tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53439390219229481552024-03-18T18:46:30.020-07:00My Dear TrashFinding Value Where Other's May Not See It
Laura LofgreenLaura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.comBlogger1123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-18470387616664160352023-01-22T15:34:00.002-08:002023-01-22T15:37:26.484-08:00The Swing by Laura Lofgreen<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s been 6 years since I started writing my Christmas novel THE SWING and thanks to my amazing editor Kimberly Robrecht Clement</span><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"> her coaching and encouragement, (and support from so many others like <a href="https://calliopewritingcoach.com/">Calliope Coaching</a> and my mom author Sarah Hinze ) I finally see the end in sight. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Here's a peek:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>As the eastern star pierces through a silent night in Bethlehem, Anna, the inn-keeper's daughter, hides the gallant prisoner she’s rescued from the Roman army and hopes she doesn’t suffer the same fate that killed her mystic mother.</i></span></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: medium; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have a few more chapters to complete, but I’m amazed and humbled how much I truly did not know understand about the Christmas story. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8mnz_ejF32P-FCA8c-J58rQS2PccNv_sEgyHIDtLgmi16VnwVZuGVtJdcvEljnV2uarYB2-eqX1_LjvCZbFQYuZ9yOMr90xjl5SV-71fA88OY-ILFQL0WlxpWLdUmpQ1_7lWU4-8hf-zGQKts5Q2u9dLRDDyC7cNRJ-mtdO1bWv3OmDDZIqr7RsO/s463/mary%20mother%20of%20jesus%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="415" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8mnz_ejF32P-FCA8c-J58rQS2PccNv_sEgyHIDtLgmi16VnwVZuGVtJdcvEljnV2uarYB2-eqX1_LjvCZbFQYuZ9yOMr90xjl5SV-71fA88OY-ILFQL0WlxpWLdUmpQ1_7lWU4-8hf-zGQKts5Q2u9dLRDDyC7cNRJ-mtdO1bWv3OmDDZIqr7RsO/w359-h400/mary%20mother%20of%20jesus%202.jpg" width="359" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">What was it like to live during this time? </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItUw8WM1Z0LuPW32q7aMH4sYfR8KkItW8HucYRjiOrXIWlFxG_Ah-S_agC5ffvAcUux7rsj7NKUASy5NWMNbN_RmD5gHUV-Picb9LzsGiO1KYkcOx_7Aq08UzbC1D68GuuSaHSt7w5_KeQHV7hEDIF6dm4Xsvi5XyNIH3-xbUBdKYBo10K9VAjCWD/s400/mary_baby_jesus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="322" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItUw8WM1Z0LuPW32q7aMH4sYfR8KkItW8HucYRjiOrXIWlFxG_Ah-S_agC5ffvAcUux7rsj7NKUASy5NWMNbN_RmD5gHUV-Picb9LzsGiO1KYkcOx_7Aq08UzbC1D68GuuSaHSt7w5_KeQHV7hEDIF6dm4Xsvi5XyNIH3-xbUBdKYBo10K9VAjCWD/w323-h400/mary_baby_jesus.jpg" width="323" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let me tell you, God did not waste a single detail of the </span><span style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a style="animation-name: none; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; transition-property: none;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">birth of Jesus Christ, after all, He is the greatest storyteller of all time. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysGAwOR2vQuQ9WOZlw57YSenvhlVGTeR-DbpNhWXE_cSpoy92gcqzMUI8Gd-ueZLGjTKbLjX8dvb_uW_0TL4uRKYXHI1qCvR7DY97ybOH4x-OpaZgFUIBZxVmusQDS3WAMI8j1REU6S4yy7S5pItPvAXEdIdg9CbYQiT7LtiYid4ll3wUBvZp_bn3/s700/jesus%20wise%20men%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="543" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysGAwOR2vQuQ9WOZlw57YSenvhlVGTeR-DbpNhWXE_cSpoy92gcqzMUI8Gd-ueZLGjTKbLjX8dvb_uW_0TL4uRKYXHI1qCvR7DY97ybOH4x-OpaZgFUIBZxVmusQDS3WAMI8j1REU6S4yy7S5pItPvAXEdIdg9CbYQiT7LtiYid4ll3wUBvZp_bn3/w310-h400/jesus%20wise%20men%206.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">From swaddling clothes and shepherds in the fields to Jewish customs, Bethlehem, wicked King Herod and so much more, every part of this story, like a parable, has deep, spiritual </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: times; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">meaning. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KsaJRgKs6At9PjXqUVw5esrVQrxq0TnJ9WSlHMMOGA5v6L8FthmPHfV92e9CjirubxXK_gMN1nWl_oud6eepg8cEutq9Ry3mZcEFSnjJjGLZ5nkuN1D_kCDrwN_hl0whANf05sGvlyh3DmrmKHZXBku_GViPNogWqt2HjJpqmo_Vfie6qMe2jRby/s876/jesus%20nativity.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="876" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KsaJRgKs6At9PjXqUVw5esrVQrxq0TnJ9WSlHMMOGA5v6L8FthmPHfV92e9CjirubxXK_gMN1nWl_oud6eepg8cEutq9Ry3mZcEFSnjJjGLZ5nkuN1D_kCDrwN_hl0whANf05sGvlyh3DmrmKHZXBku_GViPNogWqt2HjJpqmo_Vfie6qMe2jRby/w400-h274/jesus%20nativity.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-V3a-tsfVY9OdMbrlHcJmJYa_K0dtgu9fmZx6KcaURNU0j9jKM-i3DskBot8uRF9T57pJT1AavSyWpBerzCh3QeG2IiMjaE448ETLg3Wi0-7slyEUkJg5cjndEn42s4FcYIgYevhEgeSYmAmTdw0gYw1CdWOSpXWymy4AVp9hu4KCuyAR3W8Gy2v/s800/jesus%20nativty%205.jpg" style="font-family: times; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-V3a-tsfVY9OdMbrlHcJmJYa_K0dtgu9fmZx6KcaURNU0j9jKM-i3DskBot8uRF9T57pJT1AavSyWpBerzCh3QeG2IiMjaE448ETLg3Wi0-7slyEUkJg5cjndEn42s4FcYIgYevhEgeSYmAmTdw0gYw1CdWOSpXWymy4AVp9hu4KCuyAR3W8Gy2v/w268-h400/jesus%20nativty%205.jpg" width="268" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Researching the Jewish religion, analyzing maps and learning more about the Bible has been incredible (and I’m certainly not an expert), but what has me most perplexed is studying the history of Israel, Rome and the political turmoil of that time. </span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPymjRwUg0fBnu0VYssPc_BT00QAtke9afwaMd70QaaELsK1SOk6Yv83NbWSf-HFZ7NQ2eu8_pErEAQ_nlbAd1xd891SMQafhXy4Jqy2051kKIlHCIBDBd7wtDUyqlDdy2zEMGqG3AXlKjXDOi_CXVBpjN6Hi7z265h065amf_7Cgaylg6SLPf92Q/s735/the%20swing%20map%20of%20jerusalem%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="735" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPymjRwUg0fBnu0VYssPc_BT00QAtke9afwaMd70QaaELsK1SOk6Yv83NbWSf-HFZ7NQ2eu8_pErEAQ_nlbAd1xd891SMQafhXy4Jqy2051kKIlHCIBDBd7wtDUyqlDdy2zEMGqG3AXlKjXDOi_CXVBpjN6Hi7z265h065amf_7Cgaylg6SLPf92Q/w400-h304/the%20swing%20map%20of%20jerusalem%207.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUefiEiQnS-Iv95JKVrPOPHeAds9ZPCL-Tc7hQxAYNrO0HXzW0poZ78_WMMQnWlMfmEOjksaOBOvhwHEY-4TZUhkzgPG1JgjxE2izN7z1_7NZL2NoHHu3EBthfOKyRJGWAmZST1EIGsLPZOhgFOWuNrlVkTfqywitLieUhzS1COzkoQlYt1oGDRTU/s1500/jerusalem%20sunrise.jpg" style="font-family: times; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1500" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUefiEiQnS-Iv95JKVrPOPHeAds9ZPCL-Tc7hQxAYNrO0HXzW0poZ78_WMMQnWlMfmEOjksaOBOvhwHEY-4TZUhkzgPG1JgjxE2izN7z1_7NZL2NoHHu3EBthfOKyRJGWAmZST1EIGsLPZOhgFOWuNrlVkTfqywitLieUhzS1COzkoQlYt1oGDRTU/w400-h224/jerusalem%20sunrise.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span>Jerusalem Sunrise</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: times; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are so many parallels between their trials and our current day. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXWBY4qEXFUDATT3z5roZQNpWxgV3t2KtEZ1XFTlVn7iLndxP06JRouGJNJBvnVbpWvPgCW2AIk-mB1pNmNvBBSAiKcHqegGO4UHz9r6NLaduq8WYXVD3dtoYx26vjyX2cp6I-A7vGAQXdf4HfMnaX5utM0MORw5r6-pd8sJSgStpdAtw3e8BFUsv/s1024/the%20massacre%20of%20the%20innocents.jpg" style="font-family: times; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="1024" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXWBY4qEXFUDATT3z5roZQNpWxgV3t2KtEZ1XFTlVn7iLndxP06JRouGJNJBvnVbpWvPgCW2AIk-mB1pNmNvBBSAiKcHqegGO4UHz9r6NLaduq8WYXVD3dtoYx26vjyX2cp6I-A7vGAQXdf4HfMnaX5utM0MORw5r6-pd8sJSgStpdAtw3e8BFUsv/w400-h350/the%20massacre%20of%20the%20innocents.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Massacre of the innocents - </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">when wicked King Herod sentenced all the baby boys two and younger to death.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIHpq6CFlEVoj7H_Dqk1PRJYE5eUWrhTOSZ-V0sLF2q8JlA8kK2lnB9Rl2fuLdLaRG9ja2Orrqf7VQdqgkpMMWa89CtHeOUfZDUJOuDF2kv6RfFeDqFseBgO8O-sm7mcaQ6uAGxwRGD_43hqk_v1VN-QPIdsv_nBe9orMOtjiKoUFZjTn8zDyEY7T/s944/massacre%20of%20the%20innocents%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="658" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIHpq6CFlEVoj7H_Dqk1PRJYE5eUWrhTOSZ-V0sLF2q8JlA8kK2lnB9Rl2fuLdLaRG9ja2Orrqf7VQdqgkpMMWa89CtHeOUfZDUJOuDF2kv6RfFeDqFseBgO8O-sm7mcaQ6uAGxwRGD_43hqk_v1VN-QPIdsv_nBe9orMOtjiKoUFZjTn8zDyEY7T/w279-h400/massacre%20of%20the%20innocents%203.jpg" width="279" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-UFJgmJSdrvEtsa1jZ6x7N3Ql2AeOnH8CPVnYAujFPaEwkxpPHTo31bs6-bJB9N1xueiEwgWHZgTRSdqnl2xb6b4mSEEHo5QjJn-BNFOSkNpZs4QzYgdVtkA4u4ArJDDUeDmqLMNPa7tmME29YTM8gDYNCZCVXXPzlPH_1NdMd_SdDyWkp43lm2J/s1777/herod%20kills%20his%20wife%20Mariamne.jpg" style="font-family: times; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1777" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-UFJgmJSdrvEtsa1jZ6x7N3Ql2AeOnH8CPVnYAujFPaEwkxpPHTo31bs6-bJB9N1xueiEwgWHZgTRSdqnl2xb6b4mSEEHo5QjJn-BNFOSkNpZs4QzYgdVtkA4u4ArJDDUeDmqLMNPa7tmME29YTM8gDYNCZCVXXPzlPH_1NdMd_SdDyWkp43lm2J/w270-h400/herod%20kills%20his%20wife%20Mariamne.jpg" width="270" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #050505; font-family: times;">Corrupt</span></span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"> King Herod's sentencing his wife Mariamne to death</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">If the Christmas story has anything to teach us, it is the answer to our current state of affairs is the same answer as theirs – we need the Savior to come. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeynJuYZCvwzXquA6_Tq_FE5I8gqgxcqMi60g6vhFG3pNnckA8ckgvZX030aP2sTPX4ZY1eKClEmjec1K98csWyn5D3dUsbolWkYFRE49K5DvxEpF9xZkPzSKq5wAgeRBONCAs0PQxY7MA1gErAG5Gdv8wJllH5hWhCf8gfasdR6R94fqvlK1vfB_/s800/second%20coming.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeynJuYZCvwzXquA6_Tq_FE5I8gqgxcqMi60g6vhFG3pNnckA8ckgvZX030aP2sTPX4ZY1eKClEmjec1K98csWyn5D3dUsbolWkYFRE49K5DvxEpF9xZkPzSKq5wAgeRBONCAs0PQxY7MA1gErAG5Gdv8wJllH5hWhCf8gfasdR6R94fqvlK1vfB_/w400-h266/second%20coming.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span><span style="font-family: times;">Artwork by </span><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://jonmcnaughton.com/parting-the-veil-the-second-coming-16x24-oe-signed-by-artist/">Jon McNaughton</a></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here is just a sampling of some of the questions I’ve asked and needed to understand (some have absolutely left me in awe) as I followed the love story of my main characters: Anna, the Inn Keeper’s daughter and Ezra, the nephew of King Herod. </span></span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">How far was Bethlehem from Jerusalem?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">When were matches invented?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In the Old Testament, what sin was punishable by death?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Where did King Herod keep his prison?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">How far is Egypt from Jerusalem?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Did they use bowls in the Old Testament?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What gate did Herod use to enter Jerusalem?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What metal did they use in the Bible?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What were the names of Herod’s sons?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What was the robe called that the men wore in the Bible?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What was the shawl called that women wore in the Bible?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What are the names of the different Jewish sects in the Bible?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Map of Israel</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What did a traditional stable look like in Bethlehem?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What is sackcloth?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Did a king wear a crown in the bible?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Where is Judea?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What is a tefillin?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What is a tallit?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What did tassels represent?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Is a fleece blanket made out of lamb’s wool?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What is the spiritual meaning of a crescent moon?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What was a manger made out of?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What are swaddling clothes?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Was a lamb only sacrificed at Passover?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What is Passover?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Did the Jewish people pay a tax to enter the temple?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Did Jewish people eat lamb?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Why did Caesar tax Israel?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What was the religion of Rome?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What was the census for?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">How far is Nazareth from Bethlehem?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Why did the Roman’s whip 39 times?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What did a Roman guard wear?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Who was the Jewish prophet?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What did the angel say to the shepherds?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">When did the Old Testament end?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What year was Jesus born?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">When did King Herod die?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What did Herod die from?</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">THE SWING is an incredible love story that I hope others will get lost in, while also bringing the Christmas story alive and strengthen testimonies in the miraculous birth and mission of Jesus. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRt8ITlLxYKywRYxUaVHz-BWMBnjzkMinUHtnBq7pDX-Nv_OoucM31COf458U297R0S1Tr4eKSQzHJKykXioIpB0sdk7nzyorc9hTmbPaBdpU-vS8fRbzwTDQdOApJzU5N6K4gK1p3u42QzTAazQzAXcKN_EppCwwOErKAIX9nUVFRJPn6lk_dvzuV/s599/mary%20mother%20of%20jesus%2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="488" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRt8ITlLxYKywRYxUaVHz-BWMBnjzkMinUHtnBq7pDX-Nv_OoucM31COf458U297R0S1Tr4eKSQzHJKykXioIpB0sdk7nzyorc9hTmbPaBdpU-vS8fRbzwTDQdOApJzU5N6K4gK1p3u42QzTAazQzAXcKN_EppCwwOErKAIX9nUVFRJPn6lk_dvzuV/w326-h400/mary%20mother%20of%20jesus%2011.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">It’s undeniable.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"> He is The King.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo87JeJRdSzXOrgYcQlIknZgqD4_c3R2NFKBgb9W30-3zTwvfaEYkmmRcsJTKLOzcUlRdqw4WX7pHvN1DyX64Fmkv5y7znohO7-tTHhfYeo1etlK-bvEz8dITZWF5yMh_JBDuPpGAxfFeaUX3O93x-tepn8J9iKXtW0GKsIYYhnBunUN5uXP7uPCsq/s400/jesus%20the%20lion%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="400" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo87JeJRdSzXOrgYcQlIknZgqD4_c3R2NFKBgb9W30-3zTwvfaEYkmmRcsJTKLOzcUlRdqw4WX7pHvN1DyX64Fmkv5y7znohO7-tTHhfYeo1etlK-bvEz8dITZWF5yMh_JBDuPpGAxfFeaUX3O93x-tepn8J9iKXtW0GKsIYYhnBunUN5uXP7uPCsq/w400-h355/jesus%20the%20lion%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span>Artwork by Laura Lofgreen</span><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="animation-name: none; background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; transition-property: none;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Here is a book cover I designed for fun, to have all the feels and put on my vision board. I will start querying agents soon</span></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmZMjOwI-uMB5xCb6FLqSSFCYWadgnb4P-q8NfPDIW7mTar5hAqU3-dnJrpLz-qtFx9-dsxNyJXDc5l3SwyFJDRle3BrP5g786oQTM0TkaIyUlhbWgDhhd8trVr_Lwx5r8NOof9-XEnNRW8g-f82QKlEfmimUtaN3A3I7M5Gl-tsaLZJlaP4U-gd7/s1075/the%20swing%205.jpg" style="font-family: times; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="834" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmZMjOwI-uMB5xCb6FLqSSFCYWadgnb4P-q8NfPDIW7mTar5hAqU3-dnJrpLz-qtFx9-dsxNyJXDc5l3SwyFJDRle3BrP5g786oQTM0TkaIyUlhbWgDhhd8trVr_Lwx5r8NOof9-XEnNRW8g-f82QKlEfmimUtaN3A3I7M5Gl-tsaLZJlaP4U-gd7/w310-h400/the%20swing%205.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="animation-name: none; text-align: center; transition-property: none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Follow me on facebook Laura Hinze Lofgreen or Instagram @lalalofgreen for updates.</div><br /><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div>Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-27374844861015935832021-06-30T13:41:00.002-07:002021-06-30T14:11:31.938-07:00Colors of Hope with Rising Star Outreach<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">When
I started the project of drawing 100 girls from <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region>
for the coloring book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My 100 Daughters</i>
with <b>Rising Star Outreach</b>, I was overcome with the beauty and presence of the
girls of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
Studying photographs of their faces, clothing, hair styles, jewelry and customs,
I felt such love for those I’ve never met. The first time I painted one of my
illustrations, I felt like their skin
should be the color gold. I searched out metallic paint, and after painting
their skin a lovely brown, I tinted it in gold as a symbol of their great worth
and value. I was later told what the color gold meant in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> – it was
a sign to them of their worth as well. <o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dzRtMCztuHmKhHQFvqMxBbmjSL8RtNxDm5BX74ZCpvKBRGJ74xbie_Uecw16EAtt-J3lLDObviIC-HlZAAJrBC_KQd-LZ5YMNUT_O_6MZSYx_7sONmZJnQvR8JJ81BNEYAMj0YU2jo0/s330/becky+douglas-001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="302" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-dzRtMCztuHmKhHQFvqMxBbmjSL8RtNxDm5BX74ZCpvKBRGJ74xbie_Uecw16EAtt-J3lLDObviIC-HlZAAJrBC_KQd-LZ5YMNUT_O_6MZSYx_7sONmZJnQvR8JJ81BNEYAMj0YU2jo0/w366-h400/becky+douglas-001.jpg" width="366" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">When
I first spoke to Becky Douglas about the idea of a coloring book, she said, “<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Laura</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">India</st1:country-region></st1:place>
is a coloring book!” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijn79aS_XVee76tMHXJvdQegTrwR23LB1kGbskheb6690a-1PTRGsjgLzzQpKWT4teDbnvnA_aog4fD1nUdoevUfdVgWyezV_zVzRUQfaYsGZGsjoON6xWqGBItNDakO7wcpPBpOuwAkc/s1600/rising+star+29.jpg" 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/AVvXsEijn79aS_XVee76tMHXJvdQegTrwR23LB1kGbskheb6690a-1PTRGsjgLzzQpKWT4teDbnvnA_aog4fD1nUdoevUfdVgWyezV_zVzRUQfaYsGZGsjoON6xWqGBItNDakO7wcpPBpOuwAkc/w400-h266/rising+star+29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDvMwvyhMyL9zeSe-n8l4IsopBNQoMw_Ac5qZZSnIYuVjxRetVRZ-Lya0O7WyY1W7ayGwq1w0d5hZ-9qLlaTe-UeY8MKQ6lnt8goeYDo48JhRzCtYKPjaJlAb6pM-gpRDhJ25j-7oBlk/s2048/my+100+daughters+cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDvMwvyhMyL9zeSe-n8l4IsopBNQoMw_Ac5qZZSnIYuVjxRetVRZ-Lya0O7WyY1W7ayGwq1w0d5hZ-9qLlaTe-UeY8MKQ6lnt8goeYDo48JhRzCtYKPjaJlAb6pM-gpRDhJ25j-7oBlk/w320-h400/my+100+daughters+cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">She told me about the bright colors, how the landscapes
and people are vibrant and eclectic. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjDHEH7iRu8auM8LC-_QmzkHKLZfl1JWFNZyBaUky44peReJEi9CyUuJbMMRUa1nr1iUUvoEkTGWRJLybheHfyp7DfRXWpBDEc2JwdX0iYUKrqRlxEAd5dUhniOwK0eSpiJJyA56fJl4/s2048/india+4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjDHEH7iRu8auM8LC-_QmzkHKLZfl1JWFNZyBaUky44peReJEi9CyUuJbMMRUa1nr1iUUvoEkTGWRJLybheHfyp7DfRXWpBDEc2JwdX0iYUKrqRlxEAd5dUhniOwK0eSpiJJyA56fJl4/w266-h400/india+4.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbi1nlv2oSAZfzcJQcoOfCm7WBysMWPqLAyR233o_Gy5gJHfYq0PfXgplLzb3n6P93HaQ8_f7oADI10-yq91cjrY9USE1feHoSjRw2CdhgmwAvOQRsWn4hsaKTWGXOfaWwUq8kc_geCw/s1024/india+16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="1024" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbi1nlv2oSAZfzcJQcoOfCm7WBysMWPqLAyR233o_Gy5gJHfYq0PfXgplLzb3n6P93HaQ8_f7oADI10-yq91cjrY9USE1feHoSjRw2CdhgmwAvOQRsWn4hsaKTWGXOfaWwUq8kc_geCw/w400-h174/india+16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">With this in mind, I started to envision
the magic of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
If my little girl Eden loved to color princesses, angels, fairies and mermaids,
the girls of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>
would love that too.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI62QJNKCnNKHqnIXNzvEYPqHqYJBfU7_OMn3UkIN0E9f-eIfPfqCVRzJwj0LtQUhjAHUbK4tXl1exGrs4FRXemE4eWO7nsh5MIUaZR2ZdLlRU1O0uAHeX91JFEZAEMV-x2BWUMVkqApU/s576/india+6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="323" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI62QJNKCnNKHqnIXNzvEYPqHqYJBfU7_OMn3UkIN0E9f-eIfPfqCVRzJwj0LtQUhjAHUbK4tXl1exGrs4FRXemE4eWO7nsh5MIUaZR2ZdLlRU1O0uAHeX91JFEZAEMV-x2BWUMVkqApU/w224-h400/india+6.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LYM5cvlai5-MsXKzbYyON2CEkgmTbeDHmGxeOaH1xbnYeagigjgfv8dLPeJGB3X-oK0rtrI0QMd7CXqQIgL-FnaguBR3uto97ILE-t67ytgFrEuXLAVulgxXR1XQZk1BGLw4TCnse8s/s2016/my+100+daughters+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LYM5cvlai5-MsXKzbYyON2CEkgmTbeDHmGxeOaH1xbnYeagigjgfv8dLPeJGB3X-oK0rtrI0QMd7CXqQIgL-FnaguBR3uto97ILE-t67ytgFrEuXLAVulgxXR1XQZk1BGLw4TCnse8s/w300-h400/my+100+daughters+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn2PSNjZ_kwDhX6h7ncehjxp-UasnihawIaIPdGajp-ObBcnx8VjbWnYzG7tvnX64A4jWa6DaaK1R7zb1XvuRONL6ny8AjRCuWQEHdwK6xfpqi8Xv7OKVP26eM6fxyyrDb1vpW6KFCUU/s1532/My+100+Daughters+27.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="1166" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVn2PSNjZ_kwDhX6h7ncehjxp-UasnihawIaIPdGajp-ObBcnx8VjbWnYzG7tvnX64A4jWa6DaaK1R7zb1XvuRONL6ny8AjRCuWQEHdwK6xfpqi8Xv7OKVP26eM6fxyyrDb1vpW6KFCUU/w305-h400/My+100+Daughters+27.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFL_1y3qy7OqC7K_giLNMXLDwTzyej2hybo-dS4s2m84J1OYPgf0532eg_mBJCy21eDRZV5FXy-iSIj8ia3kBkyqQchEvlUMfVony2VLASYiQXxtuamaRKQ_sajCLEXnLzE3IrdlbB4M/s1280/My+100+Daughters+28.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="958" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFL_1y3qy7OqC7K_giLNMXLDwTzyej2hybo-dS4s2m84J1OYPgf0532eg_mBJCy21eDRZV5FXy-iSIj8ia3kBkyqQchEvlUMfVony2VLASYiQXxtuamaRKQ_sajCLEXnLzE3IrdlbB4M/w300-h400/My+100+Daughters+28.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><br /></span></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhd5rILp36Y-Pq6YCeG7EtRV5CNIpktrGRJZpyBGGtBSl706q7ZM-Cf9lmcHBJ-_OfvChvDOvfnip7lF02Dys-QpyiAh9b6NLKxUjy78kAxXXLVqstHHEsorsLcLgVaiycqPCqw9ub8A/s1514/my+100+daughters+26.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1514" data-original-width="1242" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhd5rILp36Y-Pq6YCeG7EtRV5CNIpktrGRJZpyBGGtBSl706q7ZM-Cf9lmcHBJ-_OfvChvDOvfnip7lF02Dys-QpyiAh9b6NLKxUjy78kAxXXLVqstHHEsorsLcLgVaiycqPCqw9ub8A/w329-h400/my+100+daughters+26.JPG" width="329" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> Beautiful landscapes, friendly animals and playful insects
started to present themselves as well. Who wouldn’t want to be friends with a
peacock, a tiger, elephant and more.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihU9NrVIjTt415ZB1jyj0UBRv3b6IkEQpn2FdNVm090SduAU9c-KUP1dZ1AiRxMTCsd8gh82mYNqKDmQx7Fg_lGEskUnqsw9XRPhFES4nutokKIJzqB2CecAYS-xXhgbqcVMI-yUq4INM/s1541/My+100+Daughters+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1541" data-original-width="1106" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihU9NrVIjTt415ZB1jyj0UBRv3b6IkEQpn2FdNVm090SduAU9c-KUP1dZ1AiRxMTCsd8gh82mYNqKDmQx7Fg_lGEskUnqsw9XRPhFES4nutokKIJzqB2CecAYS-xXhgbqcVMI-yUq4INM/w288-h400/My+100+Daughters+1.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWJr7P4n4cxqRbi6qjgHL8FP_W2uZdJaHskkOPeEgMUJmzT8mQ_KKCvdAqqJby92ghXFWlQDoBQmcNyebCaTzoOrSWFmdwD_B1HubzikFIPBZ1HC7p1_2rd2T1EofIypey9KAjfuuB20/s1466/My+100+Daughters+30.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1466" data-original-width="1077" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWJr7P4n4cxqRbi6qjgHL8FP_W2uZdJaHskkOPeEgMUJmzT8mQ_KKCvdAqqJby92ghXFWlQDoBQmcNyebCaTzoOrSWFmdwD_B1HubzikFIPBZ1HC7p1_2rd2T1EofIypey9KAjfuuB20/w294-h400/My+100+Daughters+30.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvR8hb2lfph3Mubek40oxDBeidXAs-SmMA4_i42_2ykA9tqP-bf2vA7ob2hsF0vv6vlzZSFle57cXFLY1IU0880IO-gJFbRi1-WamdaFvhgRk8fhSA26I74ZcmidxUCYlq-4TT_p9_8g/s2016/my+100+daughters+6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvR8hb2lfph3Mubek40oxDBeidXAs-SmMA4_i42_2ykA9tqP-bf2vA7ob2hsF0vv6vlzZSFle57cXFLY1IU0880IO-gJFbRi1-WamdaFvhgRk8fhSA26I74ZcmidxUCYlq-4TT_p9_8g/w400-h300/my+100+daughters+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTJwvFaXXVk9FpvY5BEN0rZdiSXPxFjc0QSfYQPSNPGc36S2h3whKuMhpIrcBjRjLWj5zQW3K5tSyrdiSa99C0nBsWnX4RVJgf85yOg_QP4koxCV1WpqY1M27OK80jp2Te0EDCPzCTOA/s2016/my+100+daughters+7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTJwvFaXXVk9FpvY5BEN0rZdiSXPxFjc0QSfYQPSNPGc36S2h3whKuMhpIrcBjRjLWj5zQW3K5tSyrdiSa99C0nBsWnX4RVJgf85yOg_QP4koxCV1WpqY1M27OK80jp2Te0EDCPzCTOA/w300-h400/my+100+daughters+7.JPG" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">When I present this work to children at school events, they want to learn more about the </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">girls of India and help any way they can.</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Because
of poverty and dire conditions difficult for us to understand, it is imperative
to help the children of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
I asked myself, “What if this was my daughter?” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4jFwUlXM-dpqNsdKTfA5Cd3NHEpDhQkSoaItFqbJaDCxI2A6jtCkhG3lQjZHtgrCSP8Sg0ZQMmpAxydINXo2qfbPFfWmng1yfmgOgygHsXKEii2kisHsL3E1803HljLkUdpjO7LuSLE/s400/rising+star+coconut.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="400" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4jFwUlXM-dpqNsdKTfA5Cd3NHEpDhQkSoaItFqbJaDCxI2A6jtCkhG3lQjZHtgrCSP8Sg0ZQMmpAxydINXo2qfbPFfWmng1yfmgOgygHsXKEii2kisHsL3E1803HljLkUdpjO7LuSLE/w400-h328/rising+star+coconut.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">These little girls are eating the pieces of a broken coconut that fell off a truck and was run over.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">The truth is these are all our
daughters. It is our duty to help provide food, health care, education, shelter
and even more, love, hope and a bright future. Rising Star Outreach is an absolute
miracle. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQ98KWYDplx-QbfkovOO3hbFRdkdCAYPdWgsl5iZ1LflqmAHfR0vR3tlxR4nTUmKAAKmOHWqd1DVJ2VD518-Y-myfiCESAsaTb5y94e5AA9iMgLb77FeQtlbeStDBmYTpq-fGA67_CQM/s1000/rising+star+outreach+3.jpg" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQ98KWYDplx-QbfkovOO3hbFRdkdCAYPdWgsl5iZ1LflqmAHfR0vR3tlxR4nTUmKAAKmOHWqd1DVJ2VD518-Y-myfiCESAsaTb5y94e5AA9iMgLb77FeQtlbeStDBmYTpq-fGA67_CQM/w400-h400/rising+star+outreach+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Because of persistence and vision, they have made the necessary relationships to be in these leprosy colonies to minister to those in need. How I
thank and appreciate all those who work with Rising Star Outreach to make this
possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkg1Sj7uwg8mDrqyRwa6eLUISBlWWzfyDwesIur3jisHlz9oB8pUu4WTG4JVPhJXORkU8QNRe_aVbjYBRxPcCETXolFGWgerw6Qu5dlXeP95K9-iW5WEDZPuCUr2154uRZJ-KXbMQKW4/s2048/IMG_1395-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1483" data-original-width="2048" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkg1Sj7uwg8mDrqyRwa6eLUISBlWWzfyDwesIur3jisHlz9oB8pUu4WTG4JVPhJXORkU8QNRe_aVbjYBRxPcCETXolFGWgerw6Qu5dlXeP95K9-iW5WEDZPuCUr2154uRZJ-KXbMQKW4/w400-h290/IMG_1395-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Me with Becky Douglas and Amy Humphrey, presenting Becky the painting of the girls in gold, also her daughter Amber as an angel who loves the children of India.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">It
was especially touching when I started an illustration of a woman who had lost
much of her hands and feet because of leprosy. At first, I had the idea to draw
her perfect, with 10 fingers and 10 toes, but as I was finishing the
illustration, I felt impressed to erase her hands and feet and draw them as
they really were. I had spent much time drawing her hands and feet perfect, so
the act of erasing them was very emotional for me. As I started to cry, I could
only image the pain and loss she had experienced. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLc8kknbR2YbGIUUPWYGBvAjwd1n9YSMGPsCYSbcRvtA-gPE1BSknKkqlxUHmWscRXZtKptEwjONlUpLnoldc68SSl1pt4Idi4koOTjb2gkhyPQj6VUE5cPvLTFF5P6kxqBzFB138hTs/s1024/rising+star+4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="680" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLc8kknbR2YbGIUUPWYGBvAjwd1n9YSMGPsCYSbcRvtA-gPE1BSknKkqlxUHmWscRXZtKptEwjONlUpLnoldc68SSl1pt4Idi4koOTjb2gkhyPQj6VUE5cPvLTFF5P6kxqBzFB138hTs/w265-h400/rising+star+4.png" width="265" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Her toes and fingers were taken
by such a horrible disease, it didn’t seem fair. I stared at the picture of her
and reverently started to draw the unique and disformed shape of each hand, the
curves where her fingers used to be, the heals of her feet, how humbling the
process was. I drew the </span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">praying mantis</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> next to here so she could always have someone praying for her, the firewood within reach so she didn't have to crawl to start a fire and the chipmunk for so she could have cheerful friendship. The lotus flower above her head is a blessing for her beauty and purpose.</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDD9fqF10tDK3_xOkmE4XBF_myYNf9UsoyZXdPTKaF8ixs5KHr24hWiCch-CH6CZvAGr2p8Jnl5SoxnSFAk2BTsh2fOUkc-zUERqWkuWD2EpflIykjeS4Iv1TKb8cEFCl5SgZ4l_ceDxw/s1501/my+100+daughters+23.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1501" data-original-width="1242" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDD9fqF10tDK3_xOkmE4XBF_myYNf9UsoyZXdPTKaF8ixs5KHr24hWiCch-CH6CZvAGr2p8Jnl5SoxnSFAk2BTsh2fOUkc-zUERqWkuWD2EpflIykjeS4Iv1TKb8cEFCl5SgZ4l_ceDxw/w331-h400/my+100+daughters+23.JPG" width="331" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><i>My
100 Daughters</i> coloring book was published in 2017 and is available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-100-Daughters-India-Coloring/dp/099947930X">Amazon</a>. 50% of the proceeds go to <b>Rising Star Outreach</b> Sponsorship. Since then I have taken it into schools, shared it at birthday parties, church events and even an open house where I spoke about the process of creating such a special book. (You can read about that <a href="http://mydeartrash.blogspot.com/2017/11/open-house-1000-anonymous-gift.html">here</a>.) This spring
2021, <b>Rising Star</b> asked if I could illustrate several coloring pages for the
boys. We could present them in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Colors of
Hope</i>, a virtual online coloring event. I am the mother of five amazing sons
and as before, the same question entered my mind, “What if these were your boys?” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeinx0-Dzb2xkyaM7wwmQXDXQP3hsAzSwQyY2jFqfkpXH4rghrLuBM3GMIq4Z4LAqQArNH0LOstjiWcru5rrQ-qukPArBjGob3b6TYjG9_xxLV6nIz6zm2JwxkYh3VnG6_JzA77ggojhg/s2048/india+boy+5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeinx0-Dzb2xkyaM7wwmQXDXQP3hsAzSwQyY2jFqfkpXH4rghrLuBM3GMIq4Z4LAqQArNH0LOstjiWcru5rrQ-qukPArBjGob3b6TYjG9_xxLV6nIz6zm2JwxkYh3VnG6_JzA77ggojhg/w400-h266/india+boy+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZUfa0wZN2wRI3aZkSkK3qVYgu9YoEj3tKfAXx6okj9BMTMtpfllAEhPLa8a_UFAZu6sdbvkN_XXEVkTGAlF78AFDmn7PvBH286yjPP3hfBmJc33hJTnn-GUXpLo7GtEUJcibJxDamqA/s2048/india+boys.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1409" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZUfa0wZN2wRI3aZkSkK3qVYgu9YoEj3tKfAXx6okj9BMTMtpfllAEhPLa8a_UFAZu6sdbvkN_XXEVkTGAlF78AFDmn7PvBH286yjPP3hfBmJc33hJTnn-GUXpLo7GtEUJcibJxDamqA/w275-h400/india+boys.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Oh, how I love and pray for them. I asked for photographs of the little boys
and to my delight, I saw them playing sports, climbing monkey bars, jumping,
hanging out with friends and I couldn’t take my eyes off them. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislKILIvU1IPSNiIvqRAyinGNB0IvTqgrxvMGbbIZ25vysGw5PK30BK9NPobHneopZnQ-1DGX3WC1TT1sTU3y85_GSsuanCJ2w4t2GnP8prWes_r5t0dwmkNQABObfle6iXauOVtcaC4s/s2048/india+boy+4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislKILIvU1IPSNiIvqRAyinGNB0IvTqgrxvMGbbIZ25vysGw5PK30BK9NPobHneopZnQ-1DGX3WC1TT1sTU3y85_GSsuanCJ2w4t2GnP8prWes_r5t0dwmkNQABObfle6iXauOVtcaC4s/w266-h400/india+boy+4.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptsvnoIQ-9ZHMjn9j8cD-QdlPdUpyO2W94VsDCVTxQFNGLVyMlTu3jpisogLlkJpz_KfBqUkn4ug2kDsDlwVMOaNItPeoR2OcMtIvl2Raj9kYnY6xSvpPeMDGTDdKSQxtcjdVXPii8Uw/s2048/india+boys+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1441" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptsvnoIQ-9ZHMjn9j8cD-QdlPdUpyO2W94VsDCVTxQFNGLVyMlTu3jpisogLlkJpz_KfBqUkn4ug2kDsDlwVMOaNItPeoR2OcMtIvl2Raj9kYnY6xSvpPeMDGTDdKSQxtcjdVXPii8Uw/w281-h400/india+boys+3.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">They are just
like my boys who can’t wait to do their best, be silly, study, run fast and
light up the world. I hope you enjoy coloring my interpretation of who these
boys are and how through sponsorship, we can all play a vital and necessary
role in their bright future. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_E-_kzjOTnFUrbNl2sVrPUyBpWMAwDMte1AqyKPAxCI606yMnD98-R2HuyZWykX6K5RcLEyopFhA8C1TTl04HTNqW5s-HDWBLYGU0lctx_5lSbB2bI0o8xzgeyb9lFti5YLXXNc4wg4/s2048/india+boy+6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_E-_kzjOTnFUrbNl2sVrPUyBpWMAwDMte1AqyKPAxCI606yMnD98-R2HuyZWykX6K5RcLEyopFhA8C1TTl04HTNqW5s-HDWBLYGU0lctx_5lSbB2bI0o8xzgeyb9lFti5YLXXNc4wg4/w400-h266/india+boy+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJ6Uw277HAmDRYki_rbjC3NkNLgR9tTJCBjBM_K6-kmoAmCJHFodZJcc8hiBzCacfASL1DvS1C5BkFVJcQ6MhKLtHrP4F-qZcfnA1GkOjdnxT22_FO7NB4FrK-Gr1RVtgnTmZRbMZgpI/s2048/india+boy+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1491" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJ6Uw277HAmDRYki_rbjC3NkNLgR9tTJCBjBM_K6-kmoAmCJHFodZJcc8hiBzCacfASL1DvS1C5BkFVJcQ6MhKLtHrP4F-qZcfnA1GkOjdnxT22_FO7NB4FrK-Gr1RVtgnTmZRbMZgpI/w291-h400/india+boy+2.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Go to <a href="https://risingstaroutreach.org/">Rising Star Outreach</a> to download your coloring pages. Please consider sponsoring a child today.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Love
you all.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsK-UCrGsRayuIlcwYpu8qWTDk7iKaNn7vumLu80EpOHHGbWy_k4VJk7QQqLAr3701dZms8OUOQVAGwzMdOwkLdCUeQKwb5lH5o5zmhqpatP2ZL76Govvm44npGLWUT1tX8j5T_A3Vew/s2048/Collage+for+My+100+Daughters.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 48px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsK-UCrGsRayuIlcwYpu8qWTDk7iKaNn7vumLu80EpOHHGbWy_k4VJk7QQqLAr3701dZms8OUOQVAGwzMdOwkLdCUeQKwb5lH5o5zmhqpatP2ZL76Govvm44npGLWUT1tX8j5T_A3Vew/w400-h266/Collage+for+My+100+Daughters.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-62238221833387595502021-05-12T13:17:00.007-07:002021-05-12T13:44:50.979-07:00Into the Canyon - The Miracle of Fasting and Prayer <p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">It was Sunday morning, January 13,
2019 and I was lying in bed between that beautiful moment of dreaming and
awakening when my 3½ year-old little boy Canyon spoke to me.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Mommy,” he
said.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I opened my eyes and looked into Canyon’s
face.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZ9U8O222f2E47Z4FjTEatCO4dgQZJflFhrkSjAssOlzPieQuC83oj3ECw1PEb8rDRuT0TbFJ6ni2lrT84Jm7TpO7dqQJS_aIZ4Fn_Mi5dsvJD1XQ3BFuHK-2qCEU3-CI1xkGwWFacIE/s960/canyon+flagstaff+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZ9U8O222f2E47Z4FjTEatCO4dgQZJflFhrkSjAssOlzPieQuC83oj3ECw1PEb8rDRuT0TbFJ6ni2lrT84Jm7TpO7dqQJS_aIZ4Fn_Mi5dsvJD1XQ3BFuHK-2qCEU3-CI1xkGwWFacIE/w320-h400/canyon+flagstaff+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> If love was electric, my love for him could light up the entire world. He
was my 5<sup>th</sup> son, my biggest surprise and most difficult pregnancy. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEq2cnX5wq6CE1DwwKrBI4GCBoqQMTuZ0MjYAkD8gjN7EwbC5aaHe5y15bvd2d7hv03OTo0g9IhqvKb59z4-2nXjD4VYGPzzmfshLKij3WVwjiplc3XNOuo6Rgyrk7Sa32_EcZyuQtbd0/s2048/Canyon+and+Mommy+40-001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEq2cnX5wq6CE1DwwKrBI4GCBoqQMTuZ0MjYAkD8gjN7EwbC5aaHe5y15bvd2d7hv03OTo0g9IhqvKb59z4-2nXjD4VYGPzzmfshLKij3WVwjiplc3XNOuo6Rgyrk7Sa32_EcZyuQtbd0/w300-h400/Canyon+and+Mommy+40-001.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I
had paid an immense price for him, but over the last year, the light in him had
dimmed. Canyon was experiencing seizures and after several hospital stays, all
tests pointed to an absolutely horrible, terminal diagnosis. If we were lucky, my
little boy might live to his 5<sup>th</sup> birthday.<span style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGX9_uF8z3f2du_ouciFj_3uu4l1zIcae2M3DEraQhZIaZjcB7o26hqKZl4D43S3eNEDd6RzcZL35pzpS2Nkms0uYMI_xzj8OdU2xVZlhk60Yf0io8WTSpmxsq7M0VDi67glxos019WU/s2016/Canyon+44.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGX9_uF8z3f2du_ouciFj_3uu4l1zIcae2M3DEraQhZIaZjcB7o26hqKZl4D43S3eNEDd6RzcZL35pzpS2Nkms0uYMI_xzj8OdU2xVZlhk60Yf0io8WTSpmxsq7M0VDi67glxos019WU/w300-h400/Canyon+44.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Perhaps this sounds like the start
of a tragic story and there were days where it was the saddest story I could
ever have experienced, but if you stick with me and keep reading, you’ll see
this is a story about God’s miracles, His perfect timing and how the power of
pray and fasting blessed our family in the most glorious way.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">---------------------------------------------------------------</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Six months earlier, it was a
blistering hot August day in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:city>
<st1:state w:st="on">Arizona</st1:state></st1:place>. I was pregnant with our
7<sup>th</sup> child and Canyon was scheduled to have eye surgery to correct two
wandering eyes. His eye doctor reassured us it was a common procedure and had
nothing to do with the terrible <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">seizure</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Canyon</st1:placetype></st1:place> barely lived
through just a month earlier, which included 5 days in the pediatric ICU. The life-threatening
seizure had been a truly grueling experience and after sleeping night after
night on a hospital bench, I was certain if I was ever to get into heaven,
sleeping on a hospital bench while 6-months pregnant would most likely do it. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnIZPGd9nxxBY1Gsnrt63kGrdtyXDOZR61Yo74McZGWeskujWSQFtteLRT9lJhs2qq5HQHd7odzf4ajLWv4CE6t9VJwaEsaXxaEC1cwY52SAAs5l10j55_Hwhg5iLh04qU3hOfJ-aYYE/s640/canyon+seizure+4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnIZPGd9nxxBY1Gsnrt63kGrdtyXDOZR61Yo74McZGWeskujWSQFtteLRT9lJhs2qq5HQHd7odzf4ajLWv4CE6t9VJwaEsaXxaEC1cwY52SAAs5l10j55_Hwhg5iLh04qU3hOfJ-aYYE/w300-h400/canyon+seizure+4.jpg" width="300" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">After
Canyon’s eyes surgery, he was brought to me blindfolded and I carried my 35-pound
little boy, draped him over my pregnant belly, waddled out of the building with
the sun glaring down on us like a heat lamp, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and buckled him in the car. Once home, we both
fell into bed and slept most the afternoon. I was so happy that would be Canyon’s
last doctor’s visit for a while.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawHmZ2-ve3xOVgipNpJoA2cr0MTh8Cw2b53mviVLuhlASGwYXgqZHOIZNjHp0yJHrxlviJJ4P_JI1kpHtQpswyAod_mEMUeKzoQN1XLrj8TdAqZu6YnrItby7_5z672IhCwLP3GB46KU/s1080/canyon%2527s+eye+surgery.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawHmZ2-ve3xOVgipNpJoA2cr0MTh8Cw2b53mviVLuhlASGwYXgqZHOIZNjHp0yJHrxlviJJ4P_JI1kpHtQpswyAod_mEMUeKzoQN1XLrj8TdAqZu6YnrItby7_5z672IhCwLP3GB46KU/w400-h400/canyon%2527s+eye+surgery.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">My beautiful baby Ruby was born emergency
c-section on September 25, 2018. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEtGcmxPq04c8nCUbhjheUHpMtUcCWor2EjhCm0-GafbEd9wvp6MssRmOEt-jgBJEHkLL-erfI0K1IiAWlUp9nQzVhZPb1tS4kHup0C52vkTnuFi14VMd-OazYFTPQp-MSVfkoq1zMLI/s640/ruby+sleeping.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEtGcmxPq04c8nCUbhjheUHpMtUcCWor2EjhCm0-GafbEd9wvp6MssRmOEt-jgBJEHkLL-erfI0K1IiAWlUp9nQzVhZPb1tS4kHup0C52vkTnuFi14VMd-OazYFTPQp-MSVfkoq1zMLI/w300-h400/ruby+sleeping.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Her birth was a miracle all its own, and I was
finally home recovering. Most nights were sleepless and I was having intense
pain from a reoccurring staph infection. Ruby wouldn’t nurse, so I was left pumping
breast milk and feeding her from a bottle. My hard-working husband Derek was
self-employed, so taking a day off to help was not an option.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVOvsmLN0aGvtUwpQsIwm_WZEDgKaDCgJSeKEToSfRkCdb8h44hVVRRojPyukzw4QXW1SXj-J4SRwPC_3NgtdR7w-uiCjY6YnDlD-O84idH4dO58gpyWj13mJYTPn6qh7U6LYuaps18I/s640/canyon+and+ruby.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVOvsmLN0aGvtUwpQsIwm_WZEDgKaDCgJSeKEToSfRkCdb8h44hVVRRojPyukzw4QXW1SXj-J4SRwPC_3NgtdR7w-uiCjY6YnDlD-O84idH4dO58gpyWj13mJYTPn6qh7U6LYuaps18I/w300-h400/canyon+and+ruby.jpg" width="300" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">(Canyon and Ruby)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Our oldest son <st1:city w:st="on">Chandler</st1:city>
had recently moved to the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region>
to serve a full-time mission and I looked forward to his emails. Because of the
time difference, we communicated back and forth in the middle of the night. My younger
children started school early in the morning, so the newborn wasn’t the only
reason I had bags under my eyes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJ2X-1o5wyvc5owWiFIh-l__yQChFUWaEx4N5vzf3PeV_zbC_NMwGNIGHQzW36RnUyBnFp7Yq1_8jn-GnddjuBlB6YvPPBGQpabcbmJm-wKwhF_jOQ042gAw3C9TqmnMTtsK82B-8OKI/s1251/chandler+phillipines.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="938" data-original-width="1251" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJ2X-1o5wyvc5owWiFIh-l__yQChFUWaEx4N5vzf3PeV_zbC_NMwGNIGHQzW36RnUyBnFp7Yq1_8jn-GnddjuBlB6YvPPBGQpabcbmJm-wKwhF_jOQ042gAw3C9TqmnMTtsK82B-8OKI/w400-h300/chandler+phillipines.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Sunday November 11, 2018 was a
typical night with my 6 week-old baby, up and down with feedings and when I finally
fell asleep, I had a dream. In the dream, I was walking in a creek with Canyon.
The water was cold and I looked up at the magnificent cliffs all around us. I
took my eyes off Canyon for just a second when he stumbled and feel deep into
the dark, murky water. Frantic, I swam down, found him right away (which was
such a relief) and pulled him up to safety. After I held him in my arms and patted
his back, he looked at me with this huge smile, the biggest, most reassuring
smile confirming he was perfectly fine. Although I was sleep deprived, the
dream was so real, it woke me up. Instinctively, I had to check on Canyon. Because
of his previous seizures, I felt like I needed to know he was alright. I laid
there for another minute. Ruby wasn’t awake and it would be so easy to drift right
back to sleep, but the impulse to check on Canyon pushed through me again, so I
forced myself to sit up. I walked down the hallway, into his sister Eden’s room
where he liked to sleep and could see <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Eden</st1:place></st1:city>,
but where was Canyon? That’s when I saw him, he’d slipped between the wall and
the bed, pinched in the corner. His eyes wide open, staring up at the ceiling.
He was pale and twitching, barely breathing!!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJMTbDLbip0GnCJmrgf-JtnOI5j7uQuSqVUXsCYm6dyTH-NlgkqXMGcXEKs_blNTl64V6nhEZQBk_9q_JMQiKbIAdE8j5gNKOLFSkvS94lDwq8pseCM7Lu22wGpwqrdnkqQssWEwHAIw/s640/canyon+sleeping.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJMTbDLbip0GnCJmrgf-JtnOI5j7uQuSqVUXsCYm6dyTH-NlgkqXMGcXEKs_blNTl64V6nhEZQBk_9q_JMQiKbIAdE8j5gNKOLFSkvS94lDwq8pseCM7Lu22wGpwqrdnkqQssWEwHAIw/w300-h400/canyon+sleeping.jpg" width="300" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">(the night before his seizure, you can see the droop in his smile)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I grabbed him in my arms, pain
pulsed through the incision of my c-section and screamed to my husband Canyon
was having a seizure. The other kids woke up and were crying, scared and I
wondered how could I leave Ruby? Would Canyon be alright? We sped to the
hospital and once in the emergency room, were rushed down a hall way to a room
full of doctors and nurses. Canyon was unresponsive, so they started the
treatments I’d seen done to him month’s earlier including incubation,
medication to increase his heart rate, IV fluids, anti-seizure medication, but
his time they did something different. They wrapped him in a blanket that
looked like tinfoil. Quickly, it started to inflate.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">“This is how we treat drowning victims,”
the doctor said, “to quickly bring their body temperature up.” I suddenly
remembered the dream of Canyon drowning. I realized somehow, with the help of
God, my little boy had found a way to communicate with me he needed help. In
the dream I had found Canyon quickly and he had assured me he was perfectly
fine with that huge, undeniable smile. I leaned into the comfort of that image,
knowing there was hope he would smile like that again very soon.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9IiXu_Gl5qoGebn_xZZMX_cwq6_NvxRepG0xXbKMfmVzimOfEV4lnEGl-_gBdBQDV39ot1xGNPKP8MX0vXel5GdFhvFVsIaYfX7InX9ADi8PlLZ3BN0FxF521Hxzr6GCP4qusdOHhD0/s1280/Canyon+life+support.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1032" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9IiXu_Gl5qoGebn_xZZMX_cwq6_NvxRepG0xXbKMfmVzimOfEV4lnEGl-_gBdBQDV39ot1xGNPKP8MX0vXel5GdFhvFVsIaYfX7InX9ADi8PlLZ3BN0FxF521Hxzr6GCP4qusdOHhD0/w323-h400/Canyon+life+support.jpg" width="323" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">It was the third day of our
hospital stay an<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">d Canyon still had tubes and monitors connected to him. After evaluating
the brain MRI, the doctor said “We think your son has a condition called
adrenoleukodystropy, or what is sometimes called white matter disease.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkb7C29Gc1dOmuoBNYfw08rIUT0x3bRxT599S6u5GK8BhP8m7XmjJ4tyJtpW32xo8ueDp0FmoCMwt7rqr8njsbCdkwbRRSCYSbXidzT-x-LJhooN3_4aP2dXk8qH_tdH7MWfcgs2UYvVQ/s640/canyon+seizure.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkb7C29Gc1dOmuoBNYfw08rIUT0x3bRxT599S6u5GK8BhP8m7XmjJ4tyJtpW32xo8ueDp0FmoCMwt7rqr8njsbCdkwbRRSCYSbXidzT-x-LJhooN3_4aP2dXk8qH_tdH7MWfcgs2UYvVQ/w300-h400/canyon+seizure.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I was so naive, so unaware of the
monster lurking around the corner, I immediately suspected this odd-sounding,
difficult to pronounce condition was something that could be fixed with
medication or another surgery. In a conversation with Derek later that night,
I’d barely remembered to mention it, but he had looked it up on the internet.
Derek spent the next 20 minutes filling me in on the horror of
adrenoleukodystropy, how it takes a child from thriving and developing to
blind, deaf, lifeless and eventually death. Derek must have had it wrong. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOeBTFI_xOuoPpFfeqAjIm6HM5Hv9AwxjKBPn_JG04O_bXStK8XxwJ9SslVkqGguoZWEbOZ1Ibn4Ou0-uCFKDHwouVgtOUDCJHItxEgQdPWwZYoW0FquzXwCme2bnUchtiEkzWQpBdXw/s640/canyon+seizure+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOeBTFI_xOuoPpFfeqAjIm6HM5Hv9AwxjKBPn_JG04O_bXStK8XxwJ9SslVkqGguoZWEbOZ1Ibn4Ou0-uCFKDHwouVgtOUDCJHItxEgQdPWwZYoW0FquzXwCme2bnUchtiEkzWQpBdXw/w300-h400/canyon+seizure+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">After Canyon fell asleep in my
arms, I lay with him in that small pediatric bed, numb, pumping milk for my
newborn baby who was staying with a friend, and I scrolled through my phone looking
at the symptoms of adrenoleukodystropy. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Wandering eyes</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Limp or difficulty walking</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Unexplainable seizures</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>White
matter dissolving</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Most common
in boys</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Average age
of onset age four</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Speech
impairment</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Canyon had every single symptom. I
felt like I was going to throw up. I stared at my little boy, begging the God
of the universe, “This can not be true!”</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-XAKdSuvNXSXKH93pHvQtNeO9mhNpCsZa9TuIm7hRpgVi92yXC5l0SNKx8xIbiIz091ZJs5XMX2vAxM6ilPm7ZX3ADTNE4oJ3nGJfs-aF9ZtaoOa7_ztLhtb8bjbv-Thdr1TDNTaoMU/s640/canyon+26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-XAKdSuvNXSXKH93pHvQtNeO9mhNpCsZa9TuIm7hRpgVi92yXC5l0SNKx8xIbiIz091ZJs5XMX2vAxM6ilPm7ZX3ADTNE4oJ3nGJfs-aF9ZtaoOa7_ztLhtb8bjbv-Thdr1TDNTaoMU/w300-h400/canyon+26.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Canyon had developed a droop in his
smile, slurred speech and a noticeable limp. And what about the horrible
seizures? I was becoming too familiar with speeding down the freeway and
running into the ER with him in my arms begging the doctors to save him. I
hated that Canyon now had a pediatric neurologist who knew him by name. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbbZU72A2_x91L_FRwf7v1UbifbqUhWFS6pMVR23q-UOnceW255bvUn_4tu7p7pQMg5wa37XqoSH-KTFKLGpoD9D4FHdBV96D3-UVelDm6uPvXvvpHIlkAApy7XVUArvKWrnMoDdXd6Q/s960/daddy+canyon+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbbZU72A2_x91L_FRwf7v1UbifbqUhWFS6pMVR23q-UOnceW255bvUn_4tu7p7pQMg5wa37XqoSH-KTFKLGpoD9D4FHdBV96D3-UVelDm6uPvXvvpHIlkAApy7XVUArvKWrnMoDdXd6Q/w320-h400/daddy+canyon+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">There was no way. The doctor had
mentioned is so casually, he couldn’t really mean it. He just meant there was a
chance, if everything else was ruled out. Canyon would be discharged and they
were starting him on a daily seizure medication. He would be alright.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">“Honey,” Derek had said to me,
“adrenoleukodystropy is terminal, there’s no cure. Canyon would have maybe two
years.” My husband, the strong one, so logical and consistent, so reliable, so
capable, why was he crying?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">When Canyon finally came home, our
family was not the same. I didn’t recognize the sounds coming out of my teenage
son’s mouth when we told our kids the news. It was like we were all grasping
for air. It had caught us all by surprise. What about our perfect lives? Our
happily ever after? What was it all about now? </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnnJD46pO4hd2avu0NSDoChGJfi_MEo6dZqX2Yyz6qjZWeMG-uRlD_OoK5gArHMFHtTo_g_v1qtzNdjmiErE40AW85NMnAI9j8FAfdrj1NWR6ps3EZBGOKfINUQdjt0KvlIi6nBe5Z7Y/s640/canyon+and+eden.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnnJD46pO4hd2avu0NSDoChGJfi_MEo6dZqX2Yyz6qjZWeMG-uRlD_OoK5gArHMFHtTo_g_v1qtzNdjmiErE40AW85NMnAI9j8FAfdrj1NWR6ps3EZBGOKfINUQdjt0KvlIi6nBe5Z7Y/w300-h400/canyon+and+eden.jpg" width="300" /></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Canyon had a follow up appointment
the next week. Although it was November, he insisted on wearing his Halloween
custom to the visit. During the exam, Canyon followed the instructions to his
best ability in his little brown monkey suit. While I held my newborn close to
my chest, my mom and I spoke with the doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was nervous, but optimistic the he would rule out adrenoleukodystropy.
He hadn’t mentioned it yet.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">“We tested Canyon’s blood work in
the hospital to see if he had fatty acids in his blood.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I had no idea what fatty acids were
and mentioned to the doctor the night before Canyon’s last seizure, he’d had
salmon and avocado, high fat foods? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">“No,” the doctor said, “foods don’t
cause fatty acids. Fatty acids can take years to break down into the blood
stream and we can detect what part of the body is releasing them.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">This was the first I’d heard about
such a thing. “Well, he doesn’t have them, does he?”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">“He does, and according to the
numbers, they are the break down of his white matter.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I literally felt like a black hole
in the ground opened up and I was falling into it. How could everything keep
lining up in the wrong lane? I sobbed into my hands, sinking, barely able to
hold onto my baby. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The doctor pulled up Canyon’s MRI
and showed me the pattern in the back of the brain, where his white matter was falling
apart, dissolving like melted snow. Without the white matter, eventually, my
son’s brain would stop functioning all together.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBu07tBCcEJ7vRPtuJiq0zHNklUWseU0MXfAacVde_N2tnF-ahYLDnceoGdF8Wyzqvn6Gc6FSpn4-oTMyQqFIjJ3RY99j5ontrvuCnjs_CA_qEmVROevCW9S7XKyF9F2kuGo4E74zbilc/s960/ruby+and+canyon+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBu07tBCcEJ7vRPtuJiq0zHNklUWseU0MXfAacVde_N2tnF-ahYLDnceoGdF8Wyzqvn6Gc6FSpn4-oTMyQqFIjJ3RY99j5ontrvuCnjs_CA_qEmVROevCW9S7XKyF9F2kuGo4E74zbilc/s320/ruby+and+canyon+2.jpg" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">(you can really his facial problems here, heartbreaking)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">This was the day life stopped for
me. My little boy was dying. It was December, a time to celebrate the birth of
Jesus Christ, but Derek and I lived in a state of mourning. Every time Canyon
spoke, when we couldn’t understand what he was saying, it was like the disease
was mocking us. Canyon loved the park, but one day, as he was running he fell.
I picked him up in my arms and cried a thousand tears. Every experience was now
evidence of our little boy’s decline. A friend at the park brought a blanket
and wrapped us in it while I shock and sobbed. My eyes remained swollen and my
days were blurred like murky water. I would try to hide or quiet my cries, but
Canyon would always find me and hold onto me while I released the pain. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Six weeks later, we were still
waiting on one final test, blood work that had been taken during our November
hospital stay. Adrenoleukodystropy was so rare, the genetic test that would
confirm our son’s death sentence was packed in ice and sent back east to a lab
at a medical university. We were told the test would take a month to conduct. I
called our doctor’s office and spoke with the nurse, reminding her the results
should be in. She called the lab and the week of Christmas informed us the
blood work had been lost. No one knew where it had been sent and we would need
to reschedule to have Canyon’s blood drawn again. I remember staring at the
Christmas tree, the lights blurred together because my vision was altered.
Every Christmas carol carried a sentimental feeling, a sense of loneliness and
pain that I knew only Jesus could heal someday.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWalI9PHPWoSdefGI3G3YYdBSv8GUnFHNQG4mdhTaqd9qW3_0dj9TP9_Sfd2MFV82Zj2Of6a_ePUtI8IxHN5dNOPDOUai1mgjlFjqtK_5rNw0Jptn_fzqG5PokodcpL_-dk2-rB2MDjs4/s640/ruby+at+church.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="562" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWalI9PHPWoSdefGI3G3YYdBSv8GUnFHNQG4mdhTaqd9qW3_0dj9TP9_Sfd2MFV82Zj2Of6a_ePUtI8IxHN5dNOPDOUai1mgjlFjqtK_5rNw0Jptn_fzqG5PokodcpL_-dk2-rB2MDjs4/w351-h400/ruby+at+church.jpg" width="351" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">In the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region>,
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> had
been given permission to call to let us know he’d been experiencing horrible
stomach pain. He was going to be taking a train to the hospital in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Cabanatuan</st1:place></st1:city> to have testing
done. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
confessed he didn’t want us to worry, but after months of debilitating pain and
weight loss, he finally told us in detail what he was going through. Until we
had a definitive diagnosis, we didn’t want <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> to know the extent of what was
happening over here with Canyon. I couldn’t believe we were both keeping
secrets because we didn’t want the other to worry. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I met with our stake president to
discuss what we could do for <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
and what was happening to Canyon. After our meeting and a beautiful prayer,
I’ll never forget what he said to me, “Sister Lofgreen, you’ll never know the
blessings your family will receive from your son’s missionary service.”</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXES66jh8hdiVGpdZO2gmCBu0ZtaS6BYJuohyeBcJUqaVX34FTaO-lhQ8ElAJGloa7Hdxz9De80xc3_3PUgHIulKuZBMzOHiGHfoqBK2hs2dt5ABNNB0mGJOysx7lFvar0bmqgCPFSQs/s960/chandler+mission+15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZXES66jh8hdiVGpdZO2gmCBu0ZtaS6BYJuohyeBcJUqaVX34FTaO-lhQ8ElAJGloa7Hdxz9De80xc3_3PUgHIulKuZBMzOHiGHfoqBK2hs2dt5ABNNB0mGJOysx7lFvar0bmqgCPFSQs/w300-h400/chandler+mission+15.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">(the train ride to Cabanatuan)</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I wanted <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> to be healed so he could stay out on
his mission. I wanted Canyon to be healed from this horrible hell-on-earth
disease. Our family and ward were fasting and praying, but the waiting game was
impossible to win. One night, completely lost in a sea of heartache, I woke up.
Derek was awake and like a pathetic choir of two, we both started sobbing these
unrecognizable cries, holding onto each other in our pitch dark room. We would
never function normally again. Derek was actually taking breaks at work to cry between
appointments. We couldn’t live like this, but I didn’t know how to pull back
from our downward spiral of grief.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">-----------------------------------------</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I promised this would be a story of
healing and the powerful reality that God hears and answers prayers. God is the
beautiful orchestrator, the perfect story teller, the immaculate artist and I
would have never believed what he was about to paint into our lives.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Back to that Sunday morning,
January 13, 2019 when I was lying in bed between that magical moment of
dreaming and awakening, my eyes not yet swollen with tears, that moment when
I’d forget I had a child who was being taken from me, Canyon said my name.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Mommy.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I opened my eyes and looked at my precious
boy. Blonde hair, golden skin, chocolate chip brown eyes, pink lips, blushed
cheeks! What was this I saw? At that moment, I noticed his skin was so bright,
so healthy, the pink back in his cheeks and his eyes seemed to sparkle. Before
I was even fully awake, I knew.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">“Canyon, you’re better,” I said,
practically tripping over my words. “Honey, you’re better.” I grabbed him in my
arms and held him close to my heart, staring back at his face, examining how
different he looked.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I don’t know how I knew, but I knew
the disease the doctors were certain he had battling inside him was gone,
healed, restored. I dared say the name, even though I’d finally learned how to
say it without having to reference it on my phone.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">That’s when I remembered my dream.
I’d had a dream. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I ran into the kitchen, my husband was
getting breakfast ready so we could leave for church on time.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">“Canyon’s better, look at him, he’s
been healed!!”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Derek had no idea what I was
talking about, so I told him about the dream.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">“I was in our bedroom with Canyon
and several of the walls had large glass windows. Outside, I noticed a picnic
basket with helium balloons attached to it. The picnic basket was full of light
and it started floating up into the air. I told Canyon to look at it, but as he
turned around the picnic basket floated behind the house. I looked up and
noticed our ceiling was glass, so Canyon and I lay down and stared up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was floating up towards the sky, it would
just be a moment before it appeared again. Suddenly, there it was. It seemed to
be on a path, intentionally going somewhere. That’s when I realized it was floating
to the sun. The sun was so bright, but still, I looked at it. That’s when I saw
him. It was Jesus. Jesus was in the sun. It was really Him, the almighty,
powerful Savior of the world. If I didn’t wake up, I felt my spirit would go to
Him.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I was very aware I sounded
completely crazy, but Derek was always supportive of my spiritual impressions. “What
do you think it meant,” he asked.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I wasn’t sure, all I knew was when
Canyon woke me up he looked noticeably different and I knew he was healed. I
felt lighter and a peaceful feeling resided in my heart. It all sounded
impossible, but I couldn’t deny what I knew was true.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I walked back into my bedroom and
sat on the edge of my bed, amazed. Canyon had been playing in the other room,
but as he ran down the hallway and back into my arms, I decided to tell him
about the dream as well. Again, I remembered the picnic basket, full of light
floating to Jesus and as I described this to Canyon, the spirit of the Holy
Ghost ran through my body, helping me understand what it all meant.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Dz03E8vkVk0U7CRfeRb7I_43TkFEeGb0Q2uRM8CNtGAPppTq4XlyK742JUzpbNcarzlAYtBVsQEpVfxzTUWnan1sCVDEwDcQeFb9UA6JXhNG3X35NrrUr0SuvjOIiZveETrfX_DaMX0/s600/jesus+fasting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Dz03E8vkVk0U7CRfeRb7I_43TkFEeGb0Q2uRM8CNtGAPppTq4XlyK742JUzpbNcarzlAYtBVsQEpVfxzTUWnan1sCVDEwDcQeFb9UA6JXhNG3X35NrrUr0SuvjOIiZveETrfX_DaMX0/w400-h300/jesus+fasting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">“Honey, Jesus took your illness. It
was in that picnic basket of light. Jesus took it from the earth. You’re all
better. You’re going to be ok.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">From that day forward, I stopped
crying. Derek had faith from the dream and he stopped crying. Our children knew
Canyon was healed. Our days were completely different. I stopped looking for
signs of Canyon’s illness, instead the miracles of his healing became obvious.
When people asked how Canyon was doing, we said we were still praying and
fasting, but we knew he was going to be alright. At times, I stopped to see if
the emotional pain in my heart was still there. Could I back step into it if I
tried? I literally couldn’t find the heartache. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since there was no medical proof Canyon was
going to be alright, I knew I should be skeptical, but at the end of the day, I
felt this overwhelming presence of peace and hope.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-eH56bZ004zEKtZNVKKaPuHFoAa-xpP9Te1IKjWfZzlm72haEbU3a9T4cfawfRGMYeNcKQfRzpT1j56xeRzz7rvaGdyDHAHtYxDDqqcXmBnR_GiMaN9VLYneRIDVGn2l2TuOYv8Z5oE/s748/rainbow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="748" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-eH56bZ004zEKtZNVKKaPuHFoAa-xpP9Te1IKjWfZzlm72haEbU3a9T4cfawfRGMYeNcKQfRzpT1j56xeRzz7rvaGdyDHAHtYxDDqqcXmBnR_GiMaN9VLYneRIDVGn2l2TuOYv8Z5oE/w400-h384/rainbow.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">On February 13, 2019 we went back
to the hospital to have Canyon’s blood work done again. It would be 4 weeks
until we heard any news. The odds were against him, but my heart wouldn’t allow
me to sink into despair. I knew he was healed. As the nurse prepared the
needle, I had the thought to play a peek-a-boo game and cover Canyon’s eyes.
When she poked him, he was so preoccupied, he didn’t react to the procedure.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Meanwhile, in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region>, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>’s health continued to deteriorate. He
was diagnosed with h-pylori, a bacteria infection in the gut most commonly
caused by contaminated drinking water or poor sanitation. If left untreated, the
inflammation could result in Chromes disease, stomach ulcers or worse, cancer. The
doctors tried antibiotics, but <st1:city w:st="on">Chandler</st1:city>’s
protruding stomach, severe pain and a suspected hernia meant he needed to come
back to the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>
for medical treatment. I received an email from his mission president that <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>’s departure visa,
which should have been processed, had been lost by customs in a pile of
paperwork. It would take a miracle to get him home. </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Our family and ward continued
praying and fasting for both our boys. To feel the love, support and faith from
so many around us meant everything. We came home to cookies on the porch, had
help with housework and read notes of encouragement. I shared updates on social
media, but more than that, I was testifying of God’s love, the power of prayer
and fasting and how thankful I was for my family and Savior.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">On the morning of March 4, 2019
while taking care of the baby, I missed a call from the pediatric neurologist’s
office. The nurse left the most heart-warming, life-giving message. The test
came back negative. Canyon did not have adrenoleukodystropy. Because of the
lost blood work, we had waited 4 months for the results. The doctor was shocked
and relieved. My heart burst open, my eyes filled with tears and I ran to share
the news with my husband. It’s amazing when you have a young child unaware of
an impending medical condition, how much that child lives in the present,
uninfluenced by his or her potential life expectancy. All along, Canyon had
played, skipped, sang, loved, laughed, even comforted us as we cried. It was
incredible to think he had lived perfectly content. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">The next day, I received an email
from the mission department. Customs had found <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>’s travel visa and approved his departure
papers. Our missionary was coming home from the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region>, not exactly how he had
left, but in time, we would get him back to health. At that moment, I heard the
words from my stake president, “You’ll never know the blessings your family
will receive from your son’s missionary service.” I marveled that <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> was released
from his mission after we received the confirmation Canyon would be alright. I
thought “What an interesting coincidence?” The spirit whispered to my heart,
“The timing is not a coincidence.” </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMwcg6fb8VzU2f9W2T-8o1FGIJYd9ji8lr4FYpMqDYNRK11wIdW2oO6J4sWAwTV4za2ebZmkOvNfDS8j_ifSEcn4EniRXnUlLNQLIhHvCte6s1fFOPklrcWfys5JBr4jFWf2r6SkMFWI/s640/chandler+home+9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsMwcg6fb8VzU2f9W2T-8o1FGIJYd9ji8lr4FYpMqDYNRK11wIdW2oO6J4sWAwTV4za2ebZmkOvNfDS8j_ifSEcn4EniRXnUlLNQLIhHvCte6s1fFOPklrcWfys5JBr4jFWf2r6SkMFWI/w300-h400/chandler+home+9.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">(Chandler meeting Ruby for the first time)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">About a year later, as we continued
watching Canyon heal, his speech improve, his smile slowly correcting, his
energy come back, I was talking to my sister Becky about our miraculous
experience. “You know why that first blood work was lost don’t you?” she said.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I hadn’t thought about it that for
months, but at the time, I resented the lost blood work, confused why such an
unfortunate thing would happen at such a crucial point in Canyon’s journey, but
Becky had another idea.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">“God was going to heal Canyon, so
you were never meant to have the results from the first test.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Such an idea gave me chills. Could
it be true? We would never know the specifics of Canyon’s healing, but I did
have a testimony that in God’s universe, there are no coincidences.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB707MdaCOomxa_xtfL67cny5x8Dmzhi343ntUE05ZMt9NFnGOjnTKxSQs8z4N1DyQF0WKlhU7Uvf_8Q5ObuPB5Mzd5Nqg9-P3rZJjbAev3eAiiC9yFDLiEZvdG3kqff2lk5v7fUs7gUw/s1600/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+4.jpg" 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/AVvXsEhB707MdaCOomxa_xtfL67cny5x8Dmzhi343ntUE05ZMt9NFnGOjnTKxSQs8z4N1DyQF0WKlhU7Uvf_8Q5ObuPB5Mzd5Nqg9-P3rZJjbAev3eAiiC9yFDLiEZvdG3kqff2lk5v7fUs7gUw/w400-h266/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="background: white; color: #050505;">Canyon is now 6 years old. He has been tested for a variety
of other health conditions, one panel had 80 different possible medical
outcomes, but the tests continued coming back negative. He remains on a very
small dose of anti-seizure medication and continues to grow in strength and
healing. Every day is a miracle to celebrate the power of prayer and fasting,
to dance in the light of Jesus Christ and praise the God Almighty for each
precious moment.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H4-cMsHhK4k" width="320" youtube-src-id="H4-cMsHhK4k"></iframe></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><br /></p>Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-56699535647625388882020-06-23T19:19:00.001-07:002020-06-23T19:27:30.705-07:00Intermittent Fasting - The Last 90 Days<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 13pt;">The last 90-days has been absolutely life-changing. I'm
so thankful, so very blessed to have found intermittent fasting. The
simplicity, the flexibility, the blessing of being hand in hand with God while
I improve my physical, spiritual, mental and emotional health - it's truly a
gift. I no longer am at war with my body - a reality I've lived with since I
was 10 years old.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-zghvaqCxXZhpgUEPtIJLree0O9SZfD2otbJz-fwYsW3x1xSUNbxwWEMpWGuFCER8dT1a_kvfFcrhVfcvxYhQt96N6eNvpU2FZn9LvX4q7_BIiLGYjYWyRuiWeIsizlZL12OQ2XNK9U/s1600/intermittent+fasting+90+days+4.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/AVvXsEjq-zghvaqCxXZhpgUEPtIJLree0O9SZfD2otbJz-fwYsW3x1xSUNbxwWEMpWGuFCER8dT1a_kvfFcrhVfcvxYhQt96N6eNvpU2FZn9LvX4q7_BIiLGYjYWyRuiWeIsizlZL12OQ2XNK9U/s400/intermittent+fasting+90+days+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.0pt;">In January, 2016 when I first felt impressed to fast for 30-days
(only eating after 4:00pm ), I was concerned it might be too difficult. Could I
even do such a thing? I'd never heard about intermittent fasting, but as I skipped
breakfast and lunch every day, I felt a peace I'd never had before. I came
outside of my own pitiful self thoughts, victim mentality and body shaming. No
longer was I consumed with my own negative, self-destructive energy. This is
because I developed compassion for the poor and hungry, gratitude for my food
and love for my body. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.0pt;">I’m learning losing weight is more about my relationship with
myself and God then food. I’m not interested in counting calories and
restricting food. Do you know how many times I’ve started a diet and focused on
what I can’t have? I have felt left out and isolated. Diets of the past have
been an all-consuming negative experience. Intermittent fasting provides true
freedom, the opportunity to develop trust in self, break bad habits, eat when
truly hungry, eat what I want and appreciate my body for the gift that it is.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.0pt;">I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints. I am studying the law of the fast in the Bible and a book of scripture
my faith holds dear, the Book of Mormon. In the Book of Mormon, another testimony
of Jesus Christ, a prophet named <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Alma</st1:place></st1:city>
said “I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of
myself. And now I know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made
them manifest unto me by His Holy Spirit.” <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Alma</st1:city></st1:place> also says they had given themselves to
much “fasting and prayer” for the spirit of revelation and that they might be
blessed to fulfill their purpose. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VXr25Y4NxuEZzjFeIQpl1e5qdiYjHBAGSG7mELRHUbUubR6Xo-jVrI8rBsaJJH-Z_q0m6b8EHB_3j56u-OqLAeXNMX8UWn_tIrda1QbV1pPjSSJ-zRxscPjMzOcJx3P16mOsiJInC6Q/s1600/fasting+memes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VXr25Y4NxuEZzjFeIQpl1e5qdiYjHBAGSG7mELRHUbUubR6Xo-jVrI8rBsaJJH-Z_q0m6b8EHB_3j56u-OqLAeXNMX8UWn_tIrda1QbV1pPjSSJ-zRxscPjMzOcJx3P16mOsiJInC6Q/s400/fasting+memes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.0pt;">Before intermittent fasting, I had not considered that fasting
could be an experience to participate in many days in a row. Through
intermittent fasting, I don’t have to wait once a month for the blessings of
the fast. Fasting has helped me to know the truth about myself and my
relationship with God and Jesus Christ. This healing means everything to me. In
our church, fasting and prayer has been called “rejoicing and prayer.” I now
understand why.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JZYm2jQuAZ6AJmY-uGufcqGCuQN-NvVROTnABHj1966XXlA-kSR_Roryv4CQ5NAwtbb5vcL3JUhyUmpaIgH0lUsaZyT6pNeh5oASNRh04fmowF_Q-cL5MUERUxXYR9giQsITRcW6IPw/s1600/fasting+meme+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JZYm2jQuAZ6AJmY-uGufcqGCuQN-NvVROTnABHj1966XXlA-kSR_Roryv4CQ5NAwtbb5vcL3JUhyUmpaIgH0lUsaZyT6pNeh5oASNRh04fmowF_Q-cL5MUERUxXYR9giQsITRcW6IPw/s400/fasting+meme+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.0pt;">When I participate in my church’s once-a-month Sunday fast (which is supposed to be a full 24 hours, but that is still very difficult for me), I
give money as a fast offering donation to my bishop to help those in need in my
church congregation and through the world. As I fast for 30-days, I donate to
Rising Star Outreach to support sponsoring 100 daughters. I truly believe when
we are generous with God, He is generous with us. The word “temporal” means in
our worldly needs like in our home, family and other financial needs. God
promises to bless us temporally when we give to the poor and hungry by opening
up the heavens and pouring out blessings (Malachi 3: 8-12) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.0pt;">Fasting has helped me change and grow in ways I could have never
done. Honoring God’s commandments can be an opportunity to become more like Him
and His son Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tBiRyCud5sY" width="560"></iframe></span></span></div>
<br />Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-4444343437612636842020-05-15T17:51:00.000-07:002020-05-15T18:05:53.910-07:0060 days of intermittent fasting. Here’s what I’ve learned.<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">I'm so thankful I've continued on my journey with intermittent fasting. It's been over 4 years!! I'm a writer, illustrator, blogger, thrifter, creator, </span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">entrepreneur</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">, ADHD, forgetful, </span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">impulsive and</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> fashion-crazed mom of seven who wants to be healthy emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. Intermittent fasting is the gift I give myself to stay focused, creative, love myself and heal from past trauma! Intermittent fasting and prayer has changed my world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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March 2020 to May 2020!</div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">There’s a simplicity to
fasting that is helping me develop a more positive relationship with food, my
body, God and my thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I can go throughout the day
and almost forget I’m fasting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">When I break my fast, I eat
what I want, but I focus on making healthy and/or healthier choices.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Intermittent fasting
naturally pushes my mind to stay present, let go of regret and unmet
expectations. You’re perfect how you are and no ideal body weight is going to
change that. Love yourself the way/weight you are. Pounds do not represent
self-worth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Intermittent fasting means
you don’t have to think about any confusing calculations. Yes, you can count your macros or practice keto while you are also intermittent fasting (and hats off to you if you do this. You're most likely having better/faster results then I am), but for now, I'm letting go of restrictions and focusing on intuition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Exercise before you break
your fast, even if it’s a small workout like yoga or jumping jacks. It takes at
least 12 hours to digest your food, for your stomach to empty and for your body
to start using your own body fat for energy. Click <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/intermittent-fasting-and-weight-loss#section1">here</a> to learn more. Once this happens, you’re losing
body fat. Expedite this process by exercising near the end of your fast. I’m amazed how
much energy I have and how good it feels to exercise on an empty stomach. No cramps or bloating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Pray, meditate, focus on
gratitude for self, food, family, life, blessings and more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Ask yourself how you became
overweight? Dig deep. Do you want to be overweight for protection or other
emotional/psychological reasons? I’ve cried so much during the last 60-days and
it’s helped me break free in many unusual surprising ways! I understand the
mistakes I’ve made, how I’ve misjudged relationships, placed my burdens on
others and played the victim to my own intentions (self-sabotage at it’s
finest!!) I’ve come so far, but I have a lot more baggage (pounds) to let go
of.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Study Louise Hay and see if
her information about mind/body/emotions makes sense to you? Her book is called
“Heal Your Body.” It’s free to listen to on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C52g27WUr7M">YouTube</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">When you break your fast, eat
healthy, but don’t restrict yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Eat what you want, only
smaller portions. This will naturally happen because your stomach shrinks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">While fasting, drink lots of
water, herbal teas, lemon water, sweetened only with pure Stevia. I do not
drink soda or coffee, but I know most experts agree black coffee is alright
while you’re fasting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">See which type of
intermittent fasting you like. I do a daily 16-hour fast, but enjoy extending
it 2-3 hours a couple of days a week. Once a month, I like to do a 24-hour
fast. I have naturally grown into this and it feels comfortable. You can also
fast twice a week for 24 hours with a 500 calorie restriction. Do you own
research and be confident in what doctors say about intermittent fasting, what
works best and why.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Stay busy. Develop your
talents. Find a passion. Be creative. Practice art, creative writing, organize
your home, clean out your garage, plant a garden, cut your jeans, make dream
catchers, learn 100 ways how to cook zucchini, make your own coconut milk,
etc!!! I find most of my eating is because I’m bored, not because I’m really
hungry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Do not weigh yourself. In the
past, the physiological effects of weighing myself every day/week/month have
been very damaging. Not owning a scale has been a huge relief for me. Do not
let your weight dictate your day/mood/self-worth. Wear beautiful clothes. Style
your hair. Put on that red lip stick! You are beautiful every day because you
are you, the one and only and you are worth it! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Join me on another 30-day
intermittent fasting challenge starting Monday, May 18<sup>th</sup> and let’s see
how we can grow/change/thrive! Don’t set a weight-loss goal, set a mindset
goal. The weight will take care of itself. Follow me on my facebook page "How to start intermittent fasting" by clicking <a href="https://www.facebook.com/howtostartintermittentfasting/">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsMTTS6ENwpp0iLpLdWryOcGm-7MfpUvl7n0Dqv5mxTwUlqnrNczzjuTjQfvCYJFkT8abuJNBTHGED8jFF-2kf7oQ3-UtqAHFerisJcYv6I98YTQRHslsLTGTNq1bdX0_a1oKWADZeDQ/s1600/cropped+jeans.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/AVvXsEhDsMTTS6ENwpp0iLpLdWryOcGm-7MfpUvl7n0Dqv5mxTwUlqnrNczzjuTjQfvCYJFkT8abuJNBTHGED8jFF-2kf7oQ3-UtqAHFerisJcYv6I98YTQRHslsLTGTNq1bdX0_a1oKWADZeDQ/s400/cropped+jeans.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">We all have that one pair of jeans that haunts us (insert laughter!!)! When Eden was a baby we were out of town on vacation. I went to the mall and in that state that all of us moms get in, where we know we deserve something amazing, and we want to indulge ourselves, I purchased these jeans at Buckle for $100! They were my little (big) splurge and I wore them all the time. Five years later, I had my son Canyon. I lost most of my baby weight, but I could never fit into these jeans, so I’ve carried them around for another five years! (Insert desperation!!) I had another baby and she’ll be two in September! These jeans have been with me for 9 years and today, after 60-days of intermittent fasting, I pulled them out and tried them on! They are so outdated, hence I got out my scissors and went to town! Boom! Not to shabby!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I am not a doctor, just a mom
who wants to be healthy, love and thrive! The thoughts and advice given on this
blog do not constitute medical advice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-72335664500577284862020-04-16T20:12:00.002-07:002020-04-16T20:16:31.742-07:0030-Day Intermittent Fast - What Did I Learn<br />
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Intermittent
fasting is like travel – you’ll never know the places you’ll end up unless you
plan your trip, pack your bags, get on that plane and go. I’m so thankful I had
the chance to fast for the last 30 days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt;">When I
decided to fast last month, the corona virus was starting to be mainstream
news, but I had no idea how monumental it would be to fast during <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i> time. We had just returned from
spring break in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">San Diego</st1:place></st1:city>
and had the best time. All the restaurants were open, no problem with lodging,
we spent the days at the beach, even went to a Disney breakfast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwSPY43YV8BWuDNZzk757x0zxwpOG10q5CtL9Pvghg7akVEVxuGonb-lUi_PH2g3Un2tGS_GK6xmnoZ4YxJF76cpugsHJ3EA2TqSwj8ZnfxRUEvgmgGO_Ohx2aiyGCnLPKjzU82yVUJ4/s1600/san+diego+march+2020+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwSPY43YV8BWuDNZzk757x0zxwpOG10q5CtL9Pvghg7akVEVxuGonb-lUi_PH2g3Un2tGS_GK6xmnoZ4YxJF76cpugsHJ3EA2TqSwj8ZnfxRUEvgmgGO_Ohx2aiyGCnLPKjzU82yVUJ4/s400/san+diego+march+2020+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond";"><o:p> Ruby!!</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I can’t
believe how quickly life has changed. It’s so sad and scary, but I do have faith we will recover from this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I love
intermittent fasting. I truly believe it’s kept me healthy
physically, mentally, emotionally and blessed me spiritually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8S6VLwsRMahoozvAeC4752_WM_oZtESlIhdrOGv0fqWjEaOtPWi5F0xl4g3eQxbWEM3U_cPkNpBQ5yg-qKadfOdFin2fvHsbp26khjsY6bXt5ZQWGb-2rq__mfLMjZSwZGZvEEUWyqw/s1600/san+diego+march+2020+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8S6VLwsRMahoozvAeC4752_WM_oZtESlIhdrOGv0fqWjEaOtPWi5F0xl4g3eQxbWEM3U_cPkNpBQ5yg-qKadfOdFin2fvHsbp26khjsY6bXt5ZQWGb-2rq__mfLMjZSwZGZvEEUWyqw/s400/san+diego+march+2020+7.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After I
had my 7<sup>th</sup> baby Ruby in September 2018, I started intermittent
fasting again November 2018 to March 2019 because my little <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">boy</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Canyon</st1:placetype></st1:place>
was having serious medical problems. You can read about that <a href="https://mydeartrash.blogspot.com/2019/02/would-she-find-joy.html">here</a> and <a href="http://mydeartrash.blogspot.com/2019/07/miracles-with-chandler-and-canyon.html">here</a>. Every
day, up all night, recovering from a c-section, bonding with my new baby, dealing
with postpartum, completely overwhelmed when Canyon had another serious seizure
and spent three days in the pediatric ICU. The doctors thought Canyon’s
condition was terminal and God all mighty, I started fasting and praying <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">every day</b> that his health would be
restored, he would be made whole and that I wouldn’t have to watch him die. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsx-dswbJJWCsmrZRzlr1M3Uo5non186Ues35DozxutvCagNoB87GA_Da4FMutzOmww1ytoWC2DVvXkNIvVoR52uf9ByJeeXL4QUUBKc24z5PBk1Ia7zZly7ewFmofCu_PWLIIvB0chA/s1600/canyon+seizure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsx-dswbJJWCsmrZRzlr1M3Uo5non186Ues35DozxutvCagNoB87GA_Da4FMutzOmww1ytoWC2DVvXkNIvVoR52uf9ByJeeXL4QUUBKc24z5PBk1Ia7zZly7ewFmofCu_PWLIIvB0chA/s400/canyon+seizure.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In March
2019 after 4 months of waiting, we received the miracle news that despite
having nearly every symptom, Canyon did not have the terminal illness they
thought he did. Our family rejoiced and there’s still not a day that goes by
that I don’t reflect on this miracle in our lives. Oh, and I lost 10 pounds from intermittent fasting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT55NKHBPVhzUO2V-2zba20kPRZiSjOC4pYdlgb8sMAzkLUkyntiv2lWyHmjUyfrGEjGD31iMNnPlY1LfvaiXlJV-KH2KBAOJKdK59vwgyFnOkxlFygJsfGCpTJfkMkUOjNGjQGdQIxPM/s1600/morning+walk+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT55NKHBPVhzUO2V-2zba20kPRZiSjOC4pYdlgb8sMAzkLUkyntiv2lWyHmjUyfrGEjGD31iMNnPlY1LfvaiXlJV-KH2KBAOJKdK59vwgyFnOkxlFygJsfGCpTJfkMkUOjNGjQGdQIxPM/s400/morning+walk+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond";">I love walking in the morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 14pt;">I want
to express intermittent fasting is so much bigger to me then weight loss. Don’t
get me wrong, I love that it’s for weight loss because who doesn’t want that
nice reward, but I truly believe fasting is a gift from God to restore our
health, heal our children, bless our nation, grow spiritually, give to the poor
and whatever else God has in mind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 14pt;">After all, it’s His law.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt;">During
this 30-day fast, I have been praying every day for our nation thinking this
was probably why I’d been motivated to do a 30-day challenge at this time, but something happened a
couple of days ago that really surprised me. I was feeling really good, but
something I thought I’d resolved came up again. I was out on a run in the
morning and I felt impressed to fast to help me understand how I should handle
what I was going through. I immediately felt so empowered. Wow, I was in a
position to turn to God in a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fasted</i>
state and ask for help. God is so amazing and throughout that run, He spoke to
me, made impressions in my mind, helped me understand in ways I would have
never considered on my own what I needed to do. By the time I ran back home, I
felt light as air. Everything had been fixed. My perspective had totally
shifted, my attitude changed and my confidence restored.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt;">For the
last 30 days, I was praying and fasting for the world. I didn’t think there was
enough room in my fast for <i>me</i> to personally receive such a gift, but God is
like that. He loves to surprise us with more. More love, more health, more
inspiration, more purpose, more awareness, more growth. More, more, more! He
never stops. He’s so good. The God of more!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Because of my 30-day fast, I'm going to donate to <a href="https://risingstaroutreach.org/">Rising Star Outreach</a>, to a fund they've started called <a href="http://mydeartrash.blogspot.com/2019/04/my-100-daughters-of-india-intermittent_27.html">My 100 daughters</a>, to
help those in need. I encourage you to participate in this part of the fast and
to let helping those who go without be part of your fasting journey. Giving to the poor and hungry
is why God asks us to fast. I promise you will be blessed, even surprised how
God restores your offering. How much should you give? It would mean everything to me if you would sponsor a girl. It costs $1.00 per day. If 100 of us did this, my daughter Eden and I would be able to reach our goal and sponsor 100 daughters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfQhYigUu6-HDdm5wDXzffv5kusvNgnyOxmGySi9Vp8QGbxdInWxOEkq3-w1wT1eqiZnk0sGr7pZtFFGQJKA8bqPBU2EHx2QlJ-hTOZTMNLL4cWLAlJK-wUPQq2db0TeLpgDV858BuUk/s1600/rising+star+little+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="550" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfQhYigUu6-HDdm5wDXzffv5kusvNgnyOxmGySi9Vp8QGbxdInWxOEkq3-w1wT1eqiZnk0sGr7pZtFFGQJKA8bqPBU2EHx2QlJ-hTOZTMNLL4cWLAlJK-wUPQq2db0TeLpgDV858BuUk/s320/rising+star+little+girl.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZtfzUBzpmCcT5ZkDXpN7X8rXYlW8y0KFQl8dXtCn-87eO2qvU0qT_O-S-oknWk0P5-z9prFXukm34YPazoSehQ4B5j3yLShWitXkybwUw1X_4sdbtznVtaRGuTKz5mI2JjfJ7ngvoA4/s1600/rising+star+coconut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="400" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZtfzUBzpmCcT5ZkDXpN7X8rXYlW8y0KFQl8dXtCn-87eO2qvU0qT_O-S-oknWk0P5-z9prFXukm34YPazoSehQ4B5j3yLShWitXkybwUw1X_4sdbtznVtaRGuTKz5mI2JjfJ7ngvoA4/s320/rising+star+coconut.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zWqxN2J69j6YJNnNp5-4TTG1m9ipZfrdiL5AFqYUBvt3HmE7sysvdoNKJLV1ti3_ccMoW54kzBdpPAPxGtsXXtpPFXlCCoDFQBbdTQbR_Gk2zHoJ9kPosRCuOkTG1TkXyoxGqaPNbak/s1600/rising+star+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zWqxN2J69j6YJNnNp5-4TTG1m9ipZfrdiL5AFqYUBvt3HmE7sysvdoNKJLV1ti3_ccMoW54kzBdpPAPxGtsXXtpPFXlCCoDFQBbdTQbR_Gk2zHoJ9kPosRCuOkTG1TkXyoxGqaPNbak/s320/rising+star+23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Read more about my 100 daughter project <a href="https://mydeartrash.blogspot.com/2019/04/my-100-daughters-of-india-intermittent_27.html">here</a>.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I don’t
own a scale. The scale seem to sabotage my wellness journey,
so I ditched them about 5 years ago. I occasionally weigh myself at the gym or
when I go to the doctor, but other then that, no thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So I
tried on some clothes today to see how my body has changed over the past 30
days. I really appreciate that just like my spirit, mind and heart, my body has
changed too. Based on how my clothes fit, I figure I’ve lost about 5 pounds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I haven't been able to wear this dress since two babies ago!!</div>
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I found this old 2013 picture with my Wilma Flintstone necklace I found at Goodwill! The dress is from Goodwill too!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkQHPOffc-baENutYi5-ISjFGKLyCiVH5Fm75dMJCwNkqd_nsPwD87v5uJh4iv10LRQFlN_1f4EOVcwiGWaHeHSwvD1aO_t6HJQvfl9a1pnuHPvvaQnH6O00iJ8SctVDrw2Moi0uPDaY/s1600/intermittent+fasting+before+after+2020.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/AVvXsEgMkQHPOffc-baENutYi5-ISjFGKLyCiVH5Fm75dMJCwNkqd_nsPwD87v5uJh4iv10LRQFlN_1f4EOVcwiGWaHeHSwvD1aO_t6HJQvfl9a1pnuHPvvaQnH6O00iJ8SctVDrw2Moi0uPDaY/s400/intermittent+fasting+before+after+2020.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Yesterday
I illustrated a coloring page for you to print off, color and tape somewhere
for you to be reminded of your success. Congratulations. This has been awesome.
I love you guys. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq36jEFeZzcCY1xPmgtrr5lLnN-lw6EivsSJVIplPtE6QJpyakFlYuqQBVbAQYZGWV2rJJrw0eSi2EsAKMrybvxh13Pea_ZsilixCXrBtHOqA3ks4onU0z9wP4agNYvR11x96oixZ09f0/s1600/llama+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="699" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq36jEFeZzcCY1xPmgtrr5lLnN-lw6EivsSJVIplPtE6QJpyakFlYuqQBVbAQYZGWV2rJJrw0eSi2EsAKMrybvxh13Pea_ZsilixCXrBtHOqA3ks4onU0z9wP4agNYvR11x96oixZ09f0/s400/llama+4.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Just<i> left </i>click the image above, copy and paste it in a word document to print.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Also,
tomorrow, April 17, I’m starting another 30-day fast. If you want to go another
round of this incredible practice, let’s do it!! I will go through the
struggles, inspiration, hunger, benefits, frustration, growth and fulfillment
right along with you. What else does God have in store? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt;">If this
is your first time trying intermittent fasting, or if you are an experienced intermittent faster looking to
prolong your fasts, I encourage you to try the <a href="https://www.fastwell.com/">Fastwell</a> products. I was finally
able to do my fist 24-hour fast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-33928127326843690662020-03-18T13:00:00.000-07:002020-03-18T20:52:21.256-07:00Can God Turn Your Leaves Yellow? <br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I’ve wanted to write this
blog post for a while and today, with everything going on in the world, I
thought it was a great time to do it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Last fall, Derek and I went
up to Sedona for our 21 year wedding anniversary. Because we have young
children, especially a one-year old, it’s not that easy to get away, but <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> and his darling
wife Sadie offered to stay at our home and take care of our tribe!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Fall in <st1:city w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:city>
is like any other time in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:place></st1:city>,
hot and dry, but it was end of October and things had started to cool off.
Trees in the desert don’t shed leaves, so I was super excited to see fall
colors. Up north, in Sedona and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Flagstaff</st1:place></st1:city>
the weather was perfect and I couldn’t wait to wear a sweater and pretend like
I was living in a typical fall climate with colorful leaves, hot tea and a warm
fire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">We left <st1:city w:st="on">Mesa</st1:city>
and on the way up to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Flagstaff</st1:place></st1:city>,
drove through Sedona. We had lunch and decided to hike a trail called <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Devil's</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJI4u4r9jU4xS9ktd2L7DgiS91KLiyNO9eeHSLoK7Nd_1aZ5zBz-GG6VZKSRRSMId2YzPpqw_U3oSgbYPOUo3XFuqKMFOYdSe1F6HcMWpzflzTm3-IpQkrSuJw-NWCE_HZGlCEgFJvnDA/s1600/yellow+leaves+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 17.3333px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJI4u4r9jU4xS9ktd2L7DgiS91KLiyNO9eeHSLoK7Nd_1aZ5zBz-GG6VZKSRRSMId2YzPpqw_U3oSgbYPOUo3XFuqKMFOYdSe1F6HcMWpzflzTm3-IpQkrSuJw-NWCE_HZGlCEgFJvnDA/s640/yellow+leaves+1.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUL_hyphenhyphenTqrgLzPj2SgeXBeOJbdK3IBI-h6WBeSNqYCvEF4dZLVYrSXbXBGKwasE8-vMRqbifm7WKW_1CBXg8fN0-lQrBau1S7kfcxJJhQk-7MtCQMj2YfiDRv7VrPp4ogHgzku0yGuBldo/s1600/yellow+leaves+3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="748" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUL_hyphenhyphenTqrgLzPj2SgeXBeOJbdK3IBI-h6WBeSNqYCvEF4dZLVYrSXbXBGKwasE8-vMRqbifm7WKW_1CBXg8fN0-lQrBau1S7kfcxJJhQk-7MtCQMj2YfiDRv7VrPp4ogHgzku0yGuBldo/s400/yellow+leaves+3.jpeg" width="342" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Sedona </span><span style="font-size: 13pt; text-align: center;">is a glowing red rock
desert and the beauty and crisp air put me in a trance. As a mother of seven,
when I get away and I know my kids are in excellent care, I really do let
everything go and live in this place of gratitude. And to be completely in love
with this darling, incredible husband of mine, we were both giddy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">The hike up to </span><st1:place style="font-size: 13pt;" w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Devil's</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> was a challenge, but I liked how
it pushed me, how it opened my lungs and mind. The landscape was primarily
scrubby juniper trees which look more like overgrown bushes with alligator skin, (many trees in the desert don’t grow very tall because of lack of water, they
produce shade and thorns to protect themselves) oak and desert pine.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi051Bx1xawubC0yLSfs4IY_Ebh6lXb9sPyLnC91oNA323GhAGSWwakc9ukKllOIgcZ-5iS5UcwW_ADIvciD3W89LYyiP1enWaOcwm1ouaC82RCV9rjq3H3QRFAAGPrTyd1yod_LN2NZV0/s1600/yellow+leaves+9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="749" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi051Bx1xawubC0yLSfs4IY_Ebh6lXb9sPyLnC91oNA323GhAGSWwakc9ukKllOIgcZ-5iS5UcwW_ADIvciD3W89LYyiP1enWaOcwm1ouaC82RCV9rjq3H3QRFAAGPrTyd1yod_LN2NZV0/s640/yellow+leaves+9.jpeg" width="460" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2iCdE2mEtYSDBtvPKYQcMiP0yWyxx42HNJBA1qcy3e1TNIZiEaMC0uUmgXINQsPasmn9r2sQPYM_ZjYomUOVz1J3El-l_ncTiHH3je4JiSQktgpsndoIrc9Yv313NjE0MWUpMdbVMuw/s1600/yellow+leaves+7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="749" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2iCdE2mEtYSDBtvPKYQcMiP0yWyxx42HNJBA1qcy3e1TNIZiEaMC0uUmgXINQsPasmn9r2sQPYM_ZjYomUOVz1J3El-l_ncTiHH3je4JiSQktgpsndoIrc9Yv313NjE0MWUpMdbVMuw/s400/yellow+leaves+7.jpeg" width="321" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Just before
sunset, we reached the bridge. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvEcrTtJhFbEpTmQWCoG32_aRQ8HPYWDmhV9v70GZCE_eWfbqhuMogeM7s-chA9UsdcJSkfuPvRJMWvGShFbdJuNsH1ewLdkeePjrJeTT_2fqoy3-Lb3hZgrBh0K7xB4KNbEf6cir3Iw/s1600/yellow+leaves+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="749" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvEcrTtJhFbEpTmQWCoG32_aRQ8HPYWDmhV9v70GZCE_eWfbqhuMogeM7s-chA9UsdcJSkfuPvRJMWvGShFbdJuNsH1ewLdkeePjrJeTT_2fqoy3-Lb3hZgrBh0K7xB4KNbEf6cir3Iw/s640/yellow+leaves+2.jpeg" width="403" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">The top of the hike was a steep mountain
landscape with yes, a freaky bridge (I could see why it was called Devil's bridge), large enough for several people to stand
on, stretched dauntingly over a bed of giant green pine and juniper trees </span><i style="font-size: 13pt;">way</i><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> below. If I looked too long, it
almost made me motion sick. Wow, that would be a deadly drop. People were
walking out on the red rock bridge for their photo and I wasn’t too sure I wanted
to do that, but I watched as various people went out and did their thing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstIEp9vl0pU5u-ZExXdWovrpRDj3h_IobXwxhKSSzXzxlS6rH0b8yI8CDB1PDWAIQ71yUN1rO2-pbRME5IqEpJkXi-_wxYgmp76gp1CnvLpY8prI89aVFmZYl_ZQ0a5XnMLKNhzAoOfo/s1600/yellow+leaves+5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgstIEp9vl0pU5u-ZExXdWovrpRDj3h_IobXwxhKSSzXzxlS6rH0b8yI8CDB1PDWAIQ71yUN1rO2-pbRME5IqEpJkXi-_wxYgmp76gp1CnvLpY8prI89aVFmZYl_ZQ0a5XnMLKNhzAoOfo/s640/yellow+leaves+5.jpeg" width="388" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">In
the moment, with all the beauty and grandeur, with the setting sun turning the
rock a glistening red, Derek and I took our turn out on the bridge and had someone take our picture. Now, I’m not sure what happened at this moment,
because once we walked out to the bridge, Derek put his arms around me and I
was involved in the kiss of a lifetime with my love, like a </span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">fairy tale</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> “wake
Sleeping Beauty from her trance” type of kiss. I mean, that’s how it felt to be
intertwined with my love at that moment</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YMNCV_xOxk0F5oC-NfjsDKIYhW4xwFehSfZGrhoeDfG-NQPW7HLXT3YLn2UdvRip3RNkLRagdcF2QzzENDRvNJZfWf8A7Wb9wt2Xg1t_-oph8TQU65Dh5r9R8SjkOGn3KbI2r7xvwEY/s1600/yellow+leaves+8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="748" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5YMNCV_xOxk0F5oC-NfjsDKIYhW4xwFehSfZGrhoeDfG-NQPW7HLXT3YLn2UdvRip3RNkLRagdcF2QzzENDRvNJZfWf8A7Wb9wt2Xg1t_-oph8TQU65Dh5r9R8SjkOGn3KbI2r7xvwEY/s640/yellow+leaves+8.jpeg" width="465" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">We walked off the bridge,
watched a few more people take their photos, carefully edged our way around the
steep, curved mountain ledge and hurried down the mountain before nightfall. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7O-hH_eAUDkp8ZqKChOuHfhiCAgE2a7ERLGGu3YIrxfNIjTWbVe5P0Ie5ldjOUWTW_RkcPehc6Y8Gpn_acRof7ukQN6i1IuRWizacfNGUwjbOZs9Oo3bXS2pbMu-KfbYvBRbGK94tL4/s1600/yellow+leaves+10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="739" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7O-hH_eAUDkp8ZqKChOuHfhiCAgE2a7ERLGGu3YIrxfNIjTWbVe5P0Ie5ldjOUWTW_RkcPehc6Y8Gpn_acRof7ukQN6i1IuRWizacfNGUwjbOZs9Oo3bXS2pbMu-KfbYvBRbGK94tL4/s640/yellow+leaves+10.png" width="294" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A picture I took just before we started walking down the mountain. Notice, no yellow anywhere, like it was never there at all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">We
were off the mountain just in time to walk under a sky full of stars, the flowing air wrapped around us, desert nighttime sounds, a closeness with Derek that made me feel like we were the only </span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">people</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> in the world, and about 20
minutes later, we walked a flat trail back to where we had parked our car. The world had graced us with some of
the most beautiful views of heaven and earth that day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I scrolled through our
photos, marveled at how beautiful everything was when I noticed something that
at first was just a little nudge of a thought. I looked at the photos up to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Devil's</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place>, shrub like trees, green pines,
dirt, red rock, all lovely in their own way, but then there was the photo of
Derek and I on the bridge kissing. It literally looked like we were standing
over a valley of yellow trees, even sunflowers. At that moment, everything
in that landscape below us was touched with gold. I had the thought, “Wow, that’s crazy. I wonder how that happened.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">That night,we drove 30 minutes through <st1:placename w:st="on">Oak Creek</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Canyon</st1:placetype>,
up to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Flagstaff</st1:place></st1:city>,
checked into our hotel, and the next morning, were ready for a hike in the
forest. It was windy and cold (perfect) and when we passed through the hotel lobby, we overheard
one of the employees tell another couple the leaves were past there
peak. Looking outside, around town this appeared to be true. No big deal,
right, but to me, oh, I just craved the beauty of fall, so we would go find the
colors somewhere. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The drive up <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Mt.</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Humphrey</st1:placename></st1:place>
was pretty barren. Don’t get me wrong, I was still having a wonderful time, the
mountain was still beautiful even if shadows of aspen with their bare branches
were the main landscape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tall, green
pine trees were everywhere. Finally, we saw one <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Aspen</st1:place></st1:city> with a few yellow leaves, the wind
blowing them frantically to the ground. Ironically, a line of cars parked on
the side of the road with some families taking pictures in front of this one
tree. I could understand why they were so excited. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">After about 20 minutes, we
arrived at the base of the Snowbowl ski area and parked at Aspen Loop Trail (I
think that’s what it’s called) and started on our hike. Only a few minutes later,
a hiker passed us by and said something like “Don’t expect to see any fall
leaves.” Derek and I did find a little tree with its yellow leaves all around on the ground, so we took a few pictures in front of
it and decided to head back to our car.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTsIGF83zat_HIivlMMrsWH92vljD-3rr541R2QAnXs9tGZs5rc-aLFyjlpG7KXA0Jm1AAJM96ouw_fcE19nkXV4GazP5jO_bvE1JXh0NNHt6YutagbYluzep0lB2B035NNAy_sQrGWg/s1600/flagstaff+aspen+leaves+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTsIGF83zat_HIivlMMrsWH92vljD-3rr541R2QAnXs9tGZs5rc-aLFyjlpG7KXA0Jm1AAJM96ouw_fcE19nkXV4GazP5jO_bvE1JXh0NNHt6YutagbYluzep0lB2B035NNAy_sQrGWg/s640/flagstaff+aspen+leaves+7.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">About 10 minutes down <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Mt.</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Humphrey</st1:placename></st1:place>,
we passed a trail we’d hiked before. There’s no real parking lot, but a space where
about 10 cars can pull in and park. No one was there, but I felt like this was
a good place to hike. It was dry and a bit dusty (that’s <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Arizona</st1:place></st1:state> for you), but as we started I suddenly
felt a love, a joy, an energy that was like the world was ours. Hand in hand
with Derek, I recognized this as a love from God, that He is so mighty, so
all-knowing, yet this intimate relationship each one of us has the privilege of
experiencing, to know that He loves us unconditionally, it’s beyond any feeling
I can describe. He knows our needs, our desires, our thoughts and He’s created
this beautiful earth that wraps its arms around us and says, “Look at my
beauty, feel my breath, inhale my smells, touch my landscape, I’m testifying
that God lives.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The mountain trail was
smooth, when the direction turned to a sharp incline. We turned the corner, and
BOOM – giant, swaying <st1:place w:st="on">Aspen</st1:place> trees, dancing,
showing off their rich, full, colorful fall leaves. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawtSZX4qoVVPEMaQFLdEv035vjJou0PO2T0ehlc3z4wbCSgX3Kw55ueFPYVqO4g6YM11gVFAEjpdIjkoH-t5TyxrUmSfeE5qLsbpp0KemUZpi1rG9_9qXn7nX-GMelZp00JvF8ndDaLQ/s1600/flagstaff+aspen+leaves+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawtSZX4qoVVPEMaQFLdEv035vjJou0PO2T0ehlc3z4wbCSgX3Kw55ueFPYVqO4g6YM11gVFAEjpdIjkoH-t5TyxrUmSfeE5qLsbpp0KemUZpi1rG9_9qXn7nX-GMelZp00JvF8ndDaLQ/s640/flagstaff+aspen+leaves+9.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The wind blew, leaves
fell like raindrops and I just marveled at this display of nature’s beauty. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5CNjH13rg60" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Only ten minutes off the road, yet we couldn’t see this <st1:place w:st="on">Aspen</st1:place>
grove until we started on the journey. We stayed in that area for a while,
meditated, I did some yoga, and we danced, prayed, laughed, talked about our
future and talked about our past. I couldn’t believe the gift we’d been given.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6NCtm3-OJVaxOnQPNFG3tJ6iqu8_tZl25QodT6Gt7bnkdWHTT3t9z_5nN9WRFOWqht6RP6tusxWm1lhiMcIUQxZkjRqMuroMVchVeKapOYrf0JRpwknNfYRNmKDWmdxFtdx9-FAV9rU/s1600/flagstaff+aspen+leaves+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6NCtm3-OJVaxOnQPNFG3tJ6iqu8_tZl25QodT6Gt7bnkdWHTT3t9z_5nN9WRFOWqht6RP6tusxWm1lhiMcIUQxZkjRqMuroMVchVeKapOYrf0JRpwknNfYRNmKDWmdxFtdx9-FAV9rU/s640/flagstaff+aspen+leaves+6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yqPdOPQ5Q50" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">As we drove down the
mountain, I looked through the pictures we’d taken and that’s when it hit me.
Yellow leaves, fall trees - God had provided this for me, for us. I looked
at the picture from earlier of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Devil's</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place> and I asked the
question, “Did God turn those leaves and trees yellow?” The setting sun, the
reflection coming from the red rock, the timing, the climb to be on top of the
Sedona valley to see such colors, it was all so perfectly aligned, how could it
not be a gift from God. I had the thought, “God delights in His gifts to us.”
Was my Father in Heaven delighting in this gift, that instead of thinking this
was a coincidence I noticed His mighty hand, His intention to share beauty,
that He wanted me to know He knows my heart, my thoughts, my desires, not
matter how small or insignificant?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
will never forget how God turned the leaves yellow so I could feel His love and
know of His grandeur. Has God turned your leaves yellow? I know He has and He
will continue to do so. Do you want to believe in a world where God can turn your leaves yellow? I do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-85860659687101955632020-01-02T10:08:00.002-08:002020-01-02T10:13:26.158-08:00She Tried, She Failed and She Tried Again<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I’ve been very, very blessed
this year. My focus has been on mothering my seven amazing children including a
new daughter-in-law, keeping my house more organized, preparing nutritious
meals and exercising every day. I recognize most people my age (I’m 47) have
children who are older, in school and busy with activities, but I still have a
one and four-year old at and homeschooled 4<sup>th</sup> grader at home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTzwOO8072Ysj-Hwo-W1zm445ZdHeNZmD8_m93wbJjoGvtwyLTo3hUyUioWDeziVXPbjfaQ5fWXSMT3LZ49ncHM9WiXS0yGmAeE1hUTO40HHJVajuskMYbVDBvvVyIuPQ6xmzwoRf-kI/s1600/dressember+2019+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 17.3333px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="443" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTzwOO8072Ysj-Hwo-W1zm445ZdHeNZmD8_m93wbJjoGvtwyLTo3hUyUioWDeziVXPbjfaQ5fWXSMT3LZ49ncHM9WiXS0yGmAeE1hUTO40HHJVajuskMYbVDBvvVyIuPQ6xmzwoRf-kI/s400/dressember+2019+1.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: xx-small;">In a thrift store dress I paid $9.99, worth $180.</span></o:p></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ruby's dress was $2.99, worth $35.</span></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciiigxMN1QvVR8trJJW5huMxONCrTlJaDLZ_5xSb5XxImAWnEX5Hs58pJB5CcDd1b7cjNoifeR9VAs_hfYwQAYBIXhZBHjBBRy0C7GY8tkKmVg9nw4-9d_Xkrlk1DqMs9GSaAhLznwKY/s1600/christmas+2019+9+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="443" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciiigxMN1QvVR8trJJW5huMxONCrTlJaDLZ_5xSb5XxImAWnEX5Hs58pJB5CcDd1b7cjNoifeR9VAs_hfYwQAYBIXhZBHjBBRy0C7GY8tkKmVg9nw4-9d_Xkrlk1DqMs9GSaAhLznwKY/s400/christmas+2019+9+-+1.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I’m
thankful to know this is my path, because when the days become long and the
kids start to bicker, the dinner burns and the dishes are piled in the sink, I
have a deep understanding that I am meant to be their mother. I have been given
the gifts, love and purpose to raise them in love, intelligence, creativity,
spirituality, confidence and health. How many times do I fail a day? Too many
to count. Do I lose my temper? Yes. Do I eat cookies for dinner more often then
I should? Yes. Do I forget one of my kid’s appointments or lose my car keys? Yes, but I’m good at getting back up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTfP62rvH5tGOUQodGZnAwHQOrlmaTFW-jmKoG_ky6abKg6c_WboWHBtW8L0TBHxTKCD6daYOwig4jZ4WjsI7qwNAfapLjV33AZ1aQ7_K02W0ZN4mVNFSu6U7r4PgTc_G4BDfBkzp0HI/s1600/dressember+2019+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="443" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqTfP62rvH5tGOUQodGZnAwHQOrlmaTFW-jmKoG_ky6abKg6c_WboWHBtW8L0TBHxTKCD6daYOwig4jZ4WjsI7qwNAfapLjV33AZ1aQ7_K02W0ZN4mVNFSu6U7r4PgTc_G4BDfBkzp0HI/s400/dressember+2019+3.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Falling, failing and getting
back up.</span></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">That was a big lesson for me
this year.</span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">This has been the year to
embark on many different endeavors. I illustrated and published my second
coloring book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Girls-Guide-Friendship-Coloring-Book/dp/0999479350/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=a+girls+guide+to+friendship+laura+lofgren&qid=1577834650&sr=8-1-fkmr0">The Girls Guide toFriendship</a></i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEH3sGtemBCA3Kz12sVdHzVvpTg4E5jEQHek1rp-z3SH0xrU3HxSjw8HzSNaiZnM-RwTaEbkNKskXjKmm37TLy9bPa4tOOFLv3ag77brZA5rkmVOttYex-Fe0_nlstV2aXVl276lfjO0/s1600/girls+guide+to+friendship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="387" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmEH3sGtemBCA3Kz12sVdHzVvpTg4E5jEQHek1rp-z3SH0xrU3HxSjw8HzSNaiZnM-RwTaEbkNKskXjKmm37TLy9bPa4tOOFLv3ag77brZA5rkmVOttYex-Fe0_nlstV2aXVl276lfjO0/s320/girls+guide+to+friendship.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p> on Amazon Prime.</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I listened to daily
motivational podcasts from <a href="https://www.abraham-hicks.com/">Abraham Hicks</a> on the law of attraction and at times,
literally felt like I was floating because of the things I was feeling and
learning. I know these lessons have changed me in big, marvelous ways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-H7HdLTW3fbjQXu509vYCaZJwH1Q5pw6zzsHqNLOu13AFiPACZ4aF0ki2C345dOKy1h11ivqdz37XBnS-NenUqGYln5kT5CytXj5Oqzdt7ARGGQw8M1G1b_IJlBt88qrb37WqmQtsiuc/s1600/abraham+hicks+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="700" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-H7HdLTW3fbjQXu509vYCaZJwH1Q5pw6zzsHqNLOu13AFiPACZ4aF0ki2C345dOKy1h11ivqdz37XBnS-NenUqGYln5kT5CytXj5Oqzdt7ARGGQw8M1G1b_IJlBt88qrb37WqmQtsiuc/s400/abraham+hicks+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJlz3IR6zlESvse7wgHJVnFkEww0fLMA7GTRHyz3cIbKzxNg1-3VN48QUDC9abGmgbm6V720DQg73HxTDu4etu4QiQ8xmIpTgGKie4aUhKFuFTLnMQW0xdPVmidg18J7v_ZNzKZlPJN8/s1600/abraham+hicks+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="550" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJlz3IR6zlESvse7wgHJVnFkEww0fLMA7GTRHyz3cIbKzxNg1-3VN48QUDC9abGmgbm6V720DQg73HxTDu4etu4QiQ8xmIpTgGKie4aUhKFuFTLnMQW0xdPVmidg18J7v_ZNzKZlPJN8/s400/abraham+hicks+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I'm blessed to be a sales rep
for Monat Premium Hair and Pura Vida bracelets. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJV3h4kA9BDPYUTCCiaHFIyx2I9rv2bxVbpS1dlB2Napwh7frNbCxhvkkG19fmLUuv4hOO8nhnyHitMxUyqptUy_saSLQx6aYqu7G2Cq4QrrihJLhAgTZ-B8NyYFeUpwUhxLxwvdDjVFM/s1600/monat+30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJV3h4kA9BDPYUTCCiaHFIyx2I9rv2bxVbpS1dlB2Napwh7frNbCxhvkkG19fmLUuv4hOO8nhnyHitMxUyqptUy_saSLQx6aYqu7G2Cq4QrrihJLhAgTZ-B8NyYFeUpwUhxLxwvdDjVFM/s320/monat+30.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOP3I05fLGB8Lx-DyW-RhRr5HtNUwiywGbpZB0yOE27E2_3l5VH3V1PmNm-1lUxLKcJKAii3mcd9m6SC9OT79IQu9O5g_75-ESNaj5j4OtWkwwoL92iRHtxnS0BOWhpLLflfEAfTpYkQ/s1600/monat+curl+cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="486" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLOP3I05fLGB8Lx-DyW-RhRr5HtNUwiywGbpZB0yOE27E2_3l5VH3V1PmNm-1lUxLKcJKAii3mcd9m6SC9OT79IQu9O5g_75-ESNaj5j4OtWkwwoL92iRHtxnS0BOWhpLLflfEAfTpYkQ/s320/monat+curl+cream.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I’ve considered going back to
school for a masters degree, but my love as an entrepreneur encouraged me to
consider investing in a course on running my own business and marketing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I made a big leap and
invested in Alison Prince’s course <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.becauseicanclan.com/home">BecauseI Can</a></i>. I immediately started learning about everything from getting my
wholesale license to running a website to marketing to influencers to
purchasing inventory. It was a lot to take in and like most things I feel
passionate about, I gave it my all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlH8Zne3-uHRWR9NKk67TqD4wmPhU_hZXclw-yAl3MpyEfJprYgP9ImUHy5RTZrw3PbE0NV9NOCb5Oe4DfqfZrw6eLhpPWLbzKeDzAqa6F0kz-BlccZoChgAdAcKlgOboCw6Fnk7Q9xA/s1600/alison+prince.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlH8Zne3-uHRWR9NKk67TqD4wmPhU_hZXclw-yAl3MpyEfJprYgP9ImUHy5RTZrw3PbE0NV9NOCb5Oe4DfqfZrw6eLhpPWLbzKeDzAqa6F0kz-BlccZoChgAdAcKlgOboCw6Fnk7Q9xA/s1600/alison+prince.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I decided to call my business
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.my100daughters.com/">My 100 Daughters</a></i> and donate a certain
percentage of proceeds to help sponsor 100 girls from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> through <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://risingstaroutreach.org/">Rising Star Outreach</a></i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">What would I sell?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">What would I market?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">After many prayers and taking
personally inventory of what I felt I should dive into, after looking at
current trends, google searches and purchase/resell ratios, I decided to sell
dresses and overalls. </span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">I absolutely love dresses and overalls and when I sold name-brand, used clothing on eBay, they were always
my best sellers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I also met an amazing young
woman named Alicia who absolutely, positively felt like my business idea was brilliant,
that surely through my sales we would help all these darling girls in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> and
change the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alicia encouraged me
like a loving sister, like a best friend, like a smart business savvy
entrepreneur woman like she is. And we laughed a lot!!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMX7z5UQg4Np3EXKmhqjdpRe9TDfxgWHKP-hkyJf8qIGhxD_i_HvISWtwH5-wAinhlSj57TSRU1cr8bTGyZfJTnOLRZfjOTTwQbI0NAmNdKPVtoVYZOXyJO-SN_P9Aqxu2-nrCvFaZCs/s1600/alicia+oreganos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="352" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMX7z5UQg4Np3EXKmhqjdpRe9TDfxgWHKP-hkyJf8qIGhxD_i_HvISWtwH5-wAinhlSj57TSRU1cr8bTGyZfJTnOLRZfjOTTwQbI0NAmNdKPVtoVYZOXyJO-SN_P9Aqxu2-nrCvFaZCs/s400/alicia+oreganos.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">Ruby with Alicia's baby Hollyn.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliCeLGsURl9z0ZqmeSJDexBxgUl0UtUubIN6J43aivcV5YuRgIwTCyFTxa8HdKOxkGU0e3ycnCQHbGBzPWd0jPNzG4nxu9eHaHcZW9jg9pMC6Jpuxut7vpm1JxCRFD4SnxQOzU6UMn5I/s1600/alicia%2527s+baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="367" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgliCeLGsURl9z0ZqmeSJDexBxgUl0UtUubIN6J43aivcV5YuRgIwTCyFTxa8HdKOxkGU0e3ycnCQHbGBzPWd0jPNzG4nxu9eHaHcZW9jg9pMC6Jpuxut7vpm1JxCRFD4SnxQOzU6UMn5I/s400/alicia%2527s+baby.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">So, I started. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">You know what happens when
you decided to sell dresses and overalls? You spend hours and days
shopping/browsing wholesalers and purchase huge shipments of inventory. It
starts coming to your home in big, heavy boxes and it piles up in your den and
closet. You see the purchases on your credit card bill and think “You know, you
better get this right. You’ve got a lot riding on this. You don’t want to let
your family down.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Derek’s cousin Joe,
the computer genius that he is spent weeks helping me build my shopify account
and away we went. Sales, sales, sales galore, right!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">At least, that was what was
supposed to happen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">But, it didn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I only marketed my store
twice on facebook, maybe once on instagram. I just didn’t feel passionate about
it, no matter how hard I tried. I mean, there were the carefully selected inventory in my house. There was the beautiful website, accepting credit card. What happened? Why?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFExMNvZvt-uaeN6VwqTyi5rKcgiVu-DBNBOS9dt62CFovvtfxh8qY4xbnm4wkod-kyRdAcS-vuglB9NCNQ6QDKR-tC-MQzMaAJ7t2inHEVlfC5y87fN91UUiNqpW2MOoBRFHGNQPThM4/s1600/india+collage+5.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/AVvXsEgFExMNvZvt-uaeN6VwqTyi5rKcgiVu-DBNBOS9dt62CFovvtfxh8qY4xbnm4wkod-kyRdAcS-vuglB9NCNQ6QDKR-tC-MQzMaAJ7t2inHEVlfC5y87fN91UUiNqpW2MOoBRFHGNQPThM4/s400/india+collage+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://my100daughters.com/">my100daughters.com</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I’ve taken several months to
think about what happened? Don’t I love dresses and overalls? Yes, absolutely. I
sold used clothing on eBay for six years and loved it.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheKN9AQOjIabRVz5oD5y2HtcBQKMsnTX9zubEdX_Sx_anhxAnd_oL58_hoMKrP6lf_nafyX3jDNZqLp_ZhagUpkcEkOg7GoBxsx0tqwid-riAdrwsFluW3zSo5Ew_3CgEVoEnATxHgHE/s1600/100_6294-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="1600" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheKN9AQOjIabRVz5oD5y2HtcBQKMsnTX9zubEdX_Sx_anhxAnd_oL58_hoMKrP6lf_nafyX3jDNZqLp_ZhagUpkcEkOg7GoBxsx0tqwid-riAdrwsFluW3zSo5Ew_3CgEVoEnATxHgHE/s400/100_6294-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">Click <a href="https://mydeartrash.blogspot.com/2010/05/dresses-sales-of-week.html?m=0">here</a> to read one of my old post on eBay sales.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"> I understand inventory, shipping,
customer service, I mean, I was born for this!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, I didn’t like it with <u>new</u> inventory. Isn’t that weird. I
mean, who knew, right??? But at least for me, there was no creativity in it, at
least not enough, and where was the adventure? Because of my love for
thrifting, my concern for the environment, the working condition of people in
third-world countries and here my shipments from <st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region>,
the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region>, -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with stuff that was great and
all, but . . . I don’t even buy things like this for me. I just run out to the
thrift store and find something fabulous second-hand, that thank heavens has
not ended up in a landfill. I don’t know how else to explain it, but for a
creative person who wants to CREATE, not just push product, I just wasn’t
digging it. I know people do it and love it, and I'm not judging anyone here, this is just my own experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Even thought it all sat there
in huge boxes in my closet, I let it all go. I stopped listening to the course.
I stopped listening to crazy youtube fast-talking entrepreneurs who record
their videos on some remote tropical island over that super annoying
uncopyrighted music playing in the background (you know who I’m talking about, right??)! It all stopped!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I just focused on my health,
my kids, good food, a semi-clean house and it was still crazy land over here, but
nothing I can’t handle. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqYkdzHu9hnvW5ASxSRyl4cSXAiB25_NhdJbzVJVl2gFTZoR30eWTYXQ-ngW8dNbCInRkSTzOwJqpvDpkyh6jPKCD9L-YMaJoddoGwfHUH_cEr5oLBmdggtG6ILq5cnfOYvnKdGP8ZNo/s1600/christmas+2019+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqYkdzHu9hnvW5ASxSRyl4cSXAiB25_NhdJbzVJVl2gFTZoR30eWTYXQ-ngW8dNbCInRkSTzOwJqpvDpkyh6jPKCD9L-YMaJoddoGwfHUH_cEr5oLBmdggtG6ILq5cnfOYvnKdGP8ZNo/s400/christmas+2019+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Christmas 2019</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I didn’t carry any guilt or regret over paying off
those credit card bills and eventually, I put the boxes of inventory high up on
a shelf so I didn’t even see them anymore. I started gifting dresses and
overalls for birthdays and bridal showers. I focused on gratitude, clarity,
abundance, joy and listening to my own inner voice that knows I will follow my
ideas, even if I fail <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">because</i> when I
listen to Abraham Hicks or Rachel Hollis or Dean Graziosi, Tom Bilyeu,
President Nelson, my own mother for heavens sake, my husband, my friend Amy or
any Christian song in the entire world, they tell you “You are worthy. You were
born for a purpose. Your dreams are worth it. You can do it. Work hard.
Believe. Journal. Vision. Love,” and on and on and on. I really believe this
stuff. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFI-qFkNC5zce4A0M7jAt90SUWeIVDBWevhdJDqfd7LN6wQl-ZsqH5RAvEYNPdx_aB2oi1T-Xwyom4f5D9osPbrdc18Z6uB1sKj5YNPSuSyV6Lu3w4CGtBvzB_p1NsTWUMWDCp6BT81Y/s1600/christmas+2019+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFI-qFkNC5zce4A0M7jAt90SUWeIVDBWevhdJDqfd7LN6wQl-ZsqH5RAvEYNPdx_aB2oi1T-Xwyom4f5D9osPbrdc18Z6uB1sKj5YNPSuSyV6Lu3w4CGtBvzB_p1NsTWUMWDCp6BT81Y/s400/christmas+2019+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I have faith. I understand ideas and momentum, clarity and gratitude,
and I know failure is just a stepping stone moving me in the right direction. I know when
I follow my impulses and trust in myself that mistakes show me I’m willing to
take risks, that persistence is the key to success, that if I get up and try
again, I’ll be better because I’ve learned, trusted and grown. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNRqqGsBr4-fbPqAM3FNw_hO5pNw0W5LLsRjcpPx67LSARUI446MaHvNNgwTRBUUSdeKvhFkUMUugMCFC8iNOyMaqTLCDCmqs3O8EyDMQBiLsM4-so548zt_J_B5-dBljBJ7SylY9nqc/s1600/christmas+2019+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNRqqGsBr4-fbPqAM3FNw_hO5pNw0W5LLsRjcpPx67LSARUI446MaHvNNgwTRBUUSdeKvhFkUMUugMCFC8iNOyMaqTLCDCmqs3O8EyDMQBiLsM4-so548zt_J_B5-dBljBJ7SylY9nqc/s400/christmas+2019+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Chandler's 20th birthday</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">So there you have it, that’s
how I failed this year and moved on instead of feeling sorry or beating myself
up. I've had so many blessings, with Canyon doing so well and Chandler happy and married, Payson graduating in the spring 2020, Mayer excelling as an athlete, Derek's so blessed with work, Ruby is healthy and active, Eden is loving home school, Reef is on the honor roll and I'm running again. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_e3xOo8wWvqZ79rlROmPLX_VJYRZzQiWwo0TPzwvuZNwLXAy-8g0RexfJpDZSHzypqyGKuqCOL0WmOQ3wWNwxvoK6uyxCSdNdFayS-vt3-ArlQOFzg3-xxdAASbho1HJ5CUu_vOGp4s/s1600/christmas+2019+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_e3xOo8wWvqZ79rlROmPLX_VJYRZzQiWwo0TPzwvuZNwLXAy-8g0RexfJpDZSHzypqyGKuqCOL0WmOQ3wWNwxvoK6uyxCSdNdFayS-vt3-ArlQOFzg3-xxdAASbho1HJ5CUu_vOGp4s/s400/christmas+2019+4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I don't have to look far to see and feel all my blessings. And, wouldn’t you know it, in September as I prepared for Ruby’s first
birthday I had an idea, a dream, a vision (literally, it was amazing!!) and I wanted to give Ruby a homemade dream catcher. I shared this dream with my incredible darling friend Kristin who made Ruby the most beautiful dream catcher ever.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSis4A-YYn0cF04l5BiEMdEmdjOJXMknIfl805JHdPIMEiFhhQ3kXWPhnOXUAjgWWbg0wEVeiKfzMWNN5I2rz6ZgigqTwIYjWpjRQRsPhxDAcPJvE43ZkjFhdmBOw44L1Ywwew57md7xM/s1600/dream+catcher+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSis4A-YYn0cF04l5BiEMdEmdjOJXMknIfl805JHdPIMEiFhhQ3kXWPhnOXUAjgWWbg0wEVeiKfzMWNN5I2rz6ZgigqTwIYjWpjRQRsPhxDAcPJvE43ZkjFhdmBOw44L1Ywwew57md7xM/s400/dream+catcher+8.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
To read more about Kristen, her friendship and talent, click <a href="http://mydeartrash.blogspot.com/2019/10/rubys-1st-birthday-and-100-dream.html">here</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8Jnf4AyL_Bxg0WFU_AmWawOjjc5teRwvqovjUYmIIfhCpokKAPEsaehqUItcDIvyzijwhpU16EhydM_pUZ8HV_pE_5r_KFJGZvJs57lNoikrQOHsqnuM9ycyg7gyWCfMVXCU_2TeN5E/s1600/kristen+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="325" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8Jnf4AyL_Bxg0WFU_AmWawOjjc5teRwvqovjUYmIIfhCpokKAPEsaehqUItcDIvyzijwhpU16EhydM_pUZ8HV_pE_5r_KFJGZvJs57lNoikrQOHsqnuM9ycyg7gyWCfMVXCU_2TeN5E/s400/kristen+3.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7UUx4Cm7AD8kOhUpo4IKBrMgKqQ-zF4aiZYlCmTo_QuZaLEjBTB1PspLZYLw5g7DuNmmksTjQVkrs4tYiXBqWvq6toIPumnShmLV9n0JJENv2t0nA61_rN-ZPK0sDTvVOgWgfHAJbWk/s1600/ruby+33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7UUx4Cm7AD8kOhUpo4IKBrMgKqQ-zF4aiZYlCmTo_QuZaLEjBTB1PspLZYLw5g7DuNmmksTjQVkrs4tYiXBqWvq6toIPumnShmLV9n0JJENv2t0nA61_rN-ZPK0sDTvVOgWgfHAJbWk/s400/ruby+33.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">Ruby on Christmas Sunday</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"> I started making dream catchers on my own, I'm going to make 100 of them for each of my 100 daughters and now, very soon, I
will launch<a href="https://www.my100daughters.com/"> my100daughters.com</a> dream catchers and dream catcher kits because
I’m not sure if there is any better feeling then making one of those beautiful,
inspiring, magical dream catchers with bamboo hoops, cotton doilies <i>and</i>
second-hand, vintage, upcycled fabrics that, thank heavens, have not ended up
in a landfill!!!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhGLwEn9xnlAIimq_Q60QQ_e_fRnNlc6vHtjT2-HQNL_yxau-FWy0fMs8ndzfFrTkcfwzXmtqD3aKAPc45bvun9moDPLaqNhd-LFyot2_pmo2oZeEeFq0JWrjd5-J-BIlFm0_a_V4uuc/s1600/dream+catcher+collage+1.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/AVvXsEjEhGLwEn9xnlAIimq_Q60QQ_e_fRnNlc6vHtjT2-HQNL_yxau-FWy0fMs8ndzfFrTkcfwzXmtqD3aKAPc45bvun9moDPLaqNhd-LFyot2_pmo2oZeEeFq0JWrjd5-J-BIlFm0_a_V4uuc/s400/dream+catcher+collage+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsd4kNPhs6lqB_mznGmEW8maGqj2c0kRNOL2pYsiz3hiyj9DRhF9P5kNN6RVgpS6KJx7z327LAMm8fKSdAkv9HuuM9jYa1JT7v6Mlvm8m4sTKn97YNrdUnkU6KX3B6hFgZdC_sZals9n0/s1600/dream+catcher+pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="527" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsd4kNPhs6lqB_mznGmEW8maGqj2c0kRNOL2pYsiz3hiyj9DRhF9P5kNN6RVgpS6KJx7z327LAMm8fKSdAkv9HuuM9jYa1JT7v6Mlvm8m4sTKn97YNrdUnkU6KX3B6hFgZdC_sZals9n0/s400/dream+catcher+pink.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GK7l9qG8mk-BDvVsOzOoOvVjX4XxwceJI7l1GWVCzcXlbMuO58T-H1HxMVlXhDIDAHybND-1R-9TOyU8ZFTqyj1mnFJcvdjV_rGA0stg3NE59tXS425oEXSFkTXcaRbc8QNwrd-jLzw/s1600/dreamcatcher+rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GK7l9qG8mk-BDvVsOzOoOvVjX4XxwceJI7l1GWVCzcXlbMuO58T-H1HxMVlXhDIDAHybND-1R-9TOyU8ZFTqyj1mnFJcvdjV_rGA0stg3NE59tXS425oEXSFkTXcaRbc8QNwrd-jLzw/s400/dreamcatcher+rainbow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HDqt2OuFY1A" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">It’s a niche (perfect!), I know it, but
man, am I excited to talk about dreams, support dreams, put dreams into
people’s homes, motivate, soften, encourage and just beautify the world in
anyway I can. I'm most excited about the kits because there is such an amazing feeling to make one. Eden talks about how good it "feels" to make a dream catcher. Hopefully the website will launch by the end of January. I love Alison's course and have the knowledge I need to move forward. She has an amazing podcast called <i>Because I Can</i>. Give it a listen.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">My dream is to sponsor 100 daughters of </span><st1:country-region style="font-size: 13pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 13pt;">. What’s yours!!!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvWigzyiYMRrqnFrTckRR5Lv4ZJIXLtD-6aQtKU6d-P50ahx2uDSFQcd-p6_35iT_JJiauyIUrsI5q1DuAsrzaFI-AT-L55EfqU2yxaJsUkRfO3dzwm1wWlgWzgcOVsWNViZ1T5mw2uo/s1600/My+100+Daughters+Official-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="587" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvWigzyiYMRrqnFrTckRR5Lv4ZJIXLtD-6aQtKU6d-P50ahx2uDSFQcd-p6_35iT_JJiauyIUrsI5q1DuAsrzaFI-AT-L55EfqU2yxaJsUkRfO3dzwm1wWlgWzgcOVsWNViZ1T5mw2uo/s400/My+100+Daughters+Official-001.jpg" width="322" /></a></div>
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<br />Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-34941767823206713122019-10-17T16:15:00.000-07:002019-10-18T10:44:02.038-07:00Ruby's 1st Birthday and 100 Dream Catchers<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">September is a special month
to my family. My dad was born the 23, I was born the 24 and Ruby was born the
25. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqPweYignqz75yoXHmghCUbleHA4pbZGu2nes9UgJdRSPoRI34pQGNKpi0ZoYITbqRuW3sAQkX5SXFdiihmuuoP415JvsjfK0xsL35XvcRwEcGef4YEIM0OALCF5fY5yEL7k2_ciY5vk/s1600/ruby%2527s+birthday+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="749" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqPweYignqz75yoXHmghCUbleHA4pbZGu2nes9UgJdRSPoRI34pQGNKpi0ZoYITbqRuW3sAQkX5SXFdiihmuuoP415JvsjfK0xsL35XvcRwEcGef4YEIM0OALCF5fY5yEL7k2_ciY5vk/s400/ruby%2527s+birthday+10.jpg" width="342" /></a></div>
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The night of Ruby's birthday party. Me and my dad!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfrmSlCyWl7ZfBB2C9TBbsvYZMBI-pj1JSVLxu9ftDjX1roLM8-DOPQcNLWYlOP9tVsHxr_ce5O6FOVcwP19Ps6GMqq7CQ2kErVFToWf3v0y0dYRdIkRA8CvBfIKup1Xbwuz0krPofPo/s1600/ruby%2527s+birthday11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="643" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfrmSlCyWl7ZfBB2C9TBbsvYZMBI-pj1JSVLxu9ftDjX1roLM8-DOPQcNLWYlOP9tVsHxr_ce5O6FOVcwP19Ps6GMqq7CQ2kErVFToWf3v0y0dYRdIkRA8CvBfIKup1Xbwuz0krPofPo/s400/ruby%2527s+birthday11.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">I wanted to have a gorgeous 1</span><sup>st</sup><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> birthday party for my darling
girl, the last 1</span><sup>st</sup><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> birthday I would ever throw for my little babies,
so what did I do? About a week before Ruby’s party, I texted my incredibly
creative bestie Kristen, “What should I theme Ruby’s birthday party? I want it
to be over the top!” Honestly, I assumed I would get some images of mermaids
and the beach, which was fine with me, as long as I had
input/confidence/support from Kristen, I could do it. I considered the
beautifully decorated birthday parties I’d seen on social media.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7evNqlABBr-xnnxfGYJtboKe3cCtA_i2O4xr9uEjkzVFo18ZMhgpejnotzH2ny3_bVR92pvw2J8xwQU0mKohwqzt3pbJhofUHUQLWLkDHvx0KlblpvH0JA7DjkSDOlxwRKPeM3Fdbvhw/s1600/kristen+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7evNqlABBr-xnnxfGYJtboKe3cCtA_i2O4xr9uEjkzVFo18ZMhgpejnotzH2ny3_bVR92pvw2J8xwQU0mKohwqzt3pbJhofUHUQLWLkDHvx0KlblpvH0JA7DjkSDOlxwRKPeM3Fdbvhw/s320/kristen+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A gorgeous picture of Kristen with her husband Scott. They are the best neighbors.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">I wanted that
for Ruby so much, but knowing my skills don’t usually involve organization,
decorating or getting things done on time, I wasn’t sure how I was going to
pull it off. Then, I got this text, with these over-the-top images she'd found online.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10c07Kk0A43RNePgIb-YfiL5N5vPfVAKN08rQJ6GxOMYnvLmDjsNRybf3icaeRpU6uZI2vD6lf4l0QBeivAQVZ9CIwNWcRMPusDcqaxy2JWx5Teyes9aRqg777Xv85FE6pmR7nPzwjw8/s1600/ruby%2527s+birthday+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10c07Kk0A43RNePgIb-YfiL5N5vPfVAKN08rQJ6GxOMYnvLmDjsNRybf3icaeRpU6uZI2vD6lf4l0QBeivAQVZ9CIwNWcRMPusDcqaxy2JWx5Teyes9aRqg777Xv85FE6pmR7nPzwjw8/s400/ruby%2527s+birthday+14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7Vfa_mAgcLHjMClQzBsXE4huaIpNzSwyOdhdk935x-1di_T75OzbPCnhMyhw_iTNsCuKrC10bk1kjhdl5sjFtVbLvgkk4K5gB1MqplBoZS1o29FJ43gssihLuo3KnAVm9lEoO9TQVeI/s1600/ruby%2527s+birthday+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="1024" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7Vfa_mAgcLHjMClQzBsXE4huaIpNzSwyOdhdk935x-1di_T75OzbPCnhMyhw_iTNsCuKrC10bk1kjhdl5sjFtVbLvgkk4K5gB1MqplBoZS1o29FJ43gssihLuo3KnAVm9lEoO9TQVeI/s400/ruby%2527s+birthday+12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVynJV161RQmjMHNLaSiShftE5S8zQOLG8ePIfH2caQggKRILsUQkDNa3DGr1d5a1lHVSFgXrQdkVjyyG6doE2QI8fVqp69q1DjA4mEZwgSUIalYxOSnwfRXhXl7rAROu0m6tt2faFVL4/s1600/ruby%2527s+birthday+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="1024" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVynJV161RQmjMHNLaSiShftE5S8zQOLG8ePIfH2caQggKRILsUQkDNa3DGr1d5a1lHVSFgXrQdkVjyyG6doE2QI8fVqp69q1DjA4mEZwgSUIalYxOSnwfRXhXl7rAROu0m6tt2faFVL4/s400/ruby%2527s+birthday+13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Kristen’s idea? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Why don’t
you a gypsy/India-themed party, bohemian and hippie.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The minute I saw these
pictures, I was like “Forget the birthday party! I want to decorate my entire
house like this.” I was completely in love, like rip down the walls, throw
everything away and completely redecorate your house in love. I could almost
taste it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFD8EB25aMZ6uy1muj3scIEXYsf7yA8VRqVNFuvYMSnxZXidkqwfHqlUdQQwDDY2CKZgFCAsAtlwItJN5iyr-MROR1x3g7tAQ1UIMMh5JAQDjmqtIDMGYPHiyB_rDQUhbc11ldb2rliY/s1600/ruby%2527s+birthday+party+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFD8EB25aMZ6uy1muj3scIEXYsf7yA8VRqVNFuvYMSnxZXidkqwfHqlUdQQwDDY2CKZgFCAsAtlwItJN5iyr-MROR1x3g7tAQ1UIMMh5JAQDjmqtIDMGYPHiyB_rDQUhbc11ldb2rliY/s400/ruby%2527s+birthday+party+17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_zlpOWoqgfMPjSgyZUSCRjOqv-BmBd7kxeQfTg3s5j_ezVRjsOATJ-MObg2jSHW0gz9Yw2tgiJxLaKRqK0Gn0lc9awj_VJX-beovB5n3lJn2psUxh3Xcfhz1l4hToMRWodNOf5t94UI/s1600/ruby%2527s+birthday+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_zlpOWoqgfMPjSgyZUSCRjOqv-BmBd7kxeQfTg3s5j_ezVRjsOATJ-MObg2jSHW0gz9Yw2tgiJxLaKRqK0Gn0lc9awj_VJX-beovB5n3lJn2psUxh3Xcfhz1l4hToMRWodNOf5t94UI/s400/ruby%2527s+birthday+15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I immediately texted Kristen
back with a huge heart emoji and told her my desire to make Ruby a gorgeous
dream catcher. I’d purchased a couple at TJ Maxx, but I wanted to make one of
my own, especially with the vintage fabrics I’d been using and collecting for
Ruby’s photo shoots. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3meOCDN5ZrMgUVjLJDwuUZCM6P6fj7fcFjRkeU9bb75aR17zXr8isWWAF9VQnDNkmJv_C-Qto_1gf1NhOANjP6Ca79FMM8avJYo8VVcFa5tiwpwDCfkeEtxn4owzjZXCru7WzJAzSVg/s1600/ruby+birthday+5+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3meOCDN5ZrMgUVjLJDwuUZCM6P6fj7fcFjRkeU9bb75aR17zXr8isWWAF9VQnDNkmJv_C-Qto_1gf1NhOANjP6Ca79FMM8avJYo8VVcFa5tiwpwDCfkeEtxn4owzjZXCru7WzJAzSVg/s400/ruby+birthday+5+door.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is a collection of those photos with the gorgeous fabric.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNpB0uGW2LTp2_cDf6Ht96rwdtp9C7lwdoX_7vweVgMcr0aDOLq1RHunuPsU4KyjAB_INw87-NXSGakhqyhVrrQWPjmff5JAs6AT8crgv7v4LJ0oX670BeRxywS9hjszp6EPworB9REI/s1600/Ruby+birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNpB0uGW2LTp2_cDf6Ht96rwdtp9C7lwdoX_7vweVgMcr0aDOLq1RHunuPsU4KyjAB_INw87-NXSGakhqyhVrrQWPjmff5JAs6AT8crgv7v4LJ0oX670BeRxywS9hjszp6EPworB9REI/s400/Ruby+birthday.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Years earlier, Kristen had made a couple of homemade dream
catchers that made my heart skip a beat and I’d wanted to make one ever since,
but how? I’d recently finished some art work for my coloring book where I’d
drawn dream catchers and felt really inspired by the whole thing. I wanted to
create the dream catcher of all dream catchers.\<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi26dFkjaPbEuy70EJP2-e6Aovpgs0GsIwEvpB5_TDwLCww-DR3jAgSM3fAJiggGymH2lJuNlezFy5J7Bk4h8Kqktuw4Z7pjYWHviRTDxOtUYhY3sE0EL5dOmQUVElWEl0u7AKJppxzCQ/s1600/dream+catcher+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="748" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi26dFkjaPbEuy70EJP2-e6Aovpgs0GsIwEvpB5_TDwLCww-DR3jAgSM3fAJiggGymH2lJuNlezFy5J7Bk4h8Kqktuw4Z7pjYWHviRTDxOtUYhY3sE0EL5dOmQUVElWEl0u7AKJppxzCQ/s400/dream+catcher+18.jpg" width="372" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVspt6OggVkI6xXDxW7Lsqch2-wB8B5dC1yh4Xv4BFz300ByzSj01IUZAZvJPaTSF4Bjp_6yOWlK8cBSAmOwrMuzUKGnT1fa8pPXSsqW4SBdb98UvYyUKR5n8s63wNo1ui3RJMF-UKzh0/s1600/dream+catcher+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVspt6OggVkI6xXDxW7Lsqch2-wB8B5dC1yh4Xv4BFz300ByzSj01IUZAZvJPaTSF4Bjp_6yOWlK8cBSAmOwrMuzUKGnT1fa8pPXSsqW4SBdb98UvYyUKR5n8s63wNo1ui3RJMF-UKzh0/s400/dream+catcher+16.jpg" width="346" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">But, with a baby and limited
time, I could feel my vision slipping away. Let’s face it, when you have young
kids, you can plan out your day all you want, but essentially, your best self
goes to the caring, feeding, cleaning, loving of your kids. I was doing my best
while out thrifting to gather gorgeous fabrics and anything that would fit the
theme of my girl’s party, but time was running out.</span><span style="font-size: 13pt; text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaXoEP69wIFOGr3lPv98y9LE5dOjmqDaoygicv5TvCjsA7bxiVtCM3fcuHGUmzBtvbftcOMVm8pzw3Sjr7r3L4PsQxp18XkNX5ssLNYYSy6jARu_9-YZDB9QiKVdqmCQ87u0cScv4Sv4/s1600/ruby+birthday+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaXoEP69wIFOGr3lPv98y9LE5dOjmqDaoygicv5TvCjsA7bxiVtCM3fcuHGUmzBtvbftcOMVm8pzw3Sjr7r3L4PsQxp18XkNX5ssLNYYSy6jARu_9-YZDB9QiKVdqmCQ87u0cScv4Sv4/s400/ruby+birthday+6.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Getting ready for the big day.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The day before my birthday
(the 23<sup>rd</sup>), I had so much energy. I was getting more and more
excited for Ruby’s big day. I ran out on my own, running errands, finishing up
edits/formatting on my coloring book, just feeling so alive and grateful, ate
frozen yogurt (something I don’t do very often because it’s my drug) and before
I came home, I did a little thrifting. Let me tell you, I was on a mission. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">There
was something in the images Kristen had sent me, how she had absolutely nailed
the vibe I was feeling, my love for Ruby literally out of this world, this
beautiful child with ocean eyes and red curls given to me from the God above, I
just had to manifest my love, my gratitude, my adoration somehow or I would
spontaneously combust. While thrifting that night, I found lace, yarn, fabric,
absolutely beautiful, feminine, whimsical textures at the thrift stores from
vintage dresses, quilts, curtains, anything I could find and I laid in bed that
night feeling, cutting, tying, threading, drooling over this dream catcher I wanted
to make, I mean I didn’t’ sleep a wink. It was like this energy just kept me on
the edge of my seat like I was watching a movie when suddenly, it wasn’t just
one dream catcher, but 100 dream catchers, all for 100 daughters of India.
That’s right, I was making 100 dream catchers for all these beautiful
brown-skinned, black hair, glowing, precious girls and there was Ruby, right in
the center of it all! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0vHpesJAhvcMhmSeTMZDEGhgijedJ_FsodCz6s7P40wa0o8Zb0Es_OB-j6UQ0Vq2SPlwnFU1ARyZjWTpbNVNWsmFERPM66pk6y2guJjrOMPCgH4aPl0_8phA3lfvKTz7COzm7T6jTr0/s1600/ruby+birthday+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="719" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY0vHpesJAhvcMhmSeTMZDEGhgijedJ_FsodCz6s7P40wa0o8Zb0Es_OB-j6UQ0Vq2SPlwnFU1ARyZjWTpbNVNWsmFERPM66pk6y2guJjrOMPCgH4aPl0_8phA3lfvKTz7COzm7T6jTr0/s400/ruby+birthday+2.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Now, if you’re wondering “Um,
what does Ruby’s 1<sup>st</sup> birthday party and your goal to help 100
daughter of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>
have in common?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Everything in the world!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">My little Ruby, prayed for,
dreamt about, her little presence around me, how sparrows, doves, ducks,
robins, butterflies, especially humming birds were so drawn to her, they were
all around me as she was forming in my belly. I had to travel to the ends of
the universe in sickness, fatigue and somehow defied age for her, God manifested her gender and then granted me her presence, after I dreamt of, researched, illustrated,
wrote, painted, created a book, cried for, begged, almost touched my own little
girl from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
You don’t have to look very far to see somehow, a loving God, in His utter brilliance,
gave me a little girl that fulfilled these desires. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeAQCsZ7YYnRuH6AVe4B9sJwQP59f9RdxBxem8-u9ffJxiQaEXqx-4FNcwcUtrPTwfYkz9HfdjviLJ2I-mzSyQs3Q27Nm1b8dA43r29oHFTJmC6McxzRjKXBhzXJIQGhi2RWq9D-MdYk/s1600/ruby+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeAQCsZ7YYnRuH6AVe4B9sJwQP59f9RdxBxem8-u9ffJxiQaEXqx-4FNcwcUtrPTwfYkz9HfdjviLJ2I-mzSyQs3Q27Nm1b8dA43r29oHFTJmC6McxzRjKXBhzXJIQGhi2RWq9D-MdYk/s400/ruby+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
My little black-haired, olive-skinned Ruby at birth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Ruby has a connection to </span><st1:country-region style="font-size: 13pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> I can’t
quite explain and she and Eden hold me to my commitment, to help those
beautiful girls who seem to be forgotten, almost invisible to the rest of the
world. During the year I </span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">illustrated<b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-100-Daughters-India-Coloring/dp/099947930X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=100+daughters+of+india&qid=1571355880&sr=8-1">100 girls of </a></b></span><st1:country-region style="font-size: 13pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-100-Daughters-India-Coloring/dp/099947930X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=100+daughters+of+india&qid=1571355880&sr=8-1"><b>India</b></a></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 13pt;">, I stared at them with tears
in my eyes and wondered who they were, why was life so difficult for them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXh0wez_IH4Q7CHBkBPHjSLNaHFkZFSRE2OlTTvg9XnFFMR0HNL8cBwrREdfEoAs7W9j4x8CILkmH8lMmN5uoa3IfIqmboyR0vITAx_4q1B5bySiGSAuzJHZtoJgo3LeTOO2H_AVon1NA/s1600/rising+star+coconut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 17.3333px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="400" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXh0wez_IH4Q7CHBkBPHjSLNaHFkZFSRE2OlTTvg9XnFFMR0HNL8cBwrREdfEoAs7W9j4x8CILkmH8lMmN5uoa3IfIqmboyR0vITAx_4q1B5bySiGSAuzJHZtoJgo3LeTOO2H_AVon1NA/s400/rising+star+coconut.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Eating the remnants of a broken coconut off the road.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">I
learned about their culture, language, religion, clothing, hair styles and felt
their dreams, their connection to the heavens and earth, how the animals are
drawn to them (just like Ruby), how they are loved by the sun, moon and stars, how
the world </span><b style="font-size: 13pt;">does</b><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> revolve around them. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">They are literally painted with gold. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxgsZ9Lhyjvs64ZUXy_e-ZgWykoK0X3uez6kBDhStKSSSaB9cRlK74n397fXmKnPcyYWUpCfZw1AWFpxTaCj6vvd13tartBSsnrlbkkQggQ0dubaoCbo7Kwt6wfcKSeUMOwFh-gCqJMU/s1600/My+100+Daughters+22-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxgsZ9Lhyjvs64ZUXy_e-ZgWykoK0X3uez6kBDhStKSSSaB9cRlK74n397fXmKnPcyYWUpCfZw1AWFpxTaCj6vvd13tartBSsnrlbkkQggQ0dubaoCbo7Kwt6wfcKSeUMOwFh-gCqJMU/s320/My+100+Daughters+22-001.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I painted the illustration of these girls with gold-metalic paint.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_0qkCg_SNRLh_guKlgXwzLRWTLOvz20AVwR9gJsMnizquk2l15kRPmWPYRp4_MapqThCW2P8tyala5LylkcqDtRSs-MwOQKgVxqOwFdGI8irZqij8vPoN9HD9CzYNu_NjW-86kzHCpk/s1600/my+100+daughters+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_0qkCg_SNRLh_guKlgXwzLRWTLOvz20AVwR9gJsMnizquk2l15kRPmWPYRp4_MapqThCW2P8tyala5LylkcqDtRSs-MwOQKgVxqOwFdGI8irZqij8vPoN9HD9CzYNu_NjW-86kzHCpk/s320/my+100+daughters+cover.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEBRFoLpMfhrCGhwnvKU83t-wGlWjqc9zNJ_BugIdVcidUz5UmapzJEXLzFlRekCraCu6YkR9tDqBLO0k4vtc2j5HZlfqEcn5-lNSulkUo1ey1i4v3i1OuYmVjHq20PI_E9XIvQfE5uk/s1600/rising+star+outreach+becky+douglas+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXEBRFoLpMfhrCGhwnvKU83t-wGlWjqc9zNJ_BugIdVcidUz5UmapzJEXLzFlRekCraCu6YkR9tDqBLO0k4vtc2j5HZlfqEcn5-lNSulkUo1ey1i4v3i1OuYmVjHq20PI_E9XIvQfE5uk/s400/rising+star+outreach+becky+douglas+2.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Sharing my art with Becky Douglas.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Just look at how the world holds them
in contrast with who they really are. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp41f6bMjughe26uEY3mefjhb1KMHh25xgxl6xXkOA-HR0o9w1Kw_r5OHH-cEODHa9p3OrIaRcY3tsdrhfXoSOiWLCIcwu36CeAonYG3hQidDX_19RgrhrVpCez5hjH2Szg4bBEXvBpt0/s1600/India+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp41f6bMjughe26uEY3mefjhb1KMHh25xgxl6xXkOA-HR0o9w1Kw_r5OHH-cEODHa9p3OrIaRcY3tsdrhfXoSOiWLCIcwu36CeAonYG3hQidDX_19RgrhrVpCez5hjH2Szg4bBEXvBpt0/s400/India+13.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">These are the girls that will change the
world, these are the girls that are in alignment to fulfill their destiny, but
only if they have a chance to rise out of the dust and ash, to be seen, to
learn and grow, to be nourished and cherished, to have a voice and sing in
their tender glorious chorus.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SyxfSrqG5dlt-Jgs1cmnU4amrWtkc3oCZ9fqactBO4Ta95Y8Z3uYNG2tBga1h0-pz1YsBFU1XXujw9umfnXylSGa0UGCeS7K2DEKyU-USby8zsOE4QdXP7sQul8KfuhZ2eaxkG5c0KQ/s1600/india+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="287" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SyxfSrqG5dlt-Jgs1cmnU4amrWtkc3oCZ9fqactBO4Ta95Y8Z3uYNG2tBga1h0-pz1YsBFU1XXujw9umfnXylSGa0UGCeS7K2DEKyU-USby8zsOE4QdXP7sQul8KfuhZ2eaxkG5c0KQ/s400/india+14.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">But, they can’t do it alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">These are the feelings/visions/dreams
I experienced as I laid in bed and the sun rose on my 47<sup>th</sup> birthday.
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I know, crazy!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Of course the next morning
with Ruby in my arms, I was at Kristen’s doorstep, crying, emotional, all
wrapped up in this vision and she let me in, heard my dreams, listened to my
idea, and not only did she validate me, but she created something that
absolutely showcased what I had went through. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">This is what she made for
Ruby’s birthday party.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcuC0jICd2kQCljc0GYYN59qEXSCEil4ldHdU6y-IEo44q7Xj4jqrfqNp9tBAYHmnswYJbOdOuAlIiuTDgqWLTCLvWq-gv7z7HZpLb8XsMO3T58EVmFO8S_EOCeupr0OP9r5RbKBk2t8/s1600/dream+catcher+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="685" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcuC0jICd2kQCljc0GYYN59qEXSCEil4ldHdU6y-IEo44q7Xj4jqrfqNp9tBAYHmnswYJbOdOuAlIiuTDgqWLTCLvWq-gv7z7HZpLb8XsMO3T58EVmFO8S_EOCeupr0OP9r5RbKBk2t8/s640/dream+catcher+8.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">A dream catcher on speed, a
dream catcher that has never before been seen or envisioned, with its glorious
vintage fabrics, textures, lace and charms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I thought about changing my profile page on facebook from being married
to Derek Lofgreen, to:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">"Laura Lofgreen- In a relationship with a dream catcher.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLe_gbfZdBq5eert-gRi0ZL5eUsW9SAvoKBes0_zM3nNZj4q9rSE_UfpdHUBEw7wgt845i914biwCWXMTDsQeCAYDaXmQPCNyOVOOw-FS363MP8SwNvhgDPgOT-lKIbznagS9SRU-hvyk/s1600/dream+catcher+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLe_gbfZdBq5eert-gRi0ZL5eUsW9SAvoKBes0_zM3nNZj4q9rSE_UfpdHUBEw7wgt845i914biwCWXMTDsQeCAYDaXmQPCNyOVOOw-FS363MP8SwNvhgDPgOT-lKIbznagS9SRU-hvyk/s400/dream+catcher+14.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Kristen made one for the front door.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nzeebuPnqf-NbZ542M_zy1Ay8WtY5s55lgrhSZm-rkxqYVi3CciDNSgE0k7vgZjR2u7rsHQ1TSRYtHCMNIeVGsnEUnRmKt901RHrikaWcQlKfdIw8dODkDwWAEuf1QoLGO-xPsLKyac/s1600/dream+catcher+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nzeebuPnqf-NbZ542M_zy1Ay8WtY5s55lgrhSZm-rkxqYVi3CciDNSgE0k7vgZjR2u7rsHQ1TSRYtHCMNIeVGsnEUnRmKt901RHrikaWcQlKfdIw8dODkDwWAEuf1QoLGO-xPsLKyac/s400/dream+catcher+4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">So, this is the goal.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">100 dream catchers for 100 dreams of the girls of India.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq0BVssg-E6cE5R-jtbwluOhuE6HbRnBZDkvmywLb59BNWiouO3WEGpzLRafwjJp1tLwgXirEQkrPR8cNOQLs1zhqj69mFpoPBr-RTutGGhEG6Db916OdPa5tFEGu-Dr7aaBNKd_1Kqk/s1600/dream+catcher+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="357" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq0BVssg-E6cE5R-jtbwluOhuE6HbRnBZDkvmywLb59BNWiouO3WEGpzLRafwjJp1tLwgXirEQkrPR8cNOQLs1zhqj69mFpoPBr-RTutGGhEG6Db916OdPa5tFEGu-Dr7aaBNKd_1Kqk/s640/dream+catcher+2.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Taking some risks here, being a bit un</span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">traditional</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMWw4No3uT2-2JLTNmoTPma_dhsS4TyzyiUMWk4wiF4Xz8a0wNTK1snqmFfHbH8vY5BBBUnliCEkbZvHzXjkYoJ7uYJAyLXWlz6TSSGLVN5os2m6apYO8neaa-j1Hn10oQUnEd5cHsxw/s1600/dream+catcher+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="450" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMWw4No3uT2-2JLTNmoTPma_dhsS4TyzyiUMWk4wiF4Xz8a0wNTK1snqmFfHbH8vY5BBBUnliCEkbZvHzXjkYoJ7uYJAyLXWlz6TSSGLVN5os2m6apYO8neaa-j1Hn10oQUnEd5cHsxw/s640/dream+catcher+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHARn1aiHPkECWQ7AcWSrPPTODE3jEiG2S6v0POkivH5Fgq-tdzsT_xgIWEJt7sb1fIqEi7QuKehyphenhyphen7k9qepSS6is4h5UZmklwFznB8adDBZ0NjLSnMqhSYZgeSjy8aa-UIsd8Z5Trq2ew/s1600/dream+catcher+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="354" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHARn1aiHPkECWQ7AcWSrPPTODE3jEiG2S6v0POkivH5Fgq-tdzsT_xgIWEJt7sb1fIqEi7QuKehyphenhyphen7k9qepSS6is4h5UZmklwFznB8adDBZ0NjLSnMqhSYZgeSjy8aa-UIsd8Z5Trq2ew/s640/dream+catcher+5.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAFEKX2IASv94IuXOf5MifT1fIgxMgemiU2xvK-br1BCOE9Taxmxk_EAbUn1N3F_wugAOEdB82wilhZ_3nMxKAghecoJQSe7KJSwpXkyuToTt3lR6QbCQunijAWn1gSAJZAMXjqzAJ00/s1600/dream+catcher+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="364" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAFEKX2IASv94IuXOf5MifT1fIgxMgemiU2xvK-br1BCOE9Taxmxk_EAbUn1N3F_wugAOEdB82wilhZ_3nMxKAghecoJQSe7KJSwpXkyuToTt3lR6QbCQunijAWn1gSAJZAMXjqzAJ00/s640/dream+catcher+15.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
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Teaching Eden and Zola how to make them too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihh5hant7PD0ruuqyjL1P5BJTphgRojprwgxUGXS5m-_IFx75LUXBD8r_PDmFAfqCB-zwzDmrH1LCsQkT095u4dFFC4bXrxQSoufHgMa0YcJAWRKJbhpmZhwepBYF6EOUlD80zbreMl7s/s1600/dream+catcher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihh5hant7PD0ruuqyjL1P5BJTphgRojprwgxUGXS5m-_IFx75LUXBD8r_PDmFAfqCB-zwzDmrH1LCsQkT095u4dFFC4bXrxQSoufHgMa0YcJAWRKJbhpmZhwepBYF6EOUlD80zbreMl7s/s400/dream+catcher.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMKQsKkLlttzgOZUuBIA-UyceCO8HZUcs4PCvPhaQFBiGOx3C5tpnBaRASoPyPxB9nV3sKt21vYBymj3rpjbS3L3WCPCk1_VON8f7dvAPUZbeVMO_1KLoHwWvag2FfUKroZzo3Co_ldA/s1600/dream+catcher+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMKQsKkLlttzgOZUuBIA-UyceCO8HZUcs4PCvPhaQFBiGOx3C5tpnBaRASoPyPxB9nV3sKt21vYBymj3rpjbS3L3WCPCk1_VON8f7dvAPUZbeVMO_1KLoHwWvag2FfUKroZzo3Co_ldA/s400/dream+catcher+9.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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My first attempt. I'm not finished, more work then a thought it would be.</div>
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<b style="font-size: 13pt;">100 dream catchers</b><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> and with
Kristen’s support/talent/vision/commitment as my partner, maybe, we will catch the dreams of
these 100 daughters of </span><st1:country-region style="font-size: 13pt;" w:st="on">India</st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 13pt;">
and their perfect dreams will fill our hearts and somehow, someway, we can
help/sponsor/love/touch these beautiful girls of </span><st1:country-region style="font-size: 13pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 13pt;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Our goal is to finish by
mid-January. I am working with <a href="http://risingstaroutreach.org/">Rising Star Outreach</a> on the project. I hope to
have a gala/event/launch to showcase this beautiful art. At some point, we will have some for sale, but not until we complete our goal.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XntWpdPPdAc" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">What is the meaning of a dream catcher? It's fascinating. Read <a href="https://art-sheep.com/dream-catchers-legends-and-meanings/"><b>here</b></a>.</span></div>
<br />Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-64524989440308598042019-09-25T14:48:00.002-07:002019-09-25T14:48:54.412-07:00Happy First Birthday Ruby<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">And just like that, our little Ruby is one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZlRZO_vbolBQ6XdJ2vZYvHNgxCCm8J5ke4Q5dO468vfUpRTcQreKljwJoI5E1M1gpJgzw-lh_J6tvoA9HbRjQohDdgkpuBGZOFf6wukHtrCOWt-h-GFzAVrSvoa4tsYRhl9WrUCou9o/s1600/Ruby+birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZlRZO_vbolBQ6XdJ2vZYvHNgxCCm8J5ke4Q5dO468vfUpRTcQreKljwJoI5E1M1gpJgzw-lh_J6tvoA9HbRjQohDdgkpuBGZOFf6wukHtrCOWt-h-GFzAVrSvoa4tsYRhl9WrUCou9o/s400/Ruby+birthday.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">It’s been quite the year.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9tjPzQIakxjXEY_L_Jx7R4JWFDjISEfl1Z8j2T9-hXZTpvCWPGARmbNvTKZm-I7maf2THnpyG0ng9HMuh1oNuNACyZjU8tCMwCSuGUZSJd9Bw0e8vH6FiaZWgw-Y9AEpqxAHijTFdcU/s1600/ruby+crying+at+church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9tjPzQIakxjXEY_L_Jx7R4JWFDjISEfl1Z8j2T9-hXZTpvCWPGARmbNvTKZm-I7maf2THnpyG0ng9HMuh1oNuNACyZjU8tCMwCSuGUZSJd9Bw0e8vH6FiaZWgw-Y9AEpqxAHijTFdcU/s400/ruby+crying+at+church.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">From the start, our Ruby has
been a total miracle. Before I became pregnant, I prayed and fasted
(intermittent) for 30 days, asking God to send me this precious little girl.
Just the fact I was able to get pregnant at the age of 45 is a miracle, but
then when I was 12 weeks along I took a blood test and was told with 100%
certainty I was having a boy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">That was a big hit (my sixth boy, I wasn’t sure I
could handle that), but I did my best to make peace with it when at a 20 week
ultrasound, I was told, “Nope, not a boy, you’ve got a girl!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbolGV1m15g8ob-mRD3VH_eM5Qm-p3Jr8Fb2CivOTGamBy567CTrMVt9wW61T0WrZ-MZgZHRwTMjw2mrGJNSj-_EjrOXKX0BKreKNYK8wzBNYPAhKlThM6vkkVuLd4oeTAqDDc5FJ1N4/s1600/Ruby+ultrasound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbolGV1m15g8ob-mRD3VH_eM5Qm-p3Jr8Fb2CivOTGamBy567CTrMVt9wW61T0WrZ-MZgZHRwTMjw2mrGJNSj-_EjrOXKX0BKreKNYK8wzBNYPAhKlThM6vkkVuLd4oeTAqDDc5FJ1N4/s400/Ruby+ultrasound.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I literally felt like I’d
been punked, but there her image was on the ultrasound screen, I was having the
little girl I’d prayed for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkxS6y_-yKudLW3ysDVS6RPO1-K7jj4_4NRePLxxzBYGFjjiMHY28EX22MJZEq4IMVG7f1GAgldFyhYN-8tLKH2h7cn2jmqNtFbMdCafPI7RGTwgF3PfK7klY8LVpzdO7aV_5O2HIUyI/s1600/ruby+and+canyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkkxS6y_-yKudLW3ysDVS6RPO1-K7jj4_4NRePLxxzBYGFjjiMHY28EX22MJZEq4IMVG7f1GAgldFyhYN-8tLKH2h7cn2jmqNtFbMdCafPI7RGTwgF3PfK7klY8LVpzdO7aV_5O2HIUyI/s400/ruby+and+canyon.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">When I was 38-weeks pregnant,
an ultra sound showed complications so that day I was sent to the hospital to
have an emergency c-section! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-YQUxOGASwRLX75RNywCsrjZplSuCTM2iX1LnVFa6rXezUUZbmQBfbhJU_TWqDUrW5GnYDTn5WvxTOyA-IkISXcX-aSD16QskkY1ROgIeXWfPZLT0dMd8kpF_fpkekAFNzOitz1UgFk/s1600/ruby+while+i+was+pregnant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-YQUxOGASwRLX75RNywCsrjZplSuCTM2iX1LnVFa6rXezUUZbmQBfbhJU_TWqDUrW5GnYDTn5WvxTOyA-IkISXcX-aSD16QskkY1ROgIeXWfPZLT0dMd8kpF_fpkekAFNzOitz1UgFk/s400/ruby+while+i+was+pregnant.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Everything went perfectly, not to say it was easy,
but Ruby was born healthy and was finally in my arms. She was born with
beautiful black hair and olive skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bIM6YzkaEGVPF23OTJlaPc42USQ9x1VTyRK8T4JErp_624Jxeex1QxyorPGAQVh4p1VNaT4-27A3AcJDFmUTOKE1cxreWFf5At2BpuEmmwJceaTFELrDaC7oW9jvmZxU-3Uu0afc8KU/s1600/ruby+is+born.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bIM6YzkaEGVPF23OTJlaPc42USQ9x1VTyRK8T4JErp_624Jxeex1QxyorPGAQVh4p1VNaT4-27A3AcJDFmUTOKE1cxreWFf5At2BpuEmmwJceaTFELrDaC7oW9jvmZxU-3Uu0afc8KU/s400/ruby+is+born.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIYG_pIujCqTqS-efnw-ngd4ykjHOX7qmTQEqVL2Fub27tEm9_gR6tXwPECVLhyWKkzrezaDZD06tHuR1S9VuILcS3CsKOn1ozijzG5yu10JGJSnpwwXId2ofr4VTjBq57SGVeAm4wN0/s1600/ruby+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIYG_pIujCqTqS-efnw-ngd4ykjHOX7qmTQEqVL2Fub27tEm9_gR6tXwPECVLhyWKkzrezaDZD06tHuR1S9VuILcS3CsKOn1ozijzG5yu10JGJSnpwwXId2ofr4VTjBq57SGVeAm4wN0/s400/ruby+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Canyon had been sick that
summer and in the hospital, suffering from dangerous seizures and just 5 weeks
after Ruby was born, he had another seizure and spent a few days in the
pediatric ICU. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bZYg-bb8KrlhRZ05-BJ9JlH8f2-S0WtPafPvyrIvjFfzd6HVJkH8FYpIw4LpsHfyop9vFnIutDYjKKYAs2FOUXB82k0rsdsU4CnLquQeo3V9BjqXE-ZU3laXxxK79BdcA2-g0XT0owM/s1600/Canyon+life+support.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1032" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bZYg-bb8KrlhRZ05-BJ9JlH8f2-S0WtPafPvyrIvjFfzd6HVJkH8FYpIw4LpsHfyop9vFnIutDYjKKYAs2FOUXB82k0rsdsU4CnLquQeo3V9BjqXE-ZU3laXxxK79BdcA2-g0XT0owM/s400/Canyon+life+support.jpg" width="321" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">We were told he most likely had a terminal illness called
adrenulukodystrophy. Canyon had 10 out of 10 symptoms and Christmastime was absolutely
devastating to our family. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUOQqFn7XOJV8GK3_Aw3uxlYneTxU3k5eNIf6WIzr22ifchOM4td66nSd5YTE09S06h0pkxnc9zNyleqKdm2w6txKFooE6SOZ1pIMdNxTa_zD-jXLw7RbJVVwEhrBRwMk6BXSvqdi86c/s1600/ruby+at+church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="562" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUOQqFn7XOJV8GK3_Aw3uxlYneTxU3k5eNIf6WIzr22ifchOM4td66nSd5YTE09S06h0pkxnc9zNyleqKdm2w6txKFooE6SOZ1pIMdNxTa_zD-jXLw7RbJVVwEhrBRwMk6BXSvqdi86c/s400/ruby+at+church.jpg" width="351" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">How long did we have with Canyon? How soon before he
would he lose his eye sight, hearing, ability to walk, swallow and so on? How
did people cope when they lost a child? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzsqUjROZHEAYnCA6PZf9VC9CqvhjzJgJ_gi4uqurfFZpFGdg2WBfkfyDNUXvfOHOcAQJ9MJ8qYFyF9Ui-nkVve3vYg9j0buD_EgzyYbSzmYHD3eGYRu5K1MuOSfRjX7k5QcgbbQBOuc/s1600/ruby+and+canyon+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBzsqUjROZHEAYnCA6PZf9VC9CqvhjzJgJ_gi4uqurfFZpFGdg2WBfkfyDNUXvfOHOcAQJ9MJ8qYFyF9Ui-nkVve3vYg9j0buD_EgzyYbSzmYHD3eGYRu5K1MuOSfRjX7k5QcgbbQBOuc/s400/ruby+and+canyon+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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You can see his crossed eyes and drooping smile in this photo, which broke my heart. His words slurred, doctors detected a limp, he spoke with a lisp, it was devastating.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I was obsessed with research and read devastating
accounts of children (most common in boys) who lost their lives to this terrifying
white matter disease. I read medical reports and journals,, reviewed Canyon’s
MRI, medical labs and doctors notes just looking for an inkling of hope. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2a8Ulja6_seYSZJRkitM2BUSWej4w4WqHzEbSLpS1Kr90Llb6ozghKy6fMogNbhDXaKoMOcPodykrTM8LlRFcuSx_2gTUgCCAVqsFku6JuZcQoTfCLGQSJ-h6KuKmAZmPmS6IGGxwso/s1600/Ruby+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2a8Ulja6_seYSZJRkitM2BUSWej4w4WqHzEbSLpS1Kr90Llb6ozghKy6fMogNbhDXaKoMOcPodykrTM8LlRFcuSx_2gTUgCCAVqsFku6JuZcQoTfCLGQSJ-h6KuKmAZmPmS6IGGxwso/s400/Ruby+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Prayers
and fasting were plentiful. Derek and I were zombies, even having night
terrors, barely coping, and just hanging on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwP0gM6AhSmS6YYnoIGpoNTHXVG_-dFQzPuPc3zjZmAbGQKZgyHBSv2tiL68QXu7epxfQx_VgsvOGna2SVZ3barKGArcTeARTfRDHUgfzglgXBe3T0eQ_CYCUezLXSjmTaNQEmAfd_wUA/s1600/Christmas+2018+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwP0gM6AhSmS6YYnoIGpoNTHXVG_-dFQzPuPc3zjZmAbGQKZgyHBSv2tiL68QXu7epxfQx_VgsvOGna2SVZ3barKGArcTeARTfRDHUgfzglgXBe3T0eQ_CYCUezLXSjmTaNQEmAfd_wUA/s400/Christmas+2018+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Our family had so many questions,
but mostly just tears and an unknown future with our little boy, so we waited
several months for answers to extensive blood work our pediatric neurologist
was conducting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Welcome to the world Ruby!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoOKpgQeFBN6XQYJSvsHE1uyE3VMup71e3-IN5RWSaTXHwO08yIxGtkTTT4BxunI75m6tzfHLn2tklX0hjS-KJ31XzmVx21J-CLaPkiF50sa2ZbvVvO3GJbrKzngJUDW10uj2qKFLWNA/s1600/ruby+and+mommy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoOKpgQeFBN6XQYJSvsHE1uyE3VMup71e3-IN5RWSaTXHwO08yIxGtkTTT4BxunI75m6tzfHLn2tklX0hjS-KJ31XzmVx21J-CLaPkiF50sa2ZbvVvO3GJbrKzngJUDW10uj2qKFLWNA/s400/ruby+and+mommy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Also at Christmas time, I
noticed in pictures <st1:city w:st="on">Chandler</st1:city> was sending me from
the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region>
that he extremely thin. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
had been complaining of stomach pains and after a trip to a Filipino hospital,
it was confirmed he had h.pylori, Celiac disease and other complications. We had
not told <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Chandler</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Canyon</st1:placetype></st1:place>’s possible medical
diagnosis, but it appeared now we had two very sick sons. Would <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> have to come
home early from his mission?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMVw7rkwM6jOG-FbZXsojaGaNZqBogYnut4WIYf36XGH82UJ0Dn7DqYT7qGnP8fz6jihFZoouKIv7UDyEJFGd3xdrE8uaTmXM6IJzrhaibtPLvPIowMWWM4SSuma-oroRFRu4Py0Pu-g/s1600/chandler+mission+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="444" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMVw7rkwM6jOG-FbZXsojaGaNZqBogYnut4WIYf36XGH82UJ0Dn7DqYT7qGnP8fz6jihFZoouKIv7UDyEJFGd3xdrE8uaTmXM6IJzrhaibtPLvPIowMWWM4SSuma-oroRFRu4Py0Pu-g/s400/chandler+mission+14.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
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His clothes were hanging on him.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">And there was Ruby, the
sweetest baby sent to bless our family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftbQQ2K0KvmX97AFbjQl40tZmuEj0hM0RVRR1hA_7xuC7nikArLvUtl_d9Tz0idt_eA9XkcYtmlKr9h-u6y_TUeKBYPjXbnM2oE-Uy41-VU02AL0Ev4jKuhT6nlWqBXoToJFYWLCu7Kw/s1600/ruby+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgftbQQ2K0KvmX97AFbjQl40tZmuEj0hM0RVRR1hA_7xuC7nikArLvUtl_d9Tz0idt_eA9XkcYtmlKr9h-u6y_TUeKBYPjXbnM2oE-Uy41-VU02AL0Ev4jKuhT6nlWqBXoToJFYWLCu7Kw/s400/ruby+11.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Then a plumber made some poor
choices while working on the plumbing in our home, jack hammered through cement,
ruined our pipes and we literally had trenches in our home. When he
abandoned the job, we had one working bathroom and no working kitchen or
laundry – for three months. All our tile had to be removed and almost every pipe in our home replaced. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJBdwvbsLsIB-vAD_bcaLlWMEWwG-BPU6ImYQH6LBHv8_cxa0Jdqayv5UGi-zARlvMe-58nupDMH0jiKQI1f8_CYDOGq1rwcAVAagvAiFxORj5uqCJa73Ov1FJrdRZ-QjTHUMeAeuc_c/s1600/plumbing+issues+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJBdwvbsLsIB-vAD_bcaLlWMEWwG-BPU6ImYQH6LBHv8_cxa0Jdqayv5UGi-zARlvMe-58nupDMH0jiKQI1f8_CYDOGq1rwcAVAagvAiFxORj5uqCJa73Ov1FJrdRZ-QjTHUMeAeuc_c/s400/plumbing+issues+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The engine in our Suburban
went out and needed to be replaced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Ruby was 5 months old.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Ruby’s first year has been
full of ups and down, but let me tell you, this little girl is a very gracious,
cooperative child. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">She’s been an absolute joy, from her contagious smile to her
love of everybody, she’s happy and healthy. She’s a great eater, loves baby
Einstein and playing with her brothers and sister. I’ll never forget some of long,
stressful days when I was sleep deprived and worried about how little energy I
had to focus on her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEdSuHIzLbu_pHJE-Fep7sgNBs2Ny0Qr-kzy6ckoi0GZLDjXEw65t5wTgmoDvfedjJk_3cRvOkD3M37ORP56gwPyTA1474lEOg-Dmt85d0V6IRhAISFOzIYZKvqGaVOuwaaoQGtbFy90/s1600/ruby+little.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEdSuHIzLbu_pHJE-Fep7sgNBs2Ny0Qr-kzy6ckoi0GZLDjXEw65t5wTgmoDvfedjJk_3cRvOkD3M37ORP56gwPyTA1474lEOg-Dmt85d0V6IRhAISFOzIYZKvqGaVOuwaaoQGtbFy90/s400/ruby+little.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">She never nursed. With so much going on, I was just getting
through the days, but she brought so much sunshine that I’m certain she was
meant to come at such a trying time to lessen the load and brighten our day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3RHV2fPslzdkzDkn2Vf0YoN027RutdNjfIqXRxFiUSrge49c3uEnK45AMDiZon_rGtaStREOTSpMPOWmRLuCTwUvB856cHVcO7-t9ODBdeFmvf16Of6nDC9IfhxAWI28nCxnm1X9NF0/s1600/ruby+model.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3RHV2fPslzdkzDkn2Vf0YoN027RutdNjfIqXRxFiUSrge49c3uEnK45AMDiZon_rGtaStREOTSpMPOWmRLuCTwUvB856cHVcO7-t9ODBdeFmvf16Of6nDC9IfhxAWI28nCxnm1X9NF0/s400/ruby+model.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">With so many prayers,
fasting, acts of love, service and more, our family has received too many
miracles to count. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
is home, married and still in recovery, Canyon is thriving, still undiagnosed,
but does not have adrenulukodystrophy. A kind man in our church assisted us in
all our home repairs and our suburban was still under warranty, fixed at no
charge. I know God has spared us and granted merciful miracles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPP0daKyBNgHkSzNss6q-763QD5XmwiMBgCOprYPIMgbs6SfNcvq55ic98RDoLIeV4b-_S84Ko2JCdGlq023IWGbCS24vUGZwEGXqCNpVLzZaI2qwXnVzi7ofOjfEK-rVd17TSOAzr7E/s1600/ruby+model+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPP0daKyBNgHkSzNss6q-763QD5XmwiMBgCOprYPIMgbs6SfNcvq55ic98RDoLIeV4b-_S84Ko2JCdGlq023IWGbCS24vUGZwEGXqCNpVLzZaI2qwXnVzi7ofOjfEK-rVd17TSOAzr7E/s400/ruby+model+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I've watched her hair turn from black to auburn red. Her olive skin is now milky white.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bLmV0t2qWiZk2GbhkiwQnjXPhgkdZsJVjFCv4ugfFCh6PoSNLmI7IOZsfbqrA3RireRLA1juATe6y550mv9ZEy05ZxldWtzrGM8IGAzXM79nwUWIiEn05oaRKZTpho2nIU2Y3hvqccE/s1600/ruby+birthday+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="609" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bLmV0t2qWiZk2GbhkiwQnjXPhgkdZsJVjFCv4ugfFCh6PoSNLmI7IOZsfbqrA3RireRLA1juATe6y550mv9ZEy05ZxldWtzrGM8IGAzXM79nwUWIiEn05oaRKZTpho2nIU2Y3hvqccE/s400/ruby+birthday+4.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Ruby will not remember her
first year, but I will. My prayer is that her spirit will keep the memories of all these miracles alive for her. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YR-YaQ9-1K2JDbY8stG4M4kQZNZyrXNiYqfMj5ZZGKT8t9HYSB1BcqBFF61BEwvYINogsUHQgwiCisyuTvlqTE8X4itl1CMrka02OhEkR8jyswN14rzv2ry-b3WrRJnpC1FVlUl1LvQ/s1600/ruby+26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YR-YaQ9-1K2JDbY8stG4M4kQZNZyrXNiYqfMj5ZZGKT8t9HYSB1BcqBFF61BEwvYINogsUHQgwiCisyuTvlqTE8X4itl1CMrka02OhEkR8jyswN14rzv2ry-b3WrRJnpC1FVlUl1LvQ/s400/ruby+26.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Ruby is a miracle and in just a year, she has been in
the presence of so many more. Happy Birthday little girl!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBjZn0Kwg-vhaYPMOXcKS7aXHSRcDV6aISI3XV1cOCXKMIZk_Nd0GVqE3F_hczdxEB3Yiope1qx9Ra8xtTsqnRRHBFradfDtTXitfADR-y11mTqrbf_CaUYeuHxrUaTglhc6lLLAM2xE/s1600/ruby+24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBjZn0Kwg-vhaYPMOXcKS7aXHSRcDV6aISI3XV1cOCXKMIZk_Nd0GVqE3F_hczdxEB3Yiope1qx9Ra8xtTsqnRRHBFradfDtTXitfADR-y11mTqrbf_CaUYeuHxrUaTglhc6lLLAM2xE/s400/ruby+24.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Here 1st birthday party was spectacular. I'll post about that in the next few days. That deserves a blog post of its own.Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-10551941065275254712019-08-15T14:20:00.001-07:002019-08-15T14:23:42.106-07:00My Son Chandler is Married!<br />
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<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Chandler</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> and Sadie were married August 2 and it was a truly
magical occasion.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedz0MMlLLgEpoDjotYPaEsRCf_nlJL-laTY7f11RZgwEBvChWB3dPgLKqBDmZ1v2Eul7j58fMVt29gQGVSntAH261qBkCcf4F6t_FBP7B9E7RUJllD-3BLPH3u07W-FhYnnHBbz2bQDE/s1600/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedz0MMlLLgEpoDjotYPaEsRCf_nlJL-laTY7f11RZgwEBvChWB3dPgLKqBDmZ1v2Eul7j58fMVt29gQGVSntAH261qBkCcf4F6t_FBP7B9E7RUJllD-3BLPH3u07W-FhYnnHBbz2bQDE/s400/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+6.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">I’ve watched these two really handle the storms of life
together and they are so in love. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rD489ZUbdSHTj-6hyphenhyphen5Y8uM_q0mm8cKLhIBXgI-rAmc7DrETfmfA-41fH_651Fx5lkFjkH80g1C7I_vPlImf0w_KOAujvQafz_zQn5Q39tQVKudf2PkhKeeqiA7qFtaQDdGF56jCkxck/s1600/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rD489ZUbdSHTj-6hyphenhyphen5Y8uM_q0mm8cKLhIBXgI-rAmc7DrETfmfA-41fH_651Fx5lkFjkH80g1C7I_vPlImf0w_KOAujvQafz_zQn5Q39tQVKudf2PkhKeeqiA7qFtaQDdGF56jCkxck/s400/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Everything comes down to serving the other.
Whether it is supporting <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
through his health issues, setting goals for their future, car shopping or
making a meal together, man, they are just so darn compatible. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnMwvUUf5a2nHbHBGfghFPjrBORnJNh0aR7xpuRD3YNmxV5vhTnhNJ_7cmRSrhy8lk-rNoMypiZnmu74lsv7kouNBlNdF5wHGB1tAxBZAIpJ3LpvNCOxgOSSMYWmZkHtdKhk3VgVibCs/s1600/chandler+and+sadie+wedding.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/AVvXsEhrnMwvUUf5a2nHbHBGfghFPjrBORnJNh0aR7xpuRD3YNmxV5vhTnhNJ_7cmRSrhy8lk-rNoMypiZnmu74lsv7kouNBlNdF5wHGB1tAxBZAIpJ3LpvNCOxgOSSMYWmZkHtdKhk3VgVibCs/s400/chandler+and+sadie+wedding.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">I predict a
lifetime of happiness.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmIv2I9Ak0WQ-lLznRBdulWFO4YWJk_AevDuDgkUNB5HmXw8-gq-zbRTz-SDYqkwrJdH0NoeTvSBk5RCiWL1RJZ_oP_z-6fAI3Y5KccQntaURB-hzbVnAcLclZnux8l8COoeYaa0N6oM/s1600/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+4.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/AVvXsEjWmIv2I9Ak0WQ-lLznRBdulWFO4YWJk_AevDuDgkUNB5HmXw8-gq-zbRTz-SDYqkwrJdH0NoeTvSBk5RCiWL1RJZ_oP_z-6fAI3Y5KccQntaURB-hzbVnAcLclZnux8l8COoeYaa0N6oM/s400/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I'm thankful <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> has been a seeker of love. Derek and
I have encouraged our kids to get married, even while they’re young. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nYcLwq_YoPtyXXSYAQMFOaddwk1hEJax_DiW7OYzjzREq-HaBi1_B1zZbm-S1EmC0cTagqcLL2zWPXoAxLiDcN2Xu74_Sqb-kImHLSyVnGH0IsP04_pRu3UrkWyV5owu3la1YS4I6As/s1600/chandler+and+sadie+5.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/AVvXsEj0nYcLwq_YoPtyXXSYAQMFOaddwk1hEJax_DiW7OYzjzREq-HaBi1_B1zZbm-S1EmC0cTagqcLL2zWPXoAxLiDcN2Xu74_Sqb-kImHLSyVnGH0IsP04_pRu3UrkWyV5owu3la1YS4I6As/s400/chandler+and+sadie+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I think
marriage gets a bad rap these days, but Derek and I truly believe it is the key
to a happy life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtM1FtpI0RH5VqcX4UuWR4XIJWYuaL24iQTLM1J1sknRtZybEUQgnTyqH_c0f9EnsNx0kxDZfko6si-yf9-ro0-EPPb6WMa_OIf1IIFc4PKMCFFt08fj_bVIuNu5vt2YTBAZ8gsF67Rho/s1600/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1381" data-original-width="1600" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtM1FtpI0RH5VqcX4UuWR4XIJWYuaL24iQTLM1J1sknRtZybEUQgnTyqH_c0f9EnsNx0kxDZfko6si-yf9-ro0-EPPb6WMa_OIf1IIFc4PKMCFFt08fj_bVIuNu5vt2YTBAZ8gsF67Rho/s400/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Marriage can teach and
uplift. It can inspire and motivate. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
now has his best friend to share life with and I couldn’t be happier for both
of them.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7WsR85E-OHv30Hb78sqWpFTz0sAv1xUhW8bnMbW_NvgLvlNGiemcmUPuasSxsana22s50b2k6Z3kBQxLWsmKs19w8DQVhT2WDhCX2673N2wqG6yD3d_HHBPyooNvmLacya1QyiECqLA/s1600/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7WsR85E-OHv30Hb78sqWpFTz0sAv1xUhW8bnMbW_NvgLvlNGiemcmUPuasSxsana22s50b2k6Z3kBQxLWsmKs19w8DQVhT2WDhCX2673N2wqG6yD3d_HHBPyooNvmLacya1QyiECqLA/s400/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+9.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Sadie’s grandparents are
serving an 18-month mission. Before they left, they offered <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> and Sadie the opportunity to live in
their home. It is here in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mesa</st1:place></st1:city>
about 10 minutes away. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
may be in charge of late night irrigation turns, but it’s a small price to pay
for such a huge blessing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Chandler</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"> and Sadie are so loved and they feel it. The support
of our friends, family, neighbors and church community is incredible. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFBRCZgz8SkD_Twuz_4dYPtHvnhPgkZHajP2NuPnAJnusWC53lMhoD2tPqepbwcNWRCMoVIvE417csKzJrVH7Cy0gGvGvXMZEt-nMAP36kJTn8T3de-YQY6M8kgabMCDnwZB3uyr4smc/s1600/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFFBRCZgz8SkD_Twuz_4dYPtHvnhPgkZHajP2NuPnAJnusWC53lMhoD2tPqepbwcNWRCMoVIvE417csKzJrVH7Cy0gGvGvXMZEt-nMAP36kJTn8T3de-YQY6M8kgabMCDnwZB3uyr4smc/s400/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+5.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_CbNM1PFNn6Uk3o003lVj1uZs-pP7-id9Gp1CRC_CPP2ScNYftZhDZc4l59clj_c7RUxtnedLE4WY8NvgX3gQ2zwr4DxH5ak_IBLBX49QrnGDkrfpKK2ZWZ8Wh0hJiTR7dQnQ-kNAvE/s1600/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_CbNM1PFNn6Uk3o003lVj1uZs-pP7-id9Gp1CRC_CPP2ScNYftZhDZc4l59clj_c7RUxtnedLE4WY8NvgX3gQ2zwr4DxH5ak_IBLBX49QrnGDkrfpKK2ZWZ8Wh0hJiTR7dQnQ-kNAvE/s400/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+16.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dtNaTMJDLhD9-Dfqjr-tbK9l7umbmpYuFMk5wXAaAXd_pSyeyH5dExcI5Dklsa7THXodFS8zQGppjfMqx8M1Ei5KGNmD6073aE3Jb8FSs-rSYoiNocsJ8HycK-m0Sg4vdugK92Wdfyk/s1600/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2dtNaTMJDLhD9-Dfqjr-tbK9l7umbmpYuFMk5wXAaAXd_pSyeyH5dExcI5Dklsa7THXodFS8zQGppjfMqx8M1Ei5KGNmD6073aE3Jb8FSs-rSYoiNocsJ8HycK-m0Sg4vdugK92Wdfyk/s400/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-f41K9jK41WzSWRNUxFbEfvQMV4qFTxkODx0N20LARVxB5BdMNb8gOH9DUzGlcIfMzbZPhWOQTCg28mYFGy23Dz_3EdImwU4T2-_XKEc9_PiTnsMBnfuCo0KlBskoqq9wFufoSFoSdk/s1600/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-f41K9jK41WzSWRNUxFbEfvQMV4qFTxkODx0N20LARVxB5BdMNb8gOH9DUzGlcIfMzbZPhWOQTCg28mYFGy23Dz_3EdImwU4T2-_XKEc9_PiTnsMBnfuCo0KlBskoqq9wFufoSFoSdk/s400/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+20.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLHWFxlPXqFf9bkMk_MnXPUHwLlLkk6DQUi5L6GOxzeM4md0OmZwLrTAAsWYfMi29s_nDsTcZDyBvRhn-tF__a_dL-OzbM08bayyLawGuXXE4ICnJjuL74AbFQR6HhYl2hPoSd7s1MfI/s1600/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLHWFxlPXqFf9bkMk_MnXPUHwLlLkk6DQUi5L6GOxzeM4md0OmZwLrTAAsWYfMi29s_nDsTcZDyBvRhn-tF__a_dL-OzbM08bayyLawGuXXE4ICnJjuL74AbFQR6HhYl2hPoSd7s1MfI/s400/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+7.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">On behalf
of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> and
Sadie, I can’t say thank you enough. One of the highlights of the evening is
when I turned around and saw my cousin <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chad</st1:place></st1:country-region> with his wife Tina standing
right in front of me. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfX5Vco5NP50LF2fMvs5aCPS5vUZJyEmsAufBtpJu0iSE_kQQ5k8Calm54W15Ur7LpueQC5_sYWznQKdcsgqIk-ks1mbIhLtxrtSQRWIklwBLdqg5yrGLiWAS6D7McfAvbY2YvtEpvTCk/s1600/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="750" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfX5Vco5NP50LF2fMvs5aCPS5vUZJyEmsAufBtpJu0iSE_kQQ5k8Calm54W15Ur7LpueQC5_sYWznQKdcsgqIk-ks1mbIhLtxrtSQRWIklwBLdqg5yrGLiWAS6D7McfAvbY2YvtEpvTCk/s400/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">They had decided that afternoon to drive to from <st1:city w:st="on">Las Vegas</st1:city> to <st1:city w:st="on">Mesa</st1:city> for <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>’s reception. <st1:country-region w:st="on">Chad</st1:country-region> was my dearest cousin and when I lived in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Utah</st1:place></st1:state> as a young girl we were inseparable. I just remember begging my parents every chance I had to
be able to play with <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chad</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
<st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chad</st1:place></st1:country-region>
was a gifted gymnast and incredibly skilled on the trampoline, so together we
made up routines, imagined ourselves in the Olympics and practiced, practiced,
practiced! I cried to see my dear cousin and his wife is a gem!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">At the reception, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> took my hand and
we had a mother/son dance. Yes, I was the stereotypical mother of the groom,
just dotting over my beautiful son, remembering the precious memories of him as
a baby, my first baby!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQ829ZOMIWv_QboBRMT1k7X5auu1RkROALG8Aa-YwSsy9_z2gIzWYfCJj50dRYLlZApyIHE_PKXT4nHNLAZipAe_7wmQg3Y1xas-pqq99a0j8jPVMAkckLpdPvDSH7NcTrmehNAHOiFg/s1600/chandler%2527s+birth+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQ829ZOMIWv_QboBRMT1k7X5auu1RkROALG8Aa-YwSsy9_z2gIzWYfCJj50dRYLlZApyIHE_PKXT4nHNLAZipAe_7wmQg3Y1xas-pqq99a0j8jPVMAkckLpdPvDSH7NcTrmehNAHOiFg/s400/chandler%2527s+birth+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">My precious little boy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBliHWnGrNW6alkAazSNrluZFCydRk2V0MS30Pkk5zVjB-eYjGOeSBxkkfX30h5rzwqonKte3itUeGr0kjDy7G9tvXO05_vLPdskrVFfpcBErEdmDhY5UsK8I1fpnQYfp_8dmspZP8n74/s1600/chandler+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 17.3333px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBliHWnGrNW6alkAazSNrluZFCydRk2V0MS30Pkk5zVjB-eYjGOeSBxkkfX30h5rzwqonKte3itUeGr0kjDy7G9tvXO05_vLPdskrVFfpcBErEdmDhY5UsK8I1fpnQYfp_8dmspZP8n74/s400/chandler+1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The sweetest big brother.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubzhPUBFx3HSuJqpIOv8A1FqiVY-Rl0k-F5hy5KEtV7Sa3yvs2otOmXnWNxpNZ0npipYLqzE6OdU05zTJbPgUKQk6ZN1Bxw_3PbwQbztM5R0xHBUPRxaQche0M1WOn5H3SylBDH3kA8w/s1600/chandler%252C+payson%252C+mayer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="238" data-original-width="320" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubzhPUBFx3HSuJqpIOv8A1FqiVY-Rl0k-F5hy5KEtV7Sa3yvs2otOmXnWNxpNZ0npipYLqzE6OdU05zTJbPgUKQk6ZN1Bxw_3PbwQbztM5R0xHBUPRxaQche0M1WOn5H3SylBDH3kA8w/s400/chandler%252C+payson%252C+mayer.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The cutest kid in glasses I ever did see!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf83G8-YilUl13MvsQ1E6_QzZ2h3cE0Vi7Lh6RC-TnFYiqU9AJ2I0WlJF_RjE41GcOTRxsK_WI-AlqIox6mxtHKLxVopjCaXHdBZ7oTv5JAdxqLGHtH4BYJY0UUdN7T3RC3eh59rDXl8k/s1600/chandler+with+glasses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="270" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf83G8-YilUl13MvsQ1E6_QzZ2h3cE0Vi7Lh6RC-TnFYiqU9AJ2I0WlJF_RjE41GcOTRxsK_WI-AlqIox6mxtHKLxVopjCaXHdBZ7oTv5JAdxqLGHtH4BYJY0UUdN7T3RC3eh59rDXl8k/s400/chandler+with+glasses.JPG" width="337" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Our darling, gifted kid.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLhsmpqDFdzU8aTG4pUZb-s4bqgQQjitH2KbZ4tJo6HMxJ-gqRQYtwoT2ge0LQXcniputIH9wzQMtumT-5HZOYXOGd-ZVdNoRep_65R3EfR9HZy08TVQU4s9cZvlW41GF4sauqNdoPio/s1600/chandler%2527s+poston+8th+grade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLhsmpqDFdzU8aTG4pUZb-s4bqgQQjitH2KbZ4tJo6HMxJ-gqRQYtwoT2ge0LQXcniputIH9wzQMtumT-5HZOYXOGd-ZVdNoRep_65R3EfR9HZy08TVQU4s9cZvlW41GF4sauqNdoPio/s400/chandler%2527s+poston+8th+grade.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">A mature, disciplined, chubby kid who gave up sugar so he could be healthier.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYswxLYeNjaHAPEd5hgf6lNr6cyBoGt2ISsAmIYkcJEHhZ4CiBXJLJlxfKdmA_w5azg3w4sVzdwR-jCYH464WMQzBoKRMhaq-MVo71G0m4KRyYJKs8zKJOSiqZfjGDknGodfIIjfJUwtI/s1600/christmas+2013+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1029" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYswxLYeNjaHAPEd5hgf6lNr6cyBoGt2ISsAmIYkcJEHhZ4CiBXJLJlxfKdmA_w5azg3w4sVzdwR-jCYH464WMQzBoKRMhaq-MVo71G0m4KRyYJKs8zKJOSiqZfjGDknGodfIIjfJUwtI/s400/christmas+2013+3.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">My obedient, <i>too </i></span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">responsible</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> teenager.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5VhVo8kYGM4wLvv74BI3FvXieRvNWafhkARa9SqmoCOm7yq5ao3L5F3ohyphenhyphen8lun5RdN25QvoT4z6OsGK-lNLY-oFErqHt5pzcVGqGv-ryHdxKAVwtpHhsNNTdchfVe67BgxsghoPYh9E/s1600/cafe+rio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1452" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5VhVo8kYGM4wLvv74BI3FvXieRvNWafhkARa9SqmoCOm7yq5ao3L5F3ohyphenhyphen8lun5RdN25QvoT4z6OsGK-lNLY-oFErqHt5pzcVGqGv-ryHdxKAVwtpHhsNNTdchfVe67BgxsghoPYh9E/s400/cafe+rio.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">And now the man I prayed he would become.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrWchQNOoDj9aGGuMsk40kURE6iROtOz2soBE9TBXadot9M5iwAUSce_MfIxKg-AUGbgrSM2rPjE7Gw11yMWXqTk2AfmGSGG80S0L6W3w3_u16_zAwz9tviSuBmWgqK7oeDhywfNTLSQ/s1600/chandler+and+sadie+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="620" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrWchQNOoDj9aGGuMsk40kURE6iROtOz2soBE9TBXadot9M5iwAUSce_MfIxKg-AUGbgrSM2rPjE7Gw11yMWXqTk2AfmGSGG80S0L6W3w3_u16_zAwz9tviSuBmWgqK7oeDhywfNTLSQ/s640/chandler+and+sadie+7.jpg" width="412" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">He truly is a gift in my life and I have another darling daughter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Sadie, we love you and how our family has grown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">That's all Folks!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildebURiPDFvPmI9PbQtz48M5_romN_Z4KeHQK8shKC7IhkWaEZQ6FCPHsOE-FvfZ-EkRNpphYVGo5fOb_LrZF77PPNg2pGoX1O2AX6QxYLCPUNMlbB-9FaIhY7wZdjAymffVC1geO6Zg/s1600/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildebURiPDFvPmI9PbQtz48M5_romN_Z4KeHQK8shKC7IhkWaEZQ6FCPHsOE-FvfZ-EkRNpphYVGo5fOb_LrZF77PPNg2pGoX1O2AX6QxYLCPUNMlbB-9FaIhY7wZdjAymffVC1geO6Zg/s320/chandler+and+sadie+wedding+15.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r47_ogpPxMQ" width="560"></iframe></div>
Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-66430203449432687392019-07-18T17:54:00.004-07:002019-09-08T17:09:10.553-07:00Thrift Store Goodwill Shopping for Baby<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Is it even possible to have
this much fun with a baby??? Oh my goodness, to have a little girl is so
amazing. Let’s face it, half the fun of having a baby is the cuteness factor
and this girl has it!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1xvv4J6nQt8zPUvsRdaFrQlfaQeCyxqC0SP3mtYug2h1SbFAxA_2veqID7qIkjhXeIuBUmA2cSMN7z6gl1UwTg_E2TSW4DQtrvJkC8z5KwwSPYHNLS4LdhTNFwywKlDAoqHoqtru0Z8/s1600/ruby+model.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1xvv4J6nQt8zPUvsRdaFrQlfaQeCyxqC0SP3mtYug2h1SbFAxA_2veqID7qIkjhXeIuBUmA2cSMN7z6gl1UwTg_E2TSW4DQtrvJkC8z5KwwSPYHNLS4LdhTNFwywKlDAoqHoqtru0Z8/s400/ruby+model.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">$2.99 Janie and Jack dress from Goodwill. New, this would be around $50.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Thrift store shopping has
been a huge part of our family culture. We literally do it as a family
activity. I figure if I were to take my kids to the movie theater or out to
dinner, we’d spend as much, so I see this activity as frugal and fun. I don’t
shop at the mall, I’ve never purchased anything at Nordstrom or Macy’s.
Sometimes I shop at Ross or TJ MAXX, but I’ve got to tell you, for selection
and price hands down Goodwill is my favorite place to shop. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">It doesn’t matter your income
level, if you’re just making ends meet or have some money to spare, I feel good
about thrifting because of its impact on the environment. I grew up with 8
siblings and my parents promoted sharing, passing down and reusing things that
we had. I also like the idea of giving to a cause that helps those in need. So
many people need a hand up and if my shopping goes for something good, I say
“Let there be shopping.”</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYhi6oiqev6ttaah6cDWyUZAhK1x1kqvGLCcWmz5SI9gEaduof6N16NQSI2Gn_aAEwOcD12FPgLp_N7kfXEJNfE21wDjjryCKOnTE9dfJaCZaFJnwXVFcHYN-X0cXmoK9MGhw4KNIvck/s1600/ruby+model+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYhi6oiqev6ttaah6cDWyUZAhK1x1kqvGLCcWmz5SI9gEaduof6N16NQSI2Gn_aAEwOcD12FPgLp_N7kfXEJNfE21wDjjryCKOnTE9dfJaCZaFJnwXVFcHYN-X0cXmoK9MGhw4KNIvck/s400/ruby+model+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Another $2.99 <a href="https://www.janieandjack.com/baby-girl-dresses-sets?lang=en_US">Janie and Jack</a> dress from Goodwill</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I absolutely love the selection.
At Goodwill, I’ve been introduced to brands and clothing lines I’ve never heard
of. It’s fun to look up what an item would have cost if I purchased it brand
new. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbV_sjg1XDvYd6aH7jljgEq5cLOPJ_70GAseSP980_4xdXiauboGTPmh6s4BQh3K6q_XBPkkEBdLFZtBJzHViPfc1TWnml9JiafnYzHAFN4myPx8rXFRzN_J-NAv8Nu0_QLM6ptEChq8/s1600/ruby+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbV_sjg1XDvYd6aH7jljgEq5cLOPJ_70GAseSP980_4xdXiauboGTPmh6s4BQh3K6q_XBPkkEBdLFZtBJzHViPfc1TWnml9JiafnYzHAFN4myPx8rXFRzN_J-NAv8Nu0_QLM6ptEChq8/s400/ruby+11.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">New with tag $2.00 outfit found at Goodwill in California</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:place></st1:city> valley has amazing thrift stores.
I’ve thrifted in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">California</st1:place></st1:state>
and their prices seem a little high to me, but I would still rather thrift then
not. While thrifting out of state, sometimes I score on a great local find or spot
a trend that isn’t in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Arizona</st1:place></st1:state>.
I find my kids keepsakes, souvenirs and presents at Goodwill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfrlQFG2FNelg14p3wIP0S_wP7c8O9TCOBjwXzoyo7wYOY5UQlRe73-Kt3rT45ntz6_rqwN0LJwglK1M6egEm6NGC9HXlJSHLxtPgI8v3DhGlCWvO3OlA6I5kFehOk7EOBmRYSFsbcH0/s1600/ruby+model+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfrlQFG2FNelg14p3wIP0S_wP7c8O9TCOBjwXzoyo7wYOY5UQlRe73-Kt3rT45ntz6_rqwN0LJwglK1M6egEm6NGC9HXlJSHLxtPgI8v3DhGlCWvO3OlA6I5kFehOk7EOBmRYSFsbcH0/s400/ruby+model+8.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">How much would this Minnie Mouse outfit cost at Disneyland? $1.00 at Goodwill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">So, with all I’m finding for
Ruby, I thought I’d share some of my tips while thrift shopping for a baby.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Use a coupon</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
- In <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Arizona</st1:place></st1:state>,
Goodwill has a 20% off coupon. You receive this coupon if you are on their
email list and can use the coupon as many times as you’d like. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Shop deal days</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
- Every Thursday, Goodwill has their famous $1.00 day. Certain color tags are
only $1.00. Every other Saturday is their 50% off sale. Most baby clothes range
from $1-$3, so I can pay .50cents to $1.50. This really adds up to huge
savings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZV1ndPEcy6087q9ae0v5N0PU4afuFB-dcv5mNlVSZV2LHIDn9W9YUiu0nP0FE0fRMZhu3C7tVt9AVGYn6hk7a324KQf-h04U2px4VdcDKrWgh1smYLEe5gAOCL2iol8ztmNBjgHXD7U/s1600/ruby+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZV1ndPEcy6087q9ae0v5N0PU4afuFB-dcv5mNlVSZV2LHIDn9W9YUiu0nP0FE0fRMZhu3C7tVt9AVGYn6hk7a324KQf-h04U2px4VdcDKrWgh1smYLEe5gAOCL2iol8ztmNBjgHXD7U/s400/ruby+9.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Seasonal Items Sell Fast</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"> – I’ve learned seasonal items move fast, so when the
weather turns cold, it might not be the best time to find cute sweaters or
boots. In summer, sun dresses and tank tops might be in short supply. Most the
time, if you stick with it, you’ll find what you need, but for tons of
selection, shop seasons a little bit early.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMxvhiC8a-AKtu0nRyO4ADW9K_BlGe5T3ljzWiPiv_BMhZWontiHsNWsHSjXOvyvgzsv6tci77k6F1jORkC9qffZwMRhaDwq6ev9j61e_S6r1fNZtNG1rieeEG_qieOg9BOlpKC6Zz8U/s1600/ruby+model+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMxvhiC8a-AKtu0nRyO4ADW9K_BlGe5T3ljzWiPiv_BMhZWontiHsNWsHSjXOvyvgzsv6tci77k6F1jORkC9qffZwMRhaDwq6ev9j61e_S6r1fNZtNG1rieeEG_qieOg9BOlpKC6Zz8U/s400/ruby+model+5.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Love the .99 cent scarf as a back drop!</span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Shop A Size Up </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">–
Ruby will be one in September(can you believe it!!), but if I see something
darling in a larger size, I’m all over it. I don’t mind holding on to an item
for a year or so until it fits her. I keep a box in my closet for these cute,
can’t-pass-up finds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tcsUg5F1_R-OkuGm9JcioWMhtg2tDdfuk6D0jmetQp4mJzK7X-4hS-Xq8kGRAE9wonGleDw4mHXHTi07bBjaFAcvIpxSfDhVhsadqFnVabBrSBq7KGEK5_yZNQJ-vxnL5V_otth30eU/s1600/ruby+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tcsUg5F1_R-OkuGm9JcioWMhtg2tDdfuk6D0jmetQp4mJzK7X-4hS-Xq8kGRAE9wonGleDw4mHXHTi07bBjaFAcvIpxSfDhVhsadqFnVabBrSBq7KGEK5_yZNQJ-vxnL5V_otth30eU/s320/ruby+10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">$2.99 Tommy Hilfiger denim dress? Yes, please!</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Baby Clothes Get Dirty So Don’t Sweat It </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">– Ruby is a spitter-upper, so a lot of her clothes
have a “wear once” policy. I do my best to keep up with stain-blocking fabric
cleaner, but much of the times baby clothes get beyond dirty. Spit up, baby
blow outs, bottle spills, messy eaters, crawling, I mean, it’s not worth
sweating over stained clothes. And why would I spend good money on something
that most likely will be “one and done!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Tpc-UsqQGo03b3Dxdm3O3mgZpQA1AdiDDN6F5eO4YeF2cTl7CinUAULTznxfR1SB07TBciCXWHGx6uyqM1mBWOAb67tJnz5fgNstmBs5Dr0DYM_xjRKooKmPdorFWjZQ5VAm69fmFNM/s1600/ruby+model+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-indent: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Tpc-UsqQGo03b3Dxdm3O3mgZpQA1AdiDDN6F5eO4YeF2cTl7CinUAULTznxfR1SB07TBciCXWHGx6uyqM1mBWOAb67tJnz5fgNstmBs5Dr0DYM_xjRKooKmPdorFWjZQ5VAm69fmFNM/s400/ruby+model+4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I love this India onesie, but this Goodwill .99 find was a "one and done" outfit.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Donate Back </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">–
For the clothes that clean up and are in good shape, I can donate back to
nieces, nephews or friends in need.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDsHNuQ6uEguX7KeDYi-V7fflH-WzeD2IanRJxVEhlQnIK7TmPCiLQELuEIhhejibch3MvM6XfQbk6pSP8X-PJ4Z148lqRjoh0BVlLE9MQkwH55hU-FTXc6TdgjxazfhnH-JxqIItpgY/s1600/ruby+roo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDsHNuQ6uEguX7KeDYi-V7fflH-WzeD2IanRJxVEhlQnIK7TmPCiLQELuEIhhejibch3MvM6XfQbk6pSP8X-PJ4Z148lqRjoh0BVlLE9MQkwH55hU-FTXc6TdgjxazfhnH-JxqIItpgY/s400/ruby+roo+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ruby in a little Old Navy Hawaiian dress I found on dollar day! Love it!</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Clothing Companies Donate Too </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">– Sometimes, I see stock from clothing companies
(lately it’s been Target and Zara) and they make donations to Goodwill. I can
buy these new trending clothes at bargain prices. Love it!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6ob9lXIpLYaPyyWmKEhS5RQ0dxpiehkSjQhG5N3RxuNdBVrfmNzxgxCUzw4nFP71llTQnSPZHbjtAW8gPbv0XXPC9pcDtlXgKVrZNrS75bs9k75oKnXurBqAtwvKvSyfcJOT-XOQwKU/s1600/ruby+model+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg6ob9lXIpLYaPyyWmKEhS5RQ0dxpiehkSjQhG5N3RxuNdBVrfmNzxgxCUzw4nFP71llTQnSPZHbjtAW8gPbv0XXPC9pcDtlXgKVrZNrS75bs9k75oKnXurBqAtwvKvSyfcJOT-XOQwKU/s400/ruby+model+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I love when I find boutique items, this $1.49 Natalys little dress is from <a href="https://www.natalys.com/home/">Paris</a>. It's in perfect condition (for now)!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Baby Gifts </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">–
With such a huge selection, I can find New with Tags baby clothes all the time.
These might free up some money to throw in a box of diapers too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Open My Mind </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">–
Shopping is fun, but spending too much money is not, so thrifting allows me to
really think about what I like. In reality, while thrifting I can purchase most things I find,
so I don’t have to worry about buying the cheapest item or fitting in a budget,
it’s like finding everything on the clearance rack!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07a6mmJ98YUeEBfekGSxG1PhkWZyOmgYzupcnWCMicI-5a138k6ICDKkbaqH2V4sZeDJM_ReGzxWdHnTYdHohAYWOeq0as_-7Mw_RBucrEKb0L2Vh1-d10JZ0n6FgmJgpgrlS7J6CTD4/s1600/Ruby+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="479" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07a6mmJ98YUeEBfekGSxG1PhkWZyOmgYzupcnWCMicI-5a138k6ICDKkbaqH2V4sZeDJM_ReGzxWdHnTYdHohAYWOeq0as_-7Mw_RBucrEKb0L2Vh1-d10JZ0n6FgmJgpgrlS7J6CTD4/s400/Ruby+20.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Just for Fun!!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbeNk18IX5QtfMH2tAXBtVRQsunXR3f6vv4C_0pXohR4Z4fdN8MoITNXL-5kU_wFmxYQL_l5qBMArej8JtBVzyrP5rzKHNMhrz6Y4tiI7qcfkjHi7Is81hk7IOoh7AKuxg6AuKibKdwY/s1600/ruby+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKbeNk18IX5QtfMH2tAXBtVRQsunXR3f6vv4C_0pXohR4Z4fdN8MoITNXL-5kU_wFmxYQL_l5qBMArej8JtBVzyrP5rzKHNMhrz6Y4tiI7qcfkjHi7Is81hk7IOoh7AKuxg6AuKibKdwY/s400/ruby+21.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10)</span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"> Easy Shopping </span></b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">– It’s not easy taking a large family shopping at the
mall, heck, even shopping at Target is stressful because my kids get a case of
the gimmes, but at Goodwill there is something for everyone. True, every
purchase adds up, but my kids might find a toy, a trinket, a baseball bat, a
tricycle and it’s all-round a good experience (and a good deal). We find games,
puzzles, books, toys, crafts and more. In other words, while shopping for baby I can say “Yes” to most
things my kids find because it fits in our budget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJI4yQP_Y7xkhQgZatlCnXAlMRJFHHwKMCtFWDqCxmJtPhIromlmg8zTUvEw7dlpKThpTm4K7A3n3lZEc9QPGbHKHfhIKoK5eYNttLSMoK0o5YOYkEGaef7Rux_SMRTYdHophL7_chIfc/s1600/ruby+22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJI4yQP_Y7xkhQgZatlCnXAlMRJFHHwKMCtFWDqCxmJtPhIromlmg8zTUvEw7dlpKThpTm4K7A3n3lZEc9QPGbHKHfhIKoK5eYNttLSMoK0o5YOYkEGaef7Rux_SMRTYdHophL7_chIfc/s400/ruby+22.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">These little $2.99 Gap jeans have stars on them - true love!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Goodwill allows returns up to
1 week of purchase, so I can try things on and test them out without regret. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOK4SzDNnZg4kg42nSBb0Ehe6otPeajcs4jAvITs_yj2iyvywcqEiVKM1JeGXEAXEeKhSvh3TQPByqxhoRfmMQUXCvIB5HnA8LRW-xpqUMDZ7pF9mbhCAnT7jMqgMUOOFNcRK5qLlaPaE/s1600/ruby+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOK4SzDNnZg4kg42nSBb0Ehe6otPeajcs4jAvITs_yj2iyvywcqEiVKM1JeGXEAXEeKhSvh3TQPByqxhoRfmMQUXCvIB5HnA8LRW-xpqUMDZ7pF9mbhCAnT7jMqgMUOOFNcRK5qLlaPaE/s400/ruby+23.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVseSOUU00uov2UmsnB0ze6YQ1i3aGNwTCXltzZax-DI5u052XzuRDAWwOF89Z_0OJj3dtkjWftmFuHH8XkgEkJz49EGOTw2hkyawF0FLfMl7xJg1TAOVeYfg7scePOjuY6GImxA-8nc/s1600/ruby+24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVseSOUU00uov2UmsnB0ze6YQ1i3aGNwTCXltzZax-DI5u052XzuRDAWwOF89Z_0OJj3dtkjWftmFuHH8XkgEkJz49EGOTw2hkyawF0FLfMl7xJg1TAOVeYfg7scePOjuY6GImxA-8nc/s400/ruby+24.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">H&M romper for $1.00</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">In
Ruby’s little photo shots, I used vintage fabrics (anywhere from $2-$4)as the back drop.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iwe5XegUghytvP-L4zoa77ECieb30eshBt6D2kK5CuLIUR6FG9PibE_ULYmxzl7NNdBnR95QQFO3tMo8X1Zz3Fc_q8I-2Jvebu6i2eyBFnyNPPpSX1eue9Ror42gxDxoPwIekjDRnxw/s1600/ruby+26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iwe5XegUghytvP-L4zoa77ECieb30eshBt6D2kK5CuLIUR6FG9PibE_ULYmxzl7NNdBnR95QQFO3tMo8X1Zz3Fc_q8I-2Jvebu6i2eyBFnyNPPpSX1eue9Ror42gxDxoPwIekjDRnxw/s400/ruby+26.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This pink vintage fabric was $2.99.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Thrift store
shopping says “Yes” to so many fun ideas and opportunities. I just love it. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrkzUmKIjaVo2Y4ONanqRGYlnTEXyezR-z8SsIjZyGsr_r8gUwCuOASOs3s4lSTWAgKcHieDlsp8RqVMEqkREBEz8iBJusxzN9tRpKJMi_dRMebrChcdEhb760M5HlF8l5QnJsEFItto/s1600/ruby+25-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrkzUmKIjaVo2Y4ONanqRGYlnTEXyezR-z8SsIjZyGsr_r8gUwCuOASOs3s4lSTWAgKcHieDlsp8RqVMEqkREBEz8iBJusxzN9tRpKJMi_dRMebrChcdEhb760M5HlF8l5QnJsEFItto/s400/ruby+25-001.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ruby's Lucky Jeans and Tommy Bahama blouse, plus the gorgeous fabric, all for under $5.00.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Let
me know if you have any questions or suggestions in the comments below and feel free to share this post to new moms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-52754799111949001502019-07-16T14:27:00.001-07:002019-07-16T14:57:39.725-07:00Exercise While Intermittent Fasting<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">In the intermittent fasting
community, <a href="https://consumer.healthday.com/fitness-information-14/misc-health-news-265/exercising-on-an-empty-stomach-good-idea-or-not-735611.html">exercising while fasting</a> can help turn up your weight loss. If it’s been 12
hours since you last ate something, your body is starting to switch over from
burning food as fuel to fat as fuel. If an intermittent fast is 16 hours, you
have 4 hours of fat-burning time. If you start your fast at 8pm, half of your fast happens while you’re sleeping. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Isn't that awesome!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">Intermittent fasting takes exercise up to a whole new level!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjel6uykZ_H5PE9T8PvOxIMM6_MvKhwDK4TSSU8rMGxGlk3W1gKG3diZZn6Vqamn544xvdzhpm0layLYJHoUTujvWuhNDCO4BN-oSyyWRU0_-JL5CxjDPlod3E_kmlZs5gcw_WN0ZWO6Vc/s1600/Fasting+on+an+empty+stomach.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/AVvXsEjel6uykZ_H5PE9T8PvOxIMM6_MvKhwDK4TSSU8rMGxGlk3W1gKG3diZZn6Vqamn544xvdzhpm0layLYJHoUTujvWuhNDCO4BN-oSyyWRU0_-JL5CxjDPlod3E_kmlZs5gcw_WN0ZWO6Vc/s400/Fasting+on+an+empty+stomach.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Because I’m practically Old
Mother Hubbard over here, my exercise schedule has been all over the place.
Since having Ruby, I’ve been going to the gym from 9:00pm to 10:00pm most
nights. True, I quickly jumped back into working out partly to get away from a very
busy nighttime schedule over here and unfortunately, by the time I got back
from the gym very little has been done to get the kids to bed, so I knew this
wasn’t a permanent fix, but I’ve been working out after eating dinner and it
hasn’t been the best. Trust me, I appreciate anything I can get at this point,
but comparing that to exercise while fasting, dang, I don’t<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ever want to go back to exercise after eating
a meal! But, during the school year, school starts so early for my
elementary kids that a morning workout is going to need to start around 6am!! I’m
trying to get myself prepared!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-k1tdCF8GGExx8w7yZ1zsodmiGJ3kvk0St_gEFHtcJqqp4558ByMComfdzWjuVx0TTDHumLN7MlMph53jdqEF2weAdgpJDvPbBUpwC0AWes79xW9dwXz6NQXcfarSvbjnUsRhXzLpHak/s1600/morning-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-k1tdCF8GGExx8w7yZ1zsodmiGJ3kvk0St_gEFHtcJqqp4558ByMComfdzWjuVx0TTDHumLN7MlMph53jdqEF2weAdgpJDvPbBUpwC0AWes79xW9dwXz6NQXcfarSvbjnUsRhXzLpHak/s640/morning-001.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">For now, it’s summer, so I
have teenagers who are here if the baby wakes up while I’m out and morning
workouts have been starting around 8:00am. I'm 12 hours into my fast, so I should be burning fat by this time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75EJZZu6OJif9KLjCi5s6EpANbAfE0mb-RyhVRD483mqUDnlIrCi25eJfnfcLvBTpnGI5VJeLFzuwQkrn3FB4DgvfNBcGiLo0BieTvyXVNeywM9yzF6VIJOY8ljc38DcTuvNyd9R3Cw8/s1600/morning+walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75EJZZu6OJif9KLjCi5s6EpANbAfE0mb-RyhVRD483mqUDnlIrCi25eJfnfcLvBTpnGI5VJeLFzuwQkrn3FB4DgvfNBcGiLo0BieTvyXVNeywM9yzF6VIJOY8ljc38DcTuvNyd9R3Cw8/s400/morning+walk.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Still a little bit of shade!</div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Exercise while fasting has
been awesome, hands down the best thing every, truly is helping me change up my
weight loss journey. I have a ways to go, but feel so encouraged.!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUKsrUPyFrPOAGSre3zG_Yj1J0n0bzoqKhUAi3Kzu2dF4oww2QqUULtxgTyouwGqHq2asDq0Ojd0V18BNLgBJvvBKaVpI6Z2xyWJV0jnNklRQhoGDXZbYVRbDL_qBs4-LX5OYLctDucE/s1600/date+night+24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUKsrUPyFrPOAGSre3zG_Yj1J0n0bzoqKhUAi3Kzu2dF4oww2QqUULtxgTyouwGqHq2asDq0Ojd0V18BNLgBJvvBKaVpI6Z2xyWJV0jnNklRQhoGDXZbYVRbDL_qBs4-LX5OYLctDucE/s400/date+night+24.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span>Day date with my honey!</o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">I start my morning with a cup of cold herbal tea and use stevia to sweeten it. I make this berry tea at night, put it in my fridge and by morning, it's so full of flavor, my kids think it's juice. I love this tea so much, I'm working with the manufactor from India to sell it on my store <a href="https://www.my100daughters.com/">My 100 Daughters</a>. I found the container at TJ Maxx.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPGbyVj7MxPupFaT7LybCqFlqz4janfc14Y0m8pouEuMEQEq3ktzsTy_pdMMwOs_G6VzlTZkEHJmRY-nixqbkzgUxiZ2iecuxhJfl2cafCDpy9tU2FtT-H1ezYHK1zbjBPv-J07_XcoA/s1600/tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="270" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPGbyVj7MxPupFaT7LybCqFlqz4janfc14Y0m8pouEuMEQEq3ktzsTy_pdMMwOs_G6VzlTZkEHJmRY-nixqbkzgUxiZ2iecuxhJfl2cafCDpy9tU2FtT-H1ezYHK1zbjBPv-J07_XcoA/s640/tea.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">When I leave out the door I wear
a hat, I have my 2-pound hand weights, my trusty full-out-nerd fanny pack </span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">synced</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> up tight and it’s holding my bottle of water with ice, head phones and
my phone set on a motivational/podcast/ebook/course. I like to chew spearmint
gum, keeps my mouth from getting dry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPXiIcX5V0gTSv-4NblHLd3K9GGY7F61XYaGjXcSIPFHaEWh1obHYE72dXgQghpju2FtCNH4nTOxKcBffzB2V-zm8_NiRMOUOBPkBD229Jm_7R-MkUMmid2eynuU1J1EqF7oHGD0bqHk/s1600/exercise+run.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPXiIcX5V0gTSv-4NblHLd3K9GGY7F61XYaGjXcSIPFHaEWh1obHYE72dXgQghpju2FtCNH4nTOxKcBffzB2V-zm8_NiRMOUOBPkBD229Jm_7R-MkUMmid2eynuU1J1EqF7oHGD0bqHk/s400/exercise+run.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I’m gone for about an hour,
usually a bit longer because I’m having such a great time. When I come home, I drink
another cup of herbal tea and fast until noon. It’s so rewarding. Let me know
what you think about exercise and fasting? Do you like it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">More research? Check out this <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2014/12/30/health/dailyburn-exercise-empty/index.html">article</a>. And this one <a href="https://jamesclear.com/intermittent-fasting-lessons-learned">too</a>.</span></div>
<br />Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-15544894966045163082019-07-10T16:18:00.001-07:002019-07-10T16:18:06.895-07:00There's Something To This, Isn't There?<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">We’re surrounded by constant
miracles. This push and pull of contrast has highs and lows, but ultimately,
it’s the purpose of life. Some good days, some bad, some amazing, while others
devastating; do we have any control? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I believe we are all promised
divine interaction because we all possess faith, purpose and intention. What do
we want? What do we believe? Are we ready for the delight of constant
surprises? Can we hold on when things get tough? Ultimately, God takes over and
wow, it’s just a beautiful collective orchestra we call life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I listen to Abraham Hicks.
One thing she says is when life is overwhelming, when you forget to stay happy,
when the negative momentum gets too strong, just stop and think “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Help is on the way</b>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">If all we are really in control of is our
thoughts, how important is it to think positive? To think things will work out?
That we are alright? That help is one the way?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Some things I learn don’t
stick, but this concept of “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">help on the
way</b>” has really made a difference in the highs and lows of my life. Just
today, Canyon had a mini-seizure (not exactly sure what it is for now) threw up
his medicine and once he settled down, I cuddled him for an hour. The love I
have for that boy I could lather on like butter on a warm roll, but oh, I cry
some big tears with everything going on with him. When Ruby woke up with, let’s
just say, an array of smelly brown substance was in her crib and on her little
bottom. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wiggled through a bath and I
was able to change her sheets. I had to change out of my clothes into something
new. How did I get through both “whirlwinds?” I knew help, or at least
something like help, was on its way. I do feel there are guardian angels. I
don’t feel alone. I might feel frustrated, but I can always see how I’m
blessed. Maybe the “help” is understanding that when things are difficult, they
will eventually get better, even if the “better” is feeling God’s love in my
heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I just finished reading the
book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Educated</i>. Who out there has read
it? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc6HuEvy1T67bagJPC7ebtLNBJp848mGWtpowKBPxiFiikPbVD8xpv59cywku5QpPsPSpOPCX077FoKT70YxDBPt4uPv097gnPQJnPiDvOIg1qOIpMpqJexkmU1Nou1oMtvMXcqbpBBc/s1600/educated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="488" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc6HuEvy1T67bagJPC7ebtLNBJp848mGWtpowKBPxiFiikPbVD8xpv59cywku5QpPsPSpOPCX077FoKT70YxDBPt4uPv097gnPQJnPiDvOIg1qOIpMpqJexkmU1Nou1oMtvMXcqbpBBc/s400/educated.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">That was a tough one for me to get through and it took me two months. I
never have time to read, so I was literally hiding out in my room just to
finish up the next page. Surprisingly, my brother Tadd was handed the book
three days before I finished it. Guess what. He read it in three days. He
called me last week and we had about an hour mini book club phone session. The
conversation was as uplifting as it was draining. I had a lot of emotions to
work through. Ideas about family, religion, education, feminism, loyalty – I
mean this story doesn’t leave anything out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVR-VuK2h9TXg_3f2WLvWAwmZOg28VikVLiIAwivQ2r34XY16peuYFEm4A-SPedUvMRSgY9DCmmK5g2KVRFa8k9gLmRoVnthxyXFbwuNssbCBHsM11Npfy2s88D1aONjaFUv1yRNf-r_M/s1600/educated+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="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/AVvXsEiVR-VuK2h9TXg_3f2WLvWAwmZOg28VikVLiIAwivQ2r34XY16peuYFEm4A-SPedUvMRSgY9DCmmK5g2KVRFa8k9gLmRoVnthxyXFbwuNssbCBHsM11Npfy2s88D1aONjaFUv1yRNf-r_M/s400/educated+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Tara Westover speaking.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I could tell Tadd was a little bit
worried about me and although I convinced him I was fine, he wasn’t so sure.
His brotherly love always is there, it’s also a part of the “help that’s on the
way.” When you know someone loves you at that level, it’s like falling from the
sky only to land on a soft fluffy cloud. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Derek worked a long week and
on our Saturday date I thought I would talk to him about the book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Educated</i>. He should know some of my
thoughts and ideas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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Day night! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The conversation would be enlightening and I’d love to hear
some of his thoughts too. Funny thing about that was as soon as I opened my
mouth, I was hit with this fatigue. I can’t explain it, but it was like the
whole experience of living in Tara Westover’s world had been so exhausting, so
worrisome, even traumatic, that I just couldn’t even start the conversation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“You’re tired, aren’t you,”
Derek said. Yes, I was. I was tired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Tadd read it,” I said and as
soon as I said the name “Tadd” someone from behind me covered my eyes. I felt a
soft kiss on my cheek. I turned and as soon as I could see again Tadd was
standing right in front of me. Coincidence that at that very moment, my brother
who I never randomly run into, had stepped into that restaurant, saw me, walked
over to me without me seeing him and lovingly planted a kiss on my cheek just
as I said his name? Also coincidence, I had told Derek just a few nights
earlier “We should really start going on double dates. There are so many people
I want to get to know more.” Tadd was there with his wife Heather and a double
date just unfolded before us. Tadd was able to start the conversation about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Educated</i> and I was granted this gift of
momentum, where Tadd could share his thoughts and I could chime in if I wanted
to. He carried the energy for me, reassuring me he understood. Wow, it was just
wow!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehu-paPhOflCRNGLFiwMY0_3coPdbTIh_cD7eMpIdbHFX1I71cXGomrZWRO0n44H3XLqMromfatq29I0J8UqqL2xSQ7WEMFvg8gcBuw5HVpAKhp01lUS3mGxIUb0abJRddw8PJN5GaQQ/s1600/tadd+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="960" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehu-paPhOflCRNGLFiwMY0_3coPdbTIh_cD7eMpIdbHFX1I71cXGomrZWRO0n44H3XLqMromfatq29I0J8UqqL2xSQ7WEMFvg8gcBuw5HVpAKhp01lUS3mGxIUb0abJRddw8PJN5GaQQ/s400/tadd+8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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At Tadd's house a few years ago.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">There’s something to this, isn’t
there? There has to be. What would you call it? “Help on its way?” A miracle?
Law of attraction? Power of positive thinking” It’s just the most amazing
thing. I know it’s happening in your life too. Are you paying attention? Do you
consider it a coincidence? Would you call something like this spiritual? I’ve
set a goal to start writing these things down because they make life so
beautiful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-87496956881362286442019-07-04T20:59:00.002-07:002019-07-04T20:59:40.025-07:00The Universe Has Your Back<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I’m passionate about many
things – great hair, the perfect oatmeal cookie recipe and understanding this
whole <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">power of positive thinking</i>
thing. Throughout my life, I’ve understood on some level that our thoughts
predicate our actions and we become what we think, but not until I started
intermittent fasting three years ago did I realize the law of attraction/the
power of now/eternal optimism,etc. was an actual study (it comes in a variety
of different names too). What I mean by study is there is a world of truth to
learn taught by many different authors who each have a list of daily practices/thoughts/habits
to apply. The learning never stops and from what I can tell, I don’t want it to
because then, the excitement would end. From what I understand, no one can ever
master this intentional mind set because every day we are curious and a new
experience blows our mind – yet again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I forgot to buy the almond
milk. Yes, with all this life-changing power to become heroes and build worlds
over here I forget to bring home our beloved almond milk. My son <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> was the first to
notice this devastating reality. He worked early the next day and would need it
for breakfast, so he offered to run to the store. Before he left, I told him to
take a $20 bill from my wallet. He stuffed the money in his pocket, ran out the
door and 15 minutes later he was back with four quarts of almond milk and a
very sour face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“What’s wrong,” I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Chandler</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"> set the milk on the counter and started taking it out
of the bag. “I went to pay for the milk, reached into my pocket and the $20
bill must have fallen out. It wasn’t there,” he said. He’d apologized to the
cashier and ran out to his car to get his wallet he’d left in the console. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I paid for the milk with my
own money,” <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
said. “It’s ok, you don’t have to pay me back. I’m the one that lost the
money."</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">This didn’t settle with me
well. Since Chandler had come home from his mission, he’d
scrapped for work here and there, mowing lawns, washing windows and trimming
trees. He’d applied for dozens of jobs and was getting married in a month. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">To
me and obviously to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>,
this was about more then $20. Did God have his back? Would God provide? <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> already knew the answer was a resounding yes,
but I said a pray that God would manifest at this very moment in this very
situation. I just knew God would take care of it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">How? That’s the fun part.</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQMRRdpz1azhshv6oJEDJVut0pwh9O-dLQ2mD3Hi5FbcJCvDb_CL3vTX7h6v3yieb5zcqavuX37fvSkfbFSCAYYrxwkkZzGdSMUYt3ST_D1qzcMQIQxk2Tvdk94gC02n0hMceka3c_Cw/s1600/chandler+home+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQMRRdpz1azhshv6oJEDJVut0pwh9O-dLQ2mD3Hi5FbcJCvDb_CL3vTX7h6v3yieb5zcqavuX37fvSkfbFSCAYYrxwkkZzGdSMUYt3ST_D1qzcMQIQxk2Tvdk94gC02n0hMceka3c_Cw/s400/chandler+home+8.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Chandler with Payson a few weeks ago.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I checked in the car, on the
ground where I parked the car, in the store,” <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> said as we talked about it. He was
discouraged. This had let him down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I told <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> a story I would never forget. When
my sister Krista was 19, she’s left $100 in her car parked in my parent’s
driveway. The next morning, as she was leaving for work, she couldn’t find the
money and was certain someone had stolen it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">My dad came outside and spent
a few minutes with her looking in the console, underneath the seat and on the
ground. Krista was in tears. She was barely making ends meet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“You know,” my dad kindly
said, “these things happened and I can’t help but wonder whoever has it
probably needs it more then you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">He reached into his pocket,
opened his own wallet and took out $100. “Here, you take this and don’t worry
about your money anymore.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Wow! Krista’s face lit up.
What a gift. To know we can lose but still be ok, that’s pretty cool. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>, I want you to take another $20 bill
out of my wallet. It’s alright. Keep it.” I said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“No mom, you don’t have to do
that,” <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
said when his phone rang. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">It was his brother Mayer
asking for a ride. He was at a friend’s house only a few minute away. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> grabbed his keys
when I had an idea. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Why don’t you call the store
and see if anyone turned in a $20 bill.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I heard <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> make the call. “Really,” he said.
“Ok, thanks. I’ll be right there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x3IKgxrfm4vZ-fNX33lHDUCgvzP8TZzEqsz04ucfObh2bGWaor5Fgoo6S1FLt5Dvi6USk_r5XQV8LZT0ZA2UiQHeMoMsUoDFmPaPkDHxL3mmxQ1YLo5V8HsTtQfH70Oo5rJti1Fhh2U/s1600/chandler+and+sadie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="443" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x3IKgxrfm4vZ-fNX33lHDUCgvzP8TZzEqsz04ucfObh2bGWaor5Fgoo6S1FLt5Dvi6USk_r5XQV8LZT0ZA2UiQHeMoMsUoDFmPaPkDHxL3mmxQ1YLo5V8HsTtQfH70Oo5rJti1Fhh2U/s640/chandler+and+sadie.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
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Aren't they adorable together!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The manager had found the $20
bill in an aisle. Wow! How wonderful is that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">How often do we think a bad
situation won’t get better? How often do we have miracles that go unnoticed? I
don’t want to forget a single one! This is small, but it’s huge. The universe
has got our back. God doesn’t miss a single thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEtb9YZVm5H-YCRveKBe9KVkcGCh3pBj7Jf7jR91km6ekwNvDS6J0CjTa52KBCPccF9eRTYleUiG94HrpNtDVwdkz9eAi52t1wQSEyaVyo9TAlVYR0zQMldScwRYP9VIGVQ6AvGRDa0w/s1600/IMG_9879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1427" data-original-width="1427" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEtb9YZVm5H-YCRveKBe9KVkcGCh3pBj7Jf7jR91km6ekwNvDS6J0CjTa52KBCPccF9eRTYleUiG94HrpNtDVwdkz9eAi52t1wQSEyaVyo9TAlVYR0zQMldScwRYP9VIGVQ6AvGRDa0w/s400/IMG_9879.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Chandler with Eden.</div>
<br />Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-56520863569412342722019-07-03T12:50:00.000-07:002019-07-03T12:50:00.622-07:00Miracles with Chandler and Canyon<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Last week, I received some
news from some of Canyon’s blood work that gave me relief. He passed the last
round of tests. His doctor is slowly checking off a list – testing for worst
case scenario diseases and conditions first. I called Derek and we cried. How
does Canyon keep defying the odds? We are every so thankful. However, the
doctor called on Monday and told us the possibilities of what Canyon has are
still “a mile long.” The “diagnostic journey” is ongoing. I’m playing it on
both ends of the spectrum right now – fully aware I could wake up any morning
and find Canyon in a seizure (or worse) and also living in denial that he’s
perfectly fine. I naively asked the doctor, if there was any chance that
Canyon’s symptoms could just be a rare case of epilepsy? “No,” he said. “Not
with his symptoms.” Oh, did that hurt. I only wish it was epilepsy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgWIioCPJmaCJc1a-w9LmPkC6xybonCkZtx2BlNsQKB7rHx05kacwQFEqPFyLHBvEGfisI1-mLya3qvf2nygOMqBiLnXpvRuzyQwACsfgcAZVM9pi8x7PW4fwvzT2mAxiq9jbnUbpY0Y/s1600/canyon+26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgWIioCPJmaCJc1a-w9LmPkC6xybonCkZtx2BlNsQKB7rHx05kacwQFEqPFyLHBvEGfisI1-mLya3qvf2nygOMqBiLnXpvRuzyQwACsfgcAZVM9pi8x7PW4fwvzT2mAxiq9jbnUbpY0Y/s400/canyon+26.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HyB46ws285Q" width="560"></iframe></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">We’d have been waiting for
weeks for the results from Canyon’s blood work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The last week in May, they took 9 vials of his blood. As I scheduled the
appointment, I didn’t know how I was going to do it? It’s so difficult watching
my son go through this. He’s so innocent. He has no idea. I
wondered how could I keep him calm? How much more poking and prying are they
going to do until we finally know what’s happening?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuCD2jZQO_BsQWNIUwg9zuZ6zJ3xGIoJ9bOu1CGrlJASx8HuozdWJku6us8fy_PgxYJwuuCCyEhJQdBW4i3S-cKHNxPxQIndPMjkofr4SBnz404FO5a_2LBMpAamS3dRfbwadLYuIlb8/s1600/canyon+27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivuCD2jZQO_BsQWNIUwg9zuZ6zJ3xGIoJ9bOu1CGrlJASx8HuozdWJku6us8fy_PgxYJwuuCCyEhJQdBW4i3S-cKHNxPxQIndPMjkofr4SBnz404FO5a_2LBMpAamS3dRfbwadLYuIlb8/s400/canyon+27.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">In November 2018, we were
told what Canyon has could be progressing, that his condition could be
life-threatening, that he could have 1-2 years before his supposed white matter
illness dissolves in his brain and we watch him slowly lose all his functions. We
researched the condition and learned about the absolute horror of
adrenoleukodystrophy. He would go blind, lose his hearing, lose his ability to
talk, to walk, to eat, to swallow and then, he would die. This unspeakable
torture was a mind game of grief for our family and everything seemed to point
to this reality. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpVR0wYDvQQZmRYYHIBgB-I9mW_v7JsXGzK7ysVrw1Boin0HMNmdIcr1uakZuFLVNek08hBkLkgxsWcGO3KwA5so2T5nbbXN3GKPWMlrfBjuOdcv5J3UdFJNTCNMps60UO6hqqF_fW7M/s1600/Canyon+life+support.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1032" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpVR0wYDvQQZmRYYHIBgB-I9mW_v7JsXGzK7ysVrw1Boin0HMNmdIcr1uakZuFLVNek08hBkLkgxsWcGO3KwA5so2T5nbbXN3GKPWMlrfBjuOdcv5J3UdFJNTCNMps60UO6hqqF_fW7M/s400/Canyon+life+support.jpg" width="322" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Canyon had every symptom – the abnormal MRI with white matter
lesions/abnormalities already in place, fatty acids in his blood (a sign that
his dissolved white matter was already present in his blood), wandering eyes, his
mouth had a droop, his speech a lisp, through a reflex test one doctor noticed
a limp, he had seizures and then there was this. Adrenoleukodystrophy was most
common in boys, starting around the age of 4. Canyon was 3 ½, just on the cusps.
We just couldn’t catch a break and we lived in this terrifying reality for four
months. There were mind games – every time he fell, every innocent mistake,
every time he cried was a sign he was dying before my eyes. The mind is amazing
– tell it something is true and it will look for evidence to support it. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UP0WLENLl-4sjltn9cKLiCVQvQ-rQVzXyHm8xG8vtnZAlPvjWZ4sa791qRcAFAankyyvFf1xdHpoXK_BBYSy0zvjcmJl5F0Gyy_7mf7b__hTJVsBR3n-gAP6Be-7TXSG_kxIhfhyJEw/s1600/canyon+30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1080" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0UP0WLENLl-4sjltn9cKLiCVQvQ-rQVzXyHm8xG8vtnZAlPvjWZ4sa791qRcAFAankyyvFf1xdHpoXK_BBYSy0zvjcmJl5F0Gyy_7mf7b__hTJVsBR3n-gAP6Be-7TXSG_kxIhfhyJEw/s400/canyon+30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p>Canyon is the center of our world. My kids were </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p>singing his favorite song "The Wheels on the Bus."</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The blood work testing for
adrenoleukodytrophy was lost. This was discovered about a month later. This is
such a rare test, conducted at a research university back east. It’s expensive.
The blood has to be drawn at a certain time, stored a certain way, sent with a
certain medical carrier for accuracy. We finally were able to redo the blood
work. It would take 3 weeks, then six, then finally 8 weeks to get the results.
During this time, we had to learn to let go of the fear so we could live in the
joy of our Canyon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">This is where the story of
two of my sons collides and the miracle starts. </span></b><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">My oldest son <st1:city w:st="on">Chandler</st1:city> had been living in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region> for 5 months, committed
to a two-year church service mission and started having stomach pain. He had no
idea the facts regarding Canyon’s health, no idea we are praying, fasting and
grieving. As a family, we’d intentionally withheld this information until we
know the absolutes. Why worry <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
when there was nothing he could do about it? In photos, I noticed <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>’s weight-loss,
gaunt face, bloated stomach and asked enough questions to finally understand
what he was going through. A month later, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
was in Filipino hospital having an endoscopy and it was confirmed he had a
bacteria called h.pylori. He started on antibiotics, but <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>’s symptoms worsened. He could barely
eat, had unbearable stomach pain, bloating, hernia, leaky gut, later we learned
Celiac disease and amebas. The doctor and mission president confirmed <st1:city w:st="on">Chandler</st1:city> would need to come home and no one was more
devastated then <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>.
Oh, he loved serving in this far-away land, love the language, but deep down he
knew he was very sick and needed proper medical care.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6gyOA1KJDxEgXXfYU-wKgwHrpiMFIaQmEzGiuAkTLJrf8k3xVwhBI0AD-fk1KlRdhfBjHbNc1ME3N2xFpMttiOXorh_ytGuTD5DReRHoRjYJ1Ja8ow1F00Qo-jPjwVdRVk5qYnUMSTg/s1600/canyon+hospital+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="454" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk6gyOA1KJDxEgXXfYU-wKgwHrpiMFIaQmEzGiuAkTLJrf8k3xVwhBI0AD-fk1KlRdhfBjHbNc1ME3N2xFpMttiOXorh_ytGuTD5DReRHoRjYJ1Ja8ow1F00Qo-jPjwVdRVk5qYnUMSTg/s400/canyon+hospital+2.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p> Before Chandler left on his mission, Canyon had a seizure, but they had </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p>no idea what was going on. Canyon was in the ICU for 5 days and </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p>once he recovered, they sent us home.</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">In January, I received an
email of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>’s
upcoming medical release, but things were delayed. Another doctor’s appointment
in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region>
was scheduled and a 2-month round of antibiotics were recommended? His gall
bladder was bad and might need to come out? Things were only getting worse and
I was very worried. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><br /></st1:place></st1:city></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRE8a51j0FbzZj9XPkW23ryiEHJWZSpbSaAOkZTMFrpvv-O1-rEds_T1vA5ZUbsJGSFoAhYXD4_rh_PaNwN3iztjQfCjTSF4_xl6QB1wD5TVL2f_CTV_4rQ1ldNzSAQY1h4Ytz5ERUJDY/s1600/chandler+phillipines.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="938" data-original-width="1251" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRE8a51j0FbzZj9XPkW23ryiEHJWZSpbSaAOkZTMFrpvv-O1-rEds_T1vA5ZUbsJGSFoAhYXD4_rh_PaNwN3iztjQfCjTSF4_xl6QB1wD5TVL2f_CTV_4rQ1ldNzSAQY1h4Ytz5ERUJDY/s400/chandler+phillipines.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
needed a departure visa, but the paperwork was delayed, lost, it was uncertain.
How would this experience affect <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>?
Would he recover emotionally and physically? Why was everything taking so long?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, reality hit. When <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> returned home we would have to sit
him down, tell him about Canyon, that we might lose our little boy, that his
seizures almost took his life, that he has all these horrible symptoms and on
and on. This homecoming would be more of a nightmare. Would <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> felt like we misguided him? That we
were untrustworthy? He also had a new little sister and I knew he was beyond
excited to meet her for the first time. The emotions were everywhere. I met
with our Stake President and we talked. When I left, he said something that
left a huge impression on me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>“You may never know the blessing your family has
received because of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>’s
missionary service?” </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">I pondered that on the way home. It seemed </span><st1:city style="font-size: 13pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 13pt;">’s absence had
left a </span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">gaping</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> whole in our family. We’d been hit with so much opposition. My
emergency c-section, Canyon’s illness and to make matters worse, the pipes in
our home had been “</span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">accidentally</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> cut” by a dishonest plumber, leaving the plumbing
in our home, shall we say, inaccessible. Our lives were in chaos. I didn’t even
have a place for </span><st1:city style="font-size: 13pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 13pt;">
to sleep. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Then, this happened. Was it a
coincidence?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">On March 4, 2018, after
waiting 4 months for Canyon’s test results, we received a voice message from
the doctor’s office. Despite the odds, it was confirmed that Canyon did <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">not</b> have adrenoleukodystrophy. Our
family dropped to our knees in prayer and thanked God for this miracle. I spent
the day floating. I held Canyon in my arms and never wanted to let him go. We
know we’re not yet out of the woods, but this experience has changed the way I
look at my children and our time on earth. Every day is a gift to be cherished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNThpL-3hlgCAwaIj5T5uPdavuwUiuaSZlOPvYhhYYnj9U6-H2AHU9Md3wJpKIMJDnqbGCXs49VanfbxNvkzHGPRnkt7_BkUjewt46kIWFll30blvdCTy2h25NIkWrXRkpc8Uo-xj7dg/s1600/it%2527s+a+girl+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="925" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNThpL-3hlgCAwaIj5T5uPdavuwUiuaSZlOPvYhhYYnj9U6-H2AHU9Md3wJpKIMJDnqbGCXs49VanfbxNvkzHGPRnkt7_BkUjewt46kIWFll30blvdCTy2h25NIkWrXRkpc8Uo-xj7dg/s400/it%2527s+a+girl+5.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
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Chandler with Canyon before he left on his mission.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The next day, March 5, I
received an email from the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Philippines</st1:country-region>
mission home with <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>’s
departure flight information. He would fly from <st1:city w:st="on">Manila</st1:city>,
to <st1:city w:st="on">Tokyo</st1:city>, to <st1:city w:st="on">Seattle</st1:city>,
to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:place></st1:city>! This
schedule made me realize how far away he truly was. Finally! My emotions were
all over the place, when I thought “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What
a strange coincidence</i>.” I felt a flutter in my heart and a stillness seemed
to say: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This is not a coincidence.”</i> The
timing of it all was miraculous. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
would need to know the blessings of his mission service, that we needed the
miracle for Canyon first. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
returned home that Friday and despite traveling for nearly 24 hours, he stayed
up with us talking into the night hours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-Q-jceYa9UCe-mWkm3f6yDqj_hs3X3mx8CTzYHoovTk4jeWXqPwvK8uSfdf7Qr-WXb_up2t1mzIOiScet48xPuTtbBEQACaHyiU9XpiS-Z5z_t6WSHzC5lfFLW3ZufKd7ooGhG2P3B8/s1600/chandler+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-Q-jceYa9UCe-mWkm3f6yDqj_hs3X3mx8CTzYHoovTk4jeWXqPwvK8uSfdf7Qr-WXb_up2t1mzIOiScet48xPuTtbBEQACaHyiU9XpiS-Z5z_t6WSHzC5lfFLW3ZufKd7ooGhG2P3B8/s400/chandler+home.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DC7z12WZnI12yxckJIhrfWZGXcKK3UdFprgP3YTLgqY2XnihXY2j6srsqorFrN9r4tHaVH9eHVCQGrR8GUmc7r5C4GnG2FmEZ9uIeHZZLh5jgGEBIoT8AmAZcaMTpv75IhPiCHSpweM/s1600/chandler+home+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DC7z12WZnI12yxckJIhrfWZGXcKK3UdFprgP3YTLgqY2XnihXY2j6srsqorFrN9r4tHaVH9eHVCQGrR8GUmc7r5C4GnG2FmEZ9uIeHZZLh5jgGEBIoT8AmAZcaMTpv75IhPiCHSpweM/s400/chandler+home+4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3xisI0Hr1dmn8iyyE_d9At5bUbL0hCgy7e2VAkcAmV4JR6MpHOgde4O39lXkPzUqMKJP2QuBU89SNZkpa8yN5fiJvw2edD86mSdCQ_S7UJRDFK6S_G-IMlL6ZdNwsCdgVv2AWmVaMu8/s1600/chandler+home+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3xisI0Hr1dmn8iyyE_d9At5bUbL0hCgy7e2VAkcAmV4JR6MpHOgde4O39lXkPzUqMKJP2QuBU89SNZkpa8yN5fiJvw2edD86mSdCQ_S7UJRDFK6S_G-IMlL6ZdNwsCdgVv2AWmVaMu8/s400/chandler+home+7.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Ironically, we weren’t the
only ones who’d kept secrets, but <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
had kept a lot from us too. We hadn’t wanted to worry him and he hadn’t wanted
to worry us. I find this very tender, that all alone in a far away land, he’d
managed the pain and emotions of his own very scary illness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBa3EgS7sktrGhcGqut-1TpqrqVpS8Ut_4cS79v4OgdVT4LqejbkHAwNatLIAfDj-pKH-1RWl9_EVhypo6IUEoVmmihiKkFUCbuS5_FiA6blxBRRuQnEhizulJxZoXPWaPQ7FwtmwGRE/s1600/chandler+mission+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBa3EgS7sktrGhcGqut-1TpqrqVpS8Ut_4cS79v4OgdVT4LqejbkHAwNatLIAfDj-pKH-1RWl9_EVhypo6IUEoVmmihiKkFUCbuS5_FiA6blxBRRuQnEhizulJxZoXPWaPQ7FwtmwGRE/s400/chandler+mission+15.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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In the Philippines, Chandler's friend John took this picture on </div>
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their bus ride home from the hospital. He said Chandler was</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
in a lot of pain.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Last month, Canyon has had
two mild seizures, both of which he was able to come out of on his own with an
additional seizure medication we keep here at home for this type of situation.
Although frightening to witness, we are so thankful that he responded. All his
vitals were checked and since everything looked fine, we were able to monitor
him at home. Whatever is going on, both his daily medication and the emergency
medication is working. Although the possibilities of what Canyon has are still
a mile long, his doctor feels what we find might be treatable. We have an
upcoming MRI and spinal tap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LfSANdfUjlzV_Z1-n4CvL4SL0sV0zJu64cqeEiNzclIzeAB8Tk82MTbOimwunD_bXurY-U_l9fNs3dl6c44sXJ5GdG_4wS3r48Ayo6WnbwPmoS0JiyLo-8Xc5h6TVLeZZs0ImDPRMqQ/s1600/kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="206" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LfSANdfUjlzV_Z1-n4CvL4SL0sV0zJu64cqeEiNzclIzeAB8Tk82MTbOimwunD_bXurY-U_l9fNs3dl6c44sXJ5GdG_4wS3r48Ayo6WnbwPmoS0JiyLo-8Xc5h6TVLeZZs0ImDPRMqQ/s400/kids.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MQiM0u9mMhsXQdlipO2cEUMJyIisYub3LqSEMBl3niqOfMpt4XoBFdxtYQW08Etpl6Gg1imm9fMvPbJDW3MkBM3yYP-P8vTUbdSgOEFuUwpMamkakj-Uonjhgh5-l7A3BHhPwX1OrLI/s1600/us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="206" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MQiM0u9mMhsXQdlipO2cEUMJyIisYub3LqSEMBl3niqOfMpt4XoBFdxtYQW08Etpl6Gg1imm9fMvPbJDW3MkBM3yYP-P8vTUbdSgOEFuUwpMamkakj-Uonjhgh5-l7A3BHhPwX1OrLI/s400/us.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Although still in pain, </span><st1:city style="font-size: 13pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 13pt;">’s health has
great improved with medical help and nutrition. His celiac disease is gone, as
is the h.pylori. We’re still waiting on those darn </span><span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">amebas</span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">, but he does not need
hernia or gall bladder surgery. He has reunited with his love Sadie and they are
engaged to be married August 2. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg7IJohzIuzhZqJIJSLMAJrkBNFTXor8rAtw6GVi2bH5C53HsO3AnWI-Vd58JMbpwFEO2fZ7ive88hQdgUuXpw2DAPxZiqPO8AXm_t4TOSapnDMd5ovfBVJ7sPm2MJbduW3t5HWfrI8o/s1600/chandler+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg7IJohzIuzhZqJIJSLMAJrkBNFTXor8rAtw6GVi2bH5C53HsO3AnWI-Vd58JMbpwFEO2fZ7ive88hQdgUuXpw2DAPxZiqPO8AXm_t4TOSapnDMd5ovfBVJ7sPm2MJbduW3t5HWfrI8o/s400/chandler+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H4-cMsHhK4k" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">We know God is with us on
this journey and His miracles are abundant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-60118430163381137972019-04-27T15:02:00.000-07:002019-04-27T15:02:01.612-07:00My 100 Daughters of India - Intermittent Fasting and Prayer Day 3<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">As of 2016, 2-3 million
people in the world are living with leprosy. 19,000 are children. Did you know
there are as many as 50 children diagnosed with leprosy every single day? Two-thirds
of the world’s leprosy is diagnosed in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9b9vBoRGbs1gIXY2EDR0iGH5woKwV7JUnDDg5glXWbj_a-o9aFLvYhbkbjb-bp7KvDjJOBcyLbraeUfnUdy0XQIsB4HzgVZNoX5x5P6m4qpcx4TWkcDVfZ0mvKUOo4I8ibe3sMZR5v8/s1600/rising+star+outreach+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9b9vBoRGbs1gIXY2EDR0iGH5woKwV7JUnDDg5glXWbj_a-o9aFLvYhbkbjb-bp7KvDjJOBcyLbraeUfnUdy0XQIsB4HzgVZNoX5x5P6m4qpcx4TWkcDVfZ0mvKUOo4I8ibe3sMZR5v8/s400/rising+star+outreach+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Image found <a href="http://risingstaroutreach.org/becky-douglas/the-magical-power-of-loving-touch/">here</a>.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Leprosy is mostly spread in
crowded spaces, where people have limited resources and little access to health
care. The disease affects the nerve endings and the infected part of the body
no longer feels pain. Fingers and toes, hands are feet are lost because people
with leprosy injury themselves repeatedly, almost nudging away body parts
because they cannot feel pain in that area. Deep cuts, burns and infections may
go unnoticed until too much damage has been done. Eyelids, the end of the nose
and other facial features are affected. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvKR4Xeg_tc8rJkfTqc3a-x9sOZqv36f8gC13TPfbs6FpWurnfdPDGfNdC0wnJv0P74bpz-639TQzpP_j0pIuHTZzgqjAcsRNbuGxyc0vUJvPS9Xa-7zjrZJdXhEzClKgotVIs4zuObY/s1600/rising+star+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="680" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvKR4Xeg_tc8rJkfTqc3a-x9sOZqv36f8gC13TPfbs6FpWurnfdPDGfNdC0wnJv0P74bpz-639TQzpP_j0pIuHTZzgqjAcsRNbuGxyc0vUJvPS9Xa-7zjrZJdXhEzClKgotVIs4zuObY/s320/rising+star+4.png" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Image found <a href="http://risingstaroutreach.org/becky-douglas/the-magical-power-of-loving-touch/">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">What if a mother gets leprosy? Her
husband may leave and she will be homeless with little to no food for her
children. Because of her body deformities, no one will hire her for work. She
and her children are discriminated against and shunned from society, but leprosy
can be cured with antibiotic treatment. Many of those affected do not know
this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/313639647" title="vimeo-player" width="640"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The World Health Organization provides free antibiotics to those with
leprosy, but because of the stigma, many do not seek treatment as early as they
should. Rising Star Outreach is breaking down so many social, cultural and
religious barriers by providing food, healthcare and education to families and children
living in the leprosy colonies. Rising Star integrates children from the
communities with children from the leprosy colonies, creating bonds and
friendships where they may not otherwise coincide. Leprosy is hard to catch and
most people have a strong enough immunity to fight of the disease is they are
exposed to it. You cannot contract leprosy through casual contact such as
shaking hands or sitting next to someone. For $1.00 a day, you can help sponsor
a child. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Please purchase our coloring book My 100 Daughters of India and 50% of
the proceeds will go to Rising Star Outreach. Available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-100-Daughters-India-Coloring/dp/099947930X">Amazon</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">Intermittent fasting fact: </span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">During a 16-hour fast, human
growth hormone rises, helping to slow aging. </span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Intermittent fasting may help you live longer because waste material is removed from the cells, a process
called autophagy.</span></div>
<br />
Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-59081341936474064662019-04-26T12:00:00.002-07:002019-04-26T12:00:26.616-07:00My 100 Daughters of India - Intermittent Fasting and Prayer Day 2 <br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">To help the girls of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> has been
a goal of mine for years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">In fall 2017, our family spent October break in
Telluride. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhT39VB2dtkaSSLalTKvVhvhjCPVoYkM5-KUfIrZSez2ekmu51L0xXsWeSuDHvQar-YGgi9Hr0lfUaanbvsx5d2M3KaVse6xjsftE_dDZgTL1taVuxvEUZxj9stmvYM32LsuyKn7ZV7U/s1600/telluride+2017-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1058" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhT39VB2dtkaSSLalTKvVhvhjCPVoYkM5-KUfIrZSez2ekmu51L0xXsWeSuDHvQar-YGgi9Hr0lfUaanbvsx5d2M3KaVse6xjsftE_dDZgTL1taVuxvEUZxj9stmvYM32LsuyKn7ZV7U/s400/telluride+2017-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The beauty of this place is
amazing and inspires us in so many ways. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOpd5rckfyrqaA9dpvf7yOw82r1cIvcydyPDO3Pw1Vd0oVXjrA6fVHSEmVlGzuoPawOlY-I5RRNPKe-VFkt2p2ZDKe1v82RquT7gaVhh7a8t18DF7iBSAiR5kM5VLQSY36eib0NCH3AU/s1600/telluride+canyon.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOpd5rckfyrqaA9dpvf7yOw82r1cIvcydyPDO3Pw1Vd0oVXjrA6fVHSEmVlGzuoPawOlY-I5RRNPKe-VFkt2p2ZDKe1v82RquT7gaVhh7a8t18DF7iBSAiR5kM5VLQSY36eib0NCH3AU/s640/telluride+canyon.PNG" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">We usually visit Telluride in October, after the long hot summer months of <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Arizona</st1:place></st1:state>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><br /></st1:place></st1:city></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1K2R7aYi2vRNrYpM4dpQh9POFONtg9515ptn-chv0NsRkAVHTUFMomBBX5B1DK0hyphenhyphenN5MTP7oFEahOTZVhCf-d74oN81moG9Fyfg2JtNor5duLqBx9nZ4pH3xvM2zBCu8zjALcorE-Nw/s1600/telluride+library+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="721" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1K2R7aYi2vRNrYpM4dpQh9POFONtg9515ptn-chv0NsRkAVHTUFMomBBX5B1DK0hyphenhyphenN5MTP7oFEahOTZVhCf-d74oN81moG9Fyfg2JtNor5duLqBx9nZ4pH3xvM2zBCu8zjALcorE-Nw/s400/telluride+library+5.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">By a warm fire, we catch up on much needed
rest and snuggles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPf68Sa_qaFkGKXvS7wsz6ExHobmO5guJnBUN9aFm97DIW6ORy6VzkDq5dzxFblw66cauGOOcmzh5uGN571wfwD6zwRwaki_T4nzMYF0eNc8A0xWxAe95P9EOkqat26k4psE_VDeCLuGQ/s1600/telluride+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPf68Sa_qaFkGKXvS7wsz6ExHobmO5guJnBUN9aFm97DIW6ORy6VzkDq5dzxFblw66cauGOOcmzh5uGN571wfwD6zwRwaki_T4nzMYF0eNc8A0xWxAe95P9EOkqat26k4psE_VDeCLuGQ/s320/telluride+14.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My sister Becky and her family came to spend time with us.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAt7aDrtJI2PcwxnPSHcFmC4h0OEiGZc5bgK-mwtfqlqhFBs2vtKUAjFqQ86WG2cjs2jMU8I3e5yKeWHFWa43xAtBHsTrjVETg4I_gO59iJD_qCkcHyZXnPzjvY6exAlqOB1P7FZa7oo/s1600/telluride+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAAt7aDrtJI2PcwxnPSHcFmC4h0OEiGZc5bgK-mwtfqlqhFBs2vtKUAjFqQ86WG2cjs2jMU8I3e5yKeWHFWa43xAtBHsTrjVETg4I_gO59iJD_qCkcHyZXnPzjvY6exAlqOB1P7FZa7oo/s400/telluride+13.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><br /></st1:place></st1:city></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">She's the best!</st1:place></st1:city></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieP_7ef7aJ_qMIx0XiWJ8kz5WU8-lZMo5RBZlS3-KcFtRQzp0m-Kwi9PhlSzXqSl52a6RYayIS9ROFQpHnasTJvg7caa9D9X3xVd5m5AuwoSMESTkMyQKUucjiLqPTm8XeeXETA6iheKk/s1600/telluride+Becky.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1160" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieP_7ef7aJ_qMIx0XiWJ8kz5WU8-lZMo5RBZlS3-KcFtRQzp0m-Kwi9PhlSzXqSl52a6RYayIS9ROFQpHnasTJvg7caa9D9X3xVd5m5AuwoSMESTkMyQKUucjiLqPTm8XeeXETA6iheKk/s400/telluride+Becky.JPEG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><br /></st1:place></st1:city></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mesa</st1:place></st1:city> is hot, brown and dry
while Telluride is cool, lush and green. We literally bask in its beauty.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XO87xfouPYeaVNT7STsZfDRLNx9DKrMhzK8xlnwExMujkRVCh9Ohb-E58gwswH5SPYK9QRdnUCt8uma3qEXjnr_27-Ub-2FrJzSp7yo5Uq_o83GplmHHwEEy7Lhj4judCQjNy5_XVLQ/s1600/Telluride+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XO87xfouPYeaVNT7STsZfDRLNx9DKrMhzK8xlnwExMujkRVCh9Ohb-E58gwswH5SPYK9QRdnUCt8uma3qEXjnr_27-Ub-2FrJzSp7yo5Uq_o83GplmHHwEEy7Lhj4judCQjNy5_XVLQ/s400/Telluride+15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I was intensely working on additional artwork for the My 100
Daughters of India coloring book and would draw for hours at a time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUj2Y5j9Caa4vHL_O-knXM5vNQeDXL6CtnH3jmxlK7T7vH88F4Jhxo8o-BGddDAuEmWSH416tMbhj34zQ4FhCUYLnGokSRv_4SA4BKOldR0ZcHJlmTyyoEe7DM0EwtVQyvoq7HqJ0cg04/s1600/telluride+library+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUj2Y5j9Caa4vHL_O-knXM5vNQeDXL6CtnH3jmxlK7T7vH88F4Jhxo8o-BGddDAuEmWSH416tMbhj34zQ4FhCUYLnGokSRv_4SA4BKOldR0ZcHJlmTyyoEe7DM0EwtVQyvoq7HqJ0cg04/s400/telluride+library+8.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On our daily walk to the library.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOpd5rckfyrqaA9dpvf7yOw82r1cIvcydyPDO3Pw1Vd0oVXjrA6fVHSEmVlGzuoPawOlY-I5RRNPKe-VFkt2p2ZDKe1v82RquT7gaVhh7a8t18DF7iBSAiR5kM5VLQSY36eib0NCH3AU/s1600/telluride+canyon.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOpd5rckfyrqaA9dpvf7yOw82r1cIvcydyPDO3Pw1Vd0oVXjrA6fVHSEmVlGzuoPawOlY-I5RRNPKe-VFkt2p2ZDKe1v82RquT7gaVhh7a8t18DF7iBSAiR5kM5VLQSY36eib0NCH3AU/s640/telluride+canyon.PNG" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The
library in <a href="https://www.telluridelibrary.org/">Telluride</a> is amazing, with tons of activities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8koNdR2pf10" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">While my kids
played, I looked at children’s book illustrations for inspiration, scrolled through the many photos Rising Star Outreach provided me and illustrated at a
little table next to the kid’s section. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgt0aN-sJBlOicHuhZqb7a6MV4bUBvzg8Ql301jL1JdJDNRXCscZprPsdBmqz0GAa6xoGJfEuFhc4n7tE9KUEs6Hb46QzFl97_Z4h4FwjJ3nRYPABxezaRoYshfFjntY5LlafGWfBICA/s1600/telluride+library+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgt0aN-sJBlOicHuhZqb7a6MV4bUBvzg8Ql301jL1JdJDNRXCscZprPsdBmqz0GAa6xoGJfEuFhc4n7tE9KUEs6Hb46QzFl97_Z4h4FwjJ3nRYPABxezaRoYshfFjntY5LlafGWfBICA/s400/telluride+library+9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Children are curious and many of them
would stop to ask what I was working on. The librarian printed of my artwork
and gave copies to those who wanted to color.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysYXRrVDnUwX1xYNSzMS7eNYYhiCcQGZzhb3kD6pLMbLCgYQyAMvTo0cKYc5ygtQRZfcTqq_Vfx8lF4EFsJpikDwDBHWh9zRrR4zNrJIROPPMhnvCKnd15_RX3noXea1c9TnWM6ekpVY/s1600/telluride+library+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="717" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysYXRrVDnUwX1xYNSzMS7eNYYhiCcQGZzhb3kD6pLMbLCgYQyAMvTo0cKYc5ygtQRZfcTqq_Vfx8lF4EFsJpikDwDBHWh9zRrR4zNrJIROPPMhnvCKnd15_RX3noXea1c9TnWM6ekpVY/s400/telluride+library+4.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">This little girl became fascinated
with what I was working on, asked lots of questions and drew her own sister of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I've noticed when kids learn about these girls, they're instantly drawn to them, want to learn more and help in anyway possible.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyhaj8fgGKfieymrZ6r1TDrllkPJfxqwG5jfcupYn38ofiyYqkv7PG5ffGcSOWyE8XEZAhZwYsHAlXWyWQsS53O7Q79qL9iGphVvqNQwrtAsmopC47RuNQG7niDWOvlpTyDhZaL2irsI/s1600/telluride+library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtyhaj8fgGKfieymrZ6r1TDrllkPJfxqwG5jfcupYn38ofiyYqkv7PG5ffGcSOWyE8XEZAhZwYsHAlXWyWQsS53O7Q79qL9iGphVvqNQwrtAsmopC47RuNQG7niDWOvlpTyDhZaL2irsI/s400/telluride+library.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">At the Telluride library, you can rent almost
anything – karaoke machines, strollers, back packs, go-pros, even bicycles. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKukyES-4hGjShRJJoJMnfSHMOL1FHyOEY6FA_iHpEqSGTV9XzBXBPrkqj6qFKca3ffYdAhHoWdmQ4PYDXibSG-DBTOUBYgyKXSYLuGj1oz9IEva84sPuWGas_Gmgd5QH0Gubxb9230tE/s1600/telluride+library+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKukyES-4hGjShRJJoJMnfSHMOL1FHyOEY6FA_iHpEqSGTV9XzBXBPrkqj6qFKca3ffYdAhHoWdmQ4PYDXibSG-DBTOUBYgyKXSYLuGj1oz9IEva84sPuWGas_Gmgd5QH0Gubxb9230tE/s640/telluride+library+7.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">One
day, Derek and I (without any kids!!) were able to take a bike ride on a dirt
trail through mountains. The air was crisp, there were pockets of
freshly-fallen snow under the trees and I was so in LOVE with Derek I felt like
I was flying. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYy1B3HJySYrykkk372JZsZYY4OWjH-mYZSVR00bWakAeq6C-sN_vFA6Jhra-5nKgBwQXmMS9OOdZf-4tv_2O4RotIjZnPxGkFb4S8QNKpRZXCPoPDHGIIKSm5W3qlsYxi_f333XlC2aA/s1600/telluride+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYy1B3HJySYrykkk372JZsZYY4OWjH-mYZSVR00bWakAeq6C-sN_vFA6Jhra-5nKgBwQXmMS9OOdZf-4tv_2O4RotIjZnPxGkFb4S8QNKpRZXCPoPDHGIIKSm5W3qlsYxi_f333XlC2aA/s400/telluride+12.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">It was like the world was mine. My blessings were incredible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">What
more could I ever want? I knew! My heart was full and I was completely lost in
thought – could Eden and I really sponsor 100 girls? My 100 daughters are
always in my mind and heart. Derek and I had a long talk about my goals and on
the ride back, at the very end of the trail, there on the ground right as I got
of my bike was this sign – <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">INDIA</st1:place></st1:country-region>! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAtehZM1n-ce9H1dKM_CExC05mR2gqKGLsgYi-wK3nRrQ5n3BGimIZDIeWjI4vMQLKkkGu6vkU-YM9LabkO0EUk3v5i1jZSg_ncHuUUSCMVUY_aYj3CEFnWYVIfpkkXMvmccYBlX8Qag/s1600/telluride+india.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAtehZM1n-ce9H1dKM_CExC05mR2gqKGLsgYi-wK3nRrQ5n3BGimIZDIeWjI4vMQLKkkGu6vkU-YM9LabkO0EUk3v5i1jZSg_ncHuUUSCMVUY_aYj3CEFnWYVIfpkkXMvmccYBlX8Qag/s400/telluride+india.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I started laughing and crying at the same time.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKS4nnTHumW23z6GApGoe9GrOmYNjBoe7jKutelOhgJdUib6vfSL_nYzlHhKWlF3qS87xQrG8lAO5vXxiBNo7PxnbYLL4fLsl7a7lg11IJHnTfSZdyRP4j2Pes5-dvaox7k9QAiRq4Mlk/s1600/telluride+bike+ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKS4nnTHumW23z6GApGoe9GrOmYNjBoe7jKutelOhgJdUib6vfSL_nYzlHhKWlF3qS87xQrG8lAO5vXxiBNo7PxnbYLL4fLsl7a7lg11IJHnTfSZdyRP4j2Pes5-dvaox7k9QAiRq4Mlk/s640/telluride+bike+ride.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I knew exactly what it meant. Yes, the universe was telling me my path would
lead to <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
I was on the right trail, just keep going and eventually you’ll get there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">To order my coloring book My 100 Daughters of India on Amazon, click <a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-100-Daughters-India-Coloring/dp/099947930X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=my+100+daughters+of+india&qid=1556127027&s=gateway&sr=8-1">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;">Intermittent Fasting fact: The energy it takes to digest food
can be a very demanding process on your body.
When you fast, the energy usually used to digest food can be utilized to
do other things in your body like increase blood flow, reduce inflammation and
fight illness. When you’re sick, your body needs extra energy to heal. Have you
ever noticed when you’re sick you lose your appetite? This is you bodies
natural way of stopping food consumption so it can focus on improving your
health.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.5pt;">Read the full article <a href="https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/how-to-intermittent-fast/">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-55896215070089047482019-04-24T10:51:00.003-07:002019-04-24T12:41:29.802-07:00A Fasting Campaign to Sponsor 100 Daughters of India<br />
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<b>I have a huge goal that's been swirling around in my mind. I've been dwelling on it, considering how I'll make it happen, feeling thrilled, overwhelmed, and I'm totally committed. </b></div>
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<b>I'm starting a 30-day fasting campaign to help sponsor 100 girls of India through Rising Star Outreach.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">April 24-May 23 2019</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My 100 Daughters Intermittent Fasting Campaign</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14ixEkQbODGEK-5o7UN5v35oL13qXAyJVyhlI3BZYte3pFtz3ivo-3BrJR7yAxSiJ0kqBvSk8QoooFyQxF3fxaibNyeWDEg23pX54fWpK6DcQpgY5I-cKODYoymMi5UKVfPhI2kWjH9Y/s1600/Collage+for+My+100+Daughters.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/AVvXsEi14ixEkQbODGEK-5o7UN5v35oL13qXAyJVyhlI3BZYte3pFtz3ivo-3BrJR7yAxSiJ0kqBvSk8QoooFyQxF3fxaibNyeWDEg23pX54fWpK6DcQpgY5I-cKODYoymMi5UKVfPhI2kWjH9Y/s400/Collage+for+My+100+Daughters.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>To sponsor one girl is $1.00 per day</b><br />
<b>100 girls is $100 per day. </b></div>
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<b>It will cost approximately $3,000 per month/$36,000 per year.</b></div>
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<b>This is huge!</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Friends, I really believe we can do this.</b></div>
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<b>Here's how.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Share the campaign with friends, family, at church, on social media, pretty much anywhere you can.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pray for inspiration on how you can help</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fast if you desire</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Learn about the girls of India</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Donate to Rising Star Outreach</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fast for a day and give the money you save to Rising Star</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Buy the coloring book <i>My 100 Daughters of India</i> on Amazon</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Buy more coloring books and give them away</span></b><br />
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The last few months of my life have been absolutely amazing,
challenging, overwhelming and miraculous. I believe there are times in our
lives where we experience huge contrast and by this I mean we go through trials
so big and powerful that they push us to look closer at ourselves, our children and our
relationship with God. These experiences
might drop us to our knees with pain and uncertainty, yet they bring in mighty
miracles and eternal perspective we could gain no other way.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtB_yFsoLSVHdgMSatAsljWT0o-QBbM1MYrFzpgoAP-JjUMsKcMAGlrjHHc41iO2DKgmRk8-IgupAzoKiyhplwmPeERXzurvDzqkYcdhQ5zuweOI8kSPmXH3zmx83LJ5EEKxuVi6f0_KQ/s1600/easter+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtB_yFsoLSVHdgMSatAsljWT0o-QBbM1MYrFzpgoAP-JjUMsKcMAGlrjHHc41iO2DKgmRk8-IgupAzoKiyhplwmPeERXzurvDzqkYcdhQ5zuweOI8kSPmXH3zmx83LJ5EEKxuVi6f0_KQ/s400/easter+2019.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Easter Sunday</span></div>
</div>
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Those closest to me have been very worried about the
“trials” our family has been facing. From Canyon's almost deadly seizures, to Chandler’s health issues that brought him home from his mission, to
sleepless nights with our new baby Ruby, to our entire home needing all new plumbing.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-rJrimlGCK_ztJT3qeeI3n03JfNvLuc40GIa8i8uLC0hxhMYTioisEZTkqrh-I2aYE4lf54-EcRxWOc05rCdRZ9iIi2UKcUEPJrTPCY7xqOdraUJzu63lD_jspAWvmWgRMXwnH9adDY/s1600/plumbing+issues+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-rJrimlGCK_ztJT3qeeI3n03JfNvLuc40GIa8i8uLC0hxhMYTioisEZTkqrh-I2aYE4lf54-EcRxWOc05rCdRZ9iIi2UKcUEPJrTPCY7xqOdraUJzu63lD_jspAWvmWgRMXwnH9adDY/s400/plumbing+issues+3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A plumber cut through old cast-iron pipes, ruined the plumbing in our home and then abandoned the job, but with some amazing miracles, we are getting close to our home getting back to normal, even better then ever. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
Things have been
turned upside down and shifted, only to resettle into some amazing miracles, desperate cries for help, much needed clarity, increased momentum to be better and a desire to live out the dreams that are burning in our hearts<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, we've only got one shot at this thing called life. Why not go in big?<br />
<br />
<i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 16pt;">I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:20.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBJAcDxH_KWaC2Muaaz5pKtw0xZW5Eyh-4GsIMHUSyweEUHJQpev5jJeCsZlOmLeaN1nAp0MnPHAIqpdygN5ir9ghwerFvcYFjCpLJtgR39GRv9r8-EaZnIGkI-DvGGTLk765BMXUBEw/s1600/big+daddy+weave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBJAcDxH_KWaC2Muaaz5pKtw0xZW5Eyh-4GsIMHUSyweEUHJQpev5jJeCsZlOmLeaN1nAp0MnPHAIqpdygN5ir9ghwerFvcYFjCpLJtgR39GRv9r8-EaZnIGkI-DvGGTLk765BMXUBEw/s400/big+daddy+weave.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Big Daddy Weave concert this weekend.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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One thing that has physically, mentally and spiritually
pulled me through some dark days is fasting. Trust me, I would be the first to
be like “Fasting, What? Weird!” But yes, fasting, It’s a powerful tool that
helps me like nothing else.<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 16pt;">I cannot think of any law, any commandment . . . <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which provides greater blessing than the law of the fast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 16pt;">Dean M. Davies</span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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Intermittent fasting (a daily 16-hour fast) has become
increasingly popular in the last few years and is backed with tons of medical
research, even winning the <a href="https://www.bluezones.com/2018/10/fasting-for-health-and-longevity-nobel-prize-winning-research-on-cell-aging/">noble prize</a>. People who practice intermittent
fasting love it for the health benefits, specifically weight loss. I’ve had
many of these benefits including reduced inflammation in my veracious veins, better
sleep, neuropathy in my feet healed, improved mental health, back pain relief, weight
loss and more.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9KBe6_mHXBEFt0QKdgxu-_yms9xchFJnG6I7UpwaR64oSI-Gj1BsMVKzZXm-JAn5M6ZpG5GN7ogdEMV1EFCCJnfFuWy9AkariAc7I5yLx_QPi6xwzzq5CWhRi3U6-UKhINQeZmMFvIY/s1600/Intermittent+fasting+4.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/AVvXsEhf9KBe6_mHXBEFt0QKdgxu-_yms9xchFJnG6I7UpwaR64oSI-Gj1BsMVKzZXm-JAn5M6ZpG5GN7ogdEMV1EFCCJnfFuWy9AkariAc7I5yLx_QPi6xwzzq5CWhRi3U6-UKhINQeZmMFvIY/s400/Intermittent+fasting+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I changed a lot on the outside, but more importantly, I changed on the inside.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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I grew up with fasting. As a member of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we are encouraged to participate in a 2-meal fast on the first
Sunday of each month. Honestly, I used to hate fast Sunday because it required
a self-control I didn’t possess and a mind-over-matter mentality I felt I could
never acquire. Plus, I loved food. I was chubby throughout my childhood, at times teased and put down, so I would hide and overeat. <span style="text-align: center;">I craved sugar and hoarded food. Most of my babysitting money was used on junk food and Barbie clothes. As a teenager, I was sexually abused by my boss, and then other men and even had a pregnancy scare. I’ve had a food
addiction that at times ruled my life. As a 43 year-old woman, I converted to the Sunday fast because I finally wanted to break the addiction, to over come all the ways I'd misused food. I hated it! I had to go deep, but I found the commitment, forgiveness and humility to</span><b style="text-align: center;"> FAST</b><span style="text-align: center;">. To surrender, give in and trust God knew what He was doing when he said:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Saith
the Lord, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with
weeping and with mourning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Joel 2:12<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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On January 3, 2016 I
learned if my mind was focused on others, and I truly believed (had faith) God used my sacrifice
for His good, I <i>could</i> do it. It only took one day in this state of mind for me
to learn undoubtedly that fasting is God’s law and He does what He says He
will. I cried because I was hungry and felt sorry for myself.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Before intermittent fasting.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFW16ziTP5Xaxg-SNlrMwZEmimoeSwIqAXREI3vaoXwqrCliecYeUp1pXs4RHfzf7Brg5IeTR6wQ7O3-eDJXkUpG89Baux-aWe1ESlQb9wSWrS-_WcdRU108lnYYLvg6bURsIWRZXxnc/s1600/canyon+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFW16ziTP5Xaxg-SNlrMwZEmimoeSwIqAXREI3vaoXwqrCliecYeUp1pXs4RHfzf7Brg5IeTR6wQ7O3-eDJXkUpG89Baux-aWe1ESlQb9wSWrS-_WcdRU108lnYYLvg6bURsIWRZXxnc/s640/canyon+20.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
After intermittent fasting.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5S34tHnqfK4ExPjaXZhCig_p-P0T949LDWcundyTHRB85-EHpO0pO0VVduVgzeIlr-1TOWx65U57hGNrTRBrKM-IHTBYPf9WjWxSXq4NsIRRmHv8mxlrzofNNz7S8zLGBnw6txN8Jt8/s1600/book+cover+3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5S34tHnqfK4ExPjaXZhCig_p-P0T949LDWcundyTHRB85-EHpO0pO0VVduVgzeIlr-1TOWx65U57hGNrTRBrKM-IHTBYPf9WjWxSXq4NsIRRmHv8mxlrzofNNz7S8zLGBnw6txN8Jt8/s640/book+cover+3.PNG" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
I cried because I'd been so greedy with food and other possessions. I cried because it felt horrible being hungry. Finally, I cried because I realized there are so many people in the world who go hungry. How did I not know? I did know, but I'd been so blind? My own insecurities about food and my weight had overpowered me. Gently, God began to influence me with His love and grace. From somewhere this feeling of empowerment, victory and love came over me. I wanted to feel this way all the time.</div>
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I feel like there are two parts of me – the part of me that’s flesh and weak, but
there’s another part of me that’s eternal. Some might call it a conscious, a soul or compare
it to that good angel/bad angel sitting on our shoulder's trying to convince us which side to pick. It seems there’s an inner part of us that’s divine, but there’s also
a part of us seeking self-destruction. I wrote about this experience in my book
<i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Starving-Girl-experience-miracle-intermittent/dp/153933595X/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=3N1O0XJ5ZWVX0&keywords=starving+girl+laura+lofgreen&qid=1556069327&s=gateway&sprefix=starving++girl%2Caps%2C405&sr=8-1-fkmrnull">Starving Girl</a> - My 30-Day Experience with
the Power of Intermittent Fasting and Prayer</i>. I loved letting the negative
part of me go and the positive part of me take over with little interruption. </div>
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When I started practicing daily intermittent fasting in 2016,
I wanted to do it the same way as my Sunday fast with a specific prayer in mind
and to focus on others. While fasting, I have seen huge changes in my ability to
handle what I’m going through. Fasting literally lifts me up.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWO6p6nkkveS7d4iqZLLKsRl3BPUgMJiWUVG86bNPGVzRFixY34kw65WlCGI0NFfVBh_SpgqyQSoEtwsbFJctmSYx_PDiQkEW6K9d2yja5qajkHR7WylqPhzbdGvrk3fjeEsfoM8H5MPA/s1600/intermittent+fasting+9.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/AVvXsEhWO6p6nkkveS7d4iqZLLKsRl3BPUgMJiWUVG86bNPGVzRFixY34kw65WlCGI0NFfVBh_SpgqyQSoEtwsbFJctmSYx_PDiQkEW6K9d2yja5qajkHR7WylqPhzbdGvrk3fjeEsfoM8H5MPA/s400/intermittent+fasting+9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I’ll fast for a couple
of days or weeks, even months here and there and then step off. It’s not always easy to jump
back on because self-doubt and lack of discipline is never far away, but when I
feel like I’m drifting and off-focus, just daily struggles, I dig deep and start
fasting again. Many times I have “lost” myself while thinking and praying for
others. Losing myself is what stops the negative talk in my mind and opens up
positive thought. Losing myself is one of the greatest things I've experienced.</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The best
way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. Mahatma
Gandhi<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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When this happens, I feel humbled and extremely close to
Heavenly Father because He knows what I need more then I do. </div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Is not
this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to let the
oppressed go free and to break every yoke. Isaiah 58:6<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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I’ve thought a lot about this Bible verse. In my
understanding, fasting can lift the burdens of the world, release those in
captivity, free those enslaved in war, poverty and hunger, even prevent the
wicked from having power over others. With the law of the fast, God
is saying, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Here am I. Isiah 58:9.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Can you imagine the God of the universe saying to you, to me "Here am I?" Is that the most humbling thought ever? This truly makes me cry.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 16.0pt;">When we fast, we feel
hunger. And for a short time, we literally put ourselves in the position of the
hungry and the needy. As we do so, we have greater understanding of the deprivations
they might feel. When we give to the poor, we retain a remission of our sins
from day to day. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Joseph B.
Worthlin<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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I believe fasting is meant to empower us, even
change the world. For over a year, now, my daughter Eden and I have been wanting to sponsor 100 girls of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Why? I'll try to express the love I have for these girls.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWI1vSaFoNvr0du6BBQptIOpbyvhinP1rI20Ui0gw98v4xi9uFBskSDiSFY5BwKYT_pUzXlDStcaG_v9TnjHWaAzp1imgbD3gijfU7zykyAnL5L5-alh4Uztv_MmSd-bDlAyCA1VcaKc/s1600/love+india.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWI1vSaFoNvr0du6BBQptIOpbyvhinP1rI20Ui0gw98v4xi9uFBskSDiSFY5BwKYT_pUzXlDStcaG_v9TnjHWaAzp1imgbD3gijfU7zykyAnL5L5-alh4Uztv_MmSd-bDlAyCA1VcaKc/s400/love+india.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In 2012, when my daughter Eden was 2 years old I
watched a documentary called <b>It’s A Girl</b>
on the poverty and injustices of many girls and women in India. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIUgtfXSFj9VGn83EIXAwtOI-XJQ0PwbgB2Yf5cWHaGylP3Ux_1sUFiNfp42GuMYxjOLw8G-O2I2gd62gsHOLb6y5KOFhfwBPAJb-yNOmvQJrqHMN_YAGruCWwrsVeCmPR58sXZKW10A/s1600/it%2527s+a+girl.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="545" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIUgtfXSFj9VGn83EIXAwtOI-XJQ0PwbgB2Yf5cWHaGylP3Ux_1sUFiNfp42GuMYxjOLw8G-O2I2gd62gsHOLb6y5KOFhfwBPAJb-yNOmvQJrqHMN_YAGruCWwrsVeCmPR58sXZKW10A/s400/it%2527s+a+girl.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">My daughter means the world to me.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAm6Powyo8jJORLsPuUxSVW8ie-hMGP0VDOB7q3FXiLy1ffihDblB0YcljfSDDnTu06kfqgpuJZucjVfWzS3lKwIO6ZUHqrZxkFdyU83EvWx96fqQzfzr_5bj8KM7VHuT_JMi9ocI46jg/s1600/Dressember+2013+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAm6Powyo8jJORLsPuUxSVW8ie-hMGP0VDOB7q3FXiLy1ffihDblB0YcljfSDDnTu06kfqgpuJZucjVfWzS3lKwIO6ZUHqrZxkFdyU83EvWx96fqQzfzr_5bj8KM7VHuT_JMi9ocI46jg/s400/Dressember+2013+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">At the time, I
was the mother of four boys and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Eden, my baby,</st1:place></st1:city>
was my only girl. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9xzsMZA2i02fxP8SBbeflAz5RzDE4ZvXEK7zAkgNg2qGZXvOF7Yix7MktehAcxKGSYcqy0Jda1og00V2aP_RmO4Jgiqp9d0jxaGW5mVQVexEgmbkp9_hZ6QiEBeBoPOoN2pQ2IPd7ws/s1600/family+photo+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU9xzsMZA2i02fxP8SBbeflAz5RzDE4ZvXEK7zAkgNg2qGZXvOF7Yix7MktehAcxKGSYcqy0Jda1og00V2aP_RmO4Jgiqp9d0jxaGW5mVQVexEgmbkp9_hZ6QiEBeBoPOoN2pQ2IPd7ws/s400/family+photo+8.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Boy, did my heart feel the pain of a culture that devalued
baby girls, so what did I do? I came home
and researched everything I could on the girls of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. I learned about abortion
rates of baby girls, infanticide (the intentionally killing of a baby shortly after birth), lack of education, dowries and more. Did you know </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">in </span><st1:country-region style="font-size: 12pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, there is a custom for
mother’s to be blessed with <a href="https://www.amazon.in/May-You-Mother-Hundred-Sons/dp/0449906140">100 sons</a>. Boys are valued, but what value is seen in the girl? </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What if
my daughter was born in </span><st1:country-region style="font-size: 12pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 12pt;">? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBG9r1pnxetM0AbbqrSU9nnDHG3tWYPadY04LJrt2WAsuaD3df3zYwZ-Kb_wY5HB9JRpunfQATt7XDr2TcV4kJoqw2-rCfYun_b4HdRWG-WX6T12qZynIFK3TZBLCTb79kgBBfNUc16Zg/s1600/India+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; 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/AVvXsEiBG9r1pnxetM0AbbqrSU9nnDHG3tWYPadY04LJrt2WAsuaD3df3zYwZ-Kb_wY5HB9JRpunfQATt7XDr2TcV4kJoqw2-rCfYun_b4HdRWG-WX6T12qZynIFK3TZBLCTb79kgBBfNUc16Zg/s400/India+collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Would she even survive her own birth? In my mind, every little girl was Eden. What would I do for my her? Anything and everything! I would never give up. In God's eyes, these girls <i>are </i>my daughters in spirit. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibiDpYiBm6Aly4SXFX8FdFM62qOZ6_JgXkX_O5z1Rn1-cJ7FoDXl-e5WuJc1TRHYJRWW_wmg_s6vloQ2lFAZJmYuHKK2mFziULVFeC39j7Vm7xzSr2kXCfA1l_KzkpPrq7l2in9NuMHA/s1600/india+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="448" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibiDpYiBm6Aly4SXFX8FdFM62qOZ6_JgXkX_O5z1Rn1-cJ7FoDXl-e5WuJc1TRHYJRWW_wmg_s6vloQ2lFAZJmYuHKK2mFziULVFeC39j7Vm7xzSr2kXCfA1l_KzkpPrq7l2in9NuMHA/s400/india+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful mother, grandmother with daughter. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I had a dream about a little girl from India. You can imagine my surprise when one day Eden told me about a little girl in her dreams, with brown skin and black hair. "She's my sister," Eden said. Where we dreaming about the same girl?</span></div>
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When Eden was three years old, I tucked her into bed one night and she asked "Mommy, will I ever have a sister?"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8wnqoLWeXJiEXCOZBwAv8WJNhuEpE7_cbIm4ELbtUrM5mldaWfFQ03s2IiiuT9LD-ICi-2aAgd7ks5VBSAC7xFoy7wuy0CNUmTA9foD__lw9_7aHrXykdqOvo-urMVHpIrym3k9MhxE/s1600/eden+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8wnqoLWeXJiEXCOZBwAv8WJNhuEpE7_cbIm4ELbtUrM5mldaWfFQ03s2IiiuT9LD-ICi-2aAgd7ks5VBSAC7xFoy7wuy0CNUmTA9foD__lw9_7aHrXykdqOvo-urMVHpIrym3k9MhxE/s400/eden+9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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With four older brothers, I knew the odds were against her. "I want 100 sisters," she said and suddenly my mind was filled with the images of 100 girls from India. We talked about all the things we would do, all the fun we'd have. We sponsored several little girls from India and I told Rising Star Outreach about Eden's idea, how we'd written a poem called <i>My 100 Daughters</i> and wanted to make it into a book with beautiful illustrations. Rising Star sent me incredible photos from their school and the leprosy colonies with all these little girls.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-P7FpfrXxpwrgHur7YWVtabSixOWd2RU1KO1FNqcTS-3FD9dqS1ibVsNKbxR7Ibv1Wa3b8_EB4qQ-DM1JeqwXrG5OAQJFQRAb320BVy1_9Hlh8w85uF25JgvUZptFbsEq2igH23DZtTc/s1600/rising+star+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1127" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-P7FpfrXxpwrgHur7YWVtabSixOWd2RU1KO1FNqcTS-3FD9dqS1ibVsNKbxR7Ibv1Wa3b8_EB4qQ-DM1JeqwXrG5OAQJFQRAb320BVy1_9Hlh8w85uF25JgvUZptFbsEq2igH23DZtTc/s400/rising+star+girl.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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I was able to look into their eyes and feel that love a mother has for her own daughter. It was transformative.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIGguiNOYDPyIxEW_oZ_Ux-RZj1C32qNMamAsNWlRsSKMFtgz_-OcWZ9zZUzdlA_Ix0FKFmx3yA9g2hzK3DvcPvnXmLHo7ebV7du9zO0XGalOrnybX13GUTePAHndGu6odEcboo3cZvI/s1600/rising+star+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIGguiNOYDPyIxEW_oZ_Ux-RZj1C32qNMamAsNWlRsSKMFtgz_-OcWZ9zZUzdlA_Ix0FKFmx3yA9g2hzK3DvcPvnXmLHo7ebV7du9zO0XGalOrnybX13GUTePAHndGu6odEcboo3cZvI/s400/rising+star+20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is how I drew these little girls.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8tZrW6_0SRlLYvJk407tGeRg90jQ_MujDftgoSkiuGKTicuG7JDbUMk5CqnDBie16fokF4VWUPOIQPRW3S_ZL1Yi2j2eixghKRjLqOtr8Rs89tKwR7Ol2gCivdMQS9blFb43qC6gPxE/s1600/my+100+daughters+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1488" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8tZrW6_0SRlLYvJk407tGeRg90jQ_MujDftgoSkiuGKTicuG7JDbUMk5CqnDBie16fokF4VWUPOIQPRW3S_ZL1Yi2j2eixghKRjLqOtr8Rs89tKwR7Ol2gCivdMQS9blFb43qC6gPxE/s400/my+100+daughters+4.jpg" width="371" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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I had
never traveled to India, but I felt like I was there. As I illustrated them, I
cried, I felt their goodness, I desired with every part of my being for them to
have a better life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWGppj0MS2qu5exJ795YBhPIlkM1W-O5JuKmUu2oQNUd2ILQOHF1zG_JCvLw3cTSrur1QwYfpQMSeHTS-3lhiDVYGQDGJ4j0kxM_2oEp2dRgwfW0hdw4FE_CZpVJ0pQv_kO2DN4KZuis/s1600/Jennifer+3.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/AVvXsEjhWGppj0MS2qu5exJ795YBhPIlkM1W-O5JuKmUu2oQNUd2ILQOHF1zG_JCvLw3cTSrur1QwYfpQMSeHTS-3lhiDVYGQDGJ4j0kxM_2oEp2dRgwfW0hdw4FE_CZpVJ0pQv_kO2DN4KZuis/s400/Jennifer+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is Jennifer. She is one of my heroes. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This illustration is part of her story.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWBc_wn01loCKkHjA4EQqL507TbaPv4HF7inxbIpQkz9NfmDTM3DRlkj5bc7_A5APOKOSsAllMByG5H8RI8pLjDNdgLw8GVqdwhsnaZQhE6qCc8XcKDHtryr6ENWYUUXiiXr_nipTIlc/s1600/my+100+daughters+25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1456" data-original-width="1242" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWBc_wn01loCKkHjA4EQqL507TbaPv4HF7inxbIpQkz9NfmDTM3DRlkj5bc7_A5APOKOSsAllMByG5H8RI8pLjDNdgLw8GVqdwhsnaZQhE6qCc8XcKDHtryr6ENWYUUXiiXr_nipTIlc/s400/my+100+daughters+25.JPG" width="340" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is Jennifer as a baby with the early signs of leprosy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNqCNL0rXxXfHb3MnsjqVTxzydr2YJ7M9x4NzPOdn-ps4Tp1FoNqKhm0eDWzOd5QtkfP3bDIscNneSaoz2C9XY54TKq_l7Gk2d4MDNIjzNoJs2joMXaVXNVA7QTUB6BLv0SIBUEaqOWE/s1600/india+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="710" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuNqCNL0rXxXfHb3MnsjqVTxzydr2YJ7M9x4NzPOdn-ps4Tp1FoNqKhm0eDWzOd5QtkfP3bDIscNneSaoz2C9XY54TKq_l7Gk2d4MDNIjzNoJs2joMXaVXNVA7QTUB6BLv0SIBUEaqOWE/s320/india+8.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
Here she is in the book. I didn't want to draw leprosy on her nose, but her story needs to be told. Rising Star was able to give Jennifer the medication she needed to heal and she was cured.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUBUQengaQQp1Pc6A22jmNpzLEpUJScqhtNcA0jDDa18CrbT0K-HtxjQeis7HXVtQP0J73WTTtI1idkz1ncNwDCQx9cyK5LRE0DNQYp5rHtjBoyCXkL5cdud_Ayvz0IP8PatA4GUXjCE/s1600/jennifer+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUBUQengaQQp1Pc6A22jmNpzLEpUJScqhtNcA0jDDa18CrbT0K-HtxjQeis7HXVtQP0J73WTTtI1idkz1ncNwDCQx9cyK5LRE0DNQYp5rHtjBoyCXkL5cdud_Ayvz0IP8PatA4GUXjCE/s400/jennifer+4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
You can read about her story <a href="http://risingstaroutreach.org/stories-of-empowerment/meet-jennifer/">here</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I moved forward with illustrations for the children’s book, but
because <st1:city w:st="on">Eden</st1:city>
wanted to “color” each girl I drew, I realized it would need to be a coloring book so people first hand could get to know each of our 100 sisters too.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheP1iWH7mAczplI03fSxHSVtHQMS-sDGEJmMvauFHG6AvZ68nUTPgWYyJAwH2JoxsUjx59lKkIEk59gmayYpBMxeObwtdCdvvPJ9MBrRdMdXrVB-RJr40sh4oqiWJki7CFGCpyMqbbT4I/s1600/eden+coloring.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheP1iWH7mAczplI03fSxHSVtHQMS-sDGEJmMvauFHG6AvZ68nUTPgWYyJAwH2JoxsUjx59lKkIEk59gmayYpBMxeObwtdCdvvPJ9MBrRdMdXrVB-RJr40sh4oqiWJki7CFGCpyMqbbT4I/s400/eden+coloring.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This illustration is interesting because I was drawing this woman who was living in the streets.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv85ibnDT37-x8FVB6d-cXH8bmYvL4jkTtvjVH3PurqUkyXRMsPAqbvv2k1IgFmqXI9N-oIMXaaNKOMtwVbq7os7Ieaoa70o3tojF_zKZ9ZE6Cc8Wo6gmDiclDiNbrRECPaiWHhQyXW-g/s1600/my+100+daughters+23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1501" data-original-width="1242" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv85ibnDT37-x8FVB6d-cXH8bmYvL4jkTtvjVH3PurqUkyXRMsPAqbvv2k1IgFmqXI9N-oIMXaaNKOMtwVbq7os7Ieaoa70o3tojF_zKZ9ZE6Cc8Wo6gmDiclDiNbrRECPaiWHhQyXW-g/s400/my+100+daughters+23.JPG" width="330" /></a></div>
I wanted to draw her hands and feet perfect, but later erased those perfect hands and feet and drew them as they were, deformed and injured. This was not an easy task for many different reasons. I drew a praying mantis and chipmunk near her praying, symbolizing she should be surrounded with people praying for her, helping her and lifting her up. The lotus flower above her head represents beauty, purity, spirituality, health and love. I wanted the kindle wood she would need for her fire right next to her, so she wouldn't have to struggle to get it.<br />
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Rising Star helps these beautiful people in so many ways.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtovEyEvEY5DoZkwBbceEcV-yC4bNFr9xtyQX3UctNOJvI2GImHk13rClrkgQk2uElezC41W5UoXgJ25NsT8-gyeFLplZVp_iEd4gq1ProEQ6e_RlEmRCL8Y3A53cExiVCPp1cPERmQU/s1600/leprosy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtovEyEvEY5DoZkwBbceEcV-yC4bNFr9xtyQX3UctNOJvI2GImHk13rClrkgQk2uElezC41W5UoXgJ25NsT8-gyeFLplZVp_iEd4gq1ProEQ6e_RlEmRCL8Y3A53cExiVCPp1cPERmQU/s400/leprosy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I
continued with more artwork and was in awe at how my mind and hands were
instructed to draw these girls – like princesses, angels, mermaids and fairies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLJWVlnTcYgLMRiIhfN2_RLsZtfnLLgyEogOvej7mc2PwYkPWnUgigWTE8F8XtljKpM4NNg8MiZVHMkUBoudfSQcU0nuZYMcQjiNLO5Cso2kqT3-Kn1szMP8W7XFjBhIKhqggOt0J454/s1600/My+100+Daughters+27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="1166" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLJWVlnTcYgLMRiIhfN2_RLsZtfnLLgyEogOvej7mc2PwYkPWnUgigWTE8F8XtljKpM4NNg8MiZVHMkUBoudfSQcU0nuZYMcQjiNLO5Cso2kqT3-Kn1szMP8W7XFjBhIKhqggOt0J454/s400/My+100+Daughters+27.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>
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This illustration represents sharing food. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2JJz7XOrATHMqTrVQOx9UPLZsjVUNLt7mfUcvHN0j9PxSBZK5CxIadI7RhZwY2o8eia16RDkAHSeGJtBYrhk-tV9E6d5RksPAwyw_3w0I1o1c1LhpUAEZkNpUCpZ91FsvCxtMvavE_o/s1600/my+100+daughters+of+india+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2JJz7XOrATHMqTrVQOx9UPLZsjVUNLt7mfUcvHN0j9PxSBZK5CxIadI7RhZwY2o8eia16RDkAHSeGJtBYrhk-tV9E6d5RksPAwyw_3w0I1o1c1LhpUAEZkNpUCpZ91FsvCxtMvavE_o/s400/my+100+daughters+of+india+5.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
There are lots of birds throughout the coloring book because </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they represent the strength of the female spirit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdfeeB5-0Xj-koyqC5y6XPfQ5Rx00nP1Qiha3XXI7pSDDtbJDvaiLUwaaAeUCmTG7L7FQ4OuRaT6h5vItRWkQi_Bi2-MmTrLKiw7yUlA63WVFhOX-b1JobZmrHABa-DV6wR3syWvR0io/s1600/bird+princess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdfeeB5-0Xj-koyqC5y6XPfQ5Rx00nP1Qiha3XXI7pSDDtbJDvaiLUwaaAeUCmTG7L7FQ4OuRaT6h5vItRWkQi_Bi2-MmTrLKiw7yUlA63WVFhOX-b1JobZmrHABa-DV6wR3syWvR0io/s400/bird+princess.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
My little girl loves to dance.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqqYV8a5noZ48n_WWplBpqjc0nCZyRyjGrEf_PGb2gxP4dcPbwKArcF1WcU8OI4bi-JfSpaSDLffEBZXyejLNIq2GJNCdBGmqGPWzpF7nk0xsIalYO9qEAXqmXUkj-8qzOi7q9KGDSms/s1600/dancing+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqqYV8a5noZ48n_WWplBpqjc0nCZyRyjGrEf_PGb2gxP4dcPbwKArcF1WcU8OI4bi-JfSpaSDLffEBZXyejLNIq2GJNCdBGmqGPWzpF7nk0xsIalYO9qEAXqmXUkj-8qzOi7q9KGDSms/s640/dancing+5.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
So do her 100 sisters.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeCUr9NsQykTYusG8b9eTf95tsnF1CdhCdglSKh2GwJ9eEp-pAOlnlbxWiSX8UyoNcHfEunD9cPKV1iTsTOFucSCgeYRFyxIsVthbFKGpw0RzHlz-WflEkzZ2J-cFLAkMeUGXtTl1Ck0/s1600/dancing+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeCUr9NsQykTYusG8b9eTf95tsnF1CdhCdglSKh2GwJ9eEp-pAOlnlbxWiSX8UyoNcHfEunD9cPKV1iTsTOFucSCgeYRFyxIsVthbFKGpw0RzHlz-WflEkzZ2J-cFLAkMeUGXtTl1Ck0/s400/dancing+6.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Dancing is a beautiful tradition in India.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDffVmga17s2pIxLuu_cur_yUNLlSV4Cc10anKVg3fIJUNw0PhHoDMSpzifDAaW9A0DWhnUJNo1QOjQaH1cj99pZCCE1SXbPnhzXeWbwfTqHyK-CWUGNTuknGUFxG5jgfqITQWG-8jSrk/s1600/india+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="323" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDffVmga17s2pIxLuu_cur_yUNLlSV4Cc10anKVg3fIJUNw0PhHoDMSpzifDAaW9A0DWhnUJNo1QOjQaH1cj99pZCCE1SXbPnhzXeWbwfTqHyK-CWUGNTuknGUFxG5jgfqITQWG-8jSrk/s640/india+6.jpg" width="356" /></a></div>
<br />
Here's this little girl.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw64k87s4qVsoJHSk0xFbDy0ZoLs79BMx4BvmwdZg-_9dzpG1AvUCWtg49_ypTMFip-tp1VAUqJO9zjKLgFotnj7FpBs8spF60aernw_lxhvtP-y5T3ZZZiM_qwI4JEttfDjA08IfRECg/s1600/dancing+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw64k87s4qVsoJHSk0xFbDy0ZoLs79BMx4BvmwdZg-_9dzpG1AvUCWtg49_ypTMFip-tp1VAUqJO9zjKLgFotnj7FpBs8spF60aernw_lxhvtP-y5T3ZZZiM_qwI4JEttfDjA08IfRECg/s400/dancing+girl.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Do my 100 daughters have birthday parties? I drew them one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPswKf5WgY939tO3x-cOpdbENUgtnwqPGKZ4HiBmAoP96to07-ZQp8c86YrrWw2rxsV70pZ0dJs2lGF-N1uXL_uacjEhjP_Wkh0ICAav0JCrLeZNi0Apkkx7adxg_iOIMAHOoJY2ymN4/s1600/my+100+daughters+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1093" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPswKf5WgY939tO3x-cOpdbENUgtnwqPGKZ4HiBmAoP96to07-ZQp8c86YrrWw2rxsV70pZ0dJs2lGF-N1uXL_uacjEhjP_Wkh0ICAav0JCrLeZNi0Apkkx7adxg_iOIMAHOoJY2ymN4/s400/my+100+daughters+21.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
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Catching fish with a butterfly net. A mother dolphin watches over her little girl, like all mothers do. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They are painted with henna, a tradition in India.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjuaZGYQ5GoZs1n_qQVMR_PqPaKmqu-SLAUA5Snahlv-2T2h6jHGKhasXkDkMxvQEuCVrlpcTW_et8pJQ7gpz-By4n-lUT42JVOgxDnzarK4vn3HOdT5SWVN0kBZ3C95qy4LHGIftn1A/s1600/my+100+daughters+of+india+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjuaZGYQ5GoZs1n_qQVMR_PqPaKmqu-SLAUA5Snahlv-2T2h6jHGKhasXkDkMxvQEuCVrlpcTW_et8pJQ7gpz-By4n-lUT42JVOgxDnzarK4vn3HOdT5SWVN0kBZ3C95qy4LHGIftn1A/s400/my+100+daughters+of+india+6.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
True treasures of the world adorned with flowers, birds fluttering near and
magnificent animals attending their every need. I loved the strength and power this tiger gives her.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrkbXPxb7rpLRiGvELU8kkVEidlVWElvyVmbzA0qEbtxcP8FyPzXSbjbdtrKzOn6otc_zLbtc0rmoPrL90XSooBMbAvqURV8MP_AYGkhbRcoGX06cHTist0hCwcDHIye_9wmKp0_TSYo/s1600/My+100+Daughters+28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="958" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrkbXPxb7rpLRiGvELU8kkVEidlVWElvyVmbzA0qEbtxcP8FyPzXSbjbdtrKzOn6otc_zLbtc0rmoPrL90XSooBMbAvqURV8MP_AYGkhbRcoGX06cHTist0hCwcDHIye_9wmKp0_TSYo/s400/My+100+Daughters+28.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
<br />
Isn't she adorable.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStxvAauuqJ4f_J1PuEivqURxRQjFp31k6FenEgxRycFktxG5bgzsgaJrlMLyddtAxnYfeTgcBVIxtvo3fG_CyJ7wZTiI9QBWJm6nQ9QrrZ7GakJJzetTrA9EZGeR8D7ZdSXt_r5jhwCs/s1600/rising+star+little+girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="550" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStxvAauuqJ4f_J1PuEivqURxRQjFp31k6FenEgxRycFktxG5bgzsgaJrlMLyddtAxnYfeTgcBVIxtvo3fG_CyJ7wZTiI9QBWJm6nQ9QrrZ7GakJJzetTrA9EZGeR8D7ZdSXt_r5jhwCs/s400/rising+star+little+girl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here she is in the coloring book. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMB7MHf2rOEc79ym6m042L4WtuxBORZS8ltPy47YLML522UAfKQ-KWOvQdkT3llbgpZBvJnZDWNHj7DBG8quTr6NXzfLp7T0N408faJiD8CPnYkl4URK9mDOHMoJmrklGFab6Zryu3L9E/s1600/rising+star+girl+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="295" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMB7MHf2rOEc79ym6m042L4WtuxBORZS8ltPy47YLML522UAfKQ-KWOvQdkT3llbgpZBvJnZDWNHj7DBG8quTr6NXzfLp7T0N408faJiD8CPnYkl4URK9mDOHMoJmrklGFab6Zryu3L9E/s640/rising+star+girl+4.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
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I looked at vintage children's illustrations </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGNK7d4umCuLg1TVX_0aXeiixBtDBuV4ev3aHn8Xk8v1TVul3F0kSFmwd13imlCwh3ft7zvvFvHBQiNbhTseScRA62gX5EgAaNw7cy8aREwV3no-qEhaRW4hgAtYAPz1qMTheeSyapuw/s1600/vintage+art+work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGNK7d4umCuLg1TVX_0aXeiixBtDBuV4ev3aHn8Xk8v1TVul3F0kSFmwd13imlCwh3ft7zvvFvHBQiNbhTseScRA62gX5EgAaNw7cy8aREwV3no-qEhaRW4hgAtYAPz1qMTheeSyapuw/s640/vintage+art+work.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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and made them new with the girls of India.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7e3KUYVQIe4S6JDpSXTH6NcKi2cKQH8G_VyysRIF-jM90aAq449LM5FBNKDhhqIx_IyRw-CShKHLKLe4n0pt0CE47fuZA9SAtftgZNGgfSYvtfs3BEQA3JDwt9NXHWUit0o-hKYSj6_s/s1600/My+100+Daughters+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1541" data-original-width="1106" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7e3KUYVQIe4S6JDpSXTH6NcKi2cKQH8G_VyysRIF-jM90aAq449LM5FBNKDhhqIx_IyRw-CShKHLKLe4n0pt0CE47fuZA9SAtftgZNGgfSYvtfs3BEQA3JDwt9NXHWUit0o-hKYSj6_s/s400/My+100+Daughters+1.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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It was challenging drawing the clothing they wear and different hair styles, but very rewarding. I knew so little about their culture, but wanted to get it just right.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRk4IzRzaKUQrt3juPMEE1_exlR3HRyJC8VHametWEywxxsrEHItZ0gcEa3lQJmF667KNDbfhYoOGwLGTaaWtKDKv8sSfeIh891LcDrFegmoq9U76PXcYhufIN2xClEaBTUOxBQohDSDs/s1600/coloring+book+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="976" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRk4IzRzaKUQrt3juPMEE1_exlR3HRyJC8VHametWEywxxsrEHItZ0gcEa3lQJmF667KNDbfhYoOGwLGTaaWtKDKv8sSfeIh891LcDrFegmoq9U76PXcYhufIN2xClEaBTUOxBQohDSDs/s400/coloring+book+3.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Six months later the artwork
was done and 50% of the proceeds from the sale of the coloring book went to
Rising Star Outreach. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is my original idea for the cover. Gold is very powerful in India and woman wear it to show their worth. I purchased gold paint and made sure the girls I painted were covered in gold. When I finished, their gold-covered skin and hair shimmered in the sunlight, demonstrating their infinite value.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOogKeD1xJr_LN9Jjfk9nnwarmnWCpr_5GYJV-Q6djPooDzDhwPMWXGrOC4nRL2SsqnW3PyXertoS23-4q5r-2-zftSdjWpDRbjGMx8ZhLoS7zTUT_IZXG7VGIPM1Zca0wbhwVthW9x5g/s1600/My+100+Daughters+22-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOogKeD1xJr_LN9Jjfk9nnwarmnWCpr_5GYJV-Q6djPooDzDhwPMWXGrOC4nRL2SsqnW3PyXertoS23-4q5r-2-zftSdjWpDRbjGMx8ZhLoS7zTUT_IZXG7VGIPM1Zca0wbhwVthW9x5g/s400/My+100+Daughters+22-001.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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Here's how the final cover ended up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFErUXJ6ziz6AT2zJhyphenhyphenGDd3s6RMEWS2XtgbjxCqoaXdrfQxzuxVPZFsYCwDXc57Cn07dHyjv_fXqNUbHKiQCTRchGnOmJ_vDu3kW5VsMVDT1RXdQtLM4b_7-u95us2YjJHl-EZrkjgx9A/s1600/My+100+Daughters+Official.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="1215" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFErUXJ6ziz6AT2zJhyphenhyphenGDd3s6RMEWS2XtgbjxCqoaXdrfQxzuxVPZFsYCwDXc57Cn07dHyjv_fXqNUbHKiQCTRchGnOmJ_vDu3kW5VsMVDT1RXdQtLM4b_7-u95us2YjJHl-EZrkjgx9A/s400/My+100+Daughters+Official.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It launched on Amazon and we were ready to change the
world.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNq_ZtnXr7V50zbc3MOQwzzI1IuVaitv6jjXZtDoHbEBadEcmDricVMch9so_iD1_Eqp82Dd-Cb2-_gRxeavW9Xm8KLgXDSYg-gtI8-XUeUDZ7bnDWdBCVCUtcnabd2HqaG8CnkJoXRE/s1600/rising+star+outreach+becky+douglas+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNq_ZtnXr7V50zbc3MOQwzzI1IuVaitv6jjXZtDoHbEBadEcmDricVMch9so_iD1_Eqp82Dd-Cb2-_gRxeavW9Xm8KLgXDSYg-gtI8-XUeUDZ7bnDWdBCVCUtcnabd2HqaG8CnkJoXRE/s640/rising+star+outreach+becky+douglas+2.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sharing the artwork with Becky Douglas, founder of Rising Star. I love her.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'd love to say Eden and I accomplished our goal of sponsoring 100 daughters, but it barely trickled in.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Look at my daughter. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOtQuRYiZgoZ-pd5FaTBd_N66tkaJnYKdtwMkqxwWktGnfeXl4U7q_kLSTjxcwI92ltNcpOyKwT295Dh5R7NBIzL6jvibLA_m44mbBI2bDbvpUIBJ0vRvwJgf8_IIHrpk7L5A7jHnu1E/s1600/eden+sleeping+with+a+heart+hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAOtQuRYiZgoZ-pd5FaTBd_N66tkaJnYKdtwMkqxwWktGnfeXl4U7q_kLSTjxcwI92ltNcpOyKwT295Dh5R7NBIzL6jvibLA_m44mbBI2bDbvpUIBJ0vRvwJgf8_IIHrpk7L5A7jHnu1E/s400/eden+sleeping+with+a+heart+hand.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I caught her sleeping with her hands in the shape of a heart!! </div>
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This girl has so much love. For her, I <b>have</b> to accomplish this goal and help her 100 sisters. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She told me "Our goal is the best goal ever. I love what we are doing together."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoEyBHf_84rCkM9zO6-WeV17Xp3qkZpxvPzJtkqZElYu6phNJ4IZe14YJgOhwfkQdWQT9Ok2sIhaK4-a06yzlJhNiXnc4Qt9F_S6g3Om1vDHFj43TWTAIaMogb0yccYevUgV5ukU03wM/s1600/eden%2527s+baptism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoEyBHf_84rCkM9zO6-WeV17Xp3qkZpxvPzJtkqZElYu6phNJ4IZe14YJgOhwfkQdWQT9Ok2sIhaK4-a06yzlJhNiXnc4Qt9F_S6g3Om1vDHFj43TWTAIaMogb0yccYevUgV5ukU03wM/s400/eden%2527s+baptism.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I had the idea of a fasting campaign a few weeks ago and it spoke truth to me. I've been sitting on it, some moments feeling overwhelmed, others exuberant. I have to try.<br />
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What if this was Eden? In spirit, every girl is our daughter.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFOUWrNqe_LkLh755vFk88VNMM9tXVdVupQOi3IQePOAOvH3vWcjLqdvTC0UifgiwJzwmE4_NW05TaqolCVGqEfnBMllgNi6LH0b8hMTyvva2w9hp-9Uih_e-dEzAgyMVMlTMU6Fd1w0/s1600/india+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFOUWrNqe_LkLh755vFk88VNMM9tXVdVupQOi3IQePOAOvH3vWcjLqdvTC0UifgiwJzwmE4_NW05TaqolCVGqEfnBMllgNi6LH0b8hMTyvva2w9hp-9Uih_e-dEzAgyMVMlTMU6Fd1w0/s400/india+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I've been fasting a day or two here and there, getting a feel for what the project holds, the emotions I'm having, the hunger I'm experiencing, living a bit in the reality that hunger is awful, all consuming and it <b>F E E L S</b> <b><u><span style="font-size: large;">horrible</span></u></b>, that without sponsorship these little kids feel this <b style="text-align: center;">E V E R Y D A Y</b><span style="text-align: center;"> of their </span><b style="text-align: center;">L I V E S</b><span style="text-align: center;">. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36EL7Q60vKw4jdgabO-L1AgZhVASpMdMF49nhEIZ94x2HLqC5OpnsLOvanzzTiONy6Q5A5_vgQ8rqXFbJwrL8CqGKEIVKHZkmxtI6xbLJfMs2xNCRpY0OJ1YocH7rT10GcQDtVmkMuBA/s1600/rising+star+coconut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="400" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36EL7Q60vKw4jdgabO-L1AgZhVASpMdMF49nhEIZ94x2HLqC5OpnsLOvanzzTiONy6Q5A5_vgQ8rqXFbJwrL8CqGKEIVKHZkmxtI6xbLJfMs2xNCRpY0OJ1YocH7rT10GcQDtVmkMuBA/s400/rising+star+coconut.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These are some hungry little girls in India who are picking up the broken pieces of a coconut </span><span style="font-size: large;">that's been run over on the street.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here they are in the book.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsVrWr0VdiBih2Ows52725lBf7qxOpdnAOL0QVAwNEYCJ-RA4R624bwwZBK6PC3gQyppLKUPPdh3-tO0rdlqUHaf8z2PdS4-QElzLUUpXhnnaTgJyFJW8nWVat9J3ewUvSAPqNhlXBUE/s1600/coconut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsVrWr0VdiBih2Ows52725lBf7qxOpdnAOL0QVAwNEYCJ-RA4R624bwwZBK6PC3gQyppLKUPPdh3-tO0rdlqUHaf8z2PdS4-QElzLUUpXhnnaTgJyFJW8nWVat9J3ewUvSAPqNhlXBUE/s640/coconut.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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When I'm in the now, feeling this, praying for them, seeing their faces, knowing the hunger I feel from intermittent fasting doesn't hold a candle to what they're going through, it's incredibly emotional and rips at my heart. The contrast is I also feel empowered and full of hope. This is the contrast I'm talking about. This is a big undertaking with huge potential.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8c731HpuRBxO2BTZUzOmUk79nB-bDFqj4yflSavh9bf0kLKHEXpK9Ht7g0AvGNj3UT7aJjkfPRD3OKejMXIjZBY46VxUlHNmneEVl7sRC4QaKFdjpCkn401PRjK5G680em2UXNCyel0s/s1600/india+3.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/AVvXsEi8c731HpuRBxO2BTZUzOmUk79nB-bDFqj4yflSavh9bf0kLKHEXpK9Ht7g0AvGNj3UT7aJjkfPRD3OKejMXIjZBY46VxUlHNmneEVl7sRC4QaKFdjpCkn401PRjK5G680em2UXNCyel0s/s400/india+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have so much food I'm overweight!! Food can be so complicated, but if it's not to nourish our children, what's it even for. </div>
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Indulgence? </div>
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Dysfunction? </div>
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Abuse? </div>
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Entitlement? </div>
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Intermittent fasting reminds me food is for joy, health and nourishment. Food is to share. Food is a gift, but in this twisted world it can be for better or for worse. I want to do better than that.</div>
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<b><br /></b>
<b>Please support My 100 Daughters and Rising Star during this fasting campaign. </b><br />
<b>For 30 days, I will be fasting for the 100
girls of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>.
</b><br />
<b>Please help these girls by purchasing a coloring book (available on Amazon by clicking <a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-100-Daughters-India-Coloring/dp/099947930X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=my+100+daughters+of+india&qid=1556127027&s=gateway&sr=8-1">here</a>) or donating to the 100 daughters fund at <a href="http://risingstaroutreach.org/">Rising Star Outreach</a>.</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 16.0pt;">If
you feel that Heavenly Father is not listening to your petitions, ask yourself
if you are listening to the cries of the poor, the sick, the hungry and the
afflicted all around you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Joseph B.
Worthlin<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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In my church, after our fast we are asked to give money to
the poor that is equivalent to what we’ve saved from not eating those two meals of fast Sunday.
There is a specific fund called <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/topics/fasting-and-fast-offerings?lang=eng">FastOffering</a></b>. Isn't that beautiful!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgohPZSRXfrAqbxsegSw9RMFNvgbeYN337ftX49jKEkFsl2uEJ3JEf1RCdbcs7KQYRFrrxYIi2AqU8pQbSroEoE1qaaVu8srPIhnDKp6b5ri8Mf3yWalkjIzRB0x2r5CvFNydE8aVg5Rw/s1600/fast+offering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="960" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgohPZSRXfrAqbxsegSw9RMFNvgbeYN337ftX49jKEkFsl2uEJ3JEf1RCdbcs7KQYRFrrxYIi2AqU8pQbSroEoE1qaaVu8srPIhnDKp6b5ri8Mf3yWalkjIzRB0x2r5CvFNydE8aVg5Rw/s400/fast+offering.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here are some images I pulled of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints website.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcx3GcRDFWAvAJf4aKHKfiULQZwalY6n2LAT8_VX5tXuVELJBWBeOrumeQnxli3-enUe0cYGATAJVqrlUOfwVv8DC6q13671isP6L3WCbhk1MUIH9hQ7zSx9oUmS1GHSzL1qdy9xLgQ0s/s1600/fast+offering+2.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/AVvXsEhcx3GcRDFWAvAJf4aKHKfiULQZwalY6n2LAT8_VX5tXuVELJBWBeOrumeQnxli3-enUe0cYGATAJVqrlUOfwVv8DC6q13671isP6L3WCbhk1MUIH9hQ7zSx9oUmS1GHSzL1qdy9xLgQ0s/s400/fast+offering+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The money donated from a once-a-month 2-meal Sunday fast is put into this fund, given to the poor and truly blesses so many people throughout the world.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqRFjZllsnBgUIoaY2dOilJ6wmfsWy-C2_wHgD61ISLitrZ4A4TiDkCDpENG6PI-akecY3e8vW4ve9oUGw7ji46gvdncKk7-lpJUTYeZ3kwy14kErpTTsteOSzf0NdlJ8Cy4Ys-Fhx58/s1600/fast+offering+3.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/AVvXsEhkqRFjZllsnBgUIoaY2dOilJ6wmfsWy-C2_wHgD61ISLitrZ4A4TiDkCDpENG6PI-akecY3e8vW4ve9oUGw7ji46gvdncKk7-lpJUTYeZ3kwy14kErpTTsteOSzf0NdlJ8Cy4Ys-Fhx58/s400/fast+offering+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Is not this the fast
that I have chosen? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it not to deal
thy bread to the hungry?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Isiah 58: 6-7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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As Christians, we are asked to give generously to the poor,
and then God will bless us with joy, health, abundance and
most importantly, spiritual strength. </div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 16.0pt;">One of the greatest
admonitions the Lord has given to his children on earth is that we have the responsibility
and obligation of caring for those in need.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 16.0pt;">L. Tom
Perry<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Intermittent fasting has become increasing popular for
weight loss, but there’s another side of it that can include
prayer/meditation and giving to the poor. Fasting can heal. It can save.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Fasting to lose weight.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXCGVmZ_59gKNPKp9x9VgXzPJ-XK5QMi5tu13zjnkyH9I2c-oGk4usy9lr2VS7F9y_Bqe_AJnshJ8Gj7D7DgwPaAO_K88cgdb7xpSPQNZiCnRyQABgvbLbXZfgvAiJHDIKokTu4HLo5s/s1600/Intermittent+Fasting+17.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/AVvXsEjtXCGVmZ_59gKNPKp9x9VgXzPJ-XK5QMi5tu13zjnkyH9I2c-oGk4usy9lr2VS7F9y_Bqe_AJnshJ8Gj7D7DgwPaAO_K88cgdb7xpSPQNZiCnRyQABgvbLbXZfgvAiJHDIKokTu4HLo5s/s400/Intermittent+Fasting+17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Fasting to help those in need.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pE1VEIYZdfM_F_t3yGdZuCkYx8lvK9GPHUDZqV15ULmcfXGuReKqKPG65iMbuYMonm7jUYtQwlJQ6ylTvX63C-GX9gZGSUolwDPjZQM61vABWC828hYwXtFJrENpkB88Oh49phTOtaw/s1600/rising+star+outreach+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="1013" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pE1VEIYZdfM_F_t3yGdZuCkYx8lvK9GPHUDZqV15ULmcfXGuReKqKPG65iMbuYMonm7jUYtQwlJQ6ylTvX63C-GX9gZGSUolwDPjZQM61vABWC828hYwXtFJrENpkB88Oh49phTOtaw/s400/rising+star+outreach+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
Did you know fasting is a beautiful tradition in India. This concept is ancient in religion, culture and humanity. The fasting experience can be incredibly
powerful. The dieting industry is a multi-billion dollar business, but
intermittent fasting is free. There is a spiritual element that if tapped into,
can help the poor in mighty ways. Rising Star Outreach helps children and families in the leprosy
colonies. Intermittent fasting can be a tool to help the poor. It takes discipline to budget that money and give it away, but the blessings our real. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Fasting
helps to teach us self-mastery. It helps us to gain the discipline we need to
have control over ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 16.0pt;">L. Tom
Perry<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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I now have two daughters. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BI4DGQCD6Thw09qG-6yuApoyNjE47QkfX_MgQSJUqmV-6QD8VXVB17xA1TnRZBX99wj9PYUbbgu-z48DYziqr2kdoXq0pU-B0Hlkx2VbMfZ2OriIbnSpfWyFFEq3ryvRiEkEsqthVHA/s1600/eden+and+ruby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BI4DGQCD6Thw09qG-6yuApoyNjE47QkfX_MgQSJUqmV-6QD8VXVB17xA1TnRZBX99wj9PYUbbgu-z48DYziqr2kdoXq0pU-B0Hlkx2VbMfZ2OriIbnSpfWyFFEq3ryvRiEkEsqthVHA/s400/eden+and+ruby.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Fasting and praying to have my daughter Ruby was a truly spiritual experience. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesj9dyq9XfRdK5-qS3h8MoJWh3S2kSgQVLjrrxJ2NxV957nCSEpp6KENTlJIyMWWrQCWlD9jX5ox0d0bb7NKA0XMmT4wSbwqe_gnuFUxF9_woE7ZerJteDi80MeFWL038F33RrBcbd4c/s1600/Ruby+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhesj9dyq9XfRdK5-qS3h8MoJWh3S2kSgQVLjrrxJ2NxV957nCSEpp6KENTlJIyMWWrQCWlD9jX5ox0d0bb7NKA0XMmT4wSbwqe_gnuFUxF9_woE7ZerJteDi80MeFWL038F33RrBcbd4c/s400/Ruby+3.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br />
She's already 7 months old.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmDvr6cUxCI4YTopiwKWTSg0DlcCaMz2TmtdLA_CIpGo7WP1vedd9KC8ACWsiAp6Vx3QAyB8_dYCF1ZnsgDRZtSdA0722la378YoEfV-CJkbNOXtiXBmHTH7Gt1ZDDiOaYsHOnTd84Rg/s1600/ruby+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmDvr6cUxCI4YTopiwKWTSg0DlcCaMz2TmtdLA_CIpGo7WP1vedd9KC8ACWsiAp6Vx3QAyB8_dYCF1ZnsgDRZtSdA0722la378YoEfV-CJkbNOXtiXBmHTH7Gt1ZDDiOaYsHOnTd84Rg/s400/ruby+11.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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For the next 30 days, I will be praying and fasting to earn
the money to sponsor 100 girls through Rising Star Outreach. Last year, Eden
and I published <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/My-100-Daughters-India-Coloring/dp/099947930X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=my+100+daughters+of+india&qid=1556127027&s=gateway&sr=8-1">My 100 Daughters of India</a></i></b> coloring book and we hope to sell
enough to reach this goal. The coloring book, for adults and children is available on Amazon for $9.95.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQW7rIIYC4MyaSs6_JK64nHMDoV1RIvI7vbT6xNuCxgp4VI5o-8NxD8yGD9dXtIDFz7PKg5Bq6T0kR1Z3GP7mSJfnR46FlHV7SlENRE4KmrnXUFpQ3U-Jww-mHV-hPra_7CIXPcmleYH0/s1600/Collage+for+My+100+Daughters.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/AVvXsEiQW7rIIYC4MyaSs6_JK64nHMDoV1RIvI7vbT6xNuCxgp4VI5o-8NxD8yGD9dXtIDFz7PKg5Bq6T0kR1Z3GP7mSJfnR46FlHV7SlENRE4KmrnXUFpQ3U-Jww-mHV-hPra_7CIXPcmleYH0/s400/Collage+for+My+100+Daughters.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Over the last few weeks, I have added new, beautiful artwork. 50% of the proceeds will go to Rising Star Outreach. There is also a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">My 100 Daughters</b> fund and sponsorship program. <b>To donate call Rising Star at (801)820-0466.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "monotype corsiva"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“What
would happen if the principles of the fast day and the fast offering were
observed throughout the world. The hungry would be fed, the naked clothed, the
homeless sheltered, A new measure of concern and unselfishness would grow in
the hearts of people everywhere.” President Gordon B. Hinckley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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I will be sharing updates of my fasting experience on my
blog and facebook page. I also have an instagram account at lalalofgreen. </div>
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When I fast, I feel incredible empathy for those who go hungry. At times, I feel like I'm living in an altered state, almost experiencing life above the normal day-to-day tasks. Life becomes so much bigger, even nature seems to come alive in ways that are new and enlightening. Some days I'm invigorated, while others I spend time reflecting. It's a very personal experience, but I want to share it so together, we can change the world.</div>
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Thanks for your support.<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QNEf9o0j6XQ" width="560"></iframe><br />
Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNEf9o0j6XQ&t=83s">here</a> to watch on youtube.</div>
</div>
<br />Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-37644491913136436282019-03-20T01:04:00.001-07:002019-03-20T10:55:16.885-07:00My Missionary Is Home<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Several weeks into <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>’s mission, I
noticed his emails had many common denominators. He constantly wrote about how
much he loved the people, how difficult it was to see the poverty, how
different the culture/climate was and how much he loved sharing the good news
of Jesus Christ. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0Kz8HIqtF6DmCoYWW5Eas1qvccP_hJ6XAc37WNISiPuFfJeFrPVD7uVV11fZv2GhzYx9XLBsgO_xSJCTy5DCmj2pln3F1NrEFloF3rGrmTkMCpSgspy39_EkJ9ipn9cVRXSQ4hIcpi8/s1600/chandler+mission+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1227" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0Kz8HIqtF6DmCoYWW5Eas1qvccP_hJ6XAc37WNISiPuFfJeFrPVD7uVV11fZv2GhzYx9XLBsgO_xSJCTy5DCmj2pln3F1NrEFloF3rGrmTkMCpSgspy39_EkJ9ipn9cVRXSQ4hIcpi8/s400/chandler+mission+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">But there was one other thing he kept mentioning – how much
his stomach hurt. Sure, he was eating strange food like pigs feet, fish head
and mystery meats. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pkUw3L4-Krj9IXZzEBvfKBsjwZsI69mrYHTOpdwgxe_5t_XdOvsFXwPbyiZnMV6Q6EaVjx0Bb5j4N55A2Oi6T5-KGqXVXh27Le5apwGCR6PgvDcOlc13acZTJjPFwWVq3UWEvm1Rg4k/s1600/chandler+missionary+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1227" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pkUw3L4-Krj9IXZzEBvfKBsjwZsI69mrYHTOpdwgxe_5t_XdOvsFXwPbyiZnMV6Q6EaVjx0Bb5j4N55A2Oi6T5-KGqXVXh27Le5apwGCR6PgvDcOlc13acZTJjPFwWVq3UWEvm1Rg4k/s400/chandler+missionary+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Balut is a somewhat developed duck that is boiled while in it's egg and then eaten. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">He was also eating rice for every meal. I think we both
assumed he was in transition, home sick and getting accustomed to the food and
climate. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPlgfaU1GMtEWw5kZbltArXBjwzZOyoQxgewT7XYO6b0YQBhgiereM8ZiXe7e63jH17tYLCG-difYq15TZ12rOVWK3zKw95883WkhVkhqgbrRmchM9NDz68ftUhikZz8lcYgcsMN9EXQ/s1600/chandler+phillipines+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="1292" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPlgfaU1GMtEWw5kZbltArXBjwzZOyoQxgewT7XYO6b0YQBhgiereM8ZiXe7e63jH17tYLCG-difYq15TZ12rOVWK3zKw95883WkhVkhqgbrRmchM9NDz68ftUhikZz8lcYgcsMN9EXQ/s400/chandler+phillipines+6.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">From the start, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
had an amazing attitude. Despite some of the physical problems he was having,
he was all in – serving, loving and experiencing all his mission had to offer. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-Agmb1aOCvXg4kta3bW6QgScWUE0lI_2b9nfkZI7stZiQg0MYeOcLOLpuMMtrKHwwuHNsKIBWsLadcojUzxs06LZiPv5K5lkaSedTh8LvUDywdMxVMiXcVo19ymRUEQZA4BJQQMcwIE/s1600/chandler+mission+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1227" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-Agmb1aOCvXg4kta3bW6QgScWUE0lI_2b9nfkZI7stZiQg0MYeOcLOLpuMMtrKHwwuHNsKIBWsLadcojUzxs06LZiPv5K5lkaSedTh8LvUDywdMxVMiXcVo19ymRUEQZA4BJQQMcwIE/s400/chandler+mission+9.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I sent him two packages at
Christmas full of all his favorite foods like protein bars, protein pancake mix,
electrolyte vitamin C packets, cashew butter, whole-grain crackers, enzymes and
more. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
was excited to start incorporating some other foods into his diet so his body
could recover. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroaRod-tXuxTps6iYHJFGYYmNoqLtMjmkUAGKNElQAAx7XIJ5xH5tbT4g7qUe1AL2f6ccwD_d2GDzFBSCDIK-ruAmeioRrCStUDm6_Euth29OhOhz-BPXOe5FG6vp7qZGp0Ua4cEZE-E/s1600/mission+photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="1280" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroaRod-tXuxTps6iYHJFGYYmNoqLtMjmkUAGKNElQAAx7XIJ5xH5tbT4g7qUe1AL2f6ccwD_d2GDzFBSCDIK-ruAmeioRrCStUDm6_Euth29OhOhz-BPXOe5FG6vp7qZGp0Ua4cEZE-E/s400/mission+photo+1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
June 2018 before he left on his mission.<br />
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">When he received his package, he enthusiastically had his
companion send me a photo of just how happy he was to have a little something
from home. His smile beamed from ear to ear! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjEOBDtq7YgtT54EMUo0fxm7Z4MGfvAwxFM8WKccCZ8so9etxvn6jggU33SxD9TjEwZ3YXcTd2ZJ4E9xQC2QR0NhHwcHC_zCymsE2LYzdDGLWKhCkHkJOM7hOy1jG9wkVbDJHqEqFhk8/s1600/chandler+mission+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="444" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjEOBDtq7YgtT54EMUo0fxm7Z4MGfvAwxFM8WKccCZ8so9etxvn6jggU33SxD9TjEwZ3YXcTd2ZJ4E9xQC2QR0NhHwcHC_zCymsE2LYzdDGLWKhCkHkJOM7hOy1jG9wkVbDJHqEqFhk8/s400/chandler+mission+14.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">But, oh my goodness, who was
that kid? That was <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>?
He looked entirely different. </span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfYhCqZZ-qkGUYsdxGG2jWPV-dR8OVfsP_cGrVGj2NSoWNKwr8IdhRf-7PugMzr3kGPdZN7J3NLZkgjOQGbnEgkzhqdyjUsPIRbGvE84r3n6mPCtY44GynPTOXQ1lC8YTpn6Or2c3tvs/s1600/chandler+mission+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="483" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfYhCqZZ-qkGUYsdxGG2jWPV-dR8OVfsP_cGrVGj2NSoWNKwr8IdhRf-7PugMzr3kGPdZN7J3NLZkgjOQGbnEgkzhqdyjUsPIRbGvE84r3n6mPCtY44GynPTOXQ1lC8YTpn6Or2c3tvs/s320/chandler+mission+12.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is the night before he left. Those are the same pants he's wearing in the above picture!!</div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">At least 20 pounds lighter, I could see how his once
well-fitted pants were sagging on him, his shirt loose, even his leather
bracelet around his wrist was hanging.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I showed Derek. I showed
family members. I showed his girlfriend Sadie. They were all concerned when it
hit me – he’s sick. He’s really sick. He keeps mentioning how much his stomach
hurts. Could it be a parasite? That next week when we emailed, I suggested he
tell his mission president. “You need to go see a doctor,” I insisted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Within a week, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> was seen by a
doctor and had all the symptoms of somebody with parasites or worse. He was put
on antibiotics and within two weeks, would be seen by the doctor again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately,
the medication did not alleviate the pain he was in, so he was sent to a
hospital two hours away where they put a camera down his throat into his
stomach. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
later shared how frightening this was. Although his Tagalog was getting better
with each day, he couldn’t understand the doctors explaining what was wrong and
the different medical procedures they wanted to do. His friend Jonathon
traveled with <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
and his companion to the hospital that day sent this photo to me of them
traveling home on the bus. “Elder Lofgreen is in a lot of pain,” he said. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzFI8RXU3_lE5u9UMlVMLLWzmXJlmxdkQBog2jNfXyY1AIkQXgHc1GW13SQHJGR86asPyVkplEUrODm2NEHk13M9M2JQK1XtfkYDIzsNwgWORQtVKjOA8nZS24v1DDXvRSdkH596SHEE/s1600/chandler+mission+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzFI8RXU3_lE5u9UMlVMLLWzmXJlmxdkQBog2jNfXyY1AIkQXgHc1GW13SQHJGR86asPyVkplEUrODm2NEHk13M9M2JQK1XtfkYDIzsNwgWORQtVKjOA8nZS24v1DDXvRSdkH596SHEE/s400/chandler+mission+15.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I
stared at that picture for a long time and had a hard time sleeping that night.<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The lab results confirmed <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> had a bacteria
called H.pylori. It was attacking the lining of his gut and had already caused significant
damage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The next day, I contacted his
mission president to see what we needed to do next. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> had been prescribed now two different antibiotics that would take weeks to complete. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Chandler</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"> started being more honest about his physical
symptoms, how there were times he had to lay down because of the pain. No
matter what he ate, the pain was still there. Even if he fasted, the pain persisted. I had to practically force this information out of him. He was walking many times 12 miles a day and was in constant pain from bloating
and stomach cramps. Still, he was in great spirits. His normal positive attitude remained.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chandler's weight loss was a concern.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Just months earlier before his mission.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">While <st1:city w:st="on">Chandler</st1:city>
had been in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
Derek and I felt it important to keep Canyon’s medical testing and possible diagnosis
of adrenoleukodystrophy under wraps until we had something confirmed (you can read about that <a href="https://mydeartrash.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-moment-weve-been-waiting-for-almost.html">here</a>). </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Canyon was in the pediatric ICU July 2018, just 2 weeks before Chandler left on his mission. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz05jGXkBjYXAMHX55GW8bbNu8QCB42NxKgfNCFFu5Yz8e79CdUj_JCts_WXuReENn7gfT1f-sRYghAZnoZ562NgNQgy_06vPuq0ulo5twd0ujrNFWWaP-IUWXk7G5llaf9eOM51eOFe0/s1600/canyon+hospital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="295" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz05jGXkBjYXAMHX55GW8bbNu8QCB42NxKgfNCFFu5Yz8e79CdUj_JCts_WXuReENn7gfT1f-sRYghAZnoZ562NgNQgy_06vPuq0ulo5twd0ujrNFWWaP-IUWXk7G5llaf9eOM51eOFe0/s640/canyon+hospital.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Canyon had another seizure November 2018. Chandler had been in the Philippines for 4 months. This is when the neurologist started suspecting something more serious.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Why put <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> through all that
worry and fear if nothing had yet been official? I felt horrible keeping this
from him, but I started to realize that <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
had been keeping his own secrets about his health because he didn’t want us to
worry about him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Two weeks later, and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>’s symptoms had
only worsened. Nausea, fatigue, weight-loss and all the time unbearable stomach
pain, he told me “I don’t want to wake up because it hurts so bad.” I started
to realize our boy might need to come home. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMrmxZc5jpRrb2kLJ2A5h0MqGsHi49oXbZf75uETmGKdMxwuh5L641w9oifJjbEG-AN2i-Uai4HhWH9YRXBvdm96I23wuVmcBTMs3LHlUK0zB36MPbuhgWuRnjsG5IIb23eA-2V1vQl8/s1600/chandler+mission+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1227" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMrmxZc5jpRrb2kLJ2A5h0MqGsHi49oXbZf75uETmGKdMxwuh5L641w9oifJjbEG-AN2i-Uai4HhWH9YRXBvdm96I23wuVmcBTMs3LHlUK0zB36MPbuhgWuRnjsG5IIb23eA-2V1vQl8/s400/chandler+mission+8.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region> is
about 16 hours ahead of us. When <st1:city w:st="on">Chandler</st1:city>
emailed Sunday night <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Phoenix</st1:place></st1:city>
time at 8:00pm it was Monday afternoon at 1:00pm. So, many nights when I laid
down to go to sleep, I envisioned him in some little town teaching some little
family about the big giant love our Savior has for them. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><br /></st1:place></st1:city></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDA-bQL_ibD8Ge-e-3yS0mCyi1MjKg4YnEu5vfMZ2lZFnRg000Woq0UiodfJtpzc4Dwbw5lPA4RDbst1kdNJYwcMsFPbEHzzmmpnWod5Gi3rxd_SGGua3eHhfX6zBD8ahlVgtVfaCEGwc/s1600/chandler+mission+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1012" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDA-bQL_ibD8Ge-e-3yS0mCyi1MjKg4YnEu5vfMZ2lZFnRg000Woq0UiodfJtpzc4Dwbw5lPA4RDbst1kdNJYwcMsFPbEHzzmmpnWod5Gi3rxd_SGGua3eHhfX6zBD8ahlVgtVfaCEGwc/s400/chandler+mission+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><br /></st1:place></st1:city></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> told me it was customary and
respectful to remove your shoes before entering someone’s home. I thought of
him barefoot on someone’s dirt or cement floor. I prayed with all my heart he
would heal. I knew God could heal him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWffzJ6Omu_cr_ltQde8NavBUvxHS0DONhsiXRV2xtpASZh0LmO0FX6vjEuQoncLxxqofd6lcHxv-bWOTDlgvxIPmGywQnbCkPJex7fUqWtySRBzuKftoIFdPwupOV9YSGjKu8LKUytY/s1600/chandler+mission+house+fire.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="1292" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWffzJ6Omu_cr_ltQde8NavBUvxHS0DONhsiXRV2xtpASZh0LmO0FX6vjEuQoncLxxqofd6lcHxv-bWOTDlgvxIPmGywQnbCkPJex7fUqWtySRBzuKftoIFdPwupOV9YSGjKu8LKUytY/s400/chandler+mission+house+fire.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chandler told me one night his neighbor's house caught on fire, so he and his companion helped with buckets of water to put the fire out. I could just imagine my boy running through the streets of the Philippines! It was amazing to think of him on the other side of the world.</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I talked with our stake
president and let him know what was going on. He communicated with the mission
president and per <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>’s
medical condition, it was decided he needed to come home. We were so thankful
to have good counsel because this was a decision none of us wanted to make. When
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> found
out, there were plenty of tears. He didn’t want to come home. I didn’t want him
to come home either. I’d finally let him go, I’d surrendered and told God, “Yes,
you can have him for two years.” </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FNJf-McLwVH-TxKpPHtjQjsOTcUD7LtszQcS90QHMtbcsG1yaDSk2jqBi9hBnGvhx668SgGFuFrN2LyLwFPv2_vYN1cq6nQeLGt5M3p8xG_jSFa4utHECDD5ltPG7t2LvbDm8hZYrF0/s1600/chandler+graduation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FNJf-McLwVH-TxKpPHtjQjsOTcUD7LtszQcS90QHMtbcsG1yaDSk2jqBi9hBnGvhx668SgGFuFrN2LyLwFPv2_vYN1cq6nQeLGt5M3p8xG_jSFa4utHECDD5ltPG7t2LvbDm8hZYrF0/s400/chandler+graduation.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The night of Chandler's graduation. I was 5 months pregnant. I was so proud of him.</div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">It was hard enough letting him go, but now
that he was coming home when he didn’t want to, it just wasn’t fair. None of us
wanted it on these terms.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlnfLDDlD8ulR7Iz5BfIM3y7iR5drOZsojsZXqQzww3oubZDz6RxfDKT7Z2piufyidbDuVRQvHqwfW7Tlcqa4nyO3cwBWfnDHVLzIR62tRfnLA3KdNp7AtGjKqYj8kLU5dGbBNPAm-AU/s1600/chandler+mission+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1227" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlnfLDDlD8ulR7Iz5BfIM3y7iR5drOZsojsZXqQzww3oubZDz6RxfDKT7Z2piufyidbDuVRQvHqwfW7Tlcqa4nyO3cwBWfnDHVLzIR62tRfnLA3KdNp7AtGjKqYj8kLU5dGbBNPAm-AU/s400/chandler+mission+5.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Chandler</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"> arrived home March 9. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53ZDBYZVP2Gq_mK31gdRpSegHCiSZZhyphenhyphenrH56NxP9jHj8QuasWeFpIsqEa43EJGNwfgQ7C-NtoRUOmjEItZwM4HAywOrpl_3mOF_yN1rU0YWspqwZoAeUkG0FTlDk_JHjUzVbyM4RHLnE/s1600/chandler+home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53ZDBYZVP2Gq_mK31gdRpSegHCiSZZhyphenhyphenrH56NxP9jHj8QuasWeFpIsqEa43EJGNwfgQ7C-NtoRUOmjEItZwM4HAywOrpl_3mOF_yN1rU0YWspqwZoAeUkG0FTlDk_JHjUzVbyM4RHLnE/s400/chandler+home.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">He met his little sister Ruby for the first time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nDQbiqRqTDs" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Df_ezEdR-_M" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jPzcNDoh148" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">He was
hurting, not just from the H.pylori, but because he had to leave the land he
loved so much. He wanted to be there serving his brothers and sisters. He loved
the language and finally had the hang of it. He was all in, determined to
finish the race with the other missionaries and as he said “Walk those dirt
roads with the sun beating down on our backs,” but he was sick. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLU7lCqNZGfzVCNClnfxlpMPy1Nn7F5mmxSM7B_PKRgow57b3_C24W1jtgyZ0KAa3V9lff8m9vzLOpW5QSZCMWw8PWXBH-F8N3w3HjJ38E-d2AnDW0glRfjbGov75LALXASJM_HSF2FI/s1600/chandler+mission+10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1227" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLU7lCqNZGfzVCNClnfxlpMPy1Nn7F5mmxSM7B_PKRgow57b3_C24W1jtgyZ0KAa3V9lff8m9vzLOpW5QSZCMWw8PWXBH-F8N3w3HjJ38E-d2AnDW0glRfjbGov75LALXASJM_HSF2FI/s400/chandler+mission+10.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Even with the pain
he was in, I had to remind him he was sick. What can you do when you’re sick? You
have to get the medical attention you need. Yes, he can still go back out once
he recovers, but the recovery is lengthy and he won’t be returning to the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
but most likely a mission stateside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I find it absolutely no coincidence
that <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
arrived home the same week we found out our little Canyon did not have a degenerative
white matter disease. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Fo_9turL-s6F9aLjZiGXfwUWfe_65toRssVW83rGL_B9Zil4VUOL90u1P0-WJZ5eBAl7TmEv-lke1-SFWJcifLtePZtYwEaPOR_WegPIjCPbfatJ_PhRebOcVFM0sa40H-cXrYpZxFI/s1600/canyon+and+ruby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Fo_9turL-s6F9aLjZiGXfwUWfe_65toRssVW83rGL_B9Zil4VUOL90u1P0-WJZ5eBAl7TmEv-lke1-SFWJcifLtePZtYwEaPOR_WegPIjCPbfatJ_PhRebOcVFM0sa40H-cXrYpZxFI/s400/canyon+and+ruby.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Canyon with Ruby right after she was born.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"> I feel with all my
heart that <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>’s
selfless service brought mighty miracles to our family and others. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVojlj0_FYQHxvwsvNXHgZEw5-k-nkhy248VGv97n_j2XNeDmFNhEfHrxdqVd2CobD0ArJMHUmu4zxeyfWvVxr7NNgpXmiTiM0c2goY9RVEXxGZ5NTGRX1-LUuim6biI3B-JakkGa1P8/s1600/chandler+home+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVojlj0_FYQHxvwsvNXHgZEw5-k-nkhy248VGv97n_j2XNeDmFNhEfHrxdqVd2CobD0ArJMHUmu4zxeyfWvVxr7NNgpXmiTiM0c2goY9RVEXxGZ5NTGRX1-LUuim6biI3B-JakkGa1P8/s400/chandler+home+4.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Eden was beyond words to see her brother she adores.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJqJyjG0NwaTbssLxc4UpAl8amC_OZiXImySnkTdnE9jo2ZpdQqJacdynGUawoeA9PXhd30X0OSdny43GLenete9aZs8kn83cNrSvR5lPJy_MJ-bSitoSK2J8WuyDEPlIr91kNeW-VvU/s1600/chandler+home+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJqJyjG0NwaTbssLxc4UpAl8amC_OZiXImySnkTdnE9jo2ZpdQqJacdynGUawoeA9PXhd30X0OSdny43GLenete9aZs8kn83cNrSvR5lPJy_MJ-bSitoSK2J8WuyDEPlIr91kNeW-VvU/s400/chandler+home+7.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Chandler said "My brothers are my best friends."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzjn06AZxjnCzzS8OTuajSamTFrfLKKIoq7IKRyM3_RVhPEm6T2jJkwy7JV5osJsCq39OKGiLM_RC4jvYngBhyDxrrccrhfFe8Y6RJWiH4Mr7q_ePpFQDNqPHNBSH2oGhgh0O49X-X9o/s1600/chandler+home+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzjn06AZxjnCzzS8OTuajSamTFrfLKKIoq7IKRyM3_RVhPEm6T2jJkwy7JV5osJsCq39OKGiLM_RC4jvYngBhyDxrrccrhfFe8Y6RJWiH4Mr7q_ePpFQDNqPHNBSH2oGhgh0O49X-X9o/s400/chandler+home+9.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kissing Ruby</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">That night <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> returned home,
our family had that talk about the path we’d been on with Canyon. We told him
everything, all the tears, all the fears, all the uncertainties and all the
miracles. We told him Canyon still does not have a diagnoses, but according to
the neurologist, there is a greater chance what he has is not degenerative. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxPk5zsf7S6zKIAodAd4KMmvfZnVufnsk7djxJh5nTZR02ZubiLqrvl2_wmjKhj7ebgvPjQq8hgDJM2LZ-L0pEbhIpaJ72kFe8iuoC2_A2O0iMXFey1J-Bi7PqaVprEK8h1l3-4qjVjQ/s1600/canyon+at+the+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxPk5zsf7S6zKIAodAd4KMmvfZnVufnsk7djxJh5nTZR02ZubiLqrvl2_wmjKhj7ebgvPjQq8hgDJM2LZ-L0pEbhIpaJ72kFe8iuoC2_A2O0iMXFey1J-Bi7PqaVprEK8h1l3-4qjVjQ/s400/canyon+at+the+park.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Oh,
did we cry. There were lots of questions. It was amazing to hear my other kid’s
perspectives. They shared what they’d experienced and learned, how they’d
prayed and fasted for him and Canyon and how much they loved our family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I now have two sons I’m
scheduling doctor’s appointments for. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> should have a
full recovery. Canyon is doing amazing and we press forward knowing we are incredibly
blessed to have a loving father in heaving watching over us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">In the midst of all this, we
had a plumber cause some pretty significant damage to our pipes (suspected tree
root, but the plumber abandoned the job after cutting here a little and there a
little). We’ve been without kitchen and laundry plumbing (two bathrooms still
work), but all is well because we have an amazing contractor putting all the
pieces back together again. So, when you see <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> and his brothers run to hug for the
first time in almost 8 months, that’s the plumbing trenches they are jumping
over!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-81094496987633078772019-03-05T13:45:00.001-08:002019-03-05T15:53:29.211-08:00The Moment We’ve Been Waiting For, Almost<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Yesterday there was a message
on my phone from an unknown number. I listened to it and my eyes filled with
tears. Derek was home (so grateful for that) and he walked into our bedroom.
“You’ve got to listen to this,” I said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The message was from our
neurologist’s office. His nurse Maria (who has become such a dear friend) had
left a message regarding Canyon’s lab results. These tests have come in two
phases that have taken over 3 long heart-wrenching months to obtain. When
Canyon was in the hospital in November 2018 after a life-threatening seizure, the
doctor collected blood for a lysosomal enzyme panel. The test is sent out of
state to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Thomas</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Jefferson</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>.
It tests for approximately 30 of some of the most horrible, terminal childhood
illnesses one can imagine. I never knew such demons of health even existed.
There wasn’t a single disease on that panel I’d ever even heard of and it was
suspected our <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">son</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Canyon</st1:placetype></st1:place> had one of them. I
was to have the results in 1-2 weeks. Fear, doubt, worry, anxiety became
friends of mine and Derek’s. We waited through Thanksgiving and finally, I
called the hospital. “Why hasn’t anyone called us about the lab results?” I
asked. No one knew. No one knew who to direct me too. Maria from the
neurologist’s office was the only one who seemed to care enough to do the leg
work to figure out where the results were. You can imagine my shock when over
a month of waiting, Maria informed us that test was lost on the same day it was
taken. It was never sent out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">In December 2018 we had an
appointment with our neurologist. My mom came with me and I’m so thankful she
did because my tears ran warm and plentiful down my cheeks. At many points
throughout the visit, I couldn’t gain my composure. My new baby Ruby slept in
my arms the entire time. It was at this appointment we were told Canyon had
many symptoms for an illness called adrenoleukodystropy. Again, I’d never even
heard of such a disease, but it was brutal – truly a parent’s worse nightmare. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k1JFjZcM07M" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Because of our son’s bizarre seizures, his MRI, blood work and other physical
symptoms, it was suspected he was in the early stages. This cruelest disease,
most common in boys, affects the child around the age of 4. Canyon is 3½ . The
child will develop perfectly, when suddenly the parents notice a lazy eye
(Canyon already had that), a slight limp, (one neurologist in the hospital
suspected this) a slur in speech, (yes) perhaps a seizure (4 seizures) and they
will take him to a doctor. The parents have no idea of course that their child
will quickly decline because the myelin sheath around his brain’s white matter
(basically the fatty acids) is dissolving, or dying. Their beautiful,
vivacious, talented, expressive child, the same child that just moments ago had
their whole life ahead of them, that child’s brain is dying. The entire process
can take 2-5 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The parents will get
to watch their child lose vision, lose hearing, stop walking, stop eating and
worse, but he will still be the child they love and adore. He will still be a
child they would be willing to die for, and most likely, they will be beg God,
“Please take me, but not my child.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The test for leukodystropy was
done by taking a saliva sample. I was horrified that Canyon didn’t just have to
beat the odds for one type of leukodystropy, but 300. Yes, he would be tested
for 300 types of leukodystropy. There were days Derek and I felt like we were
being crushed. Everything Canyon did was scrutinized. In August 2018 he’d had
surgery for strabismus to correct his wandering eyes, but we began to notice
his eyes were straying again. His speech? Was it worse? Why couldn’t I
understand him sometimes? Running at the park, he falls. Why? What’s happening
to him? I would watch him play for hours and just cry a river. Was he dying
right before my eyes? How long did we have? He’s so precious. Why would God
take him? It was the cruelest trick. I would stare at Canyon sleeping and feel
the weight of the world on my shoulders. I would never stop staring at him. They
could never take him out of my arms. I would die holding him. Derek and I held
each other up, practically taking turns, “Ok, today is your day to fall apart
and I’ll be the one to keep it together, but tomorrow I’ll be the one to lose
it.” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">All this happened over
Christmas. With all the celebrations, the parties, the festivities, Derek and I
were hollow, but I found comfort in Christmas music. I’ve never listened so
closely to these hymns and carols. They seemed to speak to me. Redemption,
Peace, The Savior of the World, Hope, Eternal Life, Joy - these words
penetrated my heart, filtering out through more tears. My eyes were puffy. I
cried at any moment. I would hold my new baby while I held Canyon and my arms
were so full. I asked God to help me be strong. After my c-section, I had to be
careful about lifting Canyon, but when he fell asleep in my arms and the house was
quiet, and the soft lights of the Christmas tree glowed on his face, what could
I do? I had to lift him. Each step was cautiously taken and to bend placing him
into bed I had to be strategic, but I was blessed with the strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please, don’t for a moment think I had to do
this alone. Derek and I have been carried by hundreds, thousands of prayers,
hugs, notes, meals and more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">It was at one moment in the
cold nights of December when I realized I couldn’t live like this anymore.
Despair is a horrible way to live. It was one night I awoke to Derek crying.
The room was pitch black. The baby was sleeping in her crib, most likely to cry
at any moment. I wasn’t quite awake yet, but I knew my reality. I knew Canyon
was sick. Before I even opened my eyes, I joined Derek in that cry, and by the
time I was fully awake, I realized we were both sobbing. Broken hearts, tired
bodies, worn-out minds, trembling souls, we held each other in the dark. It was
at this moment something inside of me said “You have a choice. Do you want to
live like this?” I realized Derek and I were useless to Canyon, our other kids
and each other if we let despair run our lives. We had to find peace. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">That next morning, somehow, I
was able to rise a bit above the fear. It took some mental concentration, lots
of prayer, uplifting music, the love and support of friends and family, but if
I focused on my blessings and expressed gratitude, I could hold myself
together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With intentional thought and
practice, Derek and I started lifting each other out of it. Canyon was
thriving. His coordination and speech were not just normal for his age, but we
always felt Canyon was gifted. He expressed complex ideas, memorized songs and
played like a normal three year-old. Was he going to be alright? Some days were
better then others, but we held it together a bit more. This gift of gratitude
eventually became a part of daily life and after 9 long weeks, we got the
results about Canyon. Out of 300 tests, one gene tested positive for a type of
leukodystropy, but he needed two genes (one from each parent) to have the full
disease. They couldn’t get a full read on the other gene. They would need to
run another test, as a matter of fact, they’d had it drawn in November, but
that was the lysosomal enzyme panel lost in the hospital. It had come back to
haunt us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Canyon had another neurology
appointment. The doctor concluded he most likely did not have a type of leukodystropy
(we would have to wait for the other panel to know for certain), but there were
too many things pointing to something degenerative. The doctor explained in
great detail why he thought this was what was happening. Perhaps Canyon had
something that would allow him to live a bit longer, but it still didn’t look
good. The evidence suggested Canyon’s condition would continue to decline, but
not as fast as leukodystropy. How long? What disease? The doctor didn’t know. The
lysosomal enzyme panel tested for 30 more diseases. It was like winning (or
losing) the lottery. Either way, something devastating is harming Canyon. I
came home and told Derek what the doctor said. That evening during family
scripture study, we heard this moaning sound and realized one of our other
children was just bawling. It hit us all in different ways. We all rallied to
his support. We let each one of our children ask questions and express their
feelings. Canyon prayed that night and when he did it felt like he was literally
communicating with God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Three weeks ago, I took
Canyon back into the hospital for the lysosomal enzyme panel. We were billed
$3850.00. It felt like a kick in the gut. This would be a big financial hit for
our family, but our doctor was working with the hospital. They lost the
original test results. What had they done to redeem the situation? It didn’t
seem fair. Canyon and I prayed before they took his blood and he did amazing.
We were told it would take two weeks for the results. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nzznDnvIJMs" width="560"></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">This takes me back to
yesterday, Derek and I listening to the message from our dear nurse Maria. “The
lysosomal enzyme panel came back normal. The doctor feels Canyon has a greater
chance of not having something progressive. Things are looking much better for
your son.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">We celebrated by doing
something we are very good at, we cried. More tears, more hugs, more
unconditional love, more prayers, more time with Canyon to let everything
process. Could it be our little boy is going to be alright? He’s been on
seizure medication since November and has been seizure-free since. But what
about the other symptoms? Are they manageable with medication? We will have to
wait and see, but for now, we will take this most important victory. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hz3XweMBavI" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I have been very careful
about sharing specifics on social media because our son <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> is serving a mission in the
Phillipines and if there was a chance he could find out about it, our family
did not want him to carry any of this burden. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-9247514930290694352019-02-05T11:54:00.003-08:002019-02-05T12:12:57.375-08:00Would She Find Joy?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">What do you do when life gets tough?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">I’ve wondered about that lately. Because honestly, I love being
happy. It’s my thing. I love being excited about every new day. I love family
and nature and life. I love Jesus and children and babies. And chocolate chip
cookie dough! Oh and I love my husband. He’s my best friend and I’m always
lifted up around him. I think he’s super cute and thank heavens, the feeling is
mutual. My kids are my world. I mean, what’s not to be happy about with all
this goodness going on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">So, what if someone who’s usually really happy like me, one day,
just doesn’t feel like being happy anymore. How does she get it back?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">Why did it go away?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">Let’s just pretend for a minute and since I’m a writer, let’s
bring in some worst case scenario stuff, just for fun and of course I’m just
being super random, not wanting to be too specific here because I don’t really
know anybody going through this, but let’s just say what if there was this
woman who was a mother and, I don’t know, she had a baby and it was a super
tough pregnancy. Not just because she was older, but because life was
overwhelming. She stays positive, for the most part, but out of necessity gives
up on all her personal dreams, like teaching, working for a variety of
non-profits and she feels her dream of becoming a New York Times best-selling
author slipping away because her family needs her, so she starts to fall into
automatic mode. Life becomes one giant pile of dirty dishes and dirty clothes,
but she listens to Christian music, so there are still days she smiles and dances
with the kids in the living room. She gets super big and fat when one day she’s
told she’ll have to have a c-section because, the baby might die if the doctor
doesn’t get her out <b>that day</b>, so, this mother, faces one of her
biggest fears EVER and has this c-section. Yes, the baby lives and the little
thing is perfect, but to make it a bit more dramatic, let’s say this random
mother contracts staph twice and even still when she sits up, there’s a pain
that makes her wonder if she’ll every feel normal again. To add insult to
injury, the mother is still big and fat, even with the baby out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">And maybe this mother, who loves her kids like nothing else in
this world, gives someone she loves, like maybe her oldest child to a cause so
special, like a mission that helps the poor and those searching for hope, for
Christ. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">This kid, again, let’s just say to make this scenario more dramatic,
he’s her oldest son and he’s amazing. He’s been such a support in her life.
He’s pure sunshine with the biggest smile (actually she’s nicknamed it the
“million dollar smile”). This kid of hers can practically read her mind and
even though he’s just a teenager one of his life’s purposes is to love his mom
and to make her smile every day. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglG4JN_z3Sja88m8r6F2JTjHJP5RNK3oP4cG0YX3RJcxUyg4vbZwJO7IoleJS0mWBn4DQK7Ydp8EXT65Iif7t0i3RqGhw-D-S0FTvnvdpYzHafJ1ddeVayl3fQ2cYecO-7cwS9e3To0RI/s1600/canyon+chandler.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1389" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglG4JN_z3Sja88m8r6F2JTjHJP5RNK3oP4cG0YX3RJcxUyg4vbZwJO7IoleJS0mWBn4DQK7Ydp8EXT65Iif7t0i3RqGhw-D-S0FTvnvdpYzHafJ1ddeVayl3fQ2cYecO-7cwS9e3To0RI/s400/canyon+chandler.JPG" width="346" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">Not just because he tells her he loves
her <i>every</i> time he walks out the door, in the door and calls,
but he is so helpful, running errands, babysitting, doing the dishes every
night and he is the reason the mom can get so much done for the other kids. He’s
the reason she’s sane. He’s the reason the mom even has time during the day to
take a walk or think or take a shower. There's never been enough time in the day for her to truly tell him how much she loves him.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">Let’s say this oldest son leaves one day
and goes halfway across the world to volunteer to love others as Christ does,
but the mother can’t talk to him, except in letters and she knows she won’t see
him for years. The siblings of this oldest child are a wreck too because of
course he meant just as much to them as the mother. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JwKJFYRmV6H1A8JOyu9pNalAeKRONNW2rlmXPDBVISjY-Otb4oX3HDeUtIS2wf9M6D8XVJ0zMmSQGTVdkyz50IeCDtZJ08kQnz23AqCOU2OePisYw_OR2xcUoMT88cZkTMtxaGdMp-k/s1600/chandler+phillipines+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="938" data-original-width="1251" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JwKJFYRmV6H1A8JOyu9pNalAeKRONNW2rlmXPDBVISjY-Otb4oX3HDeUtIS2wf9M6D8XVJ0zMmSQGTVdkyz50IeCDtZJ08kQnz23AqCOU2OePisYw_OR2xcUoMT88cZkTMtxaGdMp-k/s400/chandler+phillipines+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">So, her kids are crying
themselves to sleep, missing him like crazy, writing him notes and art work as
therapy to learn how to live without him. This mother has to dig deep because
it would be a really good time to feel sorry for herself, or to worry sick
about her son because he’s in a third world country you know, eating fish off
the floor and using a mosquito net just so he can sleep through the night
without being bit to death. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJLqLrTYADyua0lzPKya8ulg8OaMA-C6nGd4-MVDFUNWqDwklxrs0y6uaXr-aiRLlwBhw0eI1Ykei-1Rq_u4zPzAxdEqd0Jdh3nHFKkDeW7MYAw8vQJD5gnIDs_67fSAZLmBFz0L7QUQ/s1600/chandler+phillipines+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="938" data-original-width="1251" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJLqLrTYADyua0lzPKya8ulg8OaMA-C6nGd4-MVDFUNWqDwklxrs0y6uaXr-aiRLlwBhw0eI1Ykei-1Rq_u4zPzAxdEqd0Jdh3nHFKkDeW7MYAw8vQJD5gnIDs_67fSAZLmBFz0L7QUQ/s400/chandler+phillipines+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">And remember, this mother just had a baby too. And
she’s still fat, but now she’s also very tired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">I’m really digging here, but imagine if, I don’t know, if this
mother’s other child, because she has a lot of them (remember, she loves
babies), let’s say it’s her three year old little boy who is like her beating
heart, is having life-threatening seizures. He might be facing a terminal
illness and every night when she goes to bed (if the newborn is not awake of
course) she isn’t sure when she wakes up in the morning if that child will
still be alive. Because she’s seen him almost die three times. For dramatic
effect, add a couple of lengthy hospital stays in the pediatric ICU. Let’s take
this story up a notch and say another one of her children has ADD that presents
itself in pretty big ways every day, another one of her children is getting
bullied at school and the mother, realizes pep talks and prayers aren’t working
anymore for the situation. Super crazy, but this mother hates conflict like the
plague, but let’s make her get out of her comfort zone and confront this
bullying situation (now remember, I’m just pulling this stuff out of thin air),
and maybe on just any given day her husband tells her the funding to his work
may be getting redistributed somewhere else and he’s not sure how he’s going to
get paid (now that’s a good one to conjure up). What else can I imagine?
O.K., pretend this mother who loves food decides to give up sugar, and while
she’s going through some pretty tough %$#*, she decides she’s done being fat. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDJ9DoOYgdrAc_Xg5rv9-V69KuXW3_gnTuu0E_vmnZ2MmJKD5TYLi3pz5oAAdbbX-isvLwH-5go57547JbkuTxLu2aJm8cDGNOvYl2yjhz28YdHkV9NshhGvJ-llbHZsqYihyphenhyphenfAH0ZsY/s1600/crazy+time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDJ9DoOYgdrAc_Xg5rv9-V69KuXW3_gnTuu0E_vmnZ2MmJKD5TYLi3pz5oAAdbbX-isvLwH-5go57547JbkuTxLu2aJm8cDGNOvYl2yjhz28YdHkV9NshhGvJ-llbHZsqYihyphenhyphenfAH0ZsY/s400/crazy+time.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">Because being fat is starting to manifest in a way that shows how dysfunctional
things are. She’s having achy joints, insomnia, foggy brain and low energy. And
she asks herself, “When are you going to start making yourself a priority?”
That would be tough, huh. I’d feel bad for someone going through that. I mean
give that girl some cookies!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XRsZGrmS7XhB0enZrFZmm4k_9dOWQdtFndZrQQOLL_w3cW5uiwaLBx731EFWueiroPE0IySOVoL6xMBwgkYd4aeVfKTGrSU3wtP5xP7bFZqZkAYrrnnbmp7FqSCRLKWj44wWgop76kE/s1600/Canyon+and+Mommy+40-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XRsZGrmS7XhB0enZrFZmm4k_9dOWQdtFndZrQQOLL_w3cW5uiwaLBx731EFWueiroPE0IySOVoL6xMBwgkYd4aeVfKTGrSU3wtP5xP7bFZqZkAYrrnnbmp7FqSCRLKWj44wWgop76kE/s400/Canyon+and+Mommy+40-001.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">She sits at the park, day after day and watches her little three
year old play and she wonders “How can we live without him?” </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuO1OTkjpgfr0TNexgVC9948wy0Fq9Zgn68MDMJvXOXtq0SzOGv6gPUG83HAz4kM0UXAX99THFfzuiQsHPrIImls5Z5dSjvKJFrviJ4h0DNgZFsK2aRxs_4mbDArxvrv8OPaa0x-O5Ac/s1600/canyon+at+the+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuO1OTkjpgfr0TNexgVC9948wy0Fq9Zgn68MDMJvXOXtq0SzOGv6gPUG83HAz4kM0UXAX99THFfzuiQsHPrIImls5Z5dSjvKJFrviJ4h0DNgZFsK2aRxs_4mbDArxvrv8OPaa0x-O5Ac/s400/canyon+at+the+park.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">Sometimes, her
mind wanders and she imagines the worst case scenario, nothing I could think up
on my own, but she can. Running through her mind are images of sick kids she’s
seen on the internet. Against the doctor’s orders, she has researched the heck
out of this illness that is haunting her son like a ghost. She knows it all,
how it starts, how it grows and how eventually it kills. She stares at his MRI for hours and compares it to those she finds on the internet. When she kisses the top of his head, she imagines the love she feels for him can travel through his skull into the white matter of his brain and heal it. She'll even hold him in her arms and press that kiss so tenderly into his head at that very spot where his MRI shows his white matter is abnormal and she pleads with God that love <i>will</i> and <i>can</i> heal. Her heart does this
weird thing where it pauses long enough to skip a beat and she feels like she
might suffocate. So, she takes a deep breath and pretends he’s not sick at all.She knows there are people in the world going through way more bigger
challenges then this and she tries to keep things in perspective. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">She has a
roof over her head, a loving family, food (well not sugar), clothing, love and
she tells herself “You’re just going to have to hang on, think positive and
leave it up to God.” Then, she stops and the cold wind blows through her hair,
“God, are your there?” She knows He is because when life has been tough before,
He always made himself known. He’s just never put her through anything this
serious before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">Crazy how my mind gets working when I’m writing, but now I’m
imagining this “mother” finds out there’s a tree root stuck in the plumbing
underneath her house. It’s a pretty old house, but this mother loves big trees
and vintage homes, so here she finds herself with a plumber literally
jack-hammering up the floor in her hallway. I’d imagine the sound of a
jack-hammer is a horrible way to wake up in the morning. Of course, the project
gets dragged out (is there really a plumber who finishes a job when he says he
will) and she’s carrying the newborn, or maybe it’s the sick three year old
(I’ll have to work on the specifics of that scene later) and she’s tripping
over the crumbled cement in the hallway. She stops and feels that broken floor
kind of represents her life. Has she crumbled too? I mean, she did spend two
hours that night doing the dishes in her bath tub, while the newborn baby was
crying and the three year old who has seizures was offering to “help” (we all
know how helpful it is when a three year old wants to help). </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">And she can’t even
eat some chocolate that night to help her get through it all. Remember, she’s
still fat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">As a writer, I’ve learned a lot about character development and
how to create conflict, so I would create something with the husband, who has
always been her rock, maybe he could start to crumble too. He has anxiety
because he’s worried about the three year old. The amazing thing about this kid is everyone feels like his best friend.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMS9z9QNwXOOT_1mZIH1otB3NtMvMP36Pc2OYT3xWiUPgGPrDYGFlAJ9ugJkLQtdnijv93TidhGmSq2na3bwta80mCY1O6-yU5jXlUFK0onDO4MEAYadngEDg1PrTEPp6yVR7aKWd9UN0/s1600/canyon+and+daddy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMS9z9QNwXOOT_1mZIH1otB3NtMvMP36Pc2OYT3xWiUPgGPrDYGFlAJ9ugJkLQtdnijv93TidhGmSq2na3bwta80mCY1O6-yU5jXlUFK0onDO4MEAYadngEDg1PrTEPp6yVR7aKWd9UN0/s400/canyon+and+daddy.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">The husband has too many
sleepless nights and starts to have his own break downs. They manifest through
intense crying anytime, well, especially before bed so he can’t sleep very
well, which only escalates this situation of anxiety. His normal joyful self is
now this long-faced puffy-eyed man every time he walks through the door. He
literally starts scheduling time at work where he can cry and pray. His wife
worries about him more and more because she’s never seen him like this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDrcgyqOMk5R57MEt1y2LOCGvKY2UmmTZjA3XByDRWAFniAzAD0ZrE3JKOK2SlJJRFZrOzTHP80ybOeF78cQ4rP37VIZN0XyT6ZgRKVjVhJvohQuqyHIE7_qZXQeRrV6BQrAHUVmQdxU/s1600/dereks+long+face.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDrcgyqOMk5R57MEt1y2LOCGvKY2UmmTZjA3XByDRWAFniAzAD0ZrE3JKOK2SlJJRFZrOzTHP80ybOeF78cQ4rP37VIZN0XyT6ZgRKVjVhJvohQuqyHIE7_qZXQeRrV6BQrAHUVmQdxU/s400/dereks+long+face.JPG" width="378" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">So, how would that woman, that mother, that daughter of God
who really just wants to be her best self and rise every day to the challenges
presented to her, how would she find joy in all this muck?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">If I were to experience something like this, I would be thankful
I’d spent years of my life focused on the teachings of Jesus Christ because
through Him, all things are possible. JOY! That would be my focus. ABUNDANCE!
CLARITY! PURPOSE! MIRACLES! LOVE!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(artist is Liz Lemon Swindle)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLKhJxUsnlwhOLK7fHVzo7wuetehg_zqK8Y3WV4lgJQw_V9kE_HfZk6Qij176BrLnkVCQgS88gCxSW78NVDfZipED0iTrNvaO70oXANZm6uJhB9eJkPv6QbguFI_QcfsfXtNjfLgL-io/s1600/liz+lemon+swinde+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="498" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLKhJxUsnlwhOLK7fHVzo7wuetehg_zqK8Y3WV4lgJQw_V9kE_HfZk6Qij176BrLnkVCQgS88gCxSW78NVDfZipED0iTrNvaO70oXANZm6uJhB9eJkPv6QbguFI_QcfsfXtNjfLgL-io/s400/liz+lemon+swinde+3.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiln39xwIxnOzItWDchyRSj9AiFuB9YlhsGwI8OI5yfSM2yoTcfgxVFzvpCbts876iJvrQ4QNITEvXvaCxIjnEeGiVbsLOghqGpoxR-AVu_4t3XMN3svg2Zj1e0NgpSOwbyhDvTXrphz5s/s1600/liz+lemon+swindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="262" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiln39xwIxnOzItWDchyRSj9AiFuB9YlhsGwI8OI5yfSM2yoTcfgxVFzvpCbts876iJvrQ4QNITEvXvaCxIjnEeGiVbsLOghqGpoxR-AVu_4t3XMN3svg2Zj1e0NgpSOwbyhDvTXrphz5s/s400/liz+lemon+swindle.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtW6QwAdwwpijhmnxZayzTQuFohViH1kJDz1tYE9pFI8SEEudO31kWKaIe53_UTumBcFJZcx2lKwkMtb1nwUBsvnzR5hZjuqjAcRatg2Ylz5z2wy7WD80KP5vjkLPcva2JEFe0YZnn_uQ/s1600/liz+lemon+swinde+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="357" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtW6QwAdwwpijhmnxZayzTQuFohViH1kJDz1tYE9pFI8SEEudO31kWKaIe53_UTumBcFJZcx2lKwkMtb1nwUBsvnzR5hZjuqjAcRatg2Ylz5z2wy7WD80KP5vjkLPcva2JEFe0YZnn_uQ/s400/liz+lemon+swinde+4.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">Because random people like family, friends, neighbors, church
members are sooooo good. They make meals, offer to go grocery shopping, stop in
for visits, bring gifts, offer to help give your kid a ride to school EVERY DAY
(yes, stuff like this really happens). They take your other kids to the park,
bring fresh citrus, music, bath balms, baby clothes, they even stop in to see
if they can take your laundry to their house so you don’t have to wash it in
the tub! The kindness of people manifests through loving texts, fresh flowers
that last for weeks, love notes, a clean kitchen, giving the three year old a
hair cut because he needed it so bad, prays, fasting, hugs, messages, guacamole
and more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">JOY! Can she find it? If I were in this situation, could I?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;">The night before his last seizure.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0Qvce8dYJt-58OBoAd4NISQoG0TH1g0z0NMxXfsENaVv9R9Bc1P0ijJIfXzZiNmlYhYtBsS6BxdRvt1WjjYD6SatWZ2LNRGbRLfNQAdwfDXvX_HscuQyOl4ZxoyfycXwV-Hd4TmvERQ/s1600/canyon+sleeping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0Qvce8dYJt-58OBoAd4NISQoG0TH1g0z0NMxXfsENaVv9R9Bc1P0ijJIfXzZiNmlYhYtBsS6BxdRvt1WjjYD6SatWZ2LNRGbRLfNQAdwfDXvX_HscuQyOl4ZxoyfycXwV-Hd4TmvERQ/s400/canyon+sleeping.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">The next morning (heartbreak)!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cNz2dl7Ya7JApKw_mhMGug3YPe8dUaBVAoEc9L11XsOsisO22X2ZO9ddVff8_lQ-05CTBmdCt9aWZX_S3yj5ds0v-gicpZV6ZW9RdIn5byguGF87dIwUBt1bk9if4zpmUS_Mvsjq8ok/s1600/canyon+seizure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cNz2dl7Ya7JApKw_mhMGug3YPe8dUaBVAoEc9L11XsOsisO22X2ZO9ddVff8_lQ-05CTBmdCt9aWZX_S3yj5ds0v-gicpZV6ZW9RdIn5byguGF87dIwUBt1bk9if4zpmUS_Mvsjq8ok/s400/canyon+seizure.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">I think I would have to, because if I didn’t I would die without
hope. I would be stuck in the worst feeling of despair I’d ever experienced.
Forget the plumbing, the job, the sleepless nights, I mean I’d really have to
learn what was important. Life, Love, Children, Health, Family, Jesus, God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkddL2xp8CAlXg956UeH6lUC5UqKQJYrjVLfZ-2w5LgIAAh0VMr9JhZ7QRiiMKGOkFZpBjb2cVWGtYyRrLVY-4GhrW6e3ZhfNrmYN0ppKX_v1cxiTOO3w4r5_kOJuZqLRKaUncHn9HQzw/s1600/walmart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkddL2xp8CAlXg956UeH6lUC5UqKQJYrjVLfZ-2w5LgIAAh0VMr9JhZ7QRiiMKGOkFZpBjb2cVWGtYyRrLVY-4GhrW6e3ZhfNrmYN0ppKX_v1cxiTOO3w4r5_kOJuZqLRKaUncHn9HQzw/s400/walmart.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">Strangely, going without sugar would probably be the best thing
for this mother. She would start to have more clarity and her health would
slowly return. Giving up this addiction is good for her. And daily intermittent
fasting, since the last time her son was in the pediatric ICU, that would help.
A vision board. Writing down goals. Positive affirmations. Serving others.
Forgetting about self. Starting a business? Selling shampoo? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jsqxmLHw6fdJ1x7d7QBl47kszlefBydYcm4f3AqegAmAY3KTY9-Z4pRVslYPqHZCnIu53NR3zDNdDyelB-6cRoEQ6VY2jE8eP1Qjn1Es4DQfwUBzHFqtEHsmvX_X_NV7PaUlHPeXvsg/s1600/monat+cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jsqxmLHw6fdJ1x7d7QBl47kszlefBydYcm4f3AqegAmAY3KTY9-Z4pRVslYPqHZCnIu53NR3zDNdDyelB-6cRoEQ6VY2jE8eP1Qjn1Es4DQfwUBzHFqtEHsmvX_X_NV7PaUlHPeXvsg/s400/monat+cream.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">What!?! Crazy, but
it would give her a new focus and she would understand it’s good for her to do
things that help her develop herself, because she’s forgotten so much. She's been drowning in sorrow. Yes,
these are the things. And more. Great music, sometimes listening to the same
song over and over again, dancing, playing, sunsets, hugs, researching
sugar-free recipes, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it’s all there to
help if she’ll just let it in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">And of course God would work his magic. He’d give her dreams and
impressions. She’d pick up on the subtle messages in songs, words would just
pop out to her, she’d feel things so deep and wonder why? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VXIBP2BdYR8" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">Her children would
respond with such tenderness, she’d actually start to see some hidden blessings
in all this muck. Then, God would tell her why. She’d cry and realize she was
on a path towards Him, that everything going on pushed her in the right
direction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9rBRWBv2NHZs3DPp2MOHTrLzXmUoBR0_spUb3xSfCqjv_wXUtJPBMtHbbQh1BXJqit59agy8PSw0eyIFeQw2g3RGLIPGw7CWm2khDK0MZ2DA1wjfMtzPdZoHfxfJ7Qhz-zkLePmdKOk/s1600/Christmas+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="962" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9rBRWBv2NHZs3DPp2MOHTrLzXmUoBR0_spUb3xSfCqjv_wXUtJPBMtHbbQh1BXJqit59agy8PSw0eyIFeQw2g3RGLIPGw7CWm2khDK0MZ2DA1wjfMtzPdZoHfxfJ7Qhz-zkLePmdKOk/s400/Christmas+2018.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">Admist all this, does she find joy? To her surprise, she does. She
had to. But it’s not like birthday party joy, or “you’ve won a new car” joy. It’s
like a quiet pondering, where love grows in abundance and even simple signs of
beauty create a big response from this mother. She hears her three year old
sing a song and she closes her eyes to block everything out. All she wants to
do is to hear him sing. He runs into her arms and she holds the entire world.
He picks her a flower and he’s given her his heart over and over again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">Her
newborn baby giggles and smiles like her life depends on it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">Every smile is
like a sign everything is going to be alright. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">Her husband becomes more tender,
more sympathetic, more caring (which she didn’t think was possible) then every
before. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9Hcso4dT3g-OyLhiXZf70ltSFZFdoTRFX_uoD99BJiwWmuqfW2INdhgZ1r3Bo_I9pKD5KVWTRFvoKPUcgKUYpn079pbxyI_Rtcem0XI3vwqPUbu5echhA8_CMhwkNPCe0Zhv0pBrY5U/s1600/date+night+33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9Hcso4dT3g-OyLhiXZf70ltSFZFdoTRFX_uoD99BJiwWmuqfW2INdhgZ1r3Bo_I9pKD5KVWTRFvoKPUcgKUYpn079pbxyI_Rtcem0XI3vwqPUbu5echhA8_CMhwkNPCe0Zhv0pBrY5U/s400/date+night+33.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">Her children are like beautiful lights walking in and out of the door –
to school, to play with a friend, to church – and the mother knows she is
blessed beyond measure. This is the joy the mother finds. It's a joy that presents itself in every moment, but she has to look for it and when she finds it, it’s a joy like
non else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-55680996726837592582019-01-16T13:40:00.000-08:002019-01-16T13:44:31.431-08:00If Something Is Too Big, Start Small<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">For two decades, I’ve loved
yoga. When I was a new mom with just a couple of kids, I was still in great
shape. I loved running, jumped on the trampoline with my kids, swimming, and
taking them on bike rides, I mean I was very active so when I did my daily yoga
routine, I was flexible and my muscles were warm. This was before a million
different videos were on youtube. I had a yoga VHS tape that I turned on and
even my kids enjoy the stretches (or jumping on me depending on their mood). So
easy was that yoga routine I started slipping. It got a little boring and my
body was so flexible, it didn’t seem important anymore. Every once in a while
I’d do it, but eventually, I got out of the routine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I remember a few years ago,
right after I had Canyon. I was 75 pounds overweight and had just started
practicing intermittent fasting. (You can order my book on intermittent fasting and prayer <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Starving-Girl-experience-miracle-intermittent/dp/153933595X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547674432&sr=8-1&keywords=starving+girl+intermittent+fasting">here</a>.) My body ached, I had pain in places I’d never
had and I was so inflexible it was frightening. I couldn’t even do some of the
most basic stretched I remembered without experiencing pain. My belly fat was
in the way and so was my negative attitude. Would I ever feel good in my body
again? Intermittent fasting helped me lose 35 pounds in 5 months. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcrs27xLRIW0rK5rILk1vVfPM8MyRf1MsrGIll1LpyFe91rW9UB3qslgHMKJMLWdBEYnL68jCHOGHNZZWOHsILOEKeX4owmwvoknzN8pNJtJRlNoJpT9VYKqU6zHB0YvowYz7VlfxhRY/s1600/intermittent+fasting+9.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/AVvXsEjbcrs27xLRIW0rK5rILk1vVfPM8MyRf1MsrGIll1LpyFe91rW9UB3qslgHMKJMLWdBEYnL68jCHOGHNZZWOHsILOEKeX4owmwvoknzN8pNJtJRlNoJpT9VYKqU6zHB0YvowYz7VlfxhRY/s400/intermittent+fasting+9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I was happy
and felt I had some sort of control again over my cravings and daily attitude. I
was walking every day, but still didn’t have the good feeling of flexibility I
craved. So, with so much of my belly fat gone and my attitude in a much better
place, I did a google search. I wanted to start doing yoga again. Let me tell you, there are a lot of people doing some very intense yoga routines. I found a
Jillian Michael's routine that I felt was a good start. It was like an intense
yoga fat-burning cardio 30-minutes session. The first day I did it, I hated it.
The second day I did it, I hated it. Jillian just kept yelling at me. I kept
going, every time wishing I didn’t have to. Finally, I stopped. It was just too
intense. I didn’t have those good feelings, I couldn’t hold poses because the
class was so fast, I was still had bad muscle tone. The music was upbeat,
pumping and pounding, but in the past I’d used yoga to help me relax. Yoga no
longer felt good to me, so, I stopped. I concluded yoga was no longer for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Until about a year later, as
my body was still craving something more, I had the idea to do a google search
on beginning yoga. I felt inspired that I needed to start from scratch. Why not
look for a yoga style that fit into my current physical condition. In addition,
with all I had going on, a 30 minute yoga routine seemed to long. Most often, I
would be interrupted and that left me frustrated. So, I narrowed my search to
10-minute beginning yoga. That felt good to me. I found a video I liked and
started. I enjoyed it so much. (Link to that video is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0Ebi54JjUA">here</a>.) </span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">There was no pressure, I could relax and
meditate and really be in the moment with gratitude with my body. I continued
looking for better yoga experience, but kept it within the framework of 10
minutes and beginning. I came across a video of an Indian man talking about yoga.
He was frustrated that modern culture has taken yoga and used it as a
weight-loss tool. Although that was a huge benefit, yoga first and foremost was
for mediation and to connect with the body. It was to feel one with God and
your inner being. That felt so right to me. I know longer felt like yoga owed
me a weight-loss experience, but I could used it to strengthen my body,
meditate and feel gratitude. With this new perspective, my yoga routine became
about feeling and listening to my body.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcFq83UkygEIERBLGxWovJHoNMROuFPYfNnQxli-GYn5m4osectwmGCqYjeHa9CBKoiGEFwCr0nYP6iKUWqx9gxIehr-24vceCHaFMNZpfvl9Xos-J0_HTjlozWapV-nLrXcj9E_FcuE/s1600/yoga+2-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1318" data-original-width="1094" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcFq83UkygEIERBLGxWovJHoNMROuFPYfNnQxli-GYn5m4osectwmGCqYjeHa9CBKoiGEFwCr0nYP6iKUWqx9gxIehr-24vceCHaFMNZpfvl9Xos-J0_HTjlozWapV-nLrXcj9E_FcuE/s400/yoga+2-001.jpg" width="331" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Before anybody knew I was
pregnant with Ruby, I took a trip to see my sister Anna in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">San Diego</st1:place></st1:city>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9avJAt02-Y4zzrnUB9ROR4FQRrdYp5jE2XkTekd_8G3th6wthD4s_mG0i-w217lYqIHCRIGJyFru-1c3Gso-T-2nDFwNBUppoL-CYYY3tR8ixmm55zNB1-gy3W3t4kYIyHLmarpzCK8/s1600/anna+yoga+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9avJAt02-Y4zzrnUB9ROR4FQRrdYp5jE2XkTekd_8G3th6wthD4s_mG0i-w217lYqIHCRIGJyFru-1c3Gso-T-2nDFwNBUppoL-CYYY3tR8ixmm55zNB1-gy3W3t4kYIyHLmarpzCK8/s400/anna+yoga+3.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">She’s a certified yoga instructor
and I watched her daily, even twice daily include yoga. Her practice is
beautiful. She connects and is always looking for was to improve herself. She
did “yoga on the go.” </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5KNJ8D6LDv9PeNJEUBrjJb-xizG08XvT_Sd2ntT3t_5-1ya6sZSoGET3vHew2npr9ljS_tFqG7c2CS2pedn58Ds9uo63r1p3SX-tN1UNPOHMNPl9pv7IfeQnWA5UBguQf0TFo092GBY/s1600/Anna+Yoga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5KNJ8D6LDv9PeNJEUBrjJb-xizG08XvT_Sd2ntT3t_5-1ya6sZSoGET3vHew2npr9ljS_tFqG7c2CS2pedn58Ds9uo63r1p3SX-tN1UNPOHMNPl9pv7IfeQnWA5UBguQf0TFo092GBY/s400/Anna+Yoga.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">She had her mat in her car or carried it when we walked
to the beach. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY43jpUK0BvzYFQ_Bydr-XBB2c3-DVlt3t3770hTukdwOKqCRYaDXvQ8Kf9SwluNQUsvE3NfhOX3q6WkZZL4O_o5qPKfgMh92OUBe2844TmbuqWFr5GsskexAwmPjdGmazNjf9H_kwCH4/s1600/anna+yoga+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1080" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY43jpUK0BvzYFQ_Bydr-XBB2c3-DVlt3t3770hTukdwOKqCRYaDXvQ8Kf9SwluNQUsvE3NfhOX3q6WkZZL4O_o5qPKfgMh92OUBe2844TmbuqWFr5GsskexAwmPjdGmazNjf9H_kwCH4/s400/anna+yoga+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">She intentionally practiced yoga in some unusual places. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83VvcASATw1mHFSSwmhu72RqL5B69w6hdO0EhDYrzI9VDdGl_eJUU6cQU3O42xRtfOsWYCtfnLh8mWrSbEF5kx3vRCbQDK2aoeWYenKAP2Pu9tOsk22T2sI62g3ngg0paKD2RmbS5Glo/s1600/anna+yoga+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83VvcASATw1mHFSSwmhu72RqL5B69w6hdO0EhDYrzI9VDdGl_eJUU6cQU3O42xRtfOsWYCtfnLh8mWrSbEF5kx3vRCbQDK2aoeWYenKAP2Pu9tOsk22T2sI62g3ngg0paKD2RmbS5Glo/s400/anna+yoga+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">It was
the first time it occurred to me I could do yoga out of the house or out of the
gym. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWn-LFOZoX-5JG3IKZrUSW0xFUNHBN_9GmBO6F9hrKePkEDdr33QoMjXhPdZzCRUXLaMRP5IFH5TU7fC6hTCfMbZ7qXNuCI1Yfi6fSYO-Xi9sUTLNttdtuyZBBmxrG9OETNfNvUd17CGw/s1600/anna+yoga+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="771" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWn-LFOZoX-5JG3IKZrUSW0xFUNHBN_9GmBO6F9hrKePkEDdr33QoMjXhPdZzCRUXLaMRP5IFH5TU7fC6hTCfMbZ7qXNuCI1Yfi6fSYO-Xi9sUTLNttdtuyZBBmxrG9OETNfNvUd17CGw/s400/anna+yoga+2.jpg" width="321" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I could do yoga at a park or in the back yard while my kids played. I
could take a walk and stop and do a 10-minute yoga routine along the way. I
found a beautiful church that had a grass yard. There was a patch of shade
underneath a large tree. For my first 20 weeks of pregnancy with Ruby, I would
take that walk, stop at the church and with gratitude, do some simple stretches.
It was so relaxing. I had the wind and sun, birds and butterflies with me. My
little baby was growing inside me and it was such a special time. Because of
what Anna taught me, I would walk to the park and while Canyon played, I would
roll out my yoga mat and do a simple routine in the grass. Yoga helped with
reduced swelling and I gained much less weight during my pregnancy then before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">After I had my c-section with
Ruby, I took six weeks to recover. I googled <i>Yoga</i> <i>after a c-section</i>. You wouldn’t believe the videos and trainers
who have posted to help those of us trying to strengthen and ourselves after a
c-section. The sessions were very gentle and paid close attention to not undo
any healing that had already occurred in the abdomen. There were classes for
4-6 weeks out from c-section and 6-8 weeks. I slowly (some days very slowly)
experienced the healing and medication these sessions offered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiayV_g2yuwni7cl0AtV1eksRC-ccJfJRZ5OlTXPrQ-kY0za2cZI3DV1zStLEvLBzpG7xYndhzSk6Xf_XoeVDVdmFcURrEeZ51ft25pFPFF08VfXgNDH0Zw4X_A8n93-rdVJQpWaVJQAU/s1600/anna+yoga+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiayV_g2yuwni7cl0AtV1eksRC-ccJfJRZ5OlTXPrQ-kY0za2cZI3DV1zStLEvLBzpG7xYndhzSk6Xf_XoeVDVdmFcURrEeZ51ft25pFPFF08VfXgNDH0Zw4X_A8n93-rdVJQpWaVJQAU/s400/anna+yoga+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">What have I learned? That I shouldn’t
be afraid to start small because doing things daily on a small level is better
than not doing it at all. I no longer feel the pressure to do yoga hard and fast.
Doing small daily has allowed me to try some big and see how I feel. Honestly, I
don’t like doing challenging yoga. It’s just not for me. I also allow myself flexibility
in slow, simple movements and I’ve learned to breath. I never understood the
whole breathing thing in yoga until I really slowed it down. I breath my way
into deeper and deeper stretches and love it. I have a lot to think about and I
breath that stress out with each stretch. Some days I’m in a yoga practice for
an hour, while other days I only go for ten minutes. I’ve created my own
routines with little bits of favorites from what I’ve learned through the
years. I’ve added a little bit of strength training and kettle bell lifts. No
pressure, no yelling, no out-of-reach goals, no pressure from the scale, just
beautiful, feel-good stretching yoga and I love it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">You can follow Anna and her amazing yoga practice on Instagram at awakenmintyoga or on facebook at Anna Adele. She's awesome.</span></div>
<br />Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-46164673550227289572018-12-07T13:04:00.000-08:002018-12-07T13:47:38.273-08:00God, Do You Have One More Miracle?<br />
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">On
Sunday 11<sup>th</sup>, I woke up from a dream. I was with Canyon, <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city> and my mom merrily
walking up a shallow creek in some canyon in Sedona. It was beautiful, calm,
enchanting when the water started getting deeper. There was an area up ahead deep
enough where people were jumping in. Suddenly I noticed Canyon was gone. I knew
he had fallen underwater, so I took a deep breath and went too find him. Under
water was murky and I couldn’t see anything, but I started feeling around and I
immediately felt my son. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">It
was at this moment in my dream I had a conscious thought which was, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m so thankful this dream isn’t a nightmare</i>.
I’ve had many dreams where my kids are drowning and despite my efforts, I
cannot reach them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">So,
thankfully, in my dream I pulled Canyon up and upon noticing he wasn’t
breathing, patted his back with just enough force to push whatever water he’d
swallowed out of his mouth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Canyon
then lifted his head and smiled at me. When I awoke, his smiling face was the
last thing I remember seeing. I again consciously thought, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m so thankful that wasn’t a frightening dream</i>. I knew it could
have been, but it wasn’t because everything had worked out so nicely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Check on Canyon</span></i><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gnFx5tdlXqQRV_5l3qKdtAG7eokc0eoReaVQwUZiCraDkbr49prdTgPd-MenHGw1kuRsfTpvwIngjGtzkRaS_YsP154r83oAqEVH8L_mb73zQthRnFF867C5DOXjyy-JwGZsnongVyM/s1600/canyon+sleeping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gnFx5tdlXqQRV_5l3qKdtAG7eokc0eoReaVQwUZiCraDkbr49prdTgPd-MenHGw1kuRsfTpvwIngjGtzkRaS_YsP154r83oAqEVH8L_mb73zQthRnFF867C5DOXjyy-JwGZsnongVyM/s400/canyon+sleeping.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Putting Canyon to bed the night before. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Because
of the dream, because of Canyon’s beautiful smile at the end, something bigger
was telling me to check on my son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I
didn’t want to. First of all, he sleeps with his 8 year-old sister <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Eden</st1:place></st1:city> so if anything was
wrong, she would come and get me. It was Sunday morning, early, and I didn’t
want to wake either one of them. But mostly because I am the mother of a
six-week old baby who keeps me up during the night and I was beyond tired.
Getting up to check on my peaceful, sleeping 3 year-old was not a priority of
mine, but still. . . something nudged at me so with the little energy I had I
knew I was getting up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quickly told my
husband about the dream and then, grudgingly got out of my warm cozy bed to
check on Canyon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The
blinds on my bedroom windows were closed, so although the sun was shining my
room was dark. The hallway was dark. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Eden</st1:place></st1:city>’s
room would have been dark too, but she’d slept with her desk lamp on. I’m so
thankful there was light in her room because without it, I wouldn’t have seen
Canyon clearly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">He
was flat on his back, stiff, pale, wide open eyes stuck, blank stare, catatonic,
a slight shaking of his head, again, again – was he even breathing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Instantly,
he was in my arms and I was yelling out to my husband, “Canyon’s having a
seizure!” I was out the door to the car and Derek was right behind me. It was a
race against time. Every tick, tick tick of his head, his sweaty cheek – no, it
was drool, his rigid body against mine, my reassuring words doing nothing,
absolutely nothing, “It’s alright Canyon, Mommy’s right here!” But, it wasn’t
alright. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I
hadn’t feed the newborn baby for hours. She was asleep in her crib, but anytime
she would wake up and need a bottle. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Eden</st1:place></st1:city>
had awoken frantically when I grabbed for Canyon. She was now crying by the
front door. The older kids knew what was going on and they were rubbing their
eyes, trying to wake up to reality. This was Canyon’s 4<sup>th</sup> seizure in
2 ½ years, not like this was common, not like this was even normal, but now, I
knew it was. Something was wrong. The doctors would no longer be able to blame
it on a fever, or just a one time thing. Canyon did not have a fever now.
Before going to bed the night before, he had not a single symptom anything was
wrong, but now, I knew our little boy was sick. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Canyon’s
first seizure, around 8 months old, had been the result of a spike in fever. I
was giving him a bath because he was sick with a cold and I was trying to bring
down his temperature. I had given him Tylenol, but he was still hot. While in
the bath, he quivered, like he’d had a chill. I pulled him out of the bath and
wrapped him in a towel. I had laid him on the bed and noticed he wasn’t trying
to wiggle away from me. It was a game he had played as a baby when I changed
his diaper he would wiggle and giggle until I tickled him back, but Canyon just
stared. My son <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
was with me and I asked, “What’s wrong with Canyon? Do you notice he’s acting weird?
Why isn’t he looking at us?” I picked Canyon up and he went limp. He started
convulsing and I screamed for Derek to call 911. I held Canyon near, but within
a minute I noticed he was turning blue. By the time the paramedics rushed into
the house, I was giving Canyon CPR on the kitchen floor. One of the paramedics
grabbed him and we were off to the hospital. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Canyon's first seizure at 8 months.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">During
that first seizure, I’ll never forget the emergency room doctor’s reaction.
Once Canyon’s vitals were stable, he joked with the nurse, “How many of these
do we get a week?” I’m sitting there trembling because I feel like my son could
have died and the doctor was super casual like this happens all the time. This
was called a febrile seizure. So, when Canyon had his second seizure about 1½
years later, even though it was awful and frightening, I felt confident
everything would be ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">But
the last two seizures had not been caused by fever. Canyon’s symptoms were
totally different then the first two. He didn’t convulse, he didn’t foam at the
mouth, and he didn’t turn blue. It was like he just checked out, or as the
neurologist had said, ‘It’s like his brain is shutting down.” Other then the
slight twitch of his head, he didn’t have typical seizure symptoms. The
neurologist wasn’t even sure if it was a seizure, although he continued to call
it that. Even worse, once Canyon’s seizures started, whether febrile or other,
he couldn’t pull himself out of it. Once he started a seizure, if we didn’t
find him I wasn’t sure if he would make it out alive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">So,
this fourth seizure, I didn’t know what to expect. Would the doctor laugh about
it later, like “Oh, just another day at the office?” But this was not the case.
This was horrible. Once in the hospital, the doctors took over. Canyon’s
clothing was cut off, tubes put down his throat, IV’s in both arms, and
questions – how long had he been like this? What was his medical condition?
Could I step aside while they did an x-ray? A cat scan? Had he had any sort of
trauma? Head injury? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">They
were moving Canyon from the ER to the pediatric ICU. The nurse pushed the
gurney down the hall. For a mother who always has something do to, always has a
child in her arms, always has a task at hand, I had nothing. Derek and I
followed and I felt totally empty. I was wearing the same shirt I’d fallen
asleep in. My hair was a mess, I hadn’t washed my face, I was full
of milk and needed to feed my baby. We walked and there was this great unknown, the
mystery of our son’s health, a waiting game, listening to the oxygen machine
assist Canyon breathing and as we walked into the elevator my eyes filled with
tears. Where was my perfect little boy? Who was that child on that hospital bed
hooked up to all that equipment? Would my son come out of this normal? I felt
like I was living in someone else’s life. Where was my perfect world with my
perfectly healthy children? I’d been given so much. Canyon had already survived
three seizures. He had been given miracle after miracle after miracle. I’d been
here before, asking God, begging. Could I ask again? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God, do you have one more miracle for Canyon?</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Please</span></i><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">, I
begged. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Please</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlwZRgXySs3QrmjZ2pI2i7b1gVFUHWaOV6lX-LCXQlt2JR2-2JRTMAbcGeP_WAWLZAJk_AntdEeCSBqBW2AZuxfcY-MPRcXhcDbe8Q4EbLj-kCDhhfHD3ZULP5ktwqmOmzFt8T5jFnrQ/s1600/canyon+seizure+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmlwZRgXySs3QrmjZ2pI2i7b1gVFUHWaOV6lX-LCXQlt2JR2-2JRTMAbcGeP_WAWLZAJk_AntdEeCSBqBW2AZuxfcY-MPRcXhcDbe8Q4EbLj-kCDhhfHD3ZULP5ktwqmOmzFt8T5jFnrQ/s400/canyon+seizure+2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Derek
and I waited by Canyon’s side until they wheeled him out for his second MRI in
four months. He would have another EEG. Both came back abnormal. What was
causing the seizures? All his other lab work came back perfect, except there
were more tests and we would have to wait for the results. These tests were
looking for diseases. Genetic disorders and conditions I’d never heard of. He
might not recover. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Dear God, please heal our little boy</span></i><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I can’t live
without him.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">It’s
at this moment I realized, Why me? Why should I have this miracle when so many
live with this reality? A sick children, the loss of a child, an unknown
illness, a horrible diagnosis? Why <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i>
me? Why <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> Canyon? It was like a
lottery nobody wanted to win. Was our time up? We had seven children, all
healthy, all perfect. Was this our fate? Did our family need this to learn how
to be more patient, more loving? What had I done wrong? What did I need to
learn? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The
hours and days were long, but after three days Canyon came home. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
This is where I slept, or at least tried to sleep.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">He had
recovered, but I know he’s still sick. Epilepsy? They’re not sure. He could be
completely fine, although the mind plays horrible games. Typical daily occurrences
like Canyon having a fall at the park. Is he alright? Did his body fail him?
Does he talk the same? Does he look the same? Is he walking different? Derek
and I have watched videos of him from before the seizure. Is he the same? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">They
are not sure how long he’d been it in that seizure, why he had it, what is the
cause of this abnormal dangerous condition, if it was even a seizure at all, if
he has epilepsy or something else, what is going on with his brain,
specifically his white matter, will it happen again, when? Daily medication has
been prescribed and after a brain MRI, EEG, blood work and therapy we came home
and have done our best to pretend like everything is all right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">We
pray all the time. There’s something shocking about listening to your
three-year old pray “Dear Jesus, please help me not have a seizure.” I slip
Canyon’s medication into his morning drink of raspberry tea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">I
look back at that dream and I know God is with us. I know God spoke to me. He
had Canyon come to me and say “Mommy, I can’t breathe. Come fine me.” Without
the dream, I know I wouldn’t have woken up. I wouldn’t have checked on Canyon
that Sunday morning. He may have gone hours longer and it’s very likely we
wouldn’t have him here with us today. I remember the dream being peaceful. Even
when Canyon was underwater, even when he wasn’t breathing I never panicked. I
never felt out of control. I wonder if this is meant to be so I can apply those
same feelings to what we’re going through. It takes great faith to be calm and
peaceful about this, but I’m trying. Every time I put him to bed at night, I wonder <i>Will he be alright in the morning?</i> When I'm up with the baby at night, I check on Canyon. I'm on edge? <i>Does he look alright?</i> I might jolt him awake just to make sure. I hold onto him and cry. I tell him I love him all the time (I did that before anyway).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">We
have so many praying for us, so many wonderful meals, hugs and meaningful conversations. My Relief Society President, a dear friend of mine took Ruby and cared for her day and night. As a family, we have pulled closer together. We will keep you posted on updates. Canyon is doing great. Currently, we
are waiting to meet with the neurologist on December 13<sup>th</sup>. Thank you
for your continued love and prayers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5343939021922948155.post-6601716090671229172018-10-18T14:23:00.001-07:002018-10-18T14:34:15.230-07:00Our Miracle Ruby<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">Since the start
of this pregnancy, I had a feeling it might end a bit dramatic. I mean, this
entire experience has been hinged on one miracle after another, one leap of
faith after another, more prayers then I can count and with so much on the line
– my health, the baby’s health, trying to keep up with the needs of those all
around me – I really felt some giant momentum that I’ve never experienced
before with one enormous event after another happening around here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">I have these
memories etched on my mind the last few months and I can capture them in these
photos. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">God kept
providing me the strength to move forward through the amazing experiences and
the difficult ones. I have felt so much peace, no matter where I’ve been –
whether it’s in the hospital pediatric ICU praying Canyon would survive yet
another seizure, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><br /></st1:place></st1:city></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;"><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chandler</st1:place></st1:city>
graduating </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">and preparing to leave for two years to live in a foreign country as
a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">This is the last picture I took of him! I'm not sure when I've cried so hard.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">When we
received his mission call we could not pronounce the name of the town he would
be serving (<st1:city w:st="on">Cabanatuan</st1:city> <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philippines</st1:place></st1:country-region>) or
the language he would be speaking (Tagalog), so there was that! And then
finally, around 28 weeks pregnant seeing the beautiful face of my unborn
daughter <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in this ultrasound - she was perfect!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">I’ve just
about experience every emotion I can muster!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">But with all
these experiences I finally made it to the day my 7<sup>th</sup> child would be
born and I was correct – it was not going to be like my other deliveries! Like
every thing else going on around here, I was going to have to dig deep, toughen
up and be stronger then ever before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">I had an
ultrasound Friday the 21<sup>st</sup> of September and according to her
measurements, the baby weighed in at 9 pounds. I haven’t shared everything
medical that’s going on, but I was diagnosed with<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gestational-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20355339"> gestational diabetes</a> about 8
weeks prior. It’s a condition where my blood sugar was too high, so it transferred
to the baby, which caused her to gain weight and possibly be born a bit
disportionate (macrosomia), meaning her shoulders or stomach might be a bit
bigger than the rest of her body. In addition, I had what’s called Polyhydramnios,
in which my body made to much amniotic fluid. There are many risks associated
with this condition including placenta rupture or umbilical cord prolapse (this
is when the cord drops out of the mother during labor and the baby might die
because the cord becomes cut off and the baby no longer has oxygen).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too much amniotic fluid also can be a sign of
abnormalities in the baby. It can affect her breathing once she’s born, her
urinary tract and more. These two reasons are why I got so big – too much sugar
in my blood and too much fluid. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">Three weeks before I had her.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">I changed my diet, started on medication and
even had to take insulin shots every night. Still, I had great faith this baby
would be perfect. I’d had contractions for the last two weeks, strong
contractions and I’d been in the hospital twice – once because the baby’s
heartbeat was irregular (which later turned out fine) and another time because
I thought I was in labor. Because I wasn’t 40 weeks (full-term), they sent me
home. It’s a miracle my water didn’t break and that I didn’t go into labor
because if I would have gone into labor on my own, my baby may have not made
it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">I had an amazing 46<sup>th</sup>
birthday on September 24<sup>th</sup> and wanted her to come on my birthday,
but the day ended too quickly and I knew she would come on her own terms. The
next day, Tuesday September 25<sup>th</sup>, my doctor called me at 8:30 in the
morning and told me to come in to discuss induction. I had no idea, but as soon
as I saw the doctor she said “We need to deliver this baby today.” She had
reviewed the ultrasound from the Friday before and found Ruby’s stomach to be abnormally
large and too big for me to deliver her naturally. My doctor said “I’m not
going to tell you what to do, but in my professional opinion, we need to
deliver your baby by c-section.” She knew I’d had big babies, but that was when
I was younger, lighter in weight and I hadn’t had the gestational diabetes. She
told me because of Ruby’s abnormal size stomach (which by the way would go down
just a few days after birth and she would be fine) it was most likely she would
become lodged in the birth canal and could die. I was shocked. Up until this
point, we’d had no indication Ruby was disportionate. We knew she was big, but
this was now a very real problem. At first I was stubborn. Honestly, having a
c-section is one of my biggest fears in life. I never in a million years
thought I’d be in this situation. I only gained about 30 pounds this pregnancy
(20 of it was baby and amniotic fluid), so I thought everything was under
control. I was no bigger then when I’d delivered Canyon, actually a few pounds
lighter. I felt confident I could have her naturally, but my doctor sat down
and said, “I know you think you can do this, and maybe you can, but Laura, I
know how much you love your children and if anything happens to this baby I’m
not sure I can live with myself. You need to understand it’s very likely she
will get stuck. You’ll deliver her head and then the rest of her may not come
easily. You have so much fluid, she’s not in position for birth, so the minute
I break your water, she could become lodged. You need to understand she could
die. As your doctor, I need to know you understand that.” I’m so stubborn! In
my heart I thought, “Of course I can have her naturally.” I didn't share any of my thoughts with the doctor, but she must have sensed my hesitation because a
third time again she said if the baby becomes stuck, she could try to break the baby’s
shoulder or her arm to get her through, but there was no guarantee she would
make it. Something happened in my heart, like a dial. It’s one thing to keep a
positive attitude, but it’s another to understand the risks of the situation. I
started to think about Ruby, not my own fears. Forget my fears, was I not
hearing what the doctor was saying? My baby was in jeopardy and I had to make a
decision. Did I really understand how serious the situation was? I finally
opened my heart to what the doctor was saying. I called my husband and after we
talked we agreed, a c-section it was. The peace I felt totally surprised me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">I had about two
hours before I needed to be back at the hospital. On the drive home I was praying
“Please let my baby be alright,” when I had the thought from the spirit “You
are to go in prayer and ask God for a miracle.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew if I asked God had a mighty miracle for
me, that because I’d prayed for this baby and had great faith while carrying
her, I could ask the Lord for this miracle right now. Hadn’t God already given
me too many miracles to count? He certainly had one more. I came home and my
dad gave me a beautiful blessing. He felt impressed to direct this miracle into
my life. I had not told my dad my prompting from earlier, so it was very
spiritual to have him feeling the same way I had. I’ve never heard my dad cry
during a blessing, but he could barely get through it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">My mom drove me
to the hospital (Derek was leaving work and would meet us there) and I couldn’t
believe the peace I felt. I could do this. I would do this. Today was the day
I’d been waiting for. I was prepared. I’d tried to be healthy, physically fit,
emotionally strong, our home was in order, the kids were all prepared. It was
time to finally have her. When I walked into the delivery room, my doctor said
according to my size and amniotic fluid levels I was as big as a woman giving
birth to full-term twins. I felt like I had a giant water balloon the size of a beach ball inside me. I
wasn’t sure how I felt about that, if I should be given a prize or if I was in
some sort of trouble, but yes, I was huge. I could barely walk anymore. Getting
up and down was almost impossible. I was given spinal medication to numb me
from the chest down. I was strapped on a table and a sheet was put up so I
couldn’t see what they were doing. My heart rate went up and I think I was
going into shock when Derek walked in. I couldn’t believe what was happening to
me. Derek started to talk to me, but I couldn’t talk back. I stared into his
eyes but couldn’t say anything. I was about to be cut open. This was just a bit
too much for me. I started feeling a world of vulnerability, past emotions from
sexual abuse started to surface, I was so exposed and I had no control over my
body. I wasn’t going to be able to do this. My doctor encouraged me to breath,
“Just breath,” she said and I felt the tears swell in my eyes. All I could do
was stare into Derek’s eyes, find that comfort, seek that love, take his
courage, feel his protection all around me, he was my husband and I knew he was
there for me with everything he had, but I was still struggling. I was told if
I didn’t start breathing normal they would need to sedate me. Suddenly, in my
mind the words from my favorite childhood hymn hummed a melody for the song
“There Is a Green Hill Far Away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17.3333px;"><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ENP3gzy7Hiw" width="560"></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">Over and over
again, I said these words and the comfort they brought me, thinking of my
Savior on the cross, knowing that He knew exactly where I was, He understood
the vulnerability, the fear, the physical pain – all of it spoke to me in those
beautiful words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a part of the
hymn that says ‘Oh, dearly dearly has He loved and we must love him too.” Those
words just kept going through my mind. I didn’t feel any pain while they were
working on me and in about 10 minutes my doctor just lifted the baby out of all
that water. Looking back on it, it was very spiritual to have a baby, a queen,
brought into this life just lifted out of water like that, like a baptism of
sorts. Derek was right there and they handed her to him. I couldn’t speak. I
just stared and tried to focus on breathing normal. The miracle of the entire
experience was she did not have a large abdomen, her blood sugar was normal and
she weighed less than my last baby. However, because of all the amniotic fluid,
her cord had dropped and she did have umbilical cord prolapse. If my water
would have broke on its own, the umbilical cord would have fallen out and she
would have lost oxygen. Oh my goodness, this has about thrown me into a bit of
a trauma, to think that my precious Ruby wouldn’t have made it at the last
minute. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To consider this scenario was
too much. I just couldn’t! She’d made it and that was the miracle I’d been
promised.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">Derek had her in
his arms and I couldn’t get over her hair – she had a lot of it and it was dark
brown, almost black. I’d never had a baby with so much dark hair. My baby’s are
blondes, born with peach fuzz on top. She weighed in at 8 pounds 10 ounces, a
very normal weight for a baby of mine. The nurse took Ruby’s blood sugar and it
was totally within range. Ruby’s body was shaped perfect with no large abdomen.
All the concerns we’d had before birth just melted away. She was perfect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">The first few
hours after she was delivered the room wouldn’t stop spinning and if I opened
my eyes I threw up . . . so, all I could do was have Ruby placed in my arms so
I could kiss the top of her head. I stayed in the hospital for two days and
felt ready to finally take the plunge, those first few moments home were
wonderful, but then I had to get to work. Pain medication, propped pillows in
bed, nursing, pumping – all on very little sleep, but day by day, every moment
I felt a tiny bit better. There were a few set backs, but Ruby is an amazing
sleeper so I started to get a few hours here and there. Vase after vase of
beautiful pink roses were around my house, floral arrangements, pink outfits, booties,
baby blankets, diapers, bottles, greeting cards, amazing food – it was all
there waiting for us. I’ve had so much support and it’s meant everything to me
and my family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.0pt;">A few days after
I came home, my neighbor Diane came over (with dinner, bless her heart) and she
said her husband Frank was born with <span style="background: white;">Cerebral
palsy, which can be cause by a</span> <strong><span style="background: white; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">lack of oxygen</span></strong><span style="background: white;"> to the brain (asphyxia) related to difficult
labor and delivery. My doctor hadn’t even discussed this, but there are so many
miracles that we received and I am so thankful for that darn c-section. It was
more pain then I’d ever been in, but one thing I’ve learned about child birth
is eventually, at some unknown moment in time, you will feel better. You will
have a day where you think, “Wait, I actually feel a little bit like my old
self.” And before you know it, you’re moving on to brighter days. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing Ruby is my last is very comforting. I
never have to do that again and I’m so happy about that. Ruby is the baby I’ve
been dreaming of for all these years and it’s almost surreal now that she’s
here. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Laura Lofgreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628456888272496694noreply@blogger.com7