weight: 400;">
<a href="https://biglifejournal.com/pages/freebies" target="_blank">Big Life Journal Free Printables!</a></div>
</div>
<div style="font-weight: 400;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: 400;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: 400;">
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
E<b>motional Regulation for Kids</b></h2>
<b><u><br />
</u></b> <a href="https://www.counselorkeri.com/2019/11/04/games-to-teach-kids-self-control/" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.counselorkeri.com/2019/11/04/games-to-teach-kids-self-control/" height="100" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.counselorkeri.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/PNG-image-6F0331B1C42F-1.png?fit=660%2C330&ssl=1" width="200" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: 400;">
<a href="http://www.counselorkeri.com/" target="_blank">Counselor Keri</a> (Lots of resources for emotional regulation - a jack pot for parents & teachers!)<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<h2 style="font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<b>Preparing Kids for healthy sexuality</b></h2>
<div style="font-weight: 400; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Good-Pictures-Bad-Porn-Proofing-Todays/dp/0997318732/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=good+pictures,+bad+pictures&qid=1573142240&s=books&sr=1-2&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=c55b7336c06879e80f50cda27ee0bc1e&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0997318732&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Good-Pictures-Bad-Jr-Protect/dp/0997318724/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=good+pictures,+bad+pictures+jr&qid=1573142280&s=books&sr=1-2&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=7b3f14c83ad30b259157b596dd9c938e&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0997318724&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763633313/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763633313&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=07f7bedb4d7d9a0d5459c84bf688f97d" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0763633313&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763668745/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0763668745&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=c98c35490dbe07d5c239d5d1d1f0a7ad" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0763668745&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Preparing-Adolescence-Survive-Coming-Change/dp/0800726286/ref=as_li_ss_il?crid=2JQKRIFQTN8D&keywords=preparing+for+adolescence+dr.+james+dobson&qid=1573142379&s=books&sprefix=preparing+for+adolesc,stripbooks,220&sr=1-1&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=b9c12d62c015dbf8f047478332dc8a36&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0800726286&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-decoration-line: none;">
<b><u></u></b><br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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</h2>
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<h2 style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">Difficult Marriage</span></h2>
<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">
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<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307458490/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0307458490&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=7ce57c9185942b70dffc7f556baa0a95" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Emotionally-Destructive-Marriage-Voice-Reclaim/dp/0307731189/ref=as_li_ss_il?crid=2XUS0YXBT54K7&keywords=leslie+vernick+books&qid=1573157457&s=books&sprefix=leslie+vernick,stripbooks,180&sr=1-2&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=d32b324dac33512e6aecbc868cd40c86&language=en_US" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0307731189&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0307458490&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b><b style="text-decoration-line: none;">Boundaries</b></b></h2>
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<b><u> </u></b></div>
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<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-Marriage-Henry-Cloud/dp/0310243149/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=boundaries+in+marriage&qid=1573487839&sr=8-2&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=ad0267982a827d084064d68c6971b55d&language=en_US" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0310243149&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-Teens-When-Say-Yes/dp/0310270456/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=boundaries+with+teens&qid=1573144201&s=books&sr=1-3&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=294fe900529fa7800d7032629728bbac&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0310270456&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-Kids-Children-Control-Their/dp/0310243157/ref=as_li_ss_il?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0310243157&pd_rd_r=a12dea8f-d13b-46f3-84a3-970d670f8885&pd_rd_w=L0GHK&pd_rd_wg=ws9zM&pf_rd_p=52b7592c-2dc9-4ac6-84d4-4bda6360045e&pf_rd_r=2D2EWHFMHEX50S4103ZR&psc=1&refRID=2D2EWHFMHEX50S4103ZR&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=7b65c66a64b34bbf74366ce562f770fa&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0310243157&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Boundaries-Updated-Expanded-When-Control/dp/0310351804/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=boundaries&qid=1573144129&s=books&sr=1-3&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=3f27da49d4b44425d64d1fe3324c9548&language=en_US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0310351804&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310352770/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0310352770&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=a0862400d7d5bc6e5e1ee870225d45a9" style="clear: left; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0310352770&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /></a><br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Relationships</b></h2>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/080241284X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=080241284X&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=a0bf5afc77b9108a7be82de53727fe0e" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=080241284X&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/080241270X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=080241270X&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=62c67bc19d32e7cb39f0d6ed2c738534" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=080241270X&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0802412858/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0802412858&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=dd9b5641fa27c68079471d7e4f0bf811" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0802412858&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /></a> <br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Me-Tight-Conversations-Lifetime/dp/031611300X/ref=as_li_ss_il?crid=2HBE0LML3WD9A&keywords=hold+me+tight+sue+johnson&qid=1573152039&s=books&sprefix=hold+me+tight,stripbooks,186&sr=1-3&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=8b37b333f39d26d9a9026a3c4cbe3c31&language=en_US" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=031611300X&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0894864025/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0894864025&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=6a3b205629965e5e1301b4f89c5bc2ee" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0894864025&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062505890/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0062505890&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=3d5e7b2f54556b07b125f75136107f89" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0062505890&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Interpersonal Neurobiology</b></h2>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Ministry/Leadership</h2>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Slowing Down/Creating Margin</b></h2>
<b><u><br />
</u></b> <br />
<div style="font-weight: 400;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Simplicity-Parenting-Extraordinary-Calmer-Happier/dp/0345507983/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=simplicity+parenting&pd_rd_i=0345507983&pd_rd_r=3fd30cbc-acb0-4459-b5fb-ba00f4d289e6&pd_rd_w=OsgjM&pd_rd_wg=2MbFQ&pf_rd_p=1cb3f32a-ccfd-479b-8a13-b22f56c942c6&pf_rd_r=BCQMYJ74VSHNVBHZ7DWE&psc=1&qid=1573142072&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=9773260dc430a481dc35833e8469a791&language=en_US" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0345507983&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310342996/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0310342996&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=dc13fe50ac63a2d78c722c8aa3eb2c0e" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0310342996&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sarahmfry-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0310342996" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/159979313X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=159979313X&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=a9fdc6c70358e79cf7afb00b2e6df201" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=159979313X&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Margin-Restoring-Emotional-Financial-Overloaded/dp/1576836827/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=margin&qid=1573140513&sr=8-2&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=4224330045bd6a304b1cd5b0112cd986&language=en_US" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1576836827&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1589976096/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1589976096&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=13385cf0c8c50ea133bf41e9fd4101ff" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1589976096&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><u><br />
</u></b> <b><u><br />
</u></b> <br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Getting Quiet</b></h2>
</div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Keeping-Caring-Most-Important/dp/0310275962/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=soul+keeping&qid=1573151919&s=books&sr=1-1&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=3de8918db3d52867ed61db36b968a100&language=en_US" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0310275962&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a><br />
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<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Perfectionism/Spiritual Abuse</h2>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1523215798/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1523215798&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=ce0edce78a73927e2250750b95c4801f" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1523215798&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /></a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0893672386/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0893672386&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=a8a7883fde1b26599494ff9a85e76012" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0893672386&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Understanding Your Story</h2>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Soul-Connections-Neuroscience-Relationships/dp/141433415X/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=anatomy+of+the+soul&qid=1578254948&sr=8-2&linkCode=li2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=770460c8116e96f3acfbe8057175888c&language=en_US" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=141433415X&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" width="137" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1608682323/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1608682323&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=021d3c343a8ffd232c51fad46ebb9d7f" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1608682323&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sarahmfry-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1608682323" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Heart-Revised-Updated-Discovering/dp/1400200393/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=wild+at+heart&qid=1573141861&sr=8-1&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=f3580d5ffe1f5caf1d38c80160902069&language=en_US" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1400200393&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a><br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Addiction/Alcoholism</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Sexual Addiction - Sexual Purity - Same Sex Attraction</h2>
<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/157856736X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=157856736X&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=05a9892b05d96afb5f55e90cbd304b69" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=157856736X&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307458563/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0307458563&linkCode=as2&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=54c3a473778330a16d39840a1ae4ab2d" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"></a><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0307458563&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=sarahmfry-20" /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/When-Secret-Breaks-Your-Heart/dp/0692082085/ref=as_li_ss_il?crid=20L0CAGHPJW1M&keywords=when+his+secret+sin+breaks+your+heart&qid=1573143718&s=books&sprefix=when+his+secret+sin,stripbooks,328&sr=1-2&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=cda21a89707eb0e50b969f0488cac790&language=en_US" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0692082085&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gay-Girl-Good-God-Always/dp/1462751229/ref=as_li_ss_il?crid=24Y401KHFKAVF&keywords=gay+girl,+good+god&qid=1573140305&sprefix=gay+girl,+,aps,483&sr=8-3&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=a978f0499a3564158e55ee3eb7647b2a&language=en_US" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; font-family: "times new roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1462751229&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a><a href="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B003NSC5EK&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B003NSC5EK&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Call-Love-Recovery-Addiction/dp/0553351389/ref=as_li_ss_il?keywords=don%27t+call+it+love&qid=1573141962&sr=8-1&linkCode=li3&tag=sarahmfry-20&linkId=2af1e087dad0373aa87b8c7579a84963&language=en_US" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0553351389&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US" /></a></div>
<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sexual Abuse</h2>
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</div>
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<i>Disclosure: The pictures are clickable and linked to Amazon. I may receive a small compensation if you purchase through one of these links.</i></div>
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<i>This is by no means an exhaustive list of the topics represented. Nor is it even necessarily the top books on the topics. It is simply a list of books from our shelves that I recommend. I welcome your recommendations on these and other topics concerning the health of the mind, body, spirit and soul.</i></div>
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<i>As a Christian reader, it is important to develop a good sifter. You do not have to agree with every single thing in a book to gain a lot of help. Keep the good, sift out what you can't swallow. Keep Calm and Read On. </i></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sarahmfry-20&language=en_US&l=li2&o=1&a=141433415X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-28121934036535168772019-11-05T20:47:00.000-05:002019-11-05T20:47:01.525-05:00Still*<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why these fears?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have learned to know myself, and I suspect several practical reasons, but as usual the presence of fear within me feeds fear itself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don’t like the nagging of fear. I much prefer the sigh of rest and trust and have learned to nurture it. But as a child and even beyond I spent countless nights fearing things eternal and temporal and specific and vague and realistic and imaginary.....and always fearing fear itself. It has paralyzed me, at times. Made me stare wide-eyed into darkness and double lock doors and dive behind beds. Made me picture God wrongly and turned heaven into a place of unknown dread for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have remarkable awe and respect for my mother’s unending patience in talking me and walking me and praying me through night after night of fear. Spiritual fear, physical fear, mental & emotional fear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God has worked Himself in me patiently and powerfully.... and my heart now is so sure and still and quiet compared to the dark muddle that haunted me for many years.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But lately, the edges of my spirit are burned with the dark hint of fear again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Even tonight, just minutes ago, as I typed the first part of this journal in the quiet night of the kitchen a yellow toy car rolled off the table and clattered to the ground, scaring me out of my skin and sending my heartbeat and imagination racing. I grabbed my Bible (which I immediately wanted to hold close) and devotional book and scurried to our bed, leaving on with purpose the light beside my desk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What is it about darkness that ignites fear? Sends it crawling and choking and swirling? As I read in my beloved Book the words of life, needing its stillness and strongness, I realize that the Living Words send light into my silly spirit. Light brings such comfort. And I know – again – that the fear of darkness is nothing other than the unknown. It is why I fear even now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not knowing why the car fell off the table. Not knowing what is in a room to trip me as I walk through in darkness. Not knowing what causes the noises of basements. Not knowing if this body will ever know disease or if my children will always be safe and well. Not knowing what God will allow into my life past his great sweeping hedge of protection. But wait....<strong><em>don’t </em></strong>I know?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One thing that makes fear powerful is the horrid, living knowledge that bad things DO happen. And they sometimes keep happening. Everything doesn’t always turn out good if you just trust God. Sometimes 3-year-old cousins drown and 24-year-old cousins die in car wrecks and strong, beloved black-haired grandpas die of cancer and uncles fall from roofs and cousins are in car crashes on the way to burying a son and vivacious grandmas are stopped in their lovely, dancing tracks by disease. And none of our days are guaranteed. It is a vapor. This, we know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But....only in those deep waters of grief and question - when the rug of confidence unstained by tears is dissolved into reality - can true assurance be found.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One whose footing has been tested can be utterly sure</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We’ve all heard it questioned....why do bad things happen to good people? Some would answer...why not? It rains on the just and the unjust. If you break certain laws of nature, there are natural consequences. But lately that has not been enough for me. I am holding – clinging - to a God who has built a strong and mighty hedge of protection around myself and my family. And if ANY evil or sadness finds its way past his great and loving arms it will be only because He sees fit in His eternal wisdom to prove His goodness in our lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">God answers our questions, you know, in very individualized language. Usually, for me, He answers them with Himself. I did not know where my jumbled fears would take my searching fingers tonight. But He has brought them around, once again, to the words printed above our front entry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Be still.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">He is good. All the time. This, we have proven together in the fire and darkness and years of waves of grief and the laughter that soothes us and the faith that holds together our pieces.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Right now, in my tears, I want to go wake up all 4 of my babies and hold them and kiss them and guarantee their utter safety. What mother's heart doesn't long to hold them forever-sure? But I have to trust in arms that are bigger than mine. I have to trust His goodness. I have to trust His love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And the sigh of that love returns to my spirit so that once again I can pillow my head in sweet sleep.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And His arms hold us <span style="font-size: large;">still.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> And <span style="font-size: large;">all is well.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/271/4C58D2565A3FD49FBDD98230AF981849.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px;" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> <span style="color: orange;">PHOTOS: Light-filled moments at the cabin this summer.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: orange;">*Repost from the 2010 archives</span></span></div>
sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-3187207865832671652019-11-04T06:00:00.000-05:002019-11-04T21:30:47.907-05:00Growth<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Give thanks for what you are now, and keep fighting for what you want to be tomorrow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />~Fernanda Miramontes-Landeros</span><br />
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sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-13268422575915183922019-11-03T21:27:00.003-05:002019-11-04T21:29:06.227-05:00Worthy<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: 0.3px; text-align: center;">
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<i style="font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.3px;">This week it has been so painfully present with me....</i></div>
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<i style="font-family: "source sans pro", serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0.3px;">I am not worthy. I am not good. I am not beautiful. I am not enough.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "source sans pro" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><i> I am dust.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "source sans pro" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><i>My heart has been heavy with it.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "source sans pro" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><i>But this morning the joy overflows into tears.....</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "source sans pro" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><i>HE is Worthy!</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "source sans pro" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><i> He is Good!</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "source sans pro" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><i> He is Beauty!</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "source sans pro" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><i> He is......ENOUGH!</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "source sans pro" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><i>And He lives to love me.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "source sans pro" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><i>How lovingly he wraps around me the crimson robe of His Righteousness, and whispers to me to quit striving and rest in His shed blood that makes right what is wrong with me.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "source sans pro" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><i>He wraps me in acceptance and beauty and forgiveness....and reminds me that Because of Today eternity is ours.....together.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "source sans pro" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><i>I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "source sans pro" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.3px;"><i>Isaiah 61:10</i></span></span></div>
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sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-60127213070805944872019-10-30T09:14:00.000-04:002019-11-04T21:28:03.712-05:00Daybook - Chilly Fall Day<br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-size: 14.3px; text-align: justify;">OUTSIDE MY WINDOW::</b></div>
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Chilly, grey, delicious</div>
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<b>WHAT I'M LISTENING TO::</b></div>
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Herbie Hancock, Frank Sinatra, etc.</div>
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<b>WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO/DREAMING OF ::</b></div>
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Been thinking a lot about dreaming. And some of my big dreams. And where they fit.</div>
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<b>THANKFUL FOR :: </b></div>
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Schedules & Checklists!! They save my life and my sanity.<br />
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<b>PONDERING :: </b></div>
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The difficult work of addiction recovery. We lost someone struggling with substance abuse disorder this past week, and my heart is hurting for the ones closest to her. And the risk of loving. And the challenge of this kind of work.</div>
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<b>REMEMBERING :: </b></div>
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Memories of my family in Kansas. They sit - always - in a precious, painful place in my heart.</div>
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<b>READING ::</b></div>
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<b>TO LIVE THE LIFE :: </b><br />
<b><br /></b>Quiet, quiet, quiet. I told my counselor yesterday that this is one of the primary ways I am learning I must deal with the things God is digging up in me.</div>
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<b>TOWARDS RAISING HUNGRY LEARNERS ::</b></div>
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We cannot leave sex ed to chance. It is hard and awkward and actually a little scary to talk to our kids about the facts of life. Sometimes when I talk to them, I think..."What if I'm telling them this too soon and it makes them curious and they get into trouble?" But then I remember that we decided a long time ago to be the FIRST ones to tell our kids about this stuff. And I reminded my boys last night how blessed they are to get to learn from their parents, instead of hearing it in a dirty way from friends.</div>
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So...last night I'm reading this book to my 2 youngest boys. And the 13-year old hollers through the door from the hall..."I'm sorry, guys!" He was feeling embarrassed for them. But then before I know it, all 4 boys are on the bed laughing and looking and learning and acting like they hated it. But really, it is a relief to know the truth about things and not have to guess. And the only way for them to be prepared for what this culture is going to throw at them (EVEN IN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL!!!) is to be educated. </div>
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One of the funniest things that happened last night came from the 4-yr-old....as we ended our reading for the night and were flipping through the pages, he shot his hand out and stopped me on a page that illustrated the journey of sperm. He's like....wait! And then lets out a blood-curdling scream. We fell out laughing. There was nothing inappropriate about it, and he didn't have a clue what he was seeing yet. But it was super funny. </div>
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You may thing your kids are too young. But trust me - this culture and their friends don't share your opinion on that. Be the first. Get to them before someone else does. </div>
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<b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>A FEW PLANS FOR THIS WEEK::</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.3px;">Well....the schedules and lists I mentioned above are epic this week. But making a list and assigning each task to a day and even a time makes it much more manageable. For instance, I just found out David and I are doing the funeral of an internet church attendee who lives 4 hours away. So friday includes 8 hours of driving, a funeral, and then my boys have a game that night. It could have been a panic moment. But instead, I went to my weekly list and reassigned all of the Friday tasks to Tuesday and Wednesday and then started working through the most crucial parts of the list.</span></div>
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<b style="font-size: 14.3px;">A QUOTE I LOVE:</b></div>
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sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-63334455079550227942019-10-16T11:28:00.000-04:002019-11-04T21:30:22.416-05:00Nurturing myselfOn those days when you wake up and the world is hard and dreary and weary and you can't get enough coffee...nurture yourself!<br />
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The older I get, the more I realize that it is my responsibility to nurture myself.<br />
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Most of these things can be done in 10-15 minutes or less. Even on super-busy days, when I'm so focused on my to-do list that I'm feeling a little cranky, there is time to pause for a second...Notice. Breathe. Maybe even sing.<br />
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🎔 light Candles and turn on soft music<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaqWiVWJASJ2VQpYKKhliOjG747Y-nBBkheMUtM39b5hCqWQjpv1hsz27RKlDszGLN4Hz39ffGVSl8vTteSyVtSyUriRPwvxnnX10bTHtzNhG5yYYi520gINVTRFrJjjATeho/s1600/louis-hansel-f7jXSUO9PM0-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaqWiVWJASJ2VQpYKKhliOjG747Y-nBBkheMUtM39b5hCqWQjpv1hsz27RKlDszGLN4Hz39ffGVSl8vTteSyVtSyUriRPwvxnnX10bTHtzNhG5yYYi520gINVTRFrJjjATeho/s320/louis-hansel-f7jXSUO9PM0-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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🎔 Make some music! Sing, play the guitar, sit down at the piano for a few minutes and play an old favorite.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkhyphenhyphen_tberjA-FLvON_oHOi6gHBdEsC_Ll2fUOhFP_8Hb-X1RyN7kjjf5dSjG4JrF6oXcYdWxAVbUk-9MU3emK96fcjNIA9dr7MyBskLMkd4YGJ6aZzYn3VjY9nTYTNgikZtQ7/s1600/jefferson-santos-fCEJGBzAkrU-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkhyphenhyphen_tberjA-FLvON_oHOi6gHBdEsC_Ll2fUOhFP_8Hb-X1RyN7kjjf5dSjG4JrF6oXcYdWxAVbUk-9MU3emK96fcjNIA9dr7MyBskLMkd4YGJ6aZzYn3VjY9nTYTNgikZtQ7/s320/jefferson-santos-fCEJGBzAkrU-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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🎔 bake something that will make your family smile<br />
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🎔 take a walk around the block in the drizzle<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFCckgD3Wdb5dOdsWThPUMBAw0sMWPKfn8I4z2q6qcfneuOzxf4VnRkJE9G_dmae5Kff_xRCDgd48UgVz6jtXzWMJXMGJQpdMEg2OlRNSbMSBh9W-SkEALYfphYHhI7aT2Q3F/s1600/osman-rana-GXEZuWo5m4I-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFCckgD3Wdb5dOdsWThPUMBAw0sMWPKfn8I4z2q6qcfneuOzxf4VnRkJE9G_dmae5Kff_xRCDgd48UgVz6jtXzWMJXMGJQpdMEg2OlRNSbMSBh9W-SkEALYfphYHhI7aT2Q3F/s400/osman-rana-GXEZuWo5m4I-unsplash.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">🎔 go outside and sit on the porch</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEawHUbSzFy1TtmZ5q7gCBKHFES0FD6xL-UpebXAy5N0YpjLLb9_LsdAI_y8w2yWqHAdLlbAyIplL2mThJuFqxLSV5lhJy9-c_sYMhwKyDwX5MCPiajpBjbiGPUlGqdSESJgRj/s1600/danielle-dolson-yeN9XfiUafY-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEawHUbSzFy1TtmZ5q7gCBKHFES0FD6xL-UpebXAy5N0YpjLLb9_LsdAI_y8w2yWqHAdLlbAyIplL2mThJuFqxLSV5lhJy9-c_sYMhwKyDwX5MCPiajpBjbiGPUlGqdSESJgRj/s320/danielle-dolson-yeN9XfiUafY-unsplash.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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🎔 take 15 minutes to scoop things into a laundry basket...set it in a corner...and turn on a soft lamp<br />
before continuing your day's work<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsY-MWKBx5af7EXTcr8yeNRrbXFBDRrMKPzD6jHRszv0aMVEQjnPopG_llrgwtSGN4tL8-28q7thyphenhypheniz_dom2ERYX8TDpCXlpR7O2SfSx_0SdZgELH7q5VarMMv3HWqymKpWyI/s1600/malik-minhaj-HyW12K8iX3s-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsY-MWKBx5af7EXTcr8yeNRrbXFBDRrMKPzD6jHRszv0aMVEQjnPopG_llrgwtSGN4tL8-28q7thyphenhypheniz_dom2ERYX8TDpCXlpR7O2SfSx_0SdZgELH7q5VarMMv3HWqymKpWyI/s320/malik-minhaj-HyW12K8iX3s-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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🎔go alone to the nursery and rock in the rocking chair in the dark with your headphones on<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqclghE7s0E-Wh0KdcL-RdiYa_M8I_3esQiYqyjBdIWHWgLe6IjBBw7e8nn9txS2YPbOCO6X56M1g3K9Kif_MsnnKXJQ8vla81AcOtbKbF6j1H1GI-u2EeKoivXv1yOdj8A23B/s1600/mark-solarski-T3mKJXfdims-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqclghE7s0E-Wh0KdcL-RdiYa_M8I_3esQiYqyjBdIWHWgLe6IjBBw7e8nn9txS2YPbOCO6X56M1g3K9Kif_MsnnKXJQ8vla81AcOtbKbF6j1H1GI-u2EeKoivXv1yOdj8A23B/s320/mark-solarski-T3mKJXfdims-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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🎔crank up the music that gives you pep<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrS4g_zowgTDbNXnfwelnEyNWlAmFvLuvjwPudNwV6rYnU2Mwz7Vjekbc8Z1HmZiaD7qkAGCpSHYtpWxgxZSkP9dLwVwOPN81WVfmBtDnjelZKH9zKwbVi_je4KSw4xuEISXg_/s1600/bruce-mars-DBGwy7s3QY0-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrS4g_zowgTDbNXnfwelnEyNWlAmFvLuvjwPudNwV6rYnU2Mwz7Vjekbc8Z1HmZiaD7qkAGCpSHYtpWxgxZSkP9dLwVwOPN81WVfmBtDnjelZKH9zKwbVi_je4KSw4xuEISXg_/s320/bruce-mars-DBGwy7s3QY0-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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🎔Open a window, no matter what the weather (or...if your 100-yr-old windows are all painted shut like mine, open the door for a few minutes!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-cZbAV9CFOIap8wzKgu6u4IODU5zKtfe9Z65ewIM_l5LpkAtwlaaK9OvtxlmOhD64TstlcQyc4P2qv_twU2Rr5CBO5aK88s1ozqiMaqcoMdiX9g8za0crKEhHYGQTrLrgYcn/s1600/rob-wingate-Fd9tUmRBJzk-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1335" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-cZbAV9CFOIap8wzKgu6u4IODU5zKtfe9Z65ewIM_l5LpkAtwlaaK9OvtxlmOhD64TstlcQyc4P2qv_twU2Rr5CBO5aK88s1ozqiMaqcoMdiX9g8za0crKEhHYGQTrLrgYcn/s320/rob-wingate-Fd9tUmRBJzk-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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🎔Go outside and use your sense of smell to notice things<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz56toDHqaoxetFa5MLsLs6H0Cta8JMsSWbJJbSO9G4vI3R5XiZkxeEDXlHOCe5dSD7klLpEQ-Z_sc-CoP6sD44oMBdqlGGazu65bfiUIfKe4E8Zvq1aOLkx-9Rv1u9LLPcLbF/s1600/hannah-domsic-2_gJeve_CBY-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz56toDHqaoxetFa5MLsLs6H0Cta8JMsSWbJJbSO9G4vI3R5XiZkxeEDXlHOCe5dSD7klLpEQ-Z_sc-CoP6sD44oMBdqlGGazu65bfiUIfKe4E8Zvq1aOLkx-9Rv1u9LLPcLbF/s320/hannah-domsic-2_gJeve_CBY-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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🎔take a bubble bath - even if it's only 10 minutes<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPD9lpES_5Uont2lJ00USSDZ9JgdL1RuVTwmAhyphenhyphenJc0rHnTzXswbcoBcZQooQahgIm8hH0q1uTTwrW5ZEH33bZbjGqf5O-a7Q4-39CbXARihnjQEiAKz7b5VFRD2XrqLqz2ugki/s1600/phebe-tan-qapwREdb3jU-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPD9lpES_5Uont2lJ00USSDZ9JgdL1RuVTwmAhyphenhyphenJc0rHnTzXswbcoBcZQooQahgIm8hH0q1uTTwrW5ZEH33bZbjGqf5O-a7Q4-39CbXARihnjQEiAKz7b5VFRD2XrqLqz2ugki/s320/phebe-tan-qapwREdb3jU-unsplash.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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So what makes you feel nurtured? Set a timer for 15 minutes...choose one thing...and go do it!!</div>
<br />sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-44472229053482479182019-10-09T19:47:00.000-04:002019-11-04T21:29:58.958-05:00The I'm Bored List - School Age Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GAkmVXXdTBYzOHH9Mq58UN9hKXvD8GpGwEbUDr1zt8bXTPyj9l02Vy9L-A4nJPJsUPkuyNvisXE0j9KVVswO3gjnv2CbugETy4vlcM3BK06Mj7IZeJQ34XbBnkPh-2VjgDX_/s1600/im-bored-300x229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="229" data-original-width="300" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GAkmVXXdTBYzOHH9Mq58UN9hKXvD8GpGwEbUDr1zt8bXTPyj9l02Vy9L-A4nJPJsUPkuyNvisXE0j9KVVswO3gjnv2CbugETy4vlcM3BK06Mj7IZeJQ34XbBnkPh-2VjgDX_/s400/im-bored-300x229.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />I love having a list ready when my kids can't figure out what to do!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sometimes I use the list for my own reference, and sometimes I just hand them the list and it triggers their imagination.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This list is rich in links! You could even use it as a Christmas shopping ideas when the grandmas ask what your kids want for Christmas! (I don't get any kickback for any of the links.)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">__________________________________</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7iktv7rtmZRQV3tmIu-dwgoG-IpY8rnEPifMwGWR2xlShiVZJefH6u27zvxqrDiqT7fMgXrHbfgItufS89OCPSJxD1dsIp6I_ZbwitxmLZDVY5WHU5B0PxIB7Ltom8_wk9hz/s1600/magna+tiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="1000" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7iktv7rtmZRQV3tmIu-dwgoG-IpY8rnEPifMwGWR2xlShiVZJefH6u27zvxqrDiqT7fMgXrHbfgItufS89OCPSJxD1dsIp6I_ZbwitxmLZDVY5WHU5B0PxIB7Ltom8_wk9hz/s200/magna+tiles.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Toys:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Legos</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Duplos</span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Magna-Tiles-18915-Award-Winning-Creativity-Educational/dp/B07H14F12Z/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=magna+tiles&qid=1570141799&sr=8-5" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Magna Tiles</span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeGvJKKqvKqGxasoMKCM03kW-DmALR4iH5AMWkBwFCZ__EsoE-qL5Dftv0OaJvXxeIMCCNAB0nLYucUw4r9lDlA3reiM1IkNqg3Oc402QiLfEa_bH_ZwBeF55G0hNqAy2TIvu/s1600/marble+run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeGvJKKqvKqGxasoMKCM03kW-DmALR4iH5AMWkBwFCZ__EsoE-qL5Dftv0OaJvXxeIMCCNAB0nLYucUw4r9lDlA3reiM1IkNqg3Oc402QiLfEa_bH_ZwBeF55G0hNqAy2TIvu/s200/marble+run.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tinker Toys</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lincoln Logs</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wooden Blocks</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wooden Train set</span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hape-Quadrilla-Race-Finish-Marble/dp/B079NLL5RC/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=wood+marble+maze&qid=1570142084&sr=8-8" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Marble Maze</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dominoes maze</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Indoors:</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWWjAcMOw-ujs7vPmgc9AbDCxvqpJYciGOq07ChGqVZZBb-IxHgjSeR4Gat7Iw9aO3JBEIkZCub2ZjYkbcvIAsrw4eu4bCoToarIJb8_AcK3dCPlw3gVJTvvndx_SgZQSJnrD/s1600/blanketfort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWWjAcMOw-ujs7vPmgc9AbDCxvqpJYciGOq07ChGqVZZBb-IxHgjSeR4Gat7Iw9aO3JBEIkZCub2ZjYkbcvIAsrw4eu4bCoToarIJb8_AcK3dCPlw3gVJTvvndx_SgZQSJnrD/s200/blanketfort.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Blanket-Fort" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">build a blanket fort</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cozy reading spot (blankets, pillows, music, flashlights or lantern)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Attic Play </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(We keep extra toys in the attic....they like to occasionaly disappear into the attic to see what treasures </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">they can find.)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Basement play</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFHBvd11LLAdFwhRU_plOGmjYf1qUXQ86GGY7LzYybQ8ShP9PapYL1AlpsheDWQ_9WGXwdb1TE8QYrXEHgfFo51p020VGvHjYuhZTFS7p1su3x6pkFL8m5A8y0xZLV8T9kFfk/s1600/balance+beam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="239" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFHBvd11LLAdFwhRU_plOGmjYf1qUXQ86GGY7LzYybQ8ShP9PapYL1AlpsheDWQ_9WGXwdb1TE8QYrXEHgfFo51p020VGvHjYuhZTFS7p1su3x6pkFL8m5A8y0xZLV8T9kFfk/s200/balance+beam.JPG" width="149" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Indoor balance beam</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Puppets</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Big Boxes (add crayons, lanterns, pillows, blankets, snacks)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Outside:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bird identification</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bike Riding</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Roller Blades</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Indoor Basketball</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nerf War</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Audio Books</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.audible.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Audible</span></a></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.hoopladigital.com/my/hoopla" target="_blank">Hoopla</a> (free audiobooks through your library card!)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://meet.libbyapp.com/" target="_blank">Libby </a>(free audiobooks through your library card)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.drivethruhistory.com/" target="_blank">Drive Through History</a> </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.jonathanpark.com/pages/listen" target="_blank">Jonathon Park Audio Adventures</a> (teaches creation science and apologetics)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://store.focusonthefamily.com/father-gilbert-mysteries" target="_blank">Father Gilbert</a> <a href="https://www.christianbook.com/theatre-father-gilbert-mysteries-collectors-edition/paul-mccusker/9781589976542/pd/976542" target="_blank">(available cheaper here)</a> (For older kids only!)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.focusonthefamily.com/radio-theatre/" target="_blank">Focus on the Family Radio Theatre</a></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://lamplighter.net/c/lamplighter-theatre/" target="_blank">Lamplighter Theatre</a></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.whitsend.org/" target="_blank">Adventures in Odyssey</a></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Watching with a purpose:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Kids' Exercise videos</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Nature videos </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">History Videos</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Science Fun</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dove Soap (put it in the microwave and it puffs up!)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Volcano</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Water Beads (possible choking hazard...but so fun!!!)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ice Blocks (Freeze small items in containers of water. Remove from containers and let kids "chip" away at the ice or use salt to discover the treasures.)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">magic milk (put whole milk in a dish, drop some drops of food coloring around the milk - don't stir. Dip a q-tip into dawn dish soap and touch it to the milk. Watch the colors swirl!)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Food Fun</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">No-bake cookies</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">cake in a mug</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">peanut butter protein balls</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">platter of munchies</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">make dinner/make a restaurant</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Creative Fun</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">coloring with sharpies (pair with audiobooks)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">play games (connect 4, chutes and ladders, uno, go fish, battleship)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Design a game (order blank game board, buy used games for the game pieces at goodwill)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">make videos</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">painting on canvas</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Window painting</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Autumn:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">make a leaf collection</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">gather branches for grateful tree</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">rake leaves & jump in them (make a pile at the bottom of the slide!)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">fill pumpkin leaf bags</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">collect colored leaves and decorate with them in the house</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">waxed leaves (</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">put leaves between sheets of wax paper and iron on low setting)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">collect pinecones -</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> - spray paint gold or silver</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">- paint with kid paints and paintbrushes</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">- cover in peanut butter and birdseed and hang outside</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">winter:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">keep snow suits on a hook by the door they can access themselves, and a bin for hats gloves and boots. so you don't have to go to a bunch of work every time they come in and out.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">sledding</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">snowball fights</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">snow fort</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">snow blocks</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">snowman</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">snow angels</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">snowball stash (see who can make the biggest pile)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">spring:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">pick flowers</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">mud pies</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tonka trucks in the dirt</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">sand box</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">summer:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">creek play</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ice blocks</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">sprinkler</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">water balloons (out the windows!)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">watermelon explosion</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">pop and mentos</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bubble guns</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<br />sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-55030575004282209262019-10-05T14:27:00.000-04:002019-11-03T21:35:30.927-05:00October Daybook <div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: georgia; font-size: 14.3px; text-align: justify;">
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<b>OUTSIDE MY WINDOW::</b></div>
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Still a warm fall day - but not quite as hot. My plants are still living!</div>
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<b>WHAT I'M LISTENING TO::</b></div>
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Just the sound of the air conditioner and the clacking of my fingers on keys.<br />
Along the lines of music, I've been on a John Rutter kick lately.<br />
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<b>WHAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO/DREAMING OF ::</b></div>
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Colder weather! I love the coziness of fall.<br />
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<b>THANKFUL FOR :: </b></div>
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Friends who are learning lessons alongside me! What a gift it is to be able to talk about what God is teaching me with like-minded journeyers.<br />
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<b>PONDERING :: </b></div>
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I am watching our church as a body working through and talking through various things together :(What does real forgiveness look like? How do we help one another with belonging? How do we balance inreach and outreach and where is my particular place in all of that? How can I pray for you specifically this week? How can I be vulnerable when it is so terrifying?) The conversations are good and scary and exciting and full of God's gentle pruning. I'm here for it.</div>
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<b>REMEMBERING :: </b></div>
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Summer Sledding: My mom would pull us down the hill on a huge piece of cardboard at our old cabin in the hills of Indiana. I still feel the happiness of it, bouncing along on our cardboard sled while my mom ran down the hill until her bun fell off her head.<br />
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<b>READING ::</b></div>
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<img alt="Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose - By: Rebekah Lyons
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" 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<b>TO LIVE THE LIFE :: </b><br />
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This is carved in the corners of my heart these days:<br />
<span style="font-size: 14.3px;"> Nothing in my hands I bring</span><br />
Simply to thy cross I cling.</div>
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<b>TOWARDS RAISING HUNGRY LEARNERS ::</b></div>
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This is usually a very inspiring section for me. But right now? I got nothin'. :) But I have been amazed (again) at how much kids pick up when you don't even realize they're paying attention.</div>
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<b>A FEW PLANS FOR THIS WEEK::</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.3px;">Today: Various church work, Lunch Meeting, Write and submit an Article, Blog, </span><span style="font-size: 14.3px;">Help my kids with all their things, Clean & </span><span style="font-size: 14.3px;">Prep the guest house for GBS setup crew, Lesson Prep, Take Karissa to driver's ed, Small group Childcare.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.3px;">Thursday: Full day of teaching</span><br />
Friday: School Fall Picnic - Date with hubby (maybe?!), Sunday Prep<br />
Saturday: <span style="font-size: 14.3px;">House Cleaning,</span><span style="font-size: 14.3px;"> prep for and host GBS setup crew, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14.3px;">Sunday: pm Worship; Serve GBS group; pm worship</span><br />
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<b>A QUOTE I LOVE:</b><br />
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Isn't this beautiful? Don't you just know people like this? Their woundedness makes them so rich.<br />
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sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-91156798360195069272019-10-01T10:13:00.000-04:002019-11-04T22:39:34.448-05:00My Favorite Things - Apps on my phone, Part 1<div>
<a href="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.oJOixkZpRcUtwYmnzfeSvwHaHa&pid=Api&P=0&w=300&h=300" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GBJGWwAUr-ID17lxgM0Iu3DVo7Cd5118rXxJc-KTbvRGO0YhdMofPWGBFgdTkOsPB741gSHNsJ6pystQ1SiOfPMN9NZ9gbUyGy6XiT2xuzXBnEN8kZB0dSGvZnukQD6vJyCG/s1600/chris-lawton-5IHz5WhosQE-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GBJGWwAUr-ID17lxgM0Iu3DVo7Cd5118rXxJc-KTbvRGO0YhdMofPWGBFgdTkOsPB741gSHNsJ6pystQ1SiOfPMN9NZ9gbUyGy6XiT2xuzXBnEN8kZB0dSGvZnukQD6vJyCG/s640/chris-lawton-5IHz5WhosQE-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.audible.com/howtolisten" target="_blank">Audible</a> - Great app for audiobooks that you cant find elsewhere for free. Membership is $15 per month, but you can buy the books without a membership. The membership gives you one book credit, so You only need the membership if there are books you want that are more than $15. Then you can sign up for one month, get the book, then cancel. A great secret is you can return audiobooks you don't want (not sure if this only works within membership.)<br />
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<img height="99" id="img" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/aa/Adventuresinodyssey.png" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-image: none; border: 0px; color: #5f5f5f; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" width="200" /><a href="https://www.oaclub.org/" target="_blank">Adventures in Odyssey Club</a> - My kids got this subscription as a gift from Grandma Wolf. (What a great, clutter-free gift idea!) We love their stories, I totally trust the content, and one of my kids uses this app as one tool to manage his anxiety brain.</div>
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<a href="https://meet.libbyapp.com/" target="_blank">Libby</a> - also works through your local library<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Budgeting apps we have used and loved:</span></b><br />
<a href="https://www.mvelopes.com/" target="_blank">Mvelopes</a><br />
<a href="https://www.everydollar.com/" target="_blank">EveryDollar</a> (Dave Ramsey's budgeting app)<br />
<a href="https://www.youneedabudget.com/" target="_blank">YNAB</a> (You Need a Budget)<br />
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We are currently using EveryDollar. Each app has pros and cons. Let me know if you'd like a more thorough review of these.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Devotions/Renewing the Mind/Quiet Time</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://theswitch.app/" target="_blank">Switch</a> - an app for renewing your mind. <a href="https://www.21daybraindetox.com/" target="_blank">21 Day Brain Detox</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.soultime.com/" target="_blank">Soultime </a>- beautiful Christian meditations. Music, Nature sounds, Scripture, etc. Check it out. You don't need to purchase premium. There is a lot available in the free version. I didn't buy the premium version until I used up the free stuff and realized that the app was a staple for me.<br />
<a href="https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/" target="_blank"></a><br />
<a href="https://www.youversion.com/the-bible-app/" target="_blank">YouVersion Bible App</a> - I use this app for listening through the Bible because it keeps track of my progress and makes it very easy to catch up.<br />
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<a href="https://thinkup.me/" target="_blank">ThinkUp</a> - This is for speaking Truth to your mind! You can record your own truth statements, scripture, or encouragement. Then play them back through playlists - listen to truth in your own voice.<br />
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<a href="https://cash.app/" target="_blank">Cash App</a> - a really great and easy way to pay people for stuff<br />
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<a href="http://emeals.com/?msclkid=473ac724e1c41c9ffa3d9ab6e5278461&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=B_eMeals_Brand_General&utm_term=emeals&utm_content=eMeals_Exact" target="_blank">Emeals</a> - You can get great coupons through groupon to get this meal planning service half price. After you choose your meals, it takes you to the grocery pickup service of your choice (I use Walmart pickup) and you can put the items right into your grocery cart and purchase for pickup. It is revolutionary.<br />
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<a href="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.oJOixkZpRcUtwYmnzfeSvwHaHa&pid=Api&P=0&w=300&h=300" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" id="img" src="https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.oJOixkZpRcUtwYmnzfeSvwHaHa&pid=Api&P=0&w=300&h=300" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; border-image: none; border: 0px; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /></a><a href="https://www.outofmilk.com/" target="_blank">Out of Milk</a> - I use this for my grocery list. (I am using it less now that I use Walmart pickup, because as I come across items we need, I can add them right to my shopping cart in the Walmart Grocery app.) But the out of milk app is great and I used it for a long time.</div>
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<a href="https://www.marcopolo.me/" target="_blank">Marco Polo</a> - I love this app! It is so much easier than texting - I use it to talk to family, friends and for checking in with people from church.<br />
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That's enough for now.<br />
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<br />sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-83533022691721350162019-09-30T09:03:00.001-04:002019-11-07T13:53:46.983-05:00Carpe Diem*<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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From the artwork in my dining room:</div>
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<em><span style="font-size: 20.8px;"><strong>"Work like you don't need the money</strong></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: 20.8px;"><strong>Love as if you've never been hurt</strong></span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: 20.8px;"><strong>Dance as if no one is watching"</strong></span></em><br />
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It's been such a long time since I've written. If you're looking for a place to get your fresh daily blog, mine is definately not the place. But in this season of my life I'm happy with my ketchup blogging. I write when I can.</div>
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There have been so many things lately I've wanted to write about, but couldn't decide which were the most important. My camera and my computer are once again at war. And frankly, it looks like Christmas has exploded in every room of our house. Simply keeping up has been a top priority (although not very successful!). We're still not done partying, and I'm still not done chasing my tail around here. But I'm having one of those "have to write" moments.</div>
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I cuddled up on the couch for some precious Sunday afternoon reading. But I went to the computer to look up something related to the book I was reading. I stumbled upon the writings of <a href="http://www.carrieshealth.com/index.html">Carrie Oliver </a>(deceased wife of the co-author of my book), who demonstrated her faith in an awe-inspiring way during her battle with cancer.</div>
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Reading through her journey - her faith, her pain, her fear, her inspiration - has stirred me deeply and reminded me of the Rock I have in my Abba. Two months before she died she walked through the grief of losing a child. She experienced the levels of life's grief and pain that I fear and dread.</div>
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But she clearly lived by my high school motto: "Carpe Diem." She seized every day. She viewed a trip through the halls of a hospital to another chemo treatment as a chance to share her faith with the hospital staff. She viewed an afternoon of coffee and shopping with friends as a gift from God. Oh, was she ever right.</div>
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A couple of days ago we spent some time once again in the Emergency Room with Kayla's asthma. Although these visits are not even remotely in the same category as the illnesses others deal with, they remind me of what a thin line our breath on earth is. Watching Kayla curled up in the wheelchair on her way to xray, watching her tiny little form holding on to the xray machines. Holding her hand while they put in IV's as she sobs. How could we take a single solitary breath for granted?</div>
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Even before my reading this woman's journal of faith, this has been one of those days when I have cherished the moments. I have laughed at my babies and squeezed them and kissed them and wondered at how amazing they are. <span style="color: #cc9933;">(Even now, as I write, Kayla is sitting at the kitchen table happily eating leftovers and talking my head off - asking questions about life's great mysteries from quintuplets to why we call dinner dinner.)</span></div>
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But I am so completely aware that God's goodness....His faithfulness...My faith...is not based on the fact that He's been so "good" to me by keeping my babies alive and giving us health. My faith runs so much deeper than that - It is based on the merit of His Goodness and Holiness alone. I sincerely pray that He will not test me on that statement.</div>
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<span style="color: #cc9933;">(You should see my crazy Kayla now - standing on the kitchen chair in nothing but her elephant panties demonstrating the loud and amazing call of an imaginary bird she created - an "Aparigon." And she has corrected me on my spelling of said bird.)</span></div>
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Anyway...I've been letting the overwhelmed feeling of life creep in lately. I've enjoyed having my husband on break from PhD work and having a break from our normal relentless school and home schedule. And as the end of the holidays approaches, I feel the noose tightening around me again - making my stomach nervous and my mood negative. But how could I not realize that stopping to watch this elephant panties-clad kid demonstrate the egg-laying call of an imaginary bird is one of the purest joys I could experience? I know that figuring out a way not to be overwhelmed and get it all done is incredibly important. But it's so much more important that I remember to be <em>present</em> in the moments. To remember to live each day with joy - by choice. Not to ignore the pressures, but to drink in the beauty. It's all around me - sometimes buried under the "stuff" explosion that often happens in our cozy little bungalow.</div>
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<span style="color: #cc6600;">(Did you know that an Aparigan is a hairy bird - it has hair on its head? We have the picture to prove it.)</span></div>
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It's one of the reasons that I love so much to walk. My walks clear out the stuff. I see the pine trees heavy with the snow and the fog light on the air and I remember to drink in the beauty. I feel the pain of my many ankle injuries and I remember not to take walking for granted. I feel the freezing air and am so grateful for a warm cozy house full of imaginary birds and crying babies. <span style="color: #cc9933;">(These birds can also see and hear in the dark....Really, they can!)</span></div>
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I'm full of unshed tears of gratefulness.</div>
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I'm thankful for 5-year olds who can get their baby brothers out of bed after naps.</div>
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I'm thankful for naps!</div>
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I'm thankful for my cute little house.</div>
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For our gorgeous Christmas tree, surround by the gifting of about 14 Christmas parties.</div>
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For my handsome, incredible, diaper-changing husband</div>
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For good jobs and good friends and good food</div>
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For the joy of the years I have with my little children</div>
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For the frustration of a child with illness, which gives me compassion and understanding and a hunger to learn.....</div>
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For the heritage of a close family</div>
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For the sound of my mother laughing with her upraorious siblings</div>
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For the experience of learning under my father's direction</div>
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For books and music and walks</div>
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For grace and mercy, which I do not deserve</div>
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For forgiveness and comfort</div>
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For the rest of being anchored to an unmovable Rock</div>
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For the fear that keeps reminding me not to take the days for granted....</div>
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<span style="color: #cc9933;">(I would like to happily announce the arrival of two baby Aparigans in our home - I just witnessed their hatching in a nest in our living room.)</span></div>
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As usual, when the Spirit has a message for my heart, it has been sent through many sources....spoken in different ways....come at me from many directions. I have been reminded through my child's illness, the passion of William Wilberforce, the journal of a dying mother....</div>
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I believed it when I was 17 in the excitement and dreams of youth. And I believe it now - as a 30-year old, overweight, goofy, dreaming, sometimes frazzled mother and teacher and wife.</div>
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I must seize each day. Stop for the moments. Be a constant student of how to work less and get more done. Never ignore beauty. Resist the urge to let life bury me. Don't hide the fact that I cry a lot and laugh really loud. Hug my babies. Kiss my husband. Respect my authorities. Respect everyone. Learn more about my students. Listen to more music. Talk more to my Abba.</div>
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Carpe Diem, friends. Seize your day.</div>
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<span style="color: #cc9933; font-size: 13.6px;">Now if you'll please excuse me, there is one very hungry Aparigan and a very thirsty baby boy who need my attention...</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">*Repost from the 2007 archives</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-30375592585955147402019-09-14T16:22:00.000-04:002019-11-11T11:08:01.842-05:00Authentic<br />
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What does it mean to be authentic? I was on an out of town trip recently, and met a couple who were so authentic it almost shocked me. I liked them almost instantly, and knew very quickly that it would be very easy to become close to them. They weren't telling deep dark family secrets or delving into the gory details of their struggles. But there was a realness in their interactions, an un-forced nature about their whole selves. Yet they carried authority. Their words carried authority because they seemed to be coming from a life lived sincerely. In the short couple of hours I interacted with them, I noticed several things:<br />
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1. they were careful not to reflect poorly on others in conversation<br />
2. they spoke of their own accomplishments as simple facts, not as if they gave them any more or less value.<br />
3. they knew how to laugh at themselves<br />
4. they were honest about their own struggles<br />
5. the seemed sincerely interested in getting to know us - they were good listeners<br />
6. it was obvious that they were extremely invested in belonging to Jesus<br />
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I know that impressions can be misleading, but it is almost scary to me how often a "sense" about someone turns out to be true (whether for good or evil...).<br />
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It has made me even more determined to be the real deal. I want to:<br />
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<li>Listen until I think I have listened well, then listen more.</li>
<li>Laugh at myself</li>
<li>Laugh with others</li>
<li>Carry titles and accomplishments very lightly</li>
<li>Be marked by the law of kindness on my tongue.</li>
<li>Be immersed in Jesus first, before anything else.</li>
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<br />sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-30185840573210118872019-08-21T09:01:00.000-04:002019-11-07T13:52:37.580-05:00A Fine-Tuned Life*<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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I sit here mesmerized, baby on lap, watching Heifetz play a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_1hS5LeBm0">Bach Chaconne</a>.</div>
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What a combination – the power of Bach played by an all-time master. The idea pressing itself into my mind as I listen… is control.</div>
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Every note – every nuance – is perfectly balanced. The double stops punctuate, the <em>spicatto </em>bowing passages are crisp, brilliant and effortless. Yet the melody is the most powerful – always rising and soaring to the top in spite of the technical gymnastics being articulated.</div>
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Yet his music is marked with a certain wild abandon – a heart and soul that elevates the Chaconne above cold perfection to the warm Divine.</div>
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There is no doubt in my mind that this music is eternally linked to the heart of my Abba.</div>
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This single performance that fills me with awe on a snowy Thursday morning has required almost unspeakable dedication. A lifetime of days. Hours of commitment and practice as the body posture, hand formation, finger precision, bow weight are perfected and perfected again. The music has become so much a part of him that he needs not pause as the cameraman calls out “take one.” He begins with only the imperceptible prep breath that comes when the music has become part of your internal rhythm.</div>
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It is one thing to listen to such beauty and power and precision. Yet how unspeakably more it is to feel it in your fingers – the notes pouring out from muscle memory earned by the tedious aching hours. The bliss of the <em>spicatto</em> as it bounces in perfect balance.</div>
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There were days that I chaffed under the relentless pull of the music. The dedication required seemed too hard a task master – requiring too much. I wished to waller in the undisciplined freedom around me. But the pull of commitment and investment are powerful, and the practice room became my friend.</div>
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I remember, too, the days when I chaffed spiritually. Feeling frustrated that the walk, the dedication, seemed so difficult to master. Wishing that it would be easier. Wanting so desperately to hold perfection. But muscle memory only comes from practice.</div>
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Sometimes, in this walk, the commitment and investment keep us going. We press toward the goal that seems unattainable. This holiness – becoming like Christ – is surely farther out of our reach than the Bach Chaccone is to my pre-twinkling 3-year old right now. Were it not for grace.</div>
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The discipline of the holy life – discipline in every area – the “coming under” of ourselves to a Higher Power – is an absolutely necessary element. This, and only this, allow us to be fine-tuned to the place where we might enjoy the thrill of a life that sings with a holy brilliance.</div>
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Why is it that youth so often whispers to us that if we were truly committed enough, in love enough with Christ, that we would no longer need the discipline of holy living? Have we forgotten that the daily trying of our faith bringeth forth patience…spiritual muscle?</div>
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On this instrument, wild abandon alone will not get you far. My one-year-old has wild abandon. Minus the commitment. Minus the discipline, the sounds coming from his cardboard violin are less than holy, indeed.</div>
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But passionate worship, combined with the disciplined life, lets us experience the music that soars above the mundane. Having put in the daily hours of refinement, we gain “muscle memory” – the place where we no longer have to think about and analyze every movement. And the Holy Love that draws us passionately paints and colors and brings every note alive. And oh! What joyous freedom – to let His music move our practiced fingers.</div>
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Is this the point of arrival? The ultimate experience of holiness? Oh no, what a small God that would be!</div>
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I remember one – only one violin recital in 26 years of playing - when I finished feeling like I had played masterfully...almost. That’s the nature of this instrument. It is impossible to outgrow.</div>
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The more we learn - the more finely tuned our hearing becomes - the more we are aware of our need. And we practice on, that His music may sing through us more beautifully.</div>
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<em><span style="font-size: 13.6px;">Dear Abba, would you fine-tune my life? Would You discipline my fingers, that their clumsiness will not get in the way of your song? Would you train my hearing, that it may discern what is truly beautiful? Would you bring me once again to the place of practice, that I may relish the freedom of being completely under your control? I worship you for your Music. I am in awe that you let me in.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: 13.6px;">*repost from the archives</span></em></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-20806395916371679742019-07-08T09:37:00.000-04:002019-11-07T13:54:28.718-05:00Ironing and Parenting*<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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I really love being a housewife. I enjoy taking care of the things my family needs, going through my morning routine – getting things in order.</div>
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Today as I ironed, I was praying over my husband’s shirts. (Not because I’m super spiritual. I haven’t remembered to do this for…well, maybe never. But I’ve heard of praying over laundry and I think it’s a great idea). So..I started cracking up because I prayed something like…”Lord, help David to be smart and successful when he wears this shirt.” Duh. I guess it doesn’t take much faith to pray that prayer. Anyone who knows him very well knows he is incredibly smart and extremely with it. Maybe I should pray…”Lord, help my husband to buy me expensive flowers and write me a long mushy letter when he wears this shirt.” Now THAT would be a prayer of faith. </div>
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Anyway….As I ironed one of Kayla’s uniform jumpers I got to the pleats in the front. How appropriate that some call them kick pleats. “Lord…PLEASE help her to stop kicking things at school!”<br />
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She’s been – uh – having some challenges at school, you see.</div>
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Kayla and I were reading about the right kind of popularity in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Year-Book-Active-Devotions-Kids/dp/084231976X/ref=sr_1_1/102-9141465-8332154?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192031713&sr=8-1">her devotions </a>the other night. She doesn’t think the kids at school like her. I said,</div>
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“Well so-and-so likes you!”</div>
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“ Huh-UH!”</div>
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“Well, he likes to be with you and he tried to kiss you the other day”</div>
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“But I didn’t WANT him to!”</div>
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<strong>(So she bit his shirt!)</strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.46px;"><em>Kayla in one of her favorite climbing trees.</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FtXjBcjtJ8HF8LNXUliZAeiG6YEe49kg8FaKy0YLLQTD1CZBQO9TEB3yni-bKPclPCvE0RQ5Lnq39SicTterNM87oV6Xohk0VLB-g_8Jy0HWO3nj0sYbA9S-lHMM1T-BLDEO/s1600-h/100_6432.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119734581446441890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FtXjBcjtJ8HF8LNXUliZAeiG6YEe49kg8FaKy0YLLQTD1CZBQO9TEB3yni-bKPclPCvE0RQ5Lnq39SicTterNM87oV6Xohk0VLB-g_8Jy0HWO3nj0sYbA9S-lHMM1T-BLDEO/s320/100_6432.JPG" style="cursor: move; float: left; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px;" /></a>This is the self-controlled child I have raised.</div>
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I feel like I need to iron all the clothes in my closet and pray over myself! “Dear God, Please help me to know what to do with this child!</div>
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The other day David and I went to <a href="http://www.purdue.edu/">Purdue</a> on our date. As we drove through the campus, I had this vision of my grown-up, gorgeous, blonde, smart daughter at a university. Far away from her hovering parents. Far away from family devotions. Far away from the safety of our home. I asked David, What will we do if one of our kids wants to come somewhere like this? What if Kayla is supposed to be a doctor and gets a scholarship at a university in California? (We are firm believers that God calls some people to follow their gifts into full-time ministry in a secular environment.)</div>
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I can’t even raise a kid who acts right in Kindergarten! How in the world do I think she could survive a secular university?</div>
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David simply doesn’t waste words. When he finally gave his thoughts on the subject, it was one word…. “PRAY.”</div>
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That’s really so true. I have talked to my friend and coworker about various parenting issues, and she repeatedly reminds me that prayer is our best tool in parenting.</div>
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I was talking to my mother-in-law the other day about parenting, and she recalled over the years seeing many mothers sobbing at the altar – grieving over a lost child or their own perceived parenting mistakes.</div>
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I recently told someone that I realize I am right now making the parenting mistakes that I’ll someday regret. How’s THAT for positive thinking? But it’s true!</div>
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It’s inevitable. I am not going to get it all right. In spite of all my books and schedules and plans and incentives and spankings and creative corrections, my kids are going to have problems and weaknesses. And choices.</div>
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As my parenting weaknesses become apparent, trust me – I’m very interested in improving. But I find myself just wanting to figure out a way get it all right! To parent in a way that guarantees the production of 4-6 healthy-eating, emotionally-balanced, hard-working, manners-keeping, scripture-using, creed-quoting children who bless the world, pick up their toys and - of course - never kick or bite their classmates.</div>
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But I can’t. And it’s sinking in.</div>
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It is once again driving me to my proverbial knees. (Mothers of young ones know that it is a rare occasion we actually make it to the kneeling position and remain awake to tell about it.)</div>
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It is helping me, I hope, to be more patient with all the other parents I come into contact with. Someone else’s kid calls my kid a name? “ Lord, help them!” Someone else has a rebellious child? “Lord, give them wisdom!” Someone else’s kid throws a fit in the middle of the store? “Thank you, Lord, that my child would never do that!!” Kidding.</div>
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And so I’ll keep reading and praying and trying to do better.</div>
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And I’ll keep reminding and reproving and repairing.</div>
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And I’ll have to trust my Abba to make up the difference. To correct me where I’m wrong. To feed the hunger for Himself in our kids. To redeem our weaknesses.</div>
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(Excuse me…..Right now, at this very minute, my 3-year-old daughter with blonde roots is telling some story about poop as she eats her snack at the table. She’s NOT allowed to do that. How many TIMES must we train them until they get it?!)</div>
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I guess I’m encouraging myself in the Lord and letting you listen in. Better get back to my ironing.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">*Repost from the archives 2007</span><strike></strike></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-48501933569113952872019-06-19T05:00:00.000-04:002019-11-04T21:39:53.592-05:00City<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">City</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">by kayla fry</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKaf7pWFS0T2_IWBpeSvVKqSB8B6hYp-Qtr8nI2olERxOh0_IYHm8AXcf67uhVc54qYkwm37Dj86KoPybbE6KIFY5sEgV82VGfJM9Q4Ia0BIHQa55rJ-oAmIkpt5hm-GgOjFf/s1600/molly-porter-15117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKaf7pWFS0T2_IWBpeSvVKqSB8B6hYp-Qtr8nI2olERxOh0_IYHm8AXcf67uhVc54qYkwm37Dj86KoPybbE6KIFY5sEgV82VGfJM9Q4Ia0BIHQa55rJ-oAmIkpt5hm-GgOjFf/s640/molly-porter-15117.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><!-- react-text: 2403 -->Photo by <!-- /react-text --><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/K7oqWgDJQ6E?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Molly Porter</a><!-- react-text: 2405 --><!-- /react-text --></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">She loved the city. She loved the burning in her legs as she
rushed down the street. She loved the way her scarf never stayed where she tied
it. She loved the buildings leaning in around her. She loved the lights of a
million cars zipping past her and a million windows without curtains letting
the cold office lights shine out into the even colder darkness. She loved the
way each light made a dozen more shadows. She loved the wind that stopped her
breath. She loved the screaming, wheezing, shouting, screeching, deafening
noise that never stopped, never for a second. She loved the feeling of others’
shoulders pushing and suffocating and moving against her and never stopped,
never for a second. She loved the feeling of not being able to speak, to think,
to breathe, to do anything other than move and never stop, never for a second. She
loved the city, the city that rushed and stayed and leaned and shone and
shadowed and stayed and screamed and wheezed and shouted and screeched and
deafened and pushed and suffocated and moved and spoke and thought and breathed
and moved more, the city that loved, and never stopped, never for a second.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Written at <a href="http://breatheconference.com/home/" target="_blank">BCWC</a> by Kayla Fry. 10.7.17</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-71590619961215602542019-05-10T06:00:00.000-04:002019-11-07T13:52:22.784-05:00Have You Had Your Frog Today?*<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><tbody style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
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<a href="http://www.goodywebs.com/2013/02/eat-that-frog.html#!" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 0px;">source</a></div>
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Sometimes it's called procrastination. Or just being busy. Or having priorities straight. There are lots of reasons we have frogs hanging around. We put off the things we dread most. Or the ones that seem the most daunting, or not as urgent, or not as necessary, or things that will be frustrating or require special tools - or whatever. </div>
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Anyway...I have a whole list of frogs staring me in the face with their beady eyes. And I've started chewing. Kinda rubbery and bitter, to be honest. But I made a huge dent in one this morning and victory is sweet. </div>
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And it really does seem to be true that it is helpful to eat your frog first thing in the morning. I'm a "morning routine" girl, and I know there are certain things that I need to get done every day in order to maintain any semblance of order around here. </div>
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BUT</div>
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These days, my "morning routine" actually takes all morning! Make bed...dress...kids to school...breakfast...dishes....clean kitchen...laundry...feed and change babies...naps and so forth. What (in other stages of life) could be an hour or less morning routine for me is actually, discouragingly, an all-morning thing. So I have adapted my every day routine philosophy. Sometimes, you need to postpone some of the daily stuff to get something done for tomorrow. </div>
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In other words, my plate is fairly full with the basic tasks of meal prep, laundry maintenance, daily cleaning, etc. If I'm not careful, I get so busy keeping up with the daily tasks, I never get around to the "future" stuff. Things that help keep the future smoother...like deeper cleaning, sorting and decluttering clothes and toys, keeping clothes sizes updated and culled for 6 kids, planning and working ahead on projects, deadlines and events that are coming up. </div>
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So I have worked "future" tasks into my daily schedule, but life has a way of happening. And kids, dishes, laundry, meals and church have a tendency to fill in and overflow the space. </div>
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And then I find myself facing about a hundred thank-you notes that are getting embarrassingly late. Or the deadline on troubleshooting that computer problem gets frighteningly close. Or the season threatens to pass without me doing even one of the fun decorating projects I have planned.</div>
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So what's a girl to do? </div>
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Leave the laundry. Eat the frog.</div>
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The laundry will get done. I promise. Everyone will eventually start whining that they don't have any underwear. </div>
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But frogs have a tendency to grow into large monsters. Or to hop away forever. Or both!</div>
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Some frogs aren't big looming BULLFROG projects. Some are those little pesky tiny green tree frogs - like a daily task that we tend to put off in the mornings that sortof follows us around all day. Feeding the dogs on a muddy day. (I'll clean a hundred toilets and sort all the closets to put off going out there in the mud.) Or maybe exercising. (Everyone knows the hardest step is the one out the door.) Or getting online and facing the budget numbers head on. (It's so much easier to swipe and pray.)</div>
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Catch the frog. Pin him down. Hold your nose. Eat the sucker. </div>
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Here I go.</div>
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*repost from the archives</div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-698014894204741542019-04-07T06:00:00.000-04:002019-11-07T13:55:01.714-05:00It's Okay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday morning I was switching a load of laundry from the washer to the dryer. It was another good morning, without chaos. It was about 7 am and my kids were upstairs, dressed and fed (or feeding) and happily making posters for the upcoming student council election at school.</div>
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And a moment washed over me. I knew getting that load of laundry switched over in the morning was a good thing, the kind of thing that keeps a house running. And it feels good, this feeling of being on top of the laundry. But then a bit of sadness hit me.<br />
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I remember realizing that my mom just didn't seem to struggle with keeping up with laundry. She went down to the lowest of 4 levels in our huge, gorgeous, tidy home each morning and put a load in, just as easy as breathing (it seems). She had us fold clothes and match socks together on her bed. She made us re-use towels more than once and not put our clothes in the laundry if they weren't really dirty. I have felt sad, before, in moments of being buried under mountains of multi-toddler laundry, that even though I try to do all that, I wasn't quite so with it. How did she do it so effortlessly and why am I such a doofus?</div>
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And although I feel more in control of the laundry situation in my life right now (thanks to a double capacity washer and a load-a-day effort), I still get behind. Sometimes WAY behind. All it takes is a couple of back-to-back trips out of town or a few days of pregnancy nausea and exhaustion and before you know it, no one has clean socks and the basement laundry sorter is overflowing. But it's okay. Really okay! I always catch up. (It took me 2 major laundry days this week, but my family once again has clean socks.)</div>
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And I just had this moment of giving myself an "it's okay" hug. And I wanted to give you one, too. I'm silly and pregnant, but I'm crying now as I write it. Because it's so easy to beat ourselves up over so many things. I don't just mean the silly Pinterest-Perfection craze. I mean regular, every-day, important stuff that we sometimes just don't get done or do wrong. I had one of those moments this morning as I put baggies of unhealthy corn chips into lunch boxes..... "Stupid, empty calories. Not an ounce of nutrition. I wish I could send carrot sticks and pita/hummus wedges and have lunch pails come home empty. What have I done wrong? How could I work so hard and still be such a failure?"</div>
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That's the kind of beating-up we sometimes do to ourselves.</div>
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And that's why I want to give us all a hug. It's okay if we don't always keep up. It's okay if our kids occasionally have to wear dirty socks while we catch up on laundry. Or (heaven forbid) we send Koolaid and Twinkies in their lunches because we didn't quite get the whole-wheat-zucchini brownies made this week.</div>
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All of us are getting at least some things right.</div>
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And this is a season.</div>
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And it doesn't really matter about that mother of 7 you know whose house looks like a magazine and kids look like models. She's not you! She's certainly not me. But the me that I am is working hard and getting the important things right (at least some of the time.) And as my kids get a little older and I no longer have multiple toddlers and am enjoying some longer stretches of time to get things done, I realize that this is always going to be a big job, but that someday (like they all say) these little feet will move to bigger places. And they won't care how perfect I was. They will care how happy and present I was.</div>
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Heaven forbid that I harshly criticize another mom for what she does or doesn't do with her home or kids. She is learning just like me. Balancing and failing and growing. And I hope you never hear me apologize if one of my online pictures has a basket of laundry in it. My world has laundry. Always. Deal with it.</div>
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I am trying to accept the fact that it's okay that life brings cycles of order and chaos. And almost never has times when it's all order and no chaos..there is usually a bit of both going on.</div>
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I want to spend less energy feeling sad about what isn't perfect and more energy just enjoying the days and accepting the growth and constant-ness of it all. I don't want to (emotionally) waste these years worrying and fretting and feeling like a failure. I want to look back and remember that I cherished the playdoh and kisses and stories and projects and meals with a table surrounded with little faces. </div>
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So I'm just reminding myself that it's okay. And we are doing a good job! For some reason we don't hear it very often - I think we mostly hear the messages we conjure ourselves from the very un-real images that bombard us online. (Closets so organized that there are only 2 colors of coordinated clothes in the whole closet? Really?!) Or we hear criticism or disapproval ringing in our memory/imagination. Or we hear our own voices criticizing ourselves.</div>
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But I just wanted to say to myself - and to us - that I think we're doing okay. And we should relax and enjoy it. That's all.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">* Repost from 2012 Archives</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />sarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18477642.post-42695055571402111352019-03-24T15:49:00.001-04:002019-11-07T13:53:22.888-05:00Today Before Tomorrow*<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;">A thought for today:</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px;"> </span><br />
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My mind and my heart want to zoom ahead and see the
future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel impatience creeping
around the edges of my mind and heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
like to know what I’m up against…to be able to plan things out and prepare
specifically and make lists and dream specifically.</div>
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My Mama and I chat about economies and investments and interest rates and I feel so antsy that today is hands-down one of the best times to buy a house for many, many years. I've seen the wisdom of small, safe financial steps. I want to take action! Be proactive! But God has us happily planted to wait for His new direction. No new action necessary. David comes home from long days of research and writing to tell me he has finished another section of his dissertation (another dead guy checked off the list), the end of a long journey getting nearer. And I want to rap on God's window and remind Him - just in case He's forgotten..It's time! We're ready....Poised to take the next step of our journey. Years of praying and listening and waiting. </div>
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But God draws back no magic curtains revealing new roads. He gives no long-awaited long-term direction. </div>
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He simply reminds me – today – to take care of today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be faithful to that specific area He has
called me to Come Up in, just this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To keep my focus on<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>keeping our
home and creating peace and safety and purposeful teaching and firm diligent
training….to maybe just, for right now, focus on finishing the floor-mopping and folding those 10 loads of clean laundry that have been piling up during a week of back-to-back activities.</div>
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He reminds me to of how far I have to go.....to let Him discipline every area of my own life and mind and time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be faithful to the everyday priorities
that He has forged in me with such time and care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> To be kind and understanding and real.</span></div>
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He reminds me to prepare in every way I can for this baby
boy that is growing inside me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To pray
with diligence and passion for the spiritual protection and strength of my
children and husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be a happy and
present and discerning and supportive wife.</div>
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He reminds me to continue – quietly and faithfully - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in the small bit of outside-the-home work He has given me – to training
a handful of young musicians and saying yes to the right amount of small ways that I can
reach out to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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He reminds me over and over - gently but firmly and faithfully - to learn to find power on my knees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be becoming the kind of person that I want
my children to be.</div>
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Goodness - With THAT list, it boggles the mind that I would even have
the energy to THINK about tomorrow! : )</div>
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I believe in dreaming and preparing and looking ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But today, Abba has said to me….</div>
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"Silly Sarah - Look to today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be steadfast in today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let Me take care of tomorrow."</div>
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He’s Gentle and Faithful and Wise like that.</div>
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* Repost from the Archivessarahmfryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08937666590169292088noreply@blogger.com