tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-362331782024-02-21T04:52:12.423-05:00Metaphors For MeteorsMusings on life, love, and spirit.Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-44688703488130959312016-09-14T16:58:00.001-05:002016-09-14T16:58:05.215-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
All support for the missions trip to Greece has been raised! Thank you so very much for your help! Please continue to pray for our team as we prepare to go. God bless you!</div>
Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-30705845772223387572016-08-26T12:53:00.003-05:002016-08-26T12:53:56.845-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Athens in October!</b></div>
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I'm excited to share that I will be part of Orangewood Church's Missionary Team to Athens, Greece, this October, 2016! Thank you to all who supported me in this endeavor in years past-- I could not have been part of this amazing team without your support, and hope that you will consider helping me get there again this year. To see some photos from last year's trips, please scroll to the bottom of this page.</div>
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<b>Why I Go</b><br />
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Several years ago, I traveled to Greece at the end of a Missionary trip to Turkey, and met the Pastors and ministry leaders that serve in Athens. While there, we visited the churches we partner with in ministry and listened to their leaders share their vision for the Gospel of Christ in Athens and the surrounding areas. Through hearing their stories, and getting to know them over time, I have become an active supporter and partner in the ministry of House Damaris, a home for women who are victims of trafficking in Greece. This fall, I plan on serving at House Damaris, assisting the ministry team and residents in a project, and also to meet with others serving in ministry in Athens to offer support, encouragement, and physical help with the ministries they are running within their communities.</div>
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<b>Who We Help </b></div>
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Currently, we assist the ministries of The First Greek Evangelical Church, Athens, their daughter churches in the communities of Exarcheia, Glyfada, Aghia Paraskevi, the Iranian Church of Athens, and House Damaris-- a ministry for victims of trafficking in Athens. Because the needs are great, and the laborers are few, each one of these groups looks forward to our arrival and the physical help we can provide, along with the encouragement in Christ we bring. </div>
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<b>How You Can Help</b></div>
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The cost of airfare, lodging, food, and transportation for this trip is $3000.00. Currently, I have paid $1300.00 towards these expenses, and must raise the remaining $1700.00 in support. Will you consider helping me meet my goal of raising the balance of $1700.00 by September 20th?</div>
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<b>How You Can Partner With Me</b><br />
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<b>Financial Support</b><br />
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You can make a tax deductible donation online or by mail. My goal is to raise $1700.00 by September 20th, 2016.</div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">To Give Online:</b><br />
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Just click the link below, or copy and paste it into your browser, then follow these easy steps:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1. Enter the amount you would like to donate in the "Give" field.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">2. Select "missions" in the drop down menu titled "select a fund"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">3. Enter "Vicki Taylor, Greece" and your name and address in the "optional" field, then enter your email address in the field provided.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">4. Click Continue; if you already have an account, you can sign in. Otherwise, click "continue as a guest"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">5. Follow the screen prompts to enter your payment details.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">6. Click "Give" </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">You will receive a receipt for your tax deductible donation. Orangewood's giving site is secure.</span><br />
<br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" />
Here is the link to <a href="https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=90243" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #78566e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;">Orangewood Giving</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=90243" target="_blank">Orangewood Giving</a><br />
<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></b><span style="background-color: #bdbdde; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">To Mail a Check:</b><br />
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Mail to:<br />
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Orangewood PResbyterian Church<br />
attn: Missions/Vicki Taylor/Athens<br />
1300 West Maitland Blvd.<br />
Maitland, Florida 32751<br />
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Prayer support</b><br />
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Please pray for our team in these three areas:<br />
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Health and safety as we travel<br />
That we might serve Christ and the community well<br />
That our Heavenly Father would use each of us as the hands and feet of Christ<br />
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If you would like more information, or have questions, please email me at vtaylor@orangewood.org and I will get back to your right away!<br />
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Thank you so much for your interest and support! <br />
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Vicki<br />
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Please see below for pictures from our 2015 trip.<br />
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<b>Athens 2015</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6CtKTBeGdbdyIGmPzgkI1M65l0kzF_2_5ofzNbnYfAxsHHZ8DtJcQBes-5kQrqvOuY_Ias-Fm9SDqS6QVuTPJo2LUItCuQJWS-kOOrslGW9-eORCoiu9W11s6Rvvm76emUJG/s1600/greece3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6CtKTBeGdbdyIGmPzgkI1M65l0kzF_2_5ofzNbnYfAxsHHZ8DtJcQBes-5kQrqvOuY_Ias-Fm9SDqS6QVuTPJo2LUItCuQJWS-kOOrslGW9-eORCoiu9W11s6Rvvm76emUJG/s640/greece3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Meeting with old friends...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ViSFcmbX4Uj4Wz0CZ6pk7fLCdoy2s29ftPZFiVffgtun-T2aLkT4vlmHbCa_MUhweUxPaPmEbX3-aVjrcoeoSkv541dQVGuauW60ojZ45phMJhKAvd96eU4X4pqfOkhhoOYy/s1600/greece2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ViSFcmbX4Uj4Wz0CZ6pk7fLCdoy2s29ftPZFiVffgtun-T2aLkT4vlmHbCa_MUhweUxPaPmEbX3-aVjrcoeoSkv541dQVGuauW60ojZ45phMJhKAvd96eU4X4pqfOkhhoOYy/s640/greece2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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Sorting through gifts for children and supplies.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgZVPX79WVdMre0CNaBJjQo1I1RailyhP69R8WW9a_n1uLnv68VmezIaLRJeBlhsiOokf92xgBXe0cL03dd1KWeawplGz-n52aS1dh2BCHtlgzXDtkh178AslVDPROwrQ3bLY/s1600/Greece1.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgZVPX79WVdMre0CNaBJjQo1I1RailyhP69R8WW9a_n1uLnv68VmezIaLRJeBlhsiOokf92xgBXe0cL03dd1KWeawplGz-n52aS1dh2BCHtlgzXDtkh178AslVDPROwrQ3bLY/s320/Greece1.jpeg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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Heading to Victoria Square to work on a project for the First Evangelical Church in their efforts to minister to the refugees in the city.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypXyUP8pFRYilKDO4tqGkTR_Wz3qW90Asl6ABA91zXyMavPUPw1NINymzmJplAF_S_cYzui844KnUdi0QiaHn3nq0sP8Y-xH95z7e9-c_jRcrgWc1nCth6C0Xb0TZaq9lp0zv/s1600/greece21.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6moOszv5xCGunYCFwip9NkFMYNehsdUszRm_0WjiD6ywHfTfOYxQm9zedz7-k8ol2qpf60aiJ_kPc0kzwAK-pwiJzbHRHqF6EeJfoXnyEVjDtpouWK27h6flLqEBI7FzmuquY/s1600/greece6.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6moOszv5xCGunYCFwip9NkFMYNehsdUszRm_0WjiD6ywHfTfOYxQm9zedz7-k8ol2qpf60aiJ_kPc0kzwAK-pwiJzbHRHqF6EeJfoXnyEVjDtpouWK27h6flLqEBI7FzmuquY/s400/greece6.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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We spent a day talking with refugees and gathering information with the help of an Iranian pastor, who interpreted for us.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5k0-hZ9s6DizCcrrtJeU2bNyLUJlhyphenhyphenXnmYI_Q_sh5vuTtC8w2PU9WSHtcbcYkMfMCWTwRBkn7rcjrzv2c9VJT1rmkEFD6RZbygzwP7sygKjYa3Lg9hlzG4Whu-iRlGd8k338N/s1600/greece7.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5k0-hZ9s6DizCcrrtJeU2bNyLUJlhyphenhyphenXnmYI_Q_sh5vuTtC8w2PU9WSHtcbcYkMfMCWTwRBkn7rcjrzv2c9VJT1rmkEFD6RZbygzwP7sygKjYa3Lg9hlzG4Whu-iRlGd8k338N/s400/greece7.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24o9Rv0m4PZglCGOShjkO34r3wVPMIeURvUk5kUkmz0g9OpeCcSC845qpgNDlMmDt76nK4i2dmIDkSnmHzelChyphenhyphenKaOigULrjzfRY09P3YDz8v3LvsYYQyFHFpsCgSr73MBkv5/s1600/greece8+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24o9Rv0m4PZglCGOShjkO34r3wVPMIeURvUk5kUkmz0g9OpeCcSC845qpgNDlMmDt76nK4i2dmIDkSnmHzelChyphenhyphenKaOigULrjzfRY09P3YDz8v3LvsYYQyFHFpsCgSr73MBkv5/s400/greece8+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qhyTtrQ-eoJKOKHuBN3J5saNazLKg9_MUsP0S9cAfTcuxmV6rNfm1487NRXdcYT0HRzZtAUNakziPBDl_TJ1RSkWXBOTg-feaXYL2wQVZLs_S6M1pMIMqW1H7BMuRguY61Kp/s1600/greece10.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qhyTtrQ-eoJKOKHuBN3J5saNazLKg9_MUsP0S9cAfTcuxmV6rNfm1487NRXdcYT0HRzZtAUNakziPBDl_TJ1RSkWXBOTg-feaXYL2wQVZLs_S6M1pMIMqW1H7BMuRguY61Kp/s400/greece10.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKmZBzxrZvUFXeCfu9L_W38RWZ-Bya0DHqWsdHOIWWjsnDlvfixD_UXSjc9rc-KQZSsevzlAJx1DsS3350nAqBK0I7F_iHSuHXcyRU7ff8tJNJEwF0g1PUqKzJKLhudvdRqN1/s1600/greece13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKmZBzxrZvUFXeCfu9L_W38RWZ-Bya0DHqWsdHOIWWjsnDlvfixD_UXSjc9rc-KQZSsevzlAJx1DsS3350nAqBK0I7F_iHSuHXcyRU7ff8tJNJEwF0g1PUqKzJKLhudvdRqN1/s400/greece13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTOTMzzjnNkPdruFvqvpqlTbNAIenldfjh71s-liQ7v33EVSBdlgaEP_fyp7lV-2DJQXYNbLvLCTegj4H9Jku971QfrrPjhWCa1CmnNOD6YA16Ra5ZmNlVHyusdO5s70qvLSq/s1600/greece14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwq4SpE2WHYbo_0qokoNsC3GK5OXDAxk1m92pCf60Qn-D7AkWRU4mvL1oS3FilPdrzeVDFLiOOehP51t7qOnnsZ42YdPV6KHP7JK8j7e8_saS3MVc0BMCFCvg90QRQFssXV6RH/s1600/greece12+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwq4SpE2WHYbo_0qokoNsC3GK5OXDAxk1m92pCf60Qn-D7AkWRU4mvL1oS3FilPdrzeVDFLiOOehP51t7qOnnsZ42YdPV6KHP7JK8j7e8_saS3MVc0BMCFCvg90QRQFssXV6RH/s320/greece12+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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We compiled all of our information into a photographic essay for the church to use as a way to help their congregation have a greater understanding of the ways they might minister to them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgato4Qugej1bb6kxncUOxl_LbwHI2bYXuPO8su2N1-FhLp4mq4dnl2Sgp27EJj4gbCfHNh-L-RPcxMHArKw5Zq_UWuJ_aKj3GOiLXMsricPl9Nr0avqyf7ndgPI4Tx0IY6BA0k/s1600/unspecified+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgato4Qugej1bb6kxncUOxl_LbwHI2bYXuPO8su2N1-FhLp4mq4dnl2Sgp27EJj4gbCfHNh-L-RPcxMHArKw5Zq_UWuJ_aKj3GOiLXMsricPl9Nr0avqyf7ndgPI4Tx0IY6BA0k/s400/unspecified+%25281%2529.jpg" width="350" /></a><br />
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We were shown an apartment the church had recently purchased to use as a place where refugees might have some of their needs met. The apartment would need cleaning, outfitting, and then have places for children to play, mothers to nurse babies, a place to shower, charge cell phones, etc.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8E3PUPcyNPwXHqO_aSnv76tO3LAKcAX0RZ8f-ueW3UWpa4zNQijYAsCY0VY2XX_RdNE0alLS5SPTJy0tiYmEh_Tm-KKvU5yLbvSjgCEEaQGmax-QJjzO6gCql-jFezf-qVi4w/s1600/greece12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8E3PUPcyNPwXHqO_aSnv76tO3LAKcAX0RZ8f-ueW3UWpa4zNQijYAsCY0VY2XX_RdNE0alLS5SPTJy0tiYmEh_Tm-KKvU5yLbvSjgCEEaQGmax-QJjzO6gCql-jFezf-qVi4w/s200/greece12.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UfIMmlaHOw8UFoUQYR0HZb1ejMv1eYx-uWO6lt-wp-9xomHwBaX3Pq63WXIGD2w48jInuOBlEV66OcpGH8ovYFVbLpM3HozCKxatfOgFMG4pt8dKlHK_iRKB5ssaKlxbpOx0/s1600/greece13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UfIMmlaHOw8UFoUQYR0HZb1ejMv1eYx-uWO6lt-wp-9xomHwBaX3Pq63WXIGD2w48jInuOBlEV66OcpGH8ovYFVbLpM3HozCKxatfOgFMG4pt8dKlHK_iRKB5ssaKlxbpOx0/s400/greece13.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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So much to be done...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhKxEvrCFJ8HTHQHQmj_75B5rFkB6NcyEFSG1-GFYhPZ9OhKPHr2-jQW-w0Aww5A9B5tMAqnNf2xuNIj5oIr1blL5jzeuyvZ_2NZ2rq0WKCkMzpfPzcARFHowKdoidyXlPcP2/s1600/greece14.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhKxEvrCFJ8HTHQHQmj_75B5rFkB6NcyEFSG1-GFYhPZ9OhKPHr2-jQW-w0Aww5A9B5tMAqnNf2xuNIj5oIr1blL5jzeuyvZ_2NZ2rq0WKCkMzpfPzcARFHowKdoidyXlPcP2/s320/greece14.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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On to the Olympic Ping Pong Stadium to hand out toys and activity books collected by the church to the children of families being temporarily housed there.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DWROK34_5GnlJvJpiL9spYOc9nPuico27wzUW_vhpEwBlSD92CL1ootdsm2KDzEQyyWoYG3KykliFt2U2pC5FdCBsMOMTdLF1LL-Wn85S3QnPhRRVn3NBP1o31ZUrDrRxkHI/s1600/greece17.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DWROK34_5GnlJvJpiL9spYOc9nPuico27wzUW_vhpEwBlSD92CL1ootdsm2KDzEQyyWoYG3KykliFt2U2pC5FdCBsMOMTdLF1LL-Wn85S3QnPhRRVn3NBP1o31ZUrDrRxkHI/s320/greece17.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQcOV6bAIq_eMkFGM2wFQwUbj9l3qIScx1JCvf8bBztcCfRAapI98ybBxqDbCOHenK5yhl1fqOCpRTi0lf7j5TftjUly7pesVX629yhaXJdbafb__mPfjjlasRTjeMhtRGb4J/s1600/greece18.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQcOV6bAIq_eMkFGM2wFQwUbj9l3qIScx1JCvf8bBztcCfRAapI98ybBxqDbCOHenK5yhl1fqOCpRTi0lf7j5TftjUly7pesVX629yhaXJdbafb__mPfjjlasRTjeMhtRGb4J/s320/greece18.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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We visited the Greek Bible College, where Joe delivered a message to the students during their chapel, and we toured the construction site of their new building.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT6CdRlzpr-LhyGRcm34VzTT6Uj8wgSf2P5hSKaZP6SlJLH1cIjQ0tnxOgRb3-09S0qhkgYX-Au7Wz6m3X-49GPdO90HBwHTdEQ4NU9eSVh-nHuXtVIrI96YraHaKSflLIBHo/s1600/greece.19.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT6CdRlzpr-LhyGRcm34VzTT6Uj8wgSf2P5hSKaZP6SlJLH1cIjQ0tnxOgRb3-09S0qhkgYX-Au7Wz6m3X-49GPdO90HBwHTdEQ4NU9eSVh-nHuXtVIrI96YraHaKSflLIBHo/s200/greece.19.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7EAjL2AfohSGJ4mrxdhwpw6az5fqBn6jR8514PpQpw46iKxeGu7DUG7L8ewXOrkeeHAgmQ7jnKlRFXKcASeYc1mDPnwEN3a8jIlGSi2_58Rc6asZnavHB1Cd5HAspcEY7HyF/s1600/greece+20.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7EAjL2AfohSGJ4mrxdhwpw6az5fqBn6jR8514PpQpw46iKxeGu7DUG7L8ewXOrkeeHAgmQ7jnKlRFXKcASeYc1mDPnwEN3a8jIlGSi2_58Rc6asZnavHB1Cd5HAspcEY7HyF/s200/greece+20.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwz5TqQaV71qAfl8Wn5B3W83FFUA4EDZB3hE4EsC7AcmggLJHtLIG5iGw1v0td8MdRB-ijx9Vyqoh8N76DU8XjdXiK20h7a3wysgYfuMLMwO7P9QSZmeryJusIAsn4J2_QmoV/s1600/greece21.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwz5TqQaV71qAfl8Wn5B3W83FFUA4EDZB3hE4EsC7AcmggLJHtLIG5iGw1v0td8MdRB-ijx9Vyqoh8N76DU8XjdXiK20h7a3wysgYfuMLMwO7P9QSZmeryJusIAsn4J2_QmoV/s400/greece21.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT6CdRlzpr-LhyGRcm34VzTT6Uj8wgSf2P5hSKaZP6SlJLH1cIjQ0tnxOgRb3-09S0qhkgYX-Au7Wz6m3X-49GPdO90HBwHTdEQ4NU9eSVh-nHuXtVIrI96YraHaKSflLIBHo/s1600/greece.19.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfW2MSXeexVNr48GxwIlaG2VqRutKzfcRQ8so8nA4sfIz5Pam-MZFWE5l4wCuLzUhK722IXp4Ncnjmki-1k5yjekWlbRC4z-ngI1_Yv_mTBISIyPbllDccPZAll2ydMD-Lht5f/s1600/greece22.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfW2MSXeexVNr48GxwIlaG2VqRutKzfcRQ8so8nA4sfIz5Pam-MZFWE5l4wCuLzUhK722IXp4Ncnjmki-1k5yjekWlbRC4z-ngI1_Yv_mTBISIyPbllDccPZAll2ydMD-Lht5f/s400/greece22.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_lqeYVEcgzSYQ64Xl1zg-heJyLdsr_Y6QXQuWT4apqC8sryMjKbL0QPzGJoO52l0zKvTgU27hV3_1o8DonnPocAWU6I1iMi7cRb3Wl8uN0bMNuJbRVFIwQAdunylTdAGrao-/s1600/greece23.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_lqeYVEcgzSYQ64Xl1zg-heJyLdsr_Y6QXQuWT4apqC8sryMjKbL0QPzGJoO52l0zKvTgU27hV3_1o8DonnPocAWU6I1iMi7cRb3Wl8uN0bMNuJbRVFIwQAdunylTdAGrao-/s400/greece23.jpg" /></a><br />
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We met with Dina, the director of House Damaris, shared a meal, a time of prayer, and were able to give her a much needed laptop to use for her ministry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiNFhyphenhyphenkatQO8mmIEwvcNtc7VMR0f4-3Ek9f1rGTgun4PcO8aWvR5yYKtjxZijON10sxd7LFWJUx1miJmU82ZnssibUvcYtgUjvBfGJ7xbmUMBl5GQZ0ARinZr0vGaQNKaFukp/s1600/greece+27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1lNuWP__hNFIUw2chVw-NuyyV7Qsof-LmI1OhCvW88xMmr8QCZ_ZGS8DlmU18Z-07jKF-RemXIPhj5rtm5PU2xcDXe8ScEQOG_so_8BLvn9yXDmo6Z4eRq4Czs_DWQAYQHdq/s1600/greece24.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1lNuWP__hNFIUw2chVw-NuyyV7Qsof-LmI1OhCvW88xMmr8QCZ_ZGS8DlmU18Z-07jKF-RemXIPhj5rtm5PU2xcDXe8ScEQOG_so_8BLvn9yXDmo6Z4eRq4Czs_DWQAYQHdq/s400/greece24.jpg" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxEZPVIW8PDjOWVKdSbLTKnCJsmEL9xdyWPSlSVXeWW9bsoOnWA5Zvlnde1pFLFLr1hmUcJLaVFf6GnIf4OBsiJlKPrVM85RbnYeA9z9ObvvHmiLq04ggqPBH3iMgs7-goTiS/s1600/greece+26.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiNFhyphenhyphenkatQO8mmIEwvcNtc7VMR0f4-3Ek9f1rGTgun4PcO8aWvR5yYKtjxZijON10sxd7LFWJUx1miJmU82ZnssibUvcYtgUjvBfGJ7xbmUMBl5GQZ0ARinZr0vGaQNKaFukp/s1600/greece+27.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJpmZALdunam24uQHa5CUEd1bYA1tQw0vyMpAsWhyhr7Da-AZ_MXZlE8D-uHr7hGSdi6Hl3_AeRdAlOHPTKaRMr21v0TR-eZKWB307xQeCaAyJx-216f8Q9NT5AEYTBb4Jw1z/s1600/greece25.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJpmZALdunam24uQHa5CUEd1bYA1tQw0vyMpAsWhyhr7Da-AZ_MXZlE8D-uHr7hGSdi6Hl3_AeRdAlOHPTKaRMr21v0TR-eZKWB307xQeCaAyJx-216f8Q9NT5AEYTBb4Jw1z/s400/greece25.jpg" /></a><br />
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The church had collected toiletry items for adults and children, and we assembled the bags and prepped them for distribution to refugees.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdHxdz2zdB40H4yjFWUbdfOefqowJg3bMWgQSvMoq42dz7yZKf4UzLCXtKVB7PXIFR_HYhCFE_kl9bMrfhvQToJgOhWVcJlAGRZmpgnaeNITL9KpjKSz_KtLvrwDSw99tBgFK/s1600/greece+27.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdHxdz2zdB40H4yjFWUbdfOefqowJg3bMWgQSvMoq42dz7yZKf4UzLCXtKVB7PXIFR_HYhCFE_kl9bMrfhvQToJgOhWVcJlAGRZmpgnaeNITL9KpjKSz_KtLvrwDSw99tBgFK/s200/greece+27.jpg" width="200" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIcuAHmDp3O2_Big6hv2cdnhcil5cNvuTj4NlVyWjP-XEqPk15MANdwtqXysJfrGMtNCm-SjUQoZIlIAZ5jsGUo3QaAB_QumAzLAhiiglLaie4QgLuXBvjIAxoTMIDF1yuMZA/s1600/greece+28.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpIcuAHmDp3O2_Big6hv2cdnhcil5cNvuTj4NlVyWjP-XEqPk15MANdwtqXysJfrGMtNCm-SjUQoZIlIAZ5jsGUo3QaAB_QumAzLAhiiglLaie4QgLuXBvjIAxoTMIDF1yuMZA/s200/greece+28.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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We visited the churches in Glyfada. Aghia Paraskevi, and Athens.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdIoEsS1BuQUSPZZAk7f5HsW-AyA4zfuewjdbob1Oo1wOB2ITEpzXzWcE3MWtMRkyixGe-DHA_4rg7QbCksihMPTYFYLZVe3w-ZAghisRkDFf8jxO9Rp_hieKNr-z7HA6TkZP/s1600/greece+29.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdIoEsS1BuQUSPZZAk7f5HsW-AyA4zfuewjdbob1Oo1wOB2ITEpzXzWcE3MWtMRkyixGe-DHA_4rg7QbCksihMPTYFYLZVe3w-ZAghisRkDFf8jxO9Rp_hieKNr-z7HA6TkZP/s400/greece+29.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECn9TdHDzHjpqY-p6VKpKqAEVO3S7foHv6inwc7GY_gCR5__4QhlvuG9NL-DkaymKqyuNOCd0Ni-1UqIqfQ5x4lV4tqZUsIp5gSsESgJyxj4pkHduh1Mnt1zdy7auowzxCO-N/s1600/greece30.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECn9TdHDzHjpqY-p6VKpKqAEVO3S7foHv6inwc7GY_gCR5__4QhlvuG9NL-DkaymKqyuNOCd0Ni-1UqIqfQ5x4lV4tqZUsIp5gSsESgJyxj4pkHduh1Mnt1zdy7auowzxCO-N/s400/greece30.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNBX9NAg4Ci1pEww7_eJdxKaPHGlyJ9GREAV68amM9tGjtPzo7JlNBhgPSPqR1j2O2vh0L4gyL9v-JDAa-CBGzVXE0ZMDCgR3ZX5pdQqmit9235ng12CsapKKqgrj0G5gmwtV/s1600/greece39.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNBX9NAg4Ci1pEww7_eJdxKaPHGlyJ9GREAV68amM9tGjtPzo7JlNBhgPSPqR1j2O2vh0L4gyL9v-JDAa-CBGzVXE0ZMDCgR3ZX5pdQqmit9235ng12CsapKKqgrj0G5gmwtV/s400/greece39.jpg" /></a><br />
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We met with Dina and the House Damaris team to hear more about their ministry and find out how we might best help them in their ministry to those who have been trafficked in Greece.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZc_ny4ipoFAX7ABOtcNQzXKdoKnPCdQcWuSDR5qJuqHIL_4dd950ALFP9Dg3jjXBBEeZfW0QZNa_JgYQ9bj_gAKLmJn4t2-4s8TNeiLCynPOaxk3E0Vqh3X1XdweAsGvU9c_/s1600/greece31.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZc_ny4ipoFAX7ABOtcNQzXKdoKnPCdQcWuSDR5qJuqHIL_4dd950ALFP9Dg3jjXBBEeZfW0QZNa_JgYQ9bj_gAKLmJn4t2-4s8TNeiLCynPOaxk3E0Vqh3X1XdweAsGvU9c_/s200/greece31.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtJNbUOizhRB5oR6DloiiDSRYcb4C-EWRZcmPrzzqyZY9pjHpgKYgh__xAwyjkmwseZZfkzi3GUmhke9Is8tFzFMKETNtCZtLkZPTrsEVieOeF4xxfS_pl8csM-ZDiJS4a3Hj/s1600/greece34.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtJNbUOizhRB5oR6DloiiDSRYcb4C-EWRZcmPrzzqyZY9pjHpgKYgh__xAwyjkmwseZZfkzi3GUmhke9Is8tFzFMKETNtCZtLkZPTrsEVieOeF4xxfS_pl8csM-ZDiJS4a3Hj/s400/greece34.jpg" /></a> <br />
We packed more supplies for the refugees...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTf0tbvhfBlCirZVPQpZ0zvfNTfxAuPhjQsOFN6XCx5lY5i-45DHQUQA19oGPCkKQy7xV8-xmb-or8W1Cia6zpv2i2GgMH3Q7o-Uflqf2zypOT69Ccfdyq9VIK8qkhAtEZcDj/s1600/greece32.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTf0tbvhfBlCirZVPQpZ0zvfNTfxAuPhjQsOFN6XCx5lY5i-45DHQUQA19oGPCkKQy7xV8-xmb-or8W1Cia6zpv2i2GgMH3Q7o-Uflqf2zypOT69Ccfdyq9VIK8qkhAtEZcDj/s400/greece32.jpg" /></a><br />
We got the apartment ready for the church to use for the refugees-- cleaned, assembled furniture, and gardened!<br />
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Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-25035084715858440012015-08-31T13:35:00.001-05:002015-08-31T13:35:26.207-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
All support has been raised! Thank you so much to all who have partnered with me financially and through prayer! I will update the blog regularly with prayer needs for the missions team and details of our trip. <br />
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Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-32078629091345461192015-08-06T12:31:00.000-05:002015-08-06T12:31:50.803-05:00Please Help Me Be Part of Orangewood's Missions Team to Athens, Greece<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Two years ago I participated in a ministry trip to Greece and while there met a woman whose vision was to open a home to minister to girls who are victims of trafficking. That vision is now a reality! The House of Damaris, will open its doors in the spring of 2016! This October, I have the opportunity to be part of a ministry team that will travel to Athens, Greece, for the purpose of encouraging, supporting, and helping our ministry partners there. The House of Damaris is one of these partners, and I am very excited about the opportunity to help this worthy cause!<br />
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How you can partner with me:<br />
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<b>Financial support</b><br />
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If you feel led to give financially, you can do so online or by mail. My
goal is to raise $2,900 by October 10th, 2015.<br />
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<b>To Give Online:</b><br />
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Just click the link below, or copy and paste it into your browser, then follow these easy steps:<br />
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1. Enter the amount you would like to donate in the "Give" field<br />
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2. Select "missions" in the dropdown menu titled "select a fund"<br />
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3. Enter "Vicki Taylor, Greece" and your name and address in the "optional" field, then enter your email address in the field provided.<br />
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4. Click Continue; if you already have an account, you can sign in. Otherwise, click "continue as a guest"<br />
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5. Follow the screen prompts to enter your payment details<br />
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6. Click "Give". You will receive a receipt for your tax deductible donation. (Orangewood's giving site is secure.)<br />
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<a href="https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=90243">Orangewood Giving</a><br />
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<a href="https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=90243">https://secure.accessacs.com/access/oglogin.aspx?sn=90243</a><br />
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<b>To Mail a Check:</b><br />
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Mail to:
Orangewood Presbyterian Church<br />
attn: Missions/Vicki Taylor/Athens<br />
1300 West Maitland Blvd.<br />
Maitland, FL 32751<br />
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<b>Prayer support</b><br />
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If you feel led to support through
prayer, I would love for you to pray
for these three areas :<br />
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That our team would stay healthy and safe<br />
That our efforts would have a lasting impact in the community<br />
That God would use this trip to do immeasurably more than we could ask or predict for this<br />
community and His Kingdom.<br />
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Together, we can both be a small part of what God is doing to uplift those serving in<br />
Athens, Greece, especially those serving The House of Damaris. Thank you for your prayerful consideration of how you might join with me in support of this worthy cause!<br />
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If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via email:<br />
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vtaylor@orangewood.org<br />
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Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-32720170110782011232013-06-04T13:38:00.000-05:002013-06-04T13:48:07.169-05:00Trusting God In Change
"To wait open-endedly is an enormously radical attitude toward life. So is to trust that something will happen to us that is far beyond our imaginings. So, too, is giving up control over our future and letting God define our life, trusting that God moulds us according to God's love and not according to our fear. The spiritual life is a life in which we wait, actively present to the moment, trusting that new things will happen to us, new things that are far beyond our own imagination, fantasy, or prediction. That, indeed, is a very radical stance toward life in a world preoccupied with control." <i> Henri J. M. Nouwen
</i>
<br /><br />I love my ordered little corner of life and often wish I could just freeze time and just do that which makes my heart sing. My work as a church musician and music teacher follow a calendar and schedule that repeats year after year while the people in my life continually shift and change. I'd like to have more time to indulge myself in some fantastic music, or soak up some endorphins through a physical activity like gardening, or to express myself through art or writing. Such things are beautiful to me, rich in joy. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"></span> I began blogging several years ago after a missions trip and in it rediscovered a passion for writing that had all but disappeared over time. Whenever time permitted I'd pour over the experiences unfolding in my life and try to capture the thoughts and feelings they evoked in me-- words joining together to hopefully create something that might encourage or lift the spirit. I felt as if my word-well was full and I would be able to dip into it indefinitely, but another difficult season began, and I found my words drying up. It was time to learn, to listen, and to grow.<br /><br />Today, I'm beginning another time of change. The past few months have been hard for my dear parents-- their health has been poor and it has become plain to me that I need to step in and help them. I resigned from my teaching job so that I can be more available to them, and even though I wrestled with letting go of a career, I was reminded that just as in every season that has come to pass, the Lord has been present in all of them. He moved before me and behind me in every step of every journey. Now, as I reflect on the grace of God in my life I find my fingers itching to put my thoughts into prose. What will God do? What have I to learn? One thing stands out in my mind beyond all others. That same God, who in Christ has made my broken, messy life rich and meaningful,spanning the chasms of hurt with forgiveness and oceans of pain with comfort, will also bring beauty and peace, faith and trust, mercy and grace into each day ahead. Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-44509123247076467792010-01-27T20:27:00.002-05:002010-01-27T20:51:01.904-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4GB1ycdp58gXu-xpc9BAvDhKitkprgGOWDSdECY9N-t7R_aPvH4ICyYxmvI4NscLaKZPLHx_YyKHkyQzOpgT2s6Fu8yQQUMaf9Qjnb771PDE7sbd9QmrTgvVeMVceNLHfrg4/s1600-h/god-and-creation.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4GB1ycdp58gXu-xpc9BAvDhKitkprgGOWDSdECY9N-t7R_aPvH4ICyYxmvI4NscLaKZPLHx_YyKHkyQzOpgT2s6Fu8yQQUMaf9Qjnb771PDE7sbd9QmrTgvVeMVceNLHfrg4/s400/god-and-creation.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431601796519151874" /></a><br /><br /><br />While preparing for a lesson I was researching the subject of wrestling with God’s sovereignty over suffering and came upon this message by Tim Keller, of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. I found it to be incredibly comforting, filling my heart with beautiful perspective. I hope this speaks to yours as well.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE AND PEACE <br />FOR 9-11 VICTIMS’ FAMILIES </span><br />Ground Zero/St. Paul's Chapel <br />Dr. Timothy J. Keller<br />Sept. 10, 2006<br /><br /> As a minister, of course, I’ve spent countless hours with people who are struggling and wrestling with the biggest question – the WHY question in the face of relentless tragedies and injustices. And like all ministers or any spiritual guides of any sort, I scramble to try to say something to respond and I always come away feeling inadequate and that’s not going to be any different today. But we can’t shrink from the task of responding to that question. Because the very best way to honor the memories of the ones we’ve lost and love is to live confident, productive lives. And the only way to do that is to actually be able to face that question. We have to have the strength to face a world filled with constant devastation and loss. So where do we get that strength? How do we deal with that question? I would like to propose that, though we won’t get all of what we need, we may get some of what we need 3 ways: by recognizing the problem for what it is, and then by grasping both an empowering hint from the past and an empowering hope from the future.<br /><br /> First, we have to recognize that the problem of tragedy, injustice and suffering is a problem for everyone no matter what their beliefs are. Now, if you believe in God and for the first time experience or see horrendous evil, you rightly believe that that is a problem for your belief in God, and you’re right – and you say, “How could a good and powerful God allow something like this to happen?”<br /><br /> But it’s a mistake (though a very understandable mistake) to think that if you abandon your belief in God it somehow is going to make the problem easier to handle. Dr Martin Luther King, Jr., in his Letter from Birmingham Jail says that if there was no higher divine Law, there would be no way to tell if a particular human law was unjust or not. So think. If there is no God or higher divine Law and the material universe is all there is, then violence is perfectly natural—the strong eating the weak! And yet somehow, we still feel this isn’t the way things ought to be. Why not? Now I’m not going to get philosophical at a time like this. I’m just trying to make the point that the problem of injustice and suffering is a problem for belief in God but it is also a problem for disbelief in God—for any set of beliefs. So abandoning belief in God does not really help in the face of it. OK, then what will?<br /><br /> Second, I believe we need to grasp an empowering hint from the past. Now at this point, I’d like to freely acknowledge that every faith – and we are an interfaith gathering today – every faith has great resources for dealing with suffering and injustice in the world. But as a Christian minister I know my own faith’s resources the best, so let me simply share with you what I’ve got. When people ask the big question, “Why would God allow this or that to happen?” There are almost always two answers. The one answer is: Don’t question God! He has reasons beyond your finite little mind. And therefore, just accept everything. Don’t question. The other answer is: I don’t know what God’s up to – I have no idea at all about why these things are happening. There’s no way to make any sense of it at all. Now I’d like to respectfully suggest the first of these answers is too hard and the second is too weak. The second is too weak because, though of course we don’t have the full answer, we do have an idea, an incredibly powerful idea.<br /><br /> One of the great themes of the Hebrew Scriptures is that God identifies with the suffering. There are all these great texts that say things like this: If you oppress the poor, you oppress to me. I am a husband to the widow. I am father to the fatherless. I think the texts are saying God binds up his heart so closely with suffering people that he interprets any move against them as a move against him. This is powerful stuff! But Christianity says he goes even beyond that. Christians believe that in Jesus, God’s son, divinity became vulnerable to and involved in – suffering and death! He didn’t come as a general or emperor. He came as a carpenter. He was born in a manger, no room in the inn.<br /><br /> But it is on the Cross that we see the ultimate wonder. On the cross we sufferers finally see, to our shock that God now knows too what it is to lose a loved one in an unjust attack. And so you see what this means? John Stott puts it this way. John Stott wrote: “I could never myself believe in God if it were not for the Cross. In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it?” Do you see what this means? Yes, we don’t know the reason God allows evil and suffering to continue, but we know what the reason isn’t, what it can’t be. It can’t be that he doesn’t love us! It can’t be that he doesn’t care. God so loved us and hates suffering that he was willing to come down and get involved in it. And therefore the Cross is an incredibly empowering hint. Ok, it’s only a hint, but if you grasp it, it can transform you. It can give you strength.<br /><br /> And lastly, we have to grasp an empowering hope for the future. In both the Hebrew Scriptures and even more explicitly in the Christian Scriptures we have the promise of resurrection. In Daniel 12:2-3 we read: Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake….[They]… will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and…like the stars for ever and ever. And in John 11 we hear Jesus say: I am the resurrection and the life! Now this is what the claim is: That God is not preparing for us merely some ethereal, abstract spiritual existence that is just a kind of compensation for the life we lost. Resurrection means the restoration to us of the life we lost. New heavens and new earth means this body, this world! Our bodies, our homes, our loved ones—restored, returned, perfected and beautified! Given back to us!<br /><br /> In the year after 9-11 I was diagnosed with cancer, and I was treated successfully. But during that whole time I read about the future resurrection and that was my real medicine. In the last book of The Lord of the Rings, Sam Gamgee wakes up, thinking everything is lost and discovering instead that all his friends were around him, he cries out: “Gandalf! I thought you were dead! But then I thought I was dead! Is everything sad going to come untrue?”<br /><br /> The answer is YES. And the answer of the Bible is YES. If the resurrection is true, then the answer is yes. Everything sad is going TO COME UNTRUE.<br /><br /> Oh, I know many of you are saying, “I wish I could believe that.” And guess what? This idea is so potent that you can go forward with that. To even want the resurrection, to love the idea of the resurrection, long for the promise of the resurrection even though you are unsure of it, is strengthening. I John 3:2-3. ‘Beloved, now we are children of God and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope purify themselves as he is pure.’” Even to have a hope in this is purifying.<br /><br /> Listen to how Dostoevsky puts it in Brothers Karamazov: “I believe like a child that suffering will be healed and made up for, that all the humiliating absurdity of human contradictions will vanish like a pitiful mirage, like the despicable fabrication of the impotent and infinitely small Euclidean mind of man, that in the world’s finale, at the moment of eternal harmony, something so precious will come to pass that it will suffice for all hearts, for the comforting of all resentments, of the atonement of all the crimes of humanity, of all the blood that they’ve shed; and it will make it not only possible to forgive but to justify what has happened.”<br /><br /> That is strong and that last sentence is particularly strong…but if the resurrection is true, it’s absolutely right. Amen.<br /></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Source http://davidkpark.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/timothy-keller-transcript-the-problem-of-suffering/.</span></span>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-75910823470558545072010-01-13T11:12:00.004-05:002010-01-13T12:03:37.263-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rID3kPzZQ3TuF-1ATY70ZXCZLrOMcP2RiXN3n0fgsHLXx57_vsIzbzLi1RoHwiQES_cHAU3s5x84blB-jQciIzj3nJLxiDpsXeGglb7o3LOtk7nDS_Wn9VH25zhNJc6N5zlt/s1600-h/audiobooks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 347px; height: 346px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rID3kPzZQ3TuF-1ATY70ZXCZLrOMcP2RiXN3n0fgsHLXx57_vsIzbzLi1RoHwiQES_cHAU3s5x84blB-jQciIzj3nJLxiDpsXeGglb7o3LOtk7nDS_Wn9VH25zhNJc6N5zlt/s400/audiobooks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426260807173273986" /></a><br /><br /><br />Blogging’s been the lowest thing on my priority list this Fall. I’ve blinked and 6 months have flown by along with a collage of experience, growth, and challenge. On Saturday afternoon, I was given the gift of an afternoon/evening by myself and planned to make good use of it by trying to set our house in order for the next assault of busyness, and decided I wanted to listen to a book on mp3 while I worked. <br /><br />I generally like to listen to music when I clean and I thought about pulling up a fun playlist but on reflection thought maybe something spiritually encouraging would be good. I’ve mentioned in the past that I like to listen to <a href="http://www.miettecast.com/">Miette’s Bedtime Story Podcast</a> and have enjoyed the diversity in literature and literary styles that she offers so when I stumbled upon a new podcast I was pleasantly surprised that it promised to deliver some great reads. The Podcast is called <a href="http://librivox.org/">LibriVox</a> and I’ve just downloaded <span style="font-style:italic;">Anne of Green Gables</span> and am thoroughly enjoying the book. The sweet and innocent Anne and her love of life have given the last few days a lightness that was sorely needed.<br /><br />Another other podcast worth mentioning is <a href="http://greatbooksaudio.com/">Great Books</a>. If you’re an avid reader but have a busy life and an ipod, you just might enjoy the world of podcasts too.Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-68991958905206556602009-11-09T06:24:00.003-05:002009-11-09T06:41:29.059-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipujEjBfyjTkbKDMVmfyb4P2iQs-9mOag0q1v62DKT17C0FbBX1KbQPyzCIua2qojfTzM2EM-CXL84s7P8EYSGOb4bDm61qM3tNaNm_DiZTJdfOvNiy1tL8kbZ3B2T8dWH-ts-/s1600-h/grief.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipujEjBfyjTkbKDMVmfyb4P2iQs-9mOag0q1v62DKT17C0FbBX1KbQPyzCIua2qojfTzM2EM-CXL84s7P8EYSGOb4bDm61qM3tNaNm_DiZTJdfOvNiy1tL8kbZ3B2T8dWH-ts-/s400/grief.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402067458756054434" /></a><br />When tragedy strikes those we know or love, we can often feel powerless to help them. What can we possibly say or do to comfort and help those who mourn? <span style="font-style:italic;">The following articles answer some questions on how to help people through the loss of a loved one. They are provided by BASIS, an outreach of Handi*Vangelism.</span> <br /> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What is grief?<br />What can I say and do to help the healing process?<br />What will hurt the healing process more than help<br /><br />Grief Can Be . . .</span><br /><br /> * an overwhelming sense of loss<br /> * like walking through a dark tunnel<br /> * an inability to find your way out of that tunnel<br /> * loneliness, emptiness, and sadness<br /> * a feeling of hopelessness<br /> * letting go<br /> * anger and denial<br /> * asking "Why?"<br /> * losing a major part of yourself<br /> * turning toward God<br /> * turning away from God<br /> * tears and more tears<br /> * normal<br /><br />Grief can be all of the above and more. It may take all of your energy to grieve for your lost loved one. Every person's grief becomes an individualized journey of feelings, emotions and responses.<br /><br />In John 11, a story unfolds in the town of Bethany, home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Lazarus became very ill and died. When Jesus arrived, His soul was grieved because His dear friend had died. Jesus wept with Lazarus' sisters, Mary and Martha. Jesus was modeling for us that grief is a normal reaction to the loss of someone you love. His tears mingled with the tears of other mourners and He was not ashamed to express His true feelings.<br /><br />You may find that coping with those same feelings in grief can be overwhelming. Here are some practical suggestions which may help you through your grief journey:<br /><br /> * Don't put a timetable on your grief. Allow yourself the freedom to grieve as <br /> much as you need to for as long as you need.<br /> * Allow the tears to flow.<br /> * Don't make any major decisions during the first year.<br /> * Talk about your loved one.<br /> * Express your true feelings with a trusted friend who is willing to go the <br /> distance with you.<br /> * Set small attainable goals for yourself.<br /> * Plan ahead how you will spend anniversary dates and holidays.<br /><br />You do not have to travel alone on your grief journey. God provides hope for your suffering. Reflect on the following verses that promote God's hope in the midst of grief:<br /><br /> * Isaiah 43:2: Even through much suffering, God is always with you.<br /> * John 14:27: There is no need to feel alone and afraid because we have God's <br /> peace.<br /> * Psalm 23:4: Grieving the death of a loved one can be overwhelming, but God <br /> walks beside us every step of the way.<br /> * 1 Corinthians 15:26: God promises that death is the last enemy to be destroyed.<br /> * 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18: We can experience grief with hope because of the <br /> death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If we believe in the hope of Jesus <br /> Christ, then heaven becomes a place of wonderful reunions with our loved ones.<br /><br />Trusting God with your grief can bring both peace and comfort. Jesus, God's Son, experienced grief so He knows what you are going through. May you find rest knowing that God cares for you and desires that you seek Him for hope and comfort.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">© 1999 Handi*Vangelism Ministries International</span> <br /><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Things That Heal</span><br /><br />"I can't begin to understand."<br /> <br />"This verse has been a help to me. Maybe it will be an encouragement to you . . . " (Written down on a notecard and given or sent to the individual would be best. Then he/she can read it when he/she feels up to it.)<br /> <br />"I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how much you hurt."<br /> <br />"I really care about your heartache."<br /> <br />Touching.<br /> <br />Giving freedom for tears. (They are so therapeutic.)<br /> <br />Giving freedom for anger and questions -- even against and about God.<br /> <br />Giving freedom for talking about the loss. (In the case of a death, the one who experienced the loss often fears that the deceased loved one won't be remembered. Talking about the deceased loved one is very important and very healing.)<br /> <br />Placing no restrictions on the time of the grief process. (The real work involved with grief actually takes place 4-5 months after the loss and may continue for 18 months, depending on the type of loss and the people involved.)<br /> <br />Responding very practically to needs:<br /> bring food, paper goods, other staples to home<br /> babysit<br /> housesit<br /> clean the house<br /> make home repairs<br /> take car for inspection, tune-up, etc.<br /> iron<br /> food shop<br /> give certificate for dinner out with spouse/friend<br /> <br />Saying nothing rather than saying the wrong things.<br /> <br />Share a picture of or a little story about the deceased loved one with the family. (It helps preserve happy memories.)<br /> <br />Send cards -- always add a personal note.<br /> <br />Send cards on birthdays, anniversaries, any special occasion that will be especially difficult for a hurting person. (Imagine the pain for someone approaching the death date of a loved one. Imagine the pain for someone approaching the anniversary of his/her marriage after a divorce has taken place. Now imagine how much it would mean to know that you are thinking about him/her and praying for him/her on that day. A card or note to the hurting individual would indicate this.)<br /> <br />Remember siblings -- including grown up ones who are not living at home because they also have hurts. Take them out for a special treat. Help the family plan birthday or other special occasion parties so they won't get lost in the shuffle of grief.<br /> <br />Be ready to drop what you are doing when someone needs you. PEOPLE SHOULD ALWAYS COME BEFORE PROJECTS.<br /> <br />Accept the person where he/she is. (Don't expect others to respond to a situation the way you might or the way someone else has, even if the circumstances are similar.)<br /> <br />Do something special for someone; or give something to someone or some organization in honor of the memory of a deceased loved one -- not just at the time of death but months and years later. Let the family know you are doing this. It will really lift their spirits. (i.e. take a basket of food to a needy family in honor of a deceased loved one. Let the family of the deceased one know you are doing this.)<br /> <br />Avoid fixing blame even in your own mind. It's dangerous and pointless.<br /> <br />Organize relief care for a family with a handicapped child. The parents and siblings need opportunities to be relieved of the care of the child from time to time.<br /> <br />Pray for a hurting individual. Drop him/her a note to tell him/her you are praying and what you are praying for. (Be careful not to be pious in this.)<br /><br />Project yourself into hurting individual's situation --never to say you understand but just to give yourself sensitivity and discernment in speaking and acting. For example:<br /><br /> imagine the pain of being deformed or physically scarred in some way -- think <br /> about how it feels to be ridiculed or shunned or stared at<br /> <br /> imagine spending your life in a wheelchair -- think about how special it would <br /> be to have someone sit by you to converse with you<br /> <br /> imagine that you have difficulty speaking because of cerebral palsy or a <br /> stuttering problem -- think about how appreciative you would be if people would <br /> give you whatever time you need to express yourself<br /> <br /> imagine that you are mildly mentally handicapped -- think about how much you <br /> want to be treated with dignity<br /> <br /> imagine that you are divorced -- think about how poor your self-image might be <br /> when you face others<br /> <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">© 1999 Handi*Vangelism Ministries International</span> <br /> <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Things That Hurt<br /></span><br />"It's time to get on with your life." "It's time to snap out of this."<br /> <br />"I know just how you feel." "I understand."<br /> <br />Quoting Romans 8:28. (It's not that we don't believe it -- it's just very difficult for someone grieving to hear it at the wrong time. Make certain you know the context of the verse. It will help you to use it appropriately.)<br /> <br />"Don't you think you've grieved long enough?"<br /> <br />"You blew it!" (Insensitivity at the time of divorce, separation, or even accident.)<br /> <br />Placing blame -- "It's your fault." "You are letting others down."<br /> <br />"If only . . . " (Everybody can be a Monday morning quarterback.)<br /> <br />Prevent individual from asking questions -- being angry with God.<br /> <br />Avoid the individual because you don't know what to say or do.<br /> <br />Offer advice.<br /> <br />"It's never God's will for a Christian to suffer." (What do we do with Christ's suffering which was clearly God's will?)<br /> <br />Giving pat answers. (There usually are none. You can't always explain God's ways so don't try.)<br /> <br />Forcing forgiveness. (It's important to healing but forcing it only complicates things.)<br /> <br />Kick 'em while they're down! (This happens so often in the Christian community when a brother or sister falls.)<br /> <br />See yourself as God's "messenger" or "ambassador" rather than His instrument. (You have to approach a hurting individual with much sensitivity and compassion -- not with an "I have it all together" attitude.)<br /> <br />Interpret sadness/depression as weakness or lack of faith.<br /> <br />"If only you had enough faith . . . " (How much is enough? A grain of mustard seed isn't much. Additionally, God heals because of the faith of others too. See Luke 5:20.)<br /> <br />"If there's anything I can do . . . let me know." (Most grief stricken people don't know what they must do, much less what someone else might do for them.)<br /> <br />"You're young. You'll get over it." "You'll have other children."<br /> <br />Avoid mentioning the deceased one's name.<br /> <br />"At least you have other children."<br /> <br />Change the subject when the deceased is mentioned.<br /> <br />With a miscarriage -- "At least you never really got to know this child. It should hurt less."<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />© 1999 Handi*Vangelism Ministries International </span>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-44715276073957610012009-10-13T20:03:00.003-05:002009-10-13T21:16:14.350-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lThTJBsfHLHjieZddj0zYa7hC_uHLRmKoDavrUjOoFn30avztES4rmZSFKy7mZ-QaHPJxQzOySmeJlrOrlhXhDhqekfa1WvrcrY_EQkQ_cb1oM5zHL9AUaP00oJmHW4jTkgE/s1600-h/misty+path.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 335px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lThTJBsfHLHjieZddj0zYa7hC_uHLRmKoDavrUjOoFn30avztES4rmZSFKy7mZ-QaHPJxQzOySmeJlrOrlhXhDhqekfa1WvrcrY_EQkQ_cb1oM5zHL9AUaP00oJmHW4jTkgE/s400/misty+path.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392268451054781506" /></a><br /><br /><br />Breathe.<br />Lean into the <br />trial or pain you endure; <br />for there are treasures <br />hidden for us in the dark places <br />by the one who loves us. <br />Take your time. <br />Cry your tears. <br />Tell God what you need to tell him. <br />He sees your hurts and hears your cries. <br />You are his precious child. <br />Remember that you're dear to him, <br />remember you are forgiven. <br />Live for Him <br />out of the immense spring of gratitude <br />that wells up within the believer <br />when grace is fully realized. <br />Every trial is a mixed cup, <br />both bitter and sweet<br />of which we sip <br />the mercy of His Spirit.<br />Grow. <br />Trust. <br />Live.Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-86541545991505746612009-09-21T19:13:00.004-05:002009-09-21T19:56:45.542-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84NL_CfH3wLI2aRAVLdlgYgLMuDHwynF1KDteODOGsDwHvq8dIptXyRin6to-YVIT3VhJhrL6U-Apup8IL0X7GHzg8fjVxaOtVVL9TVzYgtaayglRsE68WUQGRmIqQAFb_-MF/s1600-h/reality-check.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 396px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84NL_CfH3wLI2aRAVLdlgYgLMuDHwynF1KDteODOGsDwHvq8dIptXyRin6to-YVIT3VhJhrL6U-Apup8IL0X7GHzg8fjVxaOtVVL9TVzYgtaayglRsE68WUQGRmIqQAFb_-MF/s400/reality-check.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384078480746643170" /></a><br /><br /><br />I love it when the Lord gives me a full screen look at myself. I like to think that I'm an open, honest, good-natured soul with a winsome spirit and I want to be seen as one who has it together. But to be honest-- sometimes I get a little puffed-up. I am by nature a fairly self-centered person, and know this about myself and want to be other than I am, but there it is. <br /><br />The past two weeks I’ve been listening to the four Gospels on my ipod while going through the solitary parts of my days. Yesterday I listened to the first half of the Gospel of John and was so stricken by his beautiful telling of Jesus’ ministry that I couldn’t think of much else during the day today. I wove it into my teaching and was feeling great about myself and life by 3:00 pm. I had had a good day-- I'd motivated, challenged, and inspired the young. After school, I had a fairly good homework time with Marla and was thinking that this living in the moment with Christ thing was pretty satisfying. Success. I had my act together.<br /><br />Then I walked the dog.<br /><br />Just a block from our home is a rather busy street that has a good bit of traffic for a residential road. There is a very nice sidewalk that many people use as part of a neighborhood dog-walk. As I walked our dog down the sidewalk I noticed that his harness was askew and needed adjusting. Squatting down on the low embankment I began to work on the harness, but somehow lost my balance and fell over sideways and then on to my back… in a dress. Awful.<br /><br />Mortified, I climbed back to my feet as the cars whooshed by. I found myself laughing aloud as I mentally replayed the topple in slow motion. It was humbling. All of a sudden I wasn’t so cool-- my ego had been downsized to a minuscule portion just when I was starting to feel like I had it all together. I was looking at my outward appearance and feeling pretty foolish. <br /><br />I’m thankful to the Lord for reminding me of how silly I am on my own. I am thankful for his grace which enables me to truly get back on my feet and walk as if I'd never stumbled. I'm thankful that when He fills me with his truth, no amount of condemnation from the evil one can keep joy from my heart. I'm forgiven-- free. I need him every minute to redeem the time and remind me of whose I am.Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-16858218098293391552009-08-31T16:06:00.003-05:002009-08-31T16:11:10.139-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">What’s For Dinner?</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUKnmqCcIFjVBt0Aj0xtMwNV01DYOOOVCqPvlI5zf1iCi57THSwot5-fTcmSDqi74IhURey4fM_3ISAamexbtelzfknXgUsMPeIikd_SQBBKlpTlHQKZUOBjzzGZm8WWC-0Be/s1600-h/waiting+for+food.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUKnmqCcIFjVBt0Aj0xtMwNV01DYOOOVCqPvlI5zf1iCi57THSwot5-fTcmSDqi74IhURey4fM_3ISAamexbtelzfknXgUsMPeIikd_SQBBKlpTlHQKZUOBjzzGZm8WWC-0Be/s400/waiting+for+food.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376237879619191698" /></a><br /><br /><br />Last night as I prepared some pork chops for grilling I was thinking about the rub recipe that I generally default to and was uninspired. My taste buds were begging for something new and different. Thinking through the ingredients that were readily available in the refrigerator and pantry I decided to Google ginger and pork chops and after scrolling through a few entries landed on one that promised to be a winner. Quick, easy, and delicious! What more could I ask for?<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Ginger and Honey Glazed Grilled Pork Chops</span><br /><br /> 4 pork chops, 1 1/2 inches thick<br /> 1/3 cup honey<br /> 3 tablespoons soy sauce<br /> 1 tablespoon vegetable oil<br /> 2 cloves garlic, minced<br /> 1 teaspoon powdered ginger or 2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger<br /> 1 teaspoon sesame oil<br /><br />Preparation:<br />Combine marinade ingredients in a small bowl. Place pork chops in a shallow glass dish. Pour marinade over chops, cover, and allow to marinate in refrigerator for 1-3 hours. Preheat grill for medium heat. Remove chops from glass dish and discard marinade. Place chops on a lightly oil grill rack and allow to cook for 20-25 minutes, turning once.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">*These pork chops are not only simple, but really delicious. Though you can use any kind of pork chop you wish to, center cut is recommended for this recipe.<br />Prep Time: 12 minutes<br />Cook Time: 25 minutes </span><br /><br />Served with Jasmine rice, black beans, and sliced kiwi-- Delicious!Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-16519961909806286432009-08-16T18:50:00.002-05:002010-05-18T18:15:55.464-05:00“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospection.” ~Anais Nin<br /><br />“You were off all summer—you should have been writing!” chided my erstwhile friend. What could I say? It was true. I did have 8 weeks off, and only really had one week where I was away. Why haven’t I been writing? I had great intentions, surely, and I sat down at the computer countless times. Yet, each time I’d try I’d find myself dry, empty of beautiful words. <br /><br />Earlier in the year I abused my voice by teaching on laryngitis and by the end of the term I sounded like a carton a day smoker with constant throat pain and hoarseness. After seeing an ENT and a Voice specialist, it was decided that I needed two full weeks of voice rest. I am a very relational person, and communicate for a living. Two weeks of voice rest had about as much appeal for me as two weeks of bed rest would for an athlete; but I did it. The first 10 days were unremarkable albeit long, then Marla caught a throat infection and I came down with it too resulting in an additional two weeks of quiet time. Now, I’m not complaining, really… there are treasures to be found in the silence when you listen, and I uncovered quite a few; however, I found a melancholy had descended upon my spirit that didn’t lift when the silence ended. The long season of quiet brought about sadness that I just couldn’t shake. I read uplifting books, worked at the church, listened to beautiful music, worked in the yard, and played with our child, but all under a gloomy cloud. <br /><br />Somehow in the passage of the last week it has begun to lift. The stress has lessened and the enjoyment of creativity reawakened. I’m thankful for the return of enthusiasm and passion for each day’s undertaking and a lighter spirit and for the grace of God that never departs even when I’m low. Words are returning, beginning to flit through my mind like dry leaves stirred by the breeze.<br clear="all" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3-M0_K7IhHtG6Gb-tw92nS5zy7lZweuF_YuxGX42_Wr5N_DLAWw0rZrpJvuJqPmZHKOALrsZ5rv-kcPWJVwvDCVcHKTW3YQMaMsd0gsuZeI-qT4xrw588LRpMbPDd0Dmakhh/s1600-h/dancing+leaves.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3-M0_K7IhHtG6Gb-tw92nS5zy7lZweuF_YuxGX42_Wr5N_DLAWw0rZrpJvuJqPmZHKOALrsZ5rv-kcPWJVwvDCVcHKTW3YQMaMsd0gsuZeI-qT4xrw588LRpMbPDd0Dmakhh/s400/dancing+leaves.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370720686680144914" /></a>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-92037427301145632282009-06-28T20:36:00.008-05:002009-06-29T06:28:00.252-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Sandcastles</span><br /><br />When I was very young my mother taught me how to build sandcastles. There was something immensely satisfying in packing the moist sand into a bucket, forming turrets and walls, and then decorating them with coquina shells that seemed like tiny pastel butterfly wings. We'd add spires and designs by scooping up wet handfuls of sand by the surf and dripping small bits on in little glistening globs. Each one seemed like a work of art to me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEtEzlRi8OC7ssDUpvVCUyyqo-1pb84Lli6buJaqRFO83Ojyy2Cux1OYE5JriCrgaRjvbQYF-BgyuBRRZ-zz7LtPBXDRHVudeL1rMGkO4ZOBGHefKdnORSQF-Cy_aFzTvSvXs/s1600-h/plalying+in+the+sand+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEtEzlRi8OC7ssDUpvVCUyyqo-1pb84Lli6buJaqRFO83Ojyy2Cux1OYE5JriCrgaRjvbQYF-BgyuBRRZ-zz7LtPBXDRHVudeL1rMGkO4ZOBGHefKdnORSQF-Cy_aFzTvSvXs/s400/plalying+in+the+sand+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352703700045327394" /></a><br /><br />Last Summer, we played with <a href="http://vickitaylorsblog.blogspot.com/2008/08/sun-surf-and-sandsculptures-on-monday.html">sand art</a> just a bit on the beach while we vacationed in Sanibel. A small starfish took me over an hour to make, and a giant swordfish took us all day. We collected close to 1000 shells to create that one. <br /><br />Last night, a friend sent me some pictures of sand art from the Cannon Beach Annual Sandcastle contest on the coast of Oregon. It takes patience, vision, and skill to create something truly beautiful. The creators of these incredible sand sculptures truly possess those attributes and more!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5b9hEMzX0tL31zYI_UuNcE4mdoXkaOow5bzTV9dzU-F6xOQsaWOyFTiiopu0gy7awEXwdqXarbbloqr-7muHmofYABaxgIq3LQAf_1k5gEwCViFKkmfIHAF0E6HeFOuDXTDep/s1600-h/ATT1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5b9hEMzX0tL31zYI_UuNcE4mdoXkaOow5bzTV9dzU-F6xOQsaWOyFTiiopu0gy7awEXwdqXarbbloqr-7muHmofYABaxgIq3LQAf_1k5gEwCViFKkmfIHAF0E6HeFOuDXTDep/s400/ATT1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352557932111397618" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5JydjRm_hHcjBxCiwnXv-omR3bxNKurFYOpOcmiHCM1zjJ2J7iy2vahiQPMxeQpg7SE9TzFPloPmLYipwJrOYcSVVO956c_l-hZhap8cm1sgbwQwddBpsXG0GyQZTbD5Fr8Yy/s1600-h/ATT2.jpg"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE14D1oObnZq9-YPz7iz5Kj9HQ9BfWmFeXmT2hpfJ8yP1eq9vp13OMZXGlOc8SxOLubRIjHhDpK5eN9lhQC9psac5hHtztJJtD7CTc4ZzgnqC_x5FyNz7V0P3qRIBt92WTSTCa/s400/ATT15.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352558807448974338" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QMNsYfYEhVStMJbDDYO_ZgbYOniIFIBQ3KGdNsdZK5o0aam9-455S15rz2xhpmVAaLUfpFR-by8FUkxg1zh19nCmDmZeD18MegRESA3SPhGJ3Q33A14FYLL_O34afE4lcAMv/s1600-h/ATTA.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QMNsYfYEhVStMJbDDYO_ZgbYOniIFIBQ3KGdNsdZK5o0aam9-455S15rz2xhpmVAaLUfpFR-by8FUkxg1zh19nCmDmZeD18MegRESA3SPhGJ3Q33A14FYLL_O34afE4lcAMv/s400/ATTA.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352559130188193986" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpxt68FOI0jvA07q2B2GVS_sBNel_HuyCPD55mg0O_BY-kzcpr4v5tkfWeYCkL9pOSZBK4V9nEZbOb1NEM-zCPf4v6R8jFjVdP-TNNnwd0cRxuBpg05lL4Ijx-VoK2G4wFEhm/s1600-h/ATTB.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpxt68FOI0jvA07q2B2GVS_sBNel_HuyCPD55mg0O_BY-kzcpr4v5tkfWeYCkL9pOSZBK4V9nEZbOb1NEM-zCPf4v6R8jFjVdP-TNNnwd0cRxuBpg05lL4Ijx-VoK2G4wFEhm/s400/ATTB.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352559134604162866" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazVn3Rtl7xZsWK5JKCk-TVJ18txKosLjXCwP3K6pulctsq8EKmJB4Y6zdEt6im4BxCKOi-3e3ZYBsbL6hA0Cc8RR5g21Oq-Z0MAu8DXBrA2ZILfKh_Mr9Z9V6Je47AMt1e7vy/s1600-h/ATTC.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazVn3Rtl7xZsWK5JKCk-TVJ18txKosLjXCwP3K6pulctsq8EKmJB4Y6zdEt6im4BxCKOi-3e3ZYBsbL6hA0Cc8RR5g21Oq-Z0MAu8DXBrA2ZILfKh_Mr9Z9V6Je47AMt1e7vy/s400/ATTC.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352559138770566242" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgC114IL4PL3Ckj7tZKhwcbjuqWby3WmdSzLrxIIMzma7uTtRgo5S15z3BZmls8I-VZePhiaUrTEWwcVRjsQLdmmwUI3zd6Z6X46ITk5ErA9ROPrTkXWAL7-tmNdtJHD2iKvh/s1600-h/ATTD.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgC114IL4PL3Ckj7tZKhwcbjuqWby3WmdSzLrxIIMzma7uTtRgo5S15z3BZmls8I-VZePhiaUrTEWwcVRjsQLdmmwUI3zd6Z6X46ITk5ErA9ROPrTkXWAL7-tmNdtJHD2iKvh/s400/ATTD.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352559143282528450" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSCDKJ8GIqzwTz2kmGFHvQKiylx11IDul46bex7DimMzwFuQ8N3zlBuWXQtHFlNdyya7SF8gT_OQzwlOHcgR05rLg4Y7IegrgV9L-McC8QgR5DvPDMsy1n2URzsPwiVC8HtKF/s1600-h/ATTE.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSCDKJ8GIqzwTz2kmGFHvQKiylx11IDul46bex7DimMzwFuQ8N3zlBuWXQtHFlNdyya7SF8gT_OQzwlOHcgR05rLg4Y7IegrgV9L-McC8QgR5DvPDMsy1n2URzsPwiVC8HtKF/s400/ATTE.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352559146395344290" /></a><br /><br />If you'd like to see more, you can check out the contest's <a href="http://www.cannon-beach.net/cbsandcastle.html">website.</a> The photos are simply amazing!Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-21094362695566822192009-06-26T08:50:00.010-05:002009-06-26T18:45:26.395-05:00Summer often brings out the hedonist in me. I love the break from the intensity of teaching and the time I have to slow down, enjoy life and my family, and do things that simply bring me pleasure.<br /><br />Yesterday I decided to take an impromptu trip to the beach. We’re only about 45 minutes from the East Coast, so I was thinking of maybe driving over to New Smyrna with Marla and her friend Elle. Just as we were preparing to leave, my husband called on his way home from work to let me know that the weather over there was less than favorable. Not to be daunted I decided to drive another 40 minutes and head over to Clearwater. Although I dislike the traffic in the Tampa area, it was definitely worth it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_NphOUdIqJC8JWupK_aA9NjljEdYJp-K6yy3qAjfRg6AnMRAha2leDBzYsXRtQYInAIvMsB-EUlzci-U3knW4Gv7A44JM6MpeeWlVoC6bvjtdJsyet8_Ab3f_BteJPpCvzou/s1600-h/SandKeyPark.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_NphOUdIqJC8JWupK_aA9NjljEdYJp-K6yy3qAjfRg6AnMRAha2leDBzYsXRtQYInAIvMsB-EUlzci-U3knW4Gv7A44JM6MpeeWlVoC6bvjtdJsyet8_Ab3f_BteJPpCvzou/s400/SandKeyPark.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351633586704999938" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9miTK1zACNS-MWA1EG2gEBuVEJT7u5x6rp_L9sYzdODTSETpdHmGsXAJ4EFk8_xo8PvPYK1-H-q0gFsEIwnzin7XM_yWwv9PO-BCDJvXdEInbEY2GGND6VPKfv-6JQHnggME/s1600-h/beach_sandkey.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9miTK1zACNS-MWA1EG2gEBuVEJT7u5x6rp_L9sYzdODTSETpdHmGsXAJ4EFk8_xo8PvPYK1-H-q0gFsEIwnzin7XM_yWwv9PO-BCDJvXdEInbEY2GGND6VPKfv-6JQHnggME/s400/beach_sandkey.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351633741051173394" /></a><br /><br />If I could have my wish, I would live on the Gulf Coast beach. I love the warm water, the seashells, the sugary sand… all of it. Maybe it has to do with the nostalgia it evokes, having spent much of my childhood on the Sarasota/Bradenton beaches, but I think it is possibly something more. Sitting on the beach, listening to the surf, looking out over the vast expanse of water while birds dip and wheel overhead is like medicine for my spirit. Troubles seem to blow away with the breeze and my heart feels lighter, younger, and free.<br /><br />It gives me such joy to see the same transformation of spirit take place in my daughter, who smiles incessantly from the moment she steps onto the sand until her head hits the pillow at the end of the day. I found myself smiling in unison with her as I watched her cavort in the waves and surf, laughing with exclamations of delight as she gave herself to the wonder of the day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFhAS0uJIu75Sz0UwQdT25Js__APf8bnb_kAuFInjQPaXQvcW2lYBaYanpzwLpclgv9xs_2rBIoDvKXwnAJ-TE0BCieKK4jR8wPtTZjNGypfpItamv2XcGZbVPouoWIm9qv0P/s1600-h/Elle+and+Marla.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFhAS0uJIu75Sz0UwQdT25Js__APf8bnb_kAuFInjQPaXQvcW2lYBaYanpzwLpclgv9xs_2rBIoDvKXwnAJ-TE0BCieKK4jR8wPtTZjNGypfpItamv2XcGZbVPouoWIm9qv0P/s400/Elle+and+Marla.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351634021604144162" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhl9olfkEOxaAor3Gm1y7A8OR4vzX9ugrnoa0snKTRoe1jkJQ284C7VIm6zlpoKadm3LY01fIvx8IfwaS3_tYbM2POhmxcoiXfgTFV_zPlSDpHFnQdQJ3VWFNTAQArmom7Sxqh/s1600-h/Elle+and+Marla+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhl9olfkEOxaAor3Gm1y7A8OR4vzX9ugrnoa0snKTRoe1jkJQ284C7VIm6zlpoKadm3LY01fIvx8IfwaS3_tYbM2POhmxcoiXfgTFV_zPlSDpHFnQdQJ3VWFNTAQArmom7Sxqh/s400/Elle+and+Marla+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351634292280978034" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwN67AJBylQXtwoWYWMCP5WgIZYJClJhZC4JEqrMXEe1B3dQU7GXsXQQW3Au522X10X9LbiO20J8D5YGM2vbz30OvKAA5LUD-NNzXtiltr6MpwTIJwJouYVMUJ9HevDbgLD5j/s1600-h/Marla+boogie+board.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwN67AJBylQXtwoWYWMCP5WgIZYJClJhZC4JEqrMXEe1B3dQU7GXsXQQW3Au522X10X9LbiO20J8D5YGM2vbz30OvKAA5LUD-NNzXtiltr6MpwTIJwJouYVMUJ9HevDbgLD5j/s400/Marla+boogie+board.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351634518885430930" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EMnQ2kAyT9vMs5HaZuMl8hhoBZtCOwWkHXkLkt3jRtp5VF8VR6mgaetbOoKg2lcBUyZMXZteMJIdHwTNi8347qQNyvAhZmlkuUwPlKCFvPhp0gaO6ZfOZgy-5zX1tPZzy6nk/s1600-h/marla+floatie+2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EMnQ2kAyT9vMs5HaZuMl8hhoBZtCOwWkHXkLkt3jRtp5VF8VR6mgaetbOoKg2lcBUyZMXZteMJIdHwTNi8347qQNyvAhZmlkuUwPlKCFvPhp0gaO6ZfOZgy-5zX1tPZzy6nk/s400/marla+floatie+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351634673058775218" /></a><br /><br />I’m thinking we just might do it again next week.Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-67102862289991631882009-06-15T08:18:00.009-05:002013-06-04T12:19:41.686-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXojooywX8VL5_YrgFf5b9My-V4Ti06axBP28k7zsLlS4Wm63BLa_higWVKiu0tZ6q-arpnyqIMwnOaheAMbwSo26CXHLk77HqC3g5Z_agJtKdyghkGeWbJAQw7UukEa8W0fT/s1600-h/rain460.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXojooywX8VL5_YrgFf5b9My-V4Ti06axBP28k7zsLlS4Wm63BLa_higWVKiu0tZ6q-arpnyqIMwnOaheAMbwSo26CXHLk77HqC3g5Z_agJtKdyghkGeWbJAQw7UukEa8W0fT/s400/rain460.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347546429297150242" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What Blew In With the Storms...</span><br /><br />A few weeks ago we had some fierce storms roll through our area resulting in five days of constant rain and frequent lightning. It reminded me of hurricane season when after the initial blast of storms we’d be besieged by rain. I generally like a rainy day or two as I enjoy sitting by the window watching the stormy winds toss the branches of our live oaks, making them dance and sway as if they were moving to some wild melody that only they might hear, but after a few days I find my enjoyment waning as I have to get out in it to go to work, take out the trash, or walk our dog. <br /><br />One evening after several days of intense rain I ventured forth into the stormy weather to walk our dog Amos. Moving down our street with our golf umbrella held almost as a shield in the gusty rain, I heard a pitiful mewling coming from our neighbor’s yard. As I neared the bushes it seemed to emanate from I saw a little white blur bolt past me and disappear around the corner. I tried to follow, but soon gave up as the intensity of the storm drove me back home toward shelter. That evening I lay in the bed thinking about the poor animal and the predatory birds that I often see in our neighborhood. My husband surmised that someone had probably dumped some kittens nearby and said that he’d heard one earlier in the week but had been unable to catch it. We agreed that if we heard it again we’d try to rescue it and take it to the animal shelter where maybe it could be adopted.<br /><br />Several days of chasing a feral kitten in the rain ensued with no success, until one evening as I prepared to slog through the rain to take Amos out once again for his walk I heard its cries emanating from our carport. Grabbing a flashlight I peered underneath Don’s ATV to see a thin, sick, and frightened little thing, her eyes almost swollen shut and her ears showing signs of having been in at least one skirmish. Marla brought some cheese out and we placed a little under the edge of her shelter, which she immediately gobbled up. We laid out a little trail of cheese leading to a small animal carrier, watching her dart out to grab a piece and then retreat to her shelter. When she finally reached the carrier we were able to close the door behind her, and then gave her a little canned tuna and water. The following morning we took her to our vet who confirmed that she was indeed sick with eye and respiratory infections. His advice was to see if she could be socialized into the family, which made our Marla incredibly happy, and after two weeks, our little kitten (now named Mercy) has won our hearts and provided our dog Amos with a playmate and our daughter with a sweet cuddling friend.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7YzwvvzXwVykixKiWIpTFJF_u068_imxe_RoPKiA1-8Qtv_r7D8K0OLPSbqUvITMuKAhJezETvmLbsBKfHXCrU9FKJ-zBqBzmIVdk7KHRXf3crS4TPnzxfNkiA2DwEPgPfAm/s1600-h/Mercy.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7YzwvvzXwVykixKiWIpTFJF_u068_imxe_RoPKiA1-8Qtv_r7D8K0OLPSbqUvITMuKAhJezETvmLbsBKfHXCrU9FKJ-zBqBzmIVdk7KHRXf3crS4TPnzxfNkiA2DwEPgPfAm/s400/Mercy.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347546112587415266" /></a>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-44387140844677556542009-04-30T21:41:00.004-05:002009-04-30T21:47:40.725-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNYwM1YvEN0pbJAo6cnc8HQHzvg8E97pW34nlxFcXzwPTfRACnzbTPo-qqhpLP-KGrh_2TRqnY5JZ4yiFsOxgzi5ZuwOYtnol3KBYfMvh39oW8qcmfpqLcT80YYsYTDzzssze/s1600-h/picture+for+prayer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNYwM1YvEN0pbJAo6cnc8HQHzvg8E97pW34nlxFcXzwPTfRACnzbTPo-qqhpLP-KGrh_2TRqnY5JZ4yiFsOxgzi5ZuwOYtnol3KBYfMvh39oW8qcmfpqLcT80YYsYTDzzssze/s400/picture+for+prayer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330680342856750002" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Teach me your ways O Lord,<br />That I may love those who persecute me,<br />Pray for those who wish to do me harm,<br />And live in a manner that reflects whose I am.<br /><br />May I never stop learning about your mercy and grace.<br />May the beauty of your Word always lift my spirit,<br />May I know your peace all my days.<br /><br />Show me my sins that I choose to ignore--<br />The ones that I hide so well as to even fool myself.<br />And help me to reflect your beauty in humilty.<br /><br />For you are wisdom, power, holiness, goodness, and truth.<br />You speak and the very elements of nature obey you.<br />You set the stars in their places and the planets on their paths.<br />You made all things.<br />Nothing can escape your hand.<br /><br />Yet you love me intimately, as if I were your only child.<br />You cause me to draw breath and know every fiber of my being.<br />I am held together by you.<br /><br />Help me to love you truly as you love me,<br />And to love others with the same love I feel for myself.<br />Help me to forgive for I have been forgiven much<br />and to rest in your love which you have lavished on me.Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-83271093967884037602009-04-01T22:09:00.005-05:002009-04-02T05:14:14.868-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7S9qhIerUchTeq7cuKlctAd2A5O1F9A-8eQsGrkalwuB-6lQ0tDwCUZ4r1G451NW9BsaTL8dCunWjkQEepvwOdm3Sj3L63CsSTJhCUWkKLPrjJRTMkmadyHN0Z06Rr25Eayc/s1600-h/Jesse2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7S9qhIerUchTeq7cuKlctAd2A5O1F9A-8eQsGrkalwuB-6lQ0tDwCUZ4r1G451NW9BsaTL8dCunWjkQEepvwOdm3Sj3L63CsSTJhCUWkKLPrjJRTMkmadyHN0Z06Rr25Eayc/s400/Jesse2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319927681846811554" /></a><br /><br />I’ve been cleaning the house this evening, trying to restore some order to the inside as I’m hoping to play outside in the yard next week over spring break. I started in the dining room, moving a lamp or two around and rearranging a few photos that were clustered on a side table. Stopping, I picked up Jesse’s picture and ran my finger along his face, brushing away the dust on the glass. Peering intently at his eyes, drawn into their blueness, I drank in the curve of his cheek and the sweet twist of his crooked smile, so like my own. His hair was lifted by the breeze and he was glancing down at the sand smiling as he watched the water rushing toward his toes. If I closed my eyes, I could remember that moment—hear the surf—almost remember the sound of his voice. My throat began to tighten and my heart pounded with the familiar aching that has been a companion for such a long time.<br /><br />This Memorial Day weekend marks the 10th year that we have been without Jesse in our lives. Some days I think of him in passing, and others I can think of no one else. Tonight, looking at his picture I was ambushed by the intense desire to hold him, smell his hair, and lace my fingers with his small ones. The gift of time has helped with the searing intensity grief, but there are still times when the waves of sorrow break over me and I am pulled down by a rushing current of pain. However, these times also provide a much needed gift— although laden with anguish, they bring with them memories that are achingly sweet, and give me the opportunity to remember him anew, mixing joy with sorrow. <br /><br />I haven’t been able to write much about him yet, but I thought I might post a picture.<br /><br />I miss you Jesse.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9AlFSvDEiW4wQ7EJVoV-I6n-X92xul_i2TGoMnyXqVi9bml0cRlAbx1kuZfNuDw41-HzU0CZY5H4NWmH7H_aVLoV72tI49S8ozgD1-1-lBsaVr38bqSthciUDQFTh3N03xBG/s1600-h/jesse.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 382px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9AlFSvDEiW4wQ7EJVoV-I6n-X92xul_i2TGoMnyXqVi9bml0cRlAbx1kuZfNuDw41-HzU0CZY5H4NWmH7H_aVLoV72tI49S8ozgD1-1-lBsaVr38bqSthciUDQFTh3N03xBG/s400/jesse.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319926014589659426" /></a>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-18987525326912212052009-03-23T16:23:00.016-05:002009-03-24T04:52:48.779-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxX2r3ZS27Pwl7Ay3zFKOP7sFRPWXB2K0wm-oM2qnnulF9tW98Lh17dedpW2YKubk2iV_RL9h8TT1qjKfwZHPoaKXbQ7EO-MEjOgnad-_Sh95PoEqiHIYSeuXIA9XJzLMza-O/s1600-h/Gloucester+angel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxX2r3ZS27Pwl7Ay3zFKOP7sFRPWXB2K0wm-oM2qnnulF9tW98Lh17dedpW2YKubk2iV_RL9h8TT1qjKfwZHPoaKXbQ7EO-MEjOgnad-_Sh95PoEqiHIYSeuXIA9XJzLMza-O/s400/Gloucester+angel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316498681793511458" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">OCS London Choir Trip 2009</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Day Four</span><br /><br /><br />The figure of speech “saving the best for last” definitely applied to our last full day in England! We were up early and enjoyed a full English breakfast at the Limply Stoke Hotel. Following breakfast we loaded up the coach and set off for the city of Gloucester for a performance at Gloucester Cathedral. This would be our last performance on the trip and we were eager to sing. The cathedral was built in the Norman style at the center and then in the Gothic style in all surrounding areas. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwJ10C5kTb8bmjX6IwivYcLVtS_rP_7w6ztoVSUvmuuBlVLC_hJYN_PO-L2rN0zeaSp3GnQroe33gmmlJXd7w4AQySua7oLlt2Y4IFhMPHeK63kCSQ56OTg3LCKwwUylvZk9h/s1600-h/gloucester+exterior.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 336px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwJ10C5kTb8bmjX6IwivYcLVtS_rP_7w6ztoVSUvmuuBlVLC_hJYN_PO-L2rN0zeaSp3GnQroe33gmmlJXd7w4AQySua7oLlt2Y4IFhMPHeK63kCSQ56OTg3LCKwwUylvZk9h/s400/gloucester+exterior.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316499084316320226" /></a> <br /><br />Upon entering the cathedral, our eyes were immediately drawn to the magnificent stained glass windows.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiKzESQqlbJf0Bo1jrOd4P5mGkthfnvadNJhVu_MINrxDFwwoDjB2eJYw75_tYcy-6VXrTDheIqMbuVXzwD-aTDSUbc8LPNeNv1yArB61o0Ff5oMocdPtaKU5-4VbKf4MjiSf/s1600-h/glouceter+stained+glass.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiKzESQqlbJf0Bo1jrOd4P5mGkthfnvadNJhVu_MINrxDFwwoDjB2eJYw75_tYcy-6VXrTDheIqMbuVXzwD-aTDSUbc8LPNeNv1yArB61o0Ff5oMocdPtaKU5-4VbKf4MjiSf/s400/glouceter+stained+glass.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316499087020699602" /></a> <br /><br />Looking to the right we saw the ornately carved pipe organ.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAnyQjCyvmK6tD7EPSfbYQmsOfNd9QUO39fk28axlS9vuHakwOPwy2u9nqYUZ6Jk0amNtRezxsqdg4WiB98y-j6SfU4wnrjkGE6RItR_OKobkjGyf7GvH8irVV4SPYCDSr3zY/s1600-h/gloucester+organ.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMAnyQjCyvmK6tD7EPSfbYQmsOfNd9QUO39fk28axlS9vuHakwOPwy2u9nqYUZ6Jk0amNtRezxsqdg4WiB98y-j6SfU4wnrjkGE6RItR_OKobkjGyf7GvH8irVV4SPYCDSr3zY/s400/gloucester+organ.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316499090323395938" /></a><br /><br />We had just a few minutes to look around before it was time to assemble for our concert. Taking the time to warm up and focus, we prayed as a group and then began our performance. The choir sang beautifully, their voices filling the cathedral. It was a moving experience for the students and for those in the audience and we were thankful to be able to end with such a positive and uplifting concert. The picture below was taken just as we were taking our places to warm up and pray.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfKrQdeGoEVZZwZ72a_VmZpG6wbB6hOGMNpoDSRPHt7hTPxqmstT89Rwl6iezyxqvty8SJypI9p8dw-gNk50zWl8jc7sCHwtp-5gQvTOR-epBP9eTSSQP6UH2ua6Oqm_pFYim/s1600-h/gloucester+choir.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfKrQdeGoEVZZwZ72a_VmZpG6wbB6hOGMNpoDSRPHt7hTPxqmstT89Rwl6iezyxqvty8SJypI9p8dw-gNk50zWl8jc7sCHwtp-5gQvTOR-epBP9eTSSQP6UH2ua6Oqm_pFYim/s400/gloucester+choir.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316499096877095986" /></a><br /> <br />One of the many things that captured our imaginations were the finely sculpted images found on both the interior and exterior walls. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18Nxlg8jhaQ60NSZmGfH2hV_Qv37CPwu3HpIZaMpY-ELKDowTkST03blozuf3fALjvees2X8b48EcbdPdO2oJ-NMRBTVsXaSN32UALxFBggik8qCTbQbIPmMNS8HpPJUQ9cah/s1600-h/sculpture+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18Nxlg8jhaQ60NSZmGfH2hV_Qv37CPwu3HpIZaMpY-ELKDowTkST03blozuf3fALjvees2X8b48EcbdPdO2oJ-NMRBTVsXaSN32UALxFBggik8qCTbQbIPmMNS8HpPJUQ9cah/s400/sculpture+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316500214058407970" /></a> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7v76-7LuBoDEop7zLAuad7b1LnJtBPAHqjdj-pXtcuhYUUjCQvcmMpK4GdjLmRv41ncfUt520CZmD5G84W-PmQ2VcrvTpc-_H1Mh8pC_ItWUztOt7lW-lEKLcgm5Uu-_TDgxg/s1600-h/sculpture+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7v76-7LuBoDEop7zLAuad7b1LnJtBPAHqjdj-pXtcuhYUUjCQvcmMpK4GdjLmRv41ncfUt520CZmD5G84W-PmQ2VcrvTpc-_H1Mh8pC_ItWUztOt7lW-lEKLcgm5Uu-_TDgxg/s400/sculpture+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316500223420047714" /></a><br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiq6XCzPF9k0gPMBQBzpE48DSzmiCPdafBNIeLEjPN1kVXPfYXqHaWPbBU78_pjOtuaS6KwOKDSvMIrcPw6d3ssnqxg0vXN0M2H-PaR-K3lIw-hRucv64mCU0hcEUGbNdo0l7E/s1600-h/sculpture+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiq6XCzPF9k0gPMBQBzpE48DSzmiCPdafBNIeLEjPN1kVXPfYXqHaWPbBU78_pjOtuaS6KwOKDSvMIrcPw6d3ssnqxg0vXN0M2H-PaR-K3lIw-hRucv64mCU0hcEUGbNdo0l7E/s400/sculpture+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316500229683752946" /></a><br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDRTntinYDU-d7veSWomZkupc2m0H73ttgl2ZUjJNJ_djpATZwF7pclu8DRy3PplGvMRY9Im-H5fJ3uknFIDhwQ8JAVwcI70bS8gS6ROZOL4XW8MccTEdd6zMb346cfpQdTwV/s1600-h/sculpture.5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDRTntinYDU-d7veSWomZkupc2m0H73ttgl2ZUjJNJ_djpATZwF7pclu8DRy3PplGvMRY9Im-H5fJ3uknFIDhwQ8JAVwcI70bS8gS6ROZOL4XW8MccTEdd6zMb346cfpQdTwV/s400/sculpture.5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316500235341515442" /></a><br /><br />We had a little time after our concert to explore the cathedral and grounds, finding a beautiful courtyard which offered us an opportunity for taking pictures.<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqx6ASlqJvUHbjE4FDJ6PR2HODx9CrbwYGNiD-HeoBjveaWhlQwNQrhbg0oX8y_3rMWLKn9Xa6HgH45C-Zzzy1aN_WQkoLNGri8VJUGX8Mj6-75FNTV50bhPOJY47JZp3Jg57/s1600-h/courtyard.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqx6ASlqJvUHbjE4FDJ6PR2HODx9CrbwYGNiD-HeoBjveaWhlQwNQrhbg0oX8y_3rMWLKn9Xa6HgH45C-Zzzy1aN_WQkoLNGri8VJUGX8Mj6-75FNTV50bhPOJY47JZp3Jg57/s400/courtyard.1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316502714954336434" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dzxbOo41GpxmlSBvpSi6w25Kwv_ZkKLAmvY8ykj_ZAtZOrmIlcKrGuciJPOlQPgKH5qDpYb4v_7yyLkyBTf1gnOPXaxwM0VUdkAUCOZj7l90BotWXA9ZHINAvsvGr7UzpInX/s1600-h/gloucester+courtyard.2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9dzxbOo41GpxmlSBvpSi6w25Kwv_ZkKLAmvY8ykj_ZAtZOrmIlcKrGuciJPOlQPgKH5qDpYb4v_7yyLkyBTf1gnOPXaxwM0VUdkAUCOZj7l90BotWXA9ZHINAvsvGr7UzpInX/s400/gloucester+courtyard.2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316502724592923586" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnLCUZmwNFE1uRbGgKsOvK7Aua7ai5z5q38wuv7hzlzF_BCjOX3RjsSzSsve48_bHHFg6YJTXA2IOoOJu9_RDhBikhy19tF15ZP357pvN2oJO7uuEnF-QZD72g5W5H5H2eTD6/s1600-h/girls+at+gloucester.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnLCUZmwNFE1uRbGgKsOvK7Aua7ai5z5q38wuv7hzlzF_BCjOX3RjsSzSsve48_bHHFg6YJTXA2IOoOJu9_RDhBikhy19tF15ZP357pvN2oJO7uuEnF-QZD72g5W5H5H2eTD6/s400/girls+at+gloucester.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316502727305007762" /></a> <br /><br />Leaving Gloucester, our spirits were high—we’d had a great performance and had been touched ourselves by the music and the time in the great cathedral. Our afternoon would be spent in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, and then at Warwick Castle, the oldest castle in England.<br /><br />We saw thatched roof cottages in Stratford, and were amazed by their charm. A thatched roof was always “signed” by its maker with a specific pattern cut into the thatch near the apex of the roof. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwx5BGxPe1Y_2v_TwD9NGsNjOUIEg-15JnhHLm14M1RFJ2Zx91uEqP30khxnPhd3sgHrsadzq5pjPur7rutNidos7nttK8HCVKWiZ24XJbjx5apphm4lG6M9QM9MHZBKagYjxF/s1600-h/thatch1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwx5BGxPe1Y_2v_TwD9NGsNjOUIEg-15JnhHLm14M1RFJ2Zx91uEqP30khxnPhd3sgHrsadzq5pjPur7rutNidos7nttK8HCVKWiZ24XJbjx5apphm4lG6M9QM9MHZBKagYjxF/s400/thatch1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316503562379730290" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdJ4kuPsw5N6dFvll1QSqHCtLx5gvfMxPtJ5WJzZQydQ5sVzC_tST6RbJZxONEhMShdgMpItMRE16eoqEzqc6PsRmptoHDBO3E4XPnTcJ96DV0v_Xy_mAIgvlLlGOhyphenhyphen7ohN9A/s1600-h/thatch2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdJ4kuPsw5N6dFvll1QSqHCtLx5gvfMxPtJ5WJzZQydQ5sVzC_tST6RbJZxONEhMShdgMpItMRE16eoqEzqc6PsRmptoHDBO3E4XPnTcJ96DV0v_Xy_mAIgvlLlGOhyphenhyphen7ohN9A/s400/thatch2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316503571533733762" /></a><br /> <br />The city was charming with its Victorian storefronts, whitewashed walls, and lovely gardens. We took in the sights and found some lunch in small groups. Although our time there was short, it was definitely memorable.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixN06Sx1EVqGh9pU5N4pID6E9i2sysbQbDXjbfVizD8NjDxkvLDYifKHw-epiziTGDW8PLBynrO7wqtB5ZjMHEAPf_SaNJIxVI7DG7fs04xr8UyfXKPvKfRWerqZmUWvfjZBR1/s1600-h/shakespear.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixN06Sx1EVqGh9pU5N4pID6E9i2sysbQbDXjbfVizD8NjDxkvLDYifKHw-epiziTGDW8PLBynrO7wqtB5ZjMHEAPf_SaNJIxVI7DG7fs04xr8UyfXKPvKfRWerqZmUWvfjZBR1/s400/shakespear.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316504190086547970" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_z4VlQDpDnSnxwwoTDs2mkVuFcRwIhSBwLiQXRQYLXqu4PnFbA9I92R8fDKiNOogY2AalJ40kNmeQe0oAg5t2O5HiYjrfXN7bjeIOWOiYa5ruhb91Sv3aBfgk_enYfieBBrX/s1600-h/phone+booth.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_z4VlQDpDnSnxwwoTDs2mkVuFcRwIhSBwLiQXRQYLXqu4PnFbA9I92R8fDKiNOogY2AalJ40kNmeQe0oAg5t2O5HiYjrfXN7bjeIOWOiYa5ruhb91Sv3aBfgk_enYfieBBrX/s400/phone+booth.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316504181156956690" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeboxsIkYHabjwFNxsbgwf9ePUemU4qhjGcUcw2oDEhfbJ3xxFNvV-_6I6wQeb1vmTR3oRnhDuLrq9_lBt1dvuzNkehMbjwgGnmI-2COiTA-iu_W-Bpbcj_irEpV0_xRdYhUP6/s1600-h/thatch4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeboxsIkYHabjwFNxsbgwf9ePUemU4qhjGcUcw2oDEhfbJ3xxFNvV-_6I6wQeb1vmTR3oRnhDuLrq9_lBt1dvuzNkehMbjwgGnmI-2COiTA-iu_W-Bpbcj_irEpV0_xRdYhUP6/s400/thatch4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316504169114140482" /></a><br /><br />The last stop of the day would be Warwick Castle!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiCJeB_oPuqPGdj55NM-uaChl4Gg-RmxPBHkpJn2hBrRatiuDOYV7SsV8xY6Siui00FljmeUXRbbJ9wWXcqg-X-7loTx0vVJu_KUSEUEfS5ISe4IH-cLkHG6ESSTsnA5cgrbb/s1600-h/Warwick+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiCJeB_oPuqPGdj55NM-uaChl4Gg-RmxPBHkpJn2hBrRatiuDOYV7SsV8xY6Siui00FljmeUXRbbJ9wWXcqg-X-7loTx0vVJu_KUSEUEfS5ISe4IH-cLkHG6ESSTsnA5cgrbb/s400/Warwick+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316504639303530002" /></a><br /> <br />The castle was built in the 11th century and was the fortified residence of William the Conqueror. It was sold in the 20th century to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and was restored at that time. The kids had a great time exploring the castle and its grounds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzJSyldmOAqKe8kiXR423ycfok-3OhPLJ4dOik_QuF8L-PTpzhFCZ3sO37wwTSBpP5JcILLJDi0pnbYjc0sk1qpDlmf2kbmr1d6hQnjFcJEbC2rlFSJd7ZpxQ4OoDim2IG31s/s1600-h/warwick2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzJSyldmOAqKe8kiXR423ycfok-3OhPLJ4dOik_QuF8L-PTpzhFCZ3sO37wwTSBpP5JcILLJDi0pnbYjc0sk1qpDlmf2kbmr1d6hQnjFcJEbC2rlFSJd7ZpxQ4OoDim2IG31s/s400/warwick2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316505491240244914" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IaoGTDpSjBMXH8FVSnCNS_-2M5pH7aUGIFl2TxsgcMpPn_pt6dDDpdgeDDv-IiV18hgmAzuR2Gv1858k9dTZCs4M-sh0sbe7UjHmN08qg5W9lplMmkEXzhHiSn1JfSD935Pr/s1600-h/warwick4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IaoGTDpSjBMXH8FVSnCNS_-2M5pH7aUGIFl2TxsgcMpPn_pt6dDDpdgeDDv-IiV18hgmAzuR2Gv1858k9dTZCs4M-sh0sbe7UjHmN08qg5W9lplMmkEXzhHiSn1JfSD935Pr/s400/warwick4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316505108324532754" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBhN_YztfycxcjGjr08h3SLd_UVP6eG91ASTBltWhXAwPqSC8lZ1yjn11RIirVEwuX2fgvyu1c7pFnylURkHU-RcPflQ2WNTTAtnd3MpU8xcbap-lfjGg5MQ1JHKZLLS_oIlP/s1600-h/warwick5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBhN_YztfycxcjGjr08h3SLd_UVP6eG91ASTBltWhXAwPqSC8lZ1yjn11RIirVEwuX2fgvyu1c7pFnylURkHU-RcPflQ2WNTTAtnd3MpU8xcbap-lfjGg5MQ1JHKZLLS_oIlP/s400/warwick5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316505106705147986" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrQ8ZrDWSkE5U62Q-d5pBlp-yDoLbwKqzqEAfeQy1dfyz27O_e94ghvhy0Jtk5ir9H-46EIirTzPORt7cbwrj8po7x9l7yPnCG2Bn31fi5_q8K-lxbXp-yiYUZOVgEXje7cIk/s1600-h/warwick6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrQ8ZrDWSkE5U62Q-d5pBlp-yDoLbwKqzqEAfeQy1dfyz27O_e94ghvhy0Jtk5ir9H-46EIirTzPORt7cbwrj8po7x9l7yPnCG2Bn31fi5_q8K-lxbXp-yiYUZOVgEXje7cIk/s400/warwick6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316505101912887490" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQz28LsmLvqQMWY4zAgvRopA9SEx8v5clFKpoJYdNNLP4M5eR0Du9OeIQsMXJBDCET1DJzS2wHuKl81MT8K3yps5gH1lX1-Unbf0nEqa-Q9CtFjuvunMjwIrmhcKrrWXutt0g3/s1600-h/warwick7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQz28LsmLvqQMWY4zAgvRopA9SEx8v5clFKpoJYdNNLP4M5eR0Du9OeIQsMXJBDCET1DJzS2wHuKl81MT8K3yps5gH1lX1-Unbf0nEqa-Q9CtFjuvunMjwIrmhcKrrWXutt0g3/s400/warwick7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316505100089223602" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOECVYkExHXHsDbvYOpKjLnmew7jbh6-6urLhKhUy3lzW13P_bpkPyApkonvcL9jRNbYgMoVlTHAtUDAn5h5n9ZunAGezaGsLRDsK-lmAtb81j3MIO4tWVz6dbQR4f5UH9_rA/s1600-h/warwick8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOECVYkExHXHsDbvYOpKjLnmew7jbh6-6urLhKhUy3lzW13P_bpkPyApkonvcL9jRNbYgMoVlTHAtUDAn5h5n9ZunAGezaGsLRDsK-lmAtb81j3MIO4tWVz6dbQR4f5UH9_rA/s400/warwick8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316505090441555922" /></a> <br /><br />This would be our last night in England. We loaded up the coach and drove to our hotel in Coventry. The hotel was located next to the St. Michael's cathedral in Coventry, which we’d wanted to see, but made it in too late to visit. Don, Marla, and I strolled over to peer through the gates to look at what remained of the once glorious cathedral. The Lufwaffa bombed the cathedral in Coventry during WWII and what remains is now a memorial to those who lost their lives in that attack. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUV0YIt4arj_pqfJuHLqbEMP96SCK7K0sOEc0Pv6l4bgfCzgKWzrIakWW3Oz_7Zxhmh-ooMvAbx-__t7eOS3k3jdUqh3xZpqc8vpIz-MgAVow0P9huNT2qE-sC88_7Hi0nakfi/s1600-h/marla+fence.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUV0YIt4arj_pqfJuHLqbEMP96SCK7K0sOEc0Pv6l4bgfCzgKWzrIakWW3Oz_7Zxhmh-ooMvAbx-__t7eOS3k3jdUqh3xZpqc8vpIz-MgAVow0P9huNT2qE-sC88_7Hi0nakfi/s400/marla+fence.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316510458472297634" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXybhRpX-w99WOBdO5NEvN9CPp6O-nHlUmPlt09Gb_Lt9RnFjM7VUyfV3LLM2vE6a1Qb0YH8xaz4bCQrsXaAou-nqME3EpHPtreGUaUprpIMG7Z5QsqyzzhDmrSTLgz9IhMilS/s1600-h/coventry1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXybhRpX-w99WOBdO5NEvN9CPp6O-nHlUmPlt09Gb_Lt9RnFjM7VUyfV3LLM2vE6a1Qb0YH8xaz4bCQrsXaAou-nqME3EpHPtreGUaUprpIMG7Z5QsqyzzhDmrSTLgz9IhMilS/s400/coventry1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316510462935610658" /></a><br /><br />A new cathedral has been built to replace St. Michael’s and has this figure of the Archangel Michael in victory over Lucifer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2DLK88QNyErXjDcoPqTilZ-SX0a5ySDFMzpOnsAKI8CGs9ls4q2gru_R8yRMt471SScmkMOA1ozqy8TzOuiSyb_DPX7P-xN3VJ7zAzwl4QKF-DMGQCEac5igR-YbhLNiT_fl/s1600-h/michael+and+lucifer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2DLK88QNyErXjDcoPqTilZ-SX0a5ySDFMzpOnsAKI8CGs9ls4q2gru_R8yRMt471SScmkMOA1ozqy8TzOuiSyb_DPX7P-xN3VJ7zAzwl4QKF-DMGQCEac5igR-YbhLNiT_fl/s400/michael+and+lucifer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316510825949778946" /></a><br /><br />Tomorrow would bring a pre-dawn departure for London Heathrow. What a week we’d had! Our hearts and our minds had been enlarged by this experience—we’d seen places we’d only heard of, sung in glorious cathedrals, shared God’s message through song, and grown as people. We hope to take what we’ve learned and put it to use in our lives and our music.Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-44797758829033903242009-03-18T08:15:00.012-05:002009-03-18T08:51:55.745-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">London Choir Tour 2009</span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /><br />Day Three Stonehenge, Salisbury, and Bath<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvk2fCv7ZQJDT729MaQCjJbN66Ds1tH2JW9Zcm6NVm28WcCJSy8OxWbcPpm9vYet-2tiBW-6Fn5QdKIpYY48fp-QHO2YWAOFhSJAcy0pgt4b8b8FbJ41aeokdfq0TP1MonKrPg/s1600-h/stonehenge1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvk2fCv7ZQJDT729MaQCjJbN66Ds1tH2JW9Zcm6NVm28WcCJSy8OxWbcPpm9vYet-2tiBW-6Fn5QdKIpYY48fp-QHO2YWAOFhSJAcy0pgt4b8b8FbJ41aeokdfq0TP1MonKrPg/s400/stonehenge1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314516025277028882" /></a><br /><br />An early morning departure had us checking out of the Hotel Ibis and boarding a coach for Salisbury. The drive took us out of the city and into the countryside and we were able to make a stop at Stonehenge, the great monolithic circle of stones that have stood sentinel since before the time of the Roman invasion.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisb05UG_4ECyRbYOUMRT0HMPL213o-TpRSgIgnrHr3R9_uZ4CPyxAjjkxJPAqwVL9VFLb4mrMn6bOE13tPBRomKsXG9XUY3nu3TnIB1PzugPKsuXLaAFAyi9r1mmt97f8DP5EP/s1600-h/barrow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisb05UG_4ECyRbYOUMRT0HMPL213o-TpRSgIgnrHr3R9_uZ4CPyxAjjkxJPAqwVL9VFLb4mrMn6bOE13tPBRomKsXG9XUY3nu3TnIB1PzugPKsuXLaAFAyi9r1mmt97f8DP5EP/s400/barrow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314516248755897218" /></a><br /><br />Along the way we saw many barrows (burial mounds) that are an integral part of early British folklore and tradition.<br /> <br />“Construction of Salisbury Cathedral commenced when the bishopric was moved to Salisbury from Old Sarum in 1220. By 1258 the nave, transepts and choir were complete. The magnificent west front was ready by 1265.<br /><br />The tower and spire were completed in 1320. Salisbury Cathedral's spire is the tallest in England and is 404 feet tall. The spire, while the cathedral's crowning glory, also proved to be its most troublesome feature. Together with the tower, it added 6,500 tons to the weight of the building. But for the addition of buttresses, bracing arches and iron ties over the succeeding centuries, it might well have suffered the fate of spires on other great ecclesiastical buildings and fallen down. To this day the large supporting pillars at the corners of the spire can be seen to bend inwards under the strain.” SacredDestinations.com<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8lx3kVmlHivNeglueNNztAU7pppHs2-LiYy0-Rc5lNAjiw72Z-uqNdj6C7POeWJ4219bHFGodJ0soHoIS54Gi_8QcnUAKoCUw8JIN7YWiqvE8IA1H0gu5YbLmzORuC7LxI14/s1600-h/Salisbury+cathedral.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8lx3kVmlHivNeglueNNztAU7pppHs2-LiYy0-Rc5lNAjiw72Z-uqNdj6C7POeWJ4219bHFGodJ0soHoIS54Gi_8QcnUAKoCUw8JIN7YWiqvE8IA1H0gu5YbLmzORuC7LxI14/s400/Salisbury+cathedral.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314516642776817682" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5l_1nea2o-M3PVk4wZ3Tb2lSlLA-Q6nlt7-T18NgKNhcjAvO6Z49DZe8gM5y4uTcQSP1PlpY-7UXdXinwvY0yZuEXbhfMPLTskga8FgLeOrQ1k8UVBNG5rp9GS15XaoQMci0b/s1600-h/salisbury+interior.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5l_1nea2o-M3PVk4wZ3Tb2lSlLA-Q6nlt7-T18NgKNhcjAvO6Z49DZe8gM5y4uTcQSP1PlpY-7UXdXinwvY0yZuEXbhfMPLTskga8FgLeOrQ1k8UVBNG5rp9GS15XaoQMci0b/s400/salisbury+interior.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314517703251471474" /></a><br /><br />The kids had a fantastic time touring the cathedral and exploring the cloisters.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_M8NdLBiR4wNmb0MXmQfeqH-M8vcmUMNEDL88bYWyvp1zrqsc1XQocj7aSApwdoy3rfea1vMsTlev9uAFHM2JQV0bspAGYtTWcyU7UV_KwugGdBX_yiJ6Njs7-Z2bslWub2l-/s1600-h/girls+in+cloisters.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_M8NdLBiR4wNmb0MXmQfeqH-M8vcmUMNEDL88bYWyvp1zrqsc1XQocj7aSApwdoy3rfea1vMsTlev9uAFHM2JQV0bspAGYtTWcyU7UV_KwugGdBX_yiJ6Njs7-Z2bslWub2l-/s400/girls+in+cloisters.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314517930998813458" /></a><br /><br />Our next stop would be the picturesque city of Bath!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rY2tL7H8avGQiwUwqRz3AWMEy_rkmhgdLhRWv6ez3o1nI2wS7DncCT_yO8irLspTSpXE3TFvvNU6IsuPPbiY4HDDskng-L64uJN9UzqbWhlhRPEFz0Ij7oXC8shNS8ydIMLH/s1600-h/bath+city+street.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rY2tL7H8avGQiwUwqRz3AWMEy_rkmhgdLhRWv6ez3o1nI2wS7DncCT_yO8irLspTSpXE3TFvvNU6IsuPPbiY4HDDskng-L64uJN9UzqbWhlhRPEFz0Ij7oXC8shNS8ydIMLH/s400/bath+city+street.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314518625490192690" /></a><br /><br />On arrival, we headed for Bath Abbey to sing in their afternoon recital for visitors. We found this to be our most challenging concert, as the standing area we were asked to use had very difficult visibility between students and director. This was good for the students, teaching them to think through performance challenges and make purposeful decisions to be successful. After the recital, we walked through the city in small groups, looking for a good place to try for dinner and to get in a little shopping time—the first opportunity we’d had to do so.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWsFxsbVv0LyUI9DtZY_BVucuUaNJeWQuJUQqhxAiQGxx6zRNisp_5LgB4zf9ZCtjEb0H36fMtOtoaTljl4wRBbIQJZ15krdBep9KKM_zlgTeFCuWg1K-x8Ejee2Zr1Y9aNeS/s1600-h/bath+abbey.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWsFxsbVv0LyUI9DtZY_BVucuUaNJeWQuJUQqhxAiQGxx6zRNisp_5LgB4zf9ZCtjEb0H36fMtOtoaTljl4wRBbIQJZ15krdBep9KKM_zlgTeFCuWg1K-x8Ejee2Zr1Y9aNeS/s400/bath+abbey.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314518630679293218" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXO92dgfyznNbop_NVP8dAW_mTBN9Xpt_ePDUSCIkMwQsuDEMJ3zGIznvihfJvjDCUma8-rHl6dVuDJ7iivxgoI47I5FPBHUIDGYKZxdh5VY6qIDIKK1WQVHGt1p5XS0ttsxLD/s1600-h/Bath.abbey.fan.vault.arp.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 282px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXO92dgfyznNbop_NVP8dAW_mTBN9Xpt_ePDUSCIkMwQsuDEMJ3zGIznvihfJvjDCUma8-rHl6dVuDJ7iivxgoI47I5FPBHUIDGYKZxdh5VY6qIDIKK1WQVHGt1p5XS0ttsxLD/s400/Bath.abbey.fan.vault.arp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314518635921265522" /></a><br /><br />There were street performers in the plazas and we saw a fiddle playing, bicycle riding, tightrope walker, a flame-juggling unicyclist, and an incredibly talented violinist.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm6Wb1TchsRZSVDY8LZrSWhEQCr_YEHlYfwKIXka8HJiXRGuAI15EPwcyBjQO1IGzwodeUc33XwOEJrc1tftc2ceQeJS_s4JiQ6YrWXxX3tXlOflVbDly40jzxOxuUVDV8k-8/s1600-h/jugglingunicyclist.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm6Wb1TchsRZSVDY8LZrSWhEQCr_YEHlYfwKIXka8HJiXRGuAI15EPwcyBjQO1IGzwodeUc33XwOEJrc1tftc2ceQeJS_s4JiQ6YrWXxX3tXlOflVbDly40jzxOxuUVDV8k-8/s400/jugglingunicyclist.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314519359692299042" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjus-FUrqdOgEMtDMDeCKYaDGu6Ghg-DheU9eClqNElLi5grdmy9qpiko1UDFdsbsed60G5PFdeivHmvXzlVDt-hOJXWduJ0xJ_PJLWA2h5ylWSEA3yYGT-SEefpY2LXi4p51QO/s1600-h/violinist.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjus-FUrqdOgEMtDMDeCKYaDGu6Ghg-DheU9eClqNElLi5grdmy9qpiko1UDFdsbsed60G5PFdeivHmvXzlVDt-hOJXWduJ0xJ_PJLWA2h5ylWSEA3yYGT-SEefpY2LXi4p51QO/s400/violinist.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314519364767557058" /></a><br /><br />While in Bath we visited the ancient Roman baths that the city was known for. A good portion of the structure has stood the test of time and the springs that fill the bath are still hot. Archeologists have uncovered a vast network of baths, rooms, and what they suspect could have been a small temple. The springs of Bath were said to have healing properties and many people have made pilgrimage to bathe in its waters over the centuries.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVDK5iOObp_ycCB0Rd-eMhjOkN0Y1KbK0CDF_fYra3YoHt5ZGA1eyzui-_4yDomEolihJOfRq9SOkCxHzCAMjSLx4JDIq7n2OLxWSn9hdIDcujI1gsgA9gz_CwYj8Zh3dE1Ze/s1600-h/roman+baths.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVDK5iOObp_ycCB0Rd-eMhjOkN0Y1KbK0CDF_fYra3YoHt5ZGA1eyzui-_4yDomEolihJOfRq9SOkCxHzCAMjSLx4JDIq7n2OLxWSn9hdIDcujI1gsgA9gz_CwYj8Zh3dE1Ze/s400/roman+baths.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314519699714206834" /></a><br /><br />We moved on to our next hotel in the Cotswold hills and settled in for the night. The hotel’s picturesque exterior promised a quaint night’s stay, but the interior was a warren of tiny corridors, twisting stairs, and odd-smelling rooms.<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSZfcgDGbedM4W5xdwvx6zFAxvJ-eolWAUSY5lANmkXUXD_hK1r1TUfY0fsiisNTk5T4qEwFHf0irftQu6hqcyz_J_IX_U64Ueuar05Gdct6WTePE7qgeCKlosXZ2CGoKEhP9/s1600-h/0347LimpleyStokeHotelBath-vi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSZfcgDGbedM4W5xdwvx6zFAxvJ-eolWAUSY5lANmkXUXD_hK1r1TUfY0fsiisNTk5T4qEwFHf0irftQu6hqcyz_J_IX_U64Ueuar05Gdct6WTePE7qgeCKlosXZ2CGoKEhP9/s400/0347LimpleyStokeHotelBath-vi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5314520049914772898" /></a><br /><br />What a day! We headed off to devotions and bed thinking of the rich history of this country and of the beauty we’d seen. We had one more full day to go and couldn’t wait to take it in.</span>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-37441671884625464172009-03-10T07:40:00.021-05:002009-03-10T15:51:55.353-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">London Choir Tour 2009</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Day Two</span><br /><br />We got up early on Sunday, ate a quick continental breakfast, and then walked several city blocks to St. Andrew’s Fulham Fields Church to lead in worship, providing the music for the Lord’s Supper.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAybJ92O-E9QJ2tiSJj98Nwg7z1gG9pdoAt70g_WwFI9gZ9en9hv3LMT99_6i4CDs09KV8P4mSRRgVNNH8T_4OyqLI1UKhX_GpVkBo2FAnb7zJOsIJxHAduk951oh7uoGvXo3o/s1600-h/St.+Andrews+FFChurch.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 221px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAybJ92O-E9QJ2tiSJj98Nwg7z1gG9pdoAt70g_WwFI9gZ9en9hv3LMT99_6i4CDs09KV8P4mSRRgVNNH8T_4OyqLI1UKhX_GpVkBo2FAnb7zJOsIJxHAduk951oh7uoGvXo3o/s400/St.+Andrews+FFChurch.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311543112187030562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxyrYGO2AZ4EIplloH-76V0T291EWmXsAYZ2gD1fd7w3DA5r9DaJ50kfZA_3Re42hXzrVXR7zoASW7XMk3gS5N6A_7KZ4vKaa1XI3aBSSbZl2V86xsMJhsJkIoixkHTxS7bTu/s1600-h/going+into+St.+Andrew%27s.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxyrYGO2AZ4EIplloH-76V0T291EWmXsAYZ2gD1fd7w3DA5r9DaJ50kfZA_3Re42hXzrVXR7zoASW7XMk3gS5N6A_7KZ4vKaa1XI3aBSSbZl2V86xsMJhsJkIoixkHTxS7bTu/s400/going+into+St.+Andrew%27s.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311543685762963842" /></a><br /><br />We arrived about an hour before worship so that we could rehearse and make any last minute adjustments for the service. The interior of the church was truly beautiful. There was an intricately carved and gilded panel that ran floor to ceiling behind the choir, and the area from which we sang was richly appointed. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIpX3vJ_B3C6hj8a3ZJdWu9zpa8qzOZYhmwDGFUyXsLcWMYA47tCZ8b_ijVvbCQEcK5iuWKemlGVRROzOG6uym3_8f5lcYC4ZjEFHHphFWCSKG9ddT6R8SHyGepSwHNOfSlpK/s1600-h/preparing+for+worship.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIpX3vJ_B3C6hj8a3ZJdWu9zpa8qzOZYhmwDGFUyXsLcWMYA47tCZ8b_ijVvbCQEcK5iuWKemlGVRROzOG6uym3_8f5lcYC4ZjEFHHphFWCSKG9ddT6R8SHyGepSwHNOfSlpK/s400/preparing+for+worship.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311544333293375842" /></a><br /><br />Most of our students had not participated in an Anglican Mass and were amazed by the rich liturgy used as well as by the copious amounts of incense that was dispersed through the room by the young attendants.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvpcXE-GCMbaXnrlhqyfZXzfx6tQdSNfnCNgTI-DaXBIflNSzqK5ahA2v7K5tsoKXqKSxxv1iZnXCiRWv5uVM6NK2xIGfDejuHo8Hw1pISb1DcQZ7Iabzf3vxXTCcjmdXzJKD/s1600-h/choir+worship+st.+andrews.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvpcXE-GCMbaXnrlhqyfZXzfx6tQdSNfnCNgTI-DaXBIflNSzqK5ahA2v7K5tsoKXqKSxxv1iZnXCiRWv5uVM6NK2xIGfDejuHo8Hw1pISb1DcQZ7Iabzf3vxXTCcjmdXzJKD/s400/choir+worship+st.+andrews.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311544795868010786" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHeshftMdw1XY3ZGsW57-MKl_Kuov2lITRzAuFZo1xQjFi0xLPjPgufi3MR81LrKzwVklCvZtvQCJKYVDRBBcIOgLZz6fQQf2lUeO3niKOcRFix28Yu2QWNLcB_E1wG3eBkvB/s1600-h/amanda+st.+andrews+ff.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHeshftMdw1XY3ZGsW57-MKl_Kuov2lITRzAuFZo1xQjFi0xLPjPgufi3MR81LrKzwVklCvZtvQCJKYVDRBBcIOgLZz6fQQf2lUeO3niKOcRFix28Yu2QWNLcB_E1wG3eBkvB/s400/amanda+st.+andrews+ff.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311544634920996658" /></a><br /><br />After singing our two songs for communion, the priest asked if we’d sing the Gospel number we’d just sung again at the end of the service. We gladly complied and moved forward to sing just before the benediction. We enjoyed a time of fellowship with the churches' parishioners after the service and took some group photos to commemorate our visit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQxtqx8NNWj5Y0w4QHeBl9fm5qv_CTSZmmuuUtwN-EFk-_rXxwjM1uGKqdhIv1ta4v2y5anolrr-ZnhLv0fqFuTNwV7eomI7faQgndgUpz6icn7CE2Rb1btES-4eoxnjKbmpi/s1600-h/st.+andrews+after+service.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQxtqx8NNWj5Y0w4QHeBl9fm5qv_CTSZmmuuUtwN-EFk-_rXxwjM1uGKqdhIv1ta4v2y5anolrr-ZnhLv0fqFuTNwV7eomI7faQgndgUpz6icn7CE2Rb1btES-4eoxnjKbmpi/s400/st.+andrews+after+service.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311545228266103474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUxKW0d4kaVfgpnC5FusNQDD7oJ1fcoE8U5-ke4IubU4dEX30DLS1Q1WBoDmfI-dLtWLuCwJyqTaKDHPxE2YkHSIzLYo93N1gZDLlxxN_0iE8lxecA9l3jrHxllsPssL5Vis9/s1600-h/after+church.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUxKW0d4kaVfgpnC5FusNQDD7oJ1fcoE8U5-ke4IubU4dEX30DLS1Q1WBoDmfI-dLtWLuCwJyqTaKDHPxE2YkHSIzLYo93N1gZDLlxxN_0iE8lxecA9l3jrHxllsPssL5Vis9/s400/after+church.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311545393700807810" /></a><br /><br />The rest of the day would be spent viewing the Tower of London! Our first stop of the afternoon was Tower Bridge. This historical bridge is often confused with London bridge. London bridge was actually sold to the US years ago-- the story goes that the US actually thought they were getting Tower Bridge, but ended up getting something else completely.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgqTgzu8V81HSDdOd7e7mJlDoA5L6xIDHmRnR9VUZKQjbFMwQLO-ZEEJCoaFcxW1szjG3O4j6y9DsJ2EWVVdjFuYK-ylMiw3uhFBRrA7GH6I0vwXM7gshySj3P37R8XtBzubZ/s1600-h/tower+bridge.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgqTgzu8V81HSDdOd7e7mJlDoA5L6xIDHmRnR9VUZKQjbFMwQLO-ZEEJCoaFcxW1szjG3O4j6y9DsJ2EWVVdjFuYK-ylMiw3uhFBRrA7GH6I0vwXM7gshySj3P37R8XtBzubZ/s400/tower+bridge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311545650104771810" /></a><br /><br />We huddled up for a group picture just before entering the Tower of London!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUrjan2evSw6qflzav-lDtxxQU7CScGNL9ttIPGI5fRy1s8ZVL9aI6obmWA83OkV0lKAYVjAAtHAMuOTkM5HHXpY5WuXlWkarspKDsE6SmrYBoHLAZ-iunQ8VIs4Lc4cg9DAh/s1600-h/outside+the+tower+of+london.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUrjan2evSw6qflzav-lDtxxQU7CScGNL9ttIPGI5fRy1s8ZVL9aI6obmWA83OkV0lKAYVjAAtHAMuOTkM5HHXpY5WuXlWkarspKDsE6SmrYBoHLAZ-iunQ8VIs4Lc4cg9DAh/s400/outside+the+tower+of+london.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311546000899445938" /></a><br /><br />Moving inside, we saw the priceless Crown Jewels of England. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SniVSHKmanVEPWHEa3RifFUiBzAmyUKDJtDBLIeu0bhIZGtknJLg2QBGTV_7vh1WqRgfMAMcxCGlW_uhRRCL2YCTvHtBC7B8-nuKTHw8CRcQRLuSz_AqYKVmrNlig7IjybOC/s1600-h/CrownJewelsLondonEngland.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SniVSHKmanVEPWHEa3RifFUiBzAmyUKDJtDBLIeu0bhIZGtknJLg2QBGTV_7vh1WqRgfMAMcxCGlW_uhRRCL2YCTvHtBC7B8-nuKTHw8CRcQRLuSz_AqYKVmrNlig7IjybOC/s400/CrownJewelsLondonEngland.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311546267190288210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhjLs0SwUHxAwQYwsCMBtFA7lRSH8A93hyphenhyphenuEICo8TAdFRpAzEGnwlP7b5KX6xEpY63bu9mg8BXyBsrFIv7RocpZOFBMddnJNLRIGMvJxgYf_rKFFpDJmZXAK0W7H4ymIjvQsa/s1600-h/more+crown+jewels.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhjLs0SwUHxAwQYwsCMBtFA7lRSH8A93hyphenhyphenuEICo8TAdFRpAzEGnwlP7b5KX6xEpY63bu9mg8BXyBsrFIv7RocpZOFBMddnJNLRIGMvJxgYf_rKFFpDJmZXAK0W7H4ymIjvQsa/s400/more+crown+jewels.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311547443708658274" /></a><br /><br />In deference to the ancient legend and the decree of King Charles II at least six ravens are provided with Raven's Lodgings at the Tower of London. A Yeoman Warder, or Beefeater, has the specific role of Ravenmaster at the Tower and takes care of their feeding and well-being.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAZeTaXG0LxkiNT5qCe67tlGdvv_Arl2Q86XK8cRUo0qGuH3sLvcS-2YjYUlnbK_WjeLrMAhvVDGWOMTDY9FNMFsXEJeLtrOMVMed4bKpcbiBjNTKSimwWxRb6U_lwEeW-u8h/s1600-h/raven.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 324px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAZeTaXG0LxkiNT5qCe67tlGdvv_Arl2Q86XK8cRUo0qGuH3sLvcS-2YjYUlnbK_WjeLrMAhvVDGWOMTDY9FNMFsXEJeLtrOMVMed4bKpcbiBjNTKSimwWxRb6U_lwEeW-u8h/s400/raven.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311547850532826258" /></a><br /><br />Getting around the city by coach can be difficult due to traffic and parking, so with the help of our guide we quickly learned to navigate the London tube system called the Underground. <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMpcTSu5SmBCM-IGp1x28I7bj1K_8N27FpcZES4ylx0JzZzV_XcL4ncEO85qa9s0yffYWNuejs1I61CayDDOLBKjtAnGKHXMgarycXkRnV0PRAGQjBD4lL3tTGYmCGSg_oZPO/s1600-h/underground+sign.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMpcTSu5SmBCM-IGp1x28I7bj1K_8N27FpcZES4ylx0JzZzV_XcL4ncEO85qa9s0yffYWNuejs1I61CayDDOLBKjtAnGKHXMgarycXkRnV0PRAGQjBD4lL3tTGYmCGSg_oZPO/s400/underground+sign.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311548130886532530" /></a><br /><br />Our first foray into the tubes was a bit stressful, as we had to cross the city at a very busy time of day. The students quickly learned to line up all the way down the platform and to move onto the tube quickly before the doors closed. It’s a pretty efficient way of transport and the tube maps are color coded and easy to understand.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipt_Qjd3iPwXh_GQkOekvCWWfDGQtEjKTuCQvqOeS1phDnOwPk0RlHk2nBLd5r8jskDHnuJV1Br5lqHiemlOJcby0ClUEEpSqxQ2VBEXMDQ_edg0vPDBoBnclR-x1guFoqLbb6/s1600-h/tubes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipt_Qjd3iPwXh_GQkOekvCWWfDGQtEjKTuCQvqOeS1phDnOwPk0RlHk2nBLd5r8jskDHnuJV1Br5lqHiemlOJcby0ClUEEpSqxQ2VBEXMDQ_edg0vPDBoBnclR-x1guFoqLbb6/s400/tubes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311548505976352882" /></a><br /><br />There is often a slight gap between the platform and the train—a voice can be heard over a loud speaker every few minutes informing all travelers to “mind the gap".<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWozM0uO1bb8nwsBuXabJfnVZwPCCytuR6ODY3eewgjKmuM9c6ZOsCEa2B2URZDp4HtS26vT2MhCJzEsfgOwV2Wo0vbkiuUurLQfapjVqNpd26wV8TsntmCsaQ-Zq3ubKtssds/s1600-h/mind+the+gap.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWozM0uO1bb8nwsBuXabJfnVZwPCCytuR6ODY3eewgjKmuM9c6ZOsCEa2B2URZDp4HtS26vT2MhCJzEsfgOwV2Wo0vbkiuUurLQfapjVqNpd26wV8TsntmCsaQ-Zq3ubKtssds/s400/mind+the+gap.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311548867648386322" /></a><br /><br />Traveling the tubes we decided to stop by a supermarket for dinner, thinking that everyone might find something to their liking to eat. However, we were unprepared for what a crowded small supermarket in London actually was like…<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgip_Blqpt5J7CFrea3uTAXMoQl7p2SiQIu5g3_cIC6i-N0pRY5TB-Ct0B2FQK5cKUk_6TqdY3FPKY2AFom3XdI2J92CgRgzGTAwGk4pYhF5J35PnMKqkHoBGZQvuxke3Udvg3e/s1600-h/london+supermarket.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgip_Blqpt5J7CFrea3uTAXMoQl7p2SiQIu5g3_cIC6i-N0pRY5TB-Ct0B2FQK5cKUk_6TqdY3FPKY2AFom3XdI2J92CgRgzGTAwGk4pYhF5J35PnMKqkHoBGZQvuxke3Udvg3e/s400/london+supermarket.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311549142815954146" /></a><br /><br />After stocking up on things we thought we might like to eat, we got back on the tubes and headed back to the Hotel Ibis. We debriefed on all we had seen and experienced so far in our devotions time and headed for bed. Tomorrow we would head to Stonehenge , Salisbury Cathedral, and the City of Bath.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiimA4TTAF03-N5_vvV98eYPh5khyphenhyphenopECUMx6xjgWQ0cgK_6Hf_V20-pct8U9iGfPRGl0RZiHpch3eluYkxlQQ0A8A3_HIRELy5QchoTlkk54QWggLuQJL08HZ96WoPlxZ8TA/s1600-h/girls+day+two.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiimA4TTAF03-N5_vvV98eYPh5khyphenhyphenopECUMx6xjgWQ0cgK_6Hf_V20-pct8U9iGfPRGl0RZiHpch3eluYkxlQQ0A8A3_HIRELy5QchoTlkk54QWggLuQJL08HZ96WoPlxZ8TA/s400/girls+day+two.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311552227498593842" /></a>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-77416904687647892902009-03-09T20:14:00.013-05:002009-03-24T05:41:46.631-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">London Choir Tour 2009</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg1wjzjkXU3NiTRXtsyX9NyZjI_mGLCDdZlKTAzsf9-DkDiy_h_A-xGQ6-BCGJtBvymaxfJwdApYll-sDrTBWHtKg2xUJRy9FoQ7Qh0wFDQ4YuPMRSpCdEot24HwGhcqyn9x_/s1600-h/guard.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTg1wjzjkXU3NiTRXtsyX9NyZjI_mGLCDdZlKTAzsf9-DkDiy_h_A-xGQ6-BCGJtBvymaxfJwdApYll-sDrTBWHtKg2xUJRy9FoQ7Qh0wFDQ4YuPMRSpCdEot24HwGhcqyn9x_/s400/guard.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311368789888811682" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Day One</span><br /><br />February 13th, 2007, the OCS HS choir set off on a whirlwind cathedral concert tour of England. We had prepared a program of distinctly American choral literature spanning 2 centuries that were gospel oriented textually and could not wait to go perform and sing with salvation in mind for those who might hear us. <br /><br />The majority of our students had not traveled abroad previously and had never seen a cathedral except through television or books. It’s hard to say what they were expecting to see, but the reality left many of them changed in some way.<br /><br />We left Orlando International Airport at 1:15 pm and changed flights in Newark, NJ, connecting with an international flight to London, Heathrow, and landed at 6:10 am (1:10 am EST). The customs official in London was none too happy to see a crowd of bubbly, excited teens converge on his post, and quickly gave the order for there to be silence in the room. Looking our group over, I could see fatigue and nervous energy in the eyes of our students and couldn’t believe we’d begin touring in just a few minutes. Sleep on the plane was light at best and after a brief stop to exchange currency, we’d be on our way to Westmintser Abby. <br /><br />Our CE tours guide met us at baggage claim and we quickly loaded and boarded our coach. The murmur of conversation on the bus was full of soft exclamations as we took in the trees, hills, and foliage that England is so well known for. Moving into the city itself we saw ancient buildings right next to modern skyscrapers, and row upon row of flats, while buses and cars moved with quick efficiency as people headed off to work. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJC1sV4p5EqmjYnchrA9jR2wyBiYKr2lP-hsBP7egiIPspgtYDhHfSPtzeIncW8LOMgDuK10PlJmg9PvMm5c5jiNby1zO_MGK9TwZTVu-v7NmMv772eSt0Cx39uwhD8KmkUjxz/s1600-h/sign+Wesminster.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJC1sV4p5EqmjYnchrA9jR2wyBiYKr2lP-hsBP7egiIPspgtYDhHfSPtzeIncW8LOMgDuK10PlJmg9PvMm5c5jiNby1zO_MGK9TwZTVu-v7NmMv772eSt0Cx39uwhD8KmkUjxz/s400/sign+Wesminster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311362134884077426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhOE3oUAsAf-24u0tI0_2UzWr92N_jTC5v5ST-z_TV6jnBQRx-8PtO9EEZfdH8kASBr-jlFmrsjdb8CRxiLVX-zBbPiGcB7Xu2fZTRB7yatEVFfeyUM38L1He9GZUsTOdACIG/s1600-h/amex+exhange.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 263px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhOE3oUAsAf-24u0tI0_2UzWr92N_jTC5v5ST-z_TV6jnBQRx-8PtO9EEZfdH8kASBr-jlFmrsjdb8CRxiLVX-zBbPiGcB7Xu2fZTRB7yatEVFfeyUM38L1He9GZUsTOdACIG/s400/amex+exhange.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311362865100150738" /></a><br />Changing our money at the American Express shop was a tough economics lesson for us as the weak dollar exchanged poorly for pounds. After a quick walk around and a snack we piled back on our coach and headed for Westminster Abbey, located near Kings Cross in London.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUGWvRmOQipgeWBIgzgTXKw1oBzWCbnaGSKUN5LiNBRTCCRKekkgg5fE8qjjQ3m4mzaYXamQH2dUUbG6enGVlutlcL7bvb4yoeg9XF6Ij3MDQBrRVDDaaDzg7QvJaG6B_SJsa/s1600-h/Westminster+Abby.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 391px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUGWvRmOQipgeWBIgzgTXKw1oBzWCbnaGSKUN5LiNBRTCCRKekkgg5fE8qjjQ3m4mzaYXamQH2dUUbG6enGVlutlcL7bvb4yoeg9XF6Ij3MDQBrRVDDaaDzg7QvJaG6B_SJsa/s400/Westminster+Abby.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311363203331592386" /></a><br />We followed our guide around the side of the cathedral to the tour entrance and quickly moved inside. Appreciative exclamations sounded all around us as our eyes were instantly pulled upward towards the ornately decorated ceiling.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZkNnsecHU5ZALdi7INhPgOvjRblOC-YXW25zm6rPQV5YayyczL_BsGFtu7GagcjG1iRA82dUJK0FdIGl8fy917wtqYPGHnJxTfzHRzVGMNkFzT7QcdfQ5bW7nLScxr1M6LUI/s1600-h/westminster+interior.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZkNnsecHU5ZALdi7INhPgOvjRblOC-YXW25zm6rPQV5YayyczL_BsGFtu7GagcjG1iRA82dUJK0FdIGl8fy917wtqYPGHnJxTfzHRzVGMNkFzT7QcdfQ5bW7nLScxr1M6LUI/s400/westminster+interior.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311363465223490418" /></a><br />One of our choir members came up to me with tears slipping down her cheeks and declared that she was overwhelmed by the thought that man could have built such a beautiful place for the glory of God. It truly was a majestic cathedral. <br /><br />Our guide lectured non-stop on the history of the church in England and surprised the students when she explained that many famous people were buried beneath the floor of the church. In the scientists’ corner we saw the resting place of Charles Darwin, and in the poets corner, Robert Browning’s and Tennyson’s to name two.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqiBkwVqElUG304kK866rHX1mKxD6n34IJPztKPoRYGlGOBJhxVjOMXAl1uqbIBm16S99MYaYE77a_Cz9gNSWDlSz9RMSyCpOKHA_hW0jG3yieTnrpeX0huC30r1r2uGBGQhj/s1600-h/9a-darwin.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqiBkwVqElUG304kK866rHX1mKxD6n34IJPztKPoRYGlGOBJhxVjOMXAl1uqbIBm16S99MYaYE77a_Cz9gNSWDlSz9RMSyCpOKHA_hW0jG3yieTnrpeX0huC30r1r2uGBGQhj/s400/9a-darwin.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311363793780540562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyIHjPN3i2f6Et9u11wi-LBW7HazMHxkfqepp8KvWopKdiX1KW3TjIWPjeaR82PLx7jd3T_aVjlZuoyuMQs81utz7vH09Q25oiayVw34rgMbtrJ1uC69B83tbiwfs3MuBBWDQ/s1600-h/browning.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 382px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRyIHjPN3i2f6Et9u11wi-LBW7HazMHxkfqepp8KvWopKdiX1KW3TjIWPjeaR82PLx7jd3T_aVjlZuoyuMQs81utz7vH09Q25oiayVw34rgMbtrJ1uC69B83tbiwfs3MuBBWDQ/s400/browning.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311363915544776978" /></a><br />We saw the tombs of Kings and Queens, princes, knights, scholars, musicians, artists, and heads of parliament. The Abbey is a functioning church, and while we were there, prayers were offered. It was strange to be walking around, looking, talking, and listening and to then hear a call for silence toll throughout the cathedral and to have all present stop in their tracks and pause respectfully as the Priest intoned a prayer. As his “amen” faded, the talking and bustle quickly resumed and we finished our tour.<br /><br />After Westminster Abbey we checked our luggage in at the Hotel Ibis London and then got back on the coaches to head over to St. Paul’s cathedral, one of architect Christopher Wren’s great achievements. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFepCOO3ihKZITkTsw0WLPwO_9K8sIz5h4CVa_t8ExhuDtKqkSX6a7BrMT8M2RKprzplmHsk5ekaCJAa3YzBCCsidrqndm3cQ9TiByJiA66_uK1hodyW8i-asjWo5bA1ybRtHy/s1600-h/group+shot+st.paul%27s.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFepCOO3ihKZITkTsw0WLPwO_9K8sIz5h4CVa_t8ExhuDtKqkSX6a7BrMT8M2RKprzplmHsk5ekaCJAa3YzBCCsidrqndm3cQ9TiByJiA66_uK1hodyW8i-asjWo5bA1ybRtHy/s400/group+shot+st.paul%27s.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311364274060430226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPdJVUGfhpqZZh2B04cA1s5yPQEUzv7tkNkg0mHKIserBmbnMEHxPVhiHcVOh2leaAnKhizJSejkX0zo3uQ7LVnKlf4ySgAra7X8Pt15XalgVZfExAhPaKcxSFP4uanxrMYox/s1600-h/st.paul'scathedral.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPdJVUGfhpqZZh2B04cA1s5yPQEUzv7tkNkg0mHKIserBmbnMEHxPVhiHcVOh2leaAnKhizJSejkX0zo3uQ7LVnKlf4ySgAra7X8Pt15XalgVZfExAhPaKcxSFP4uanxrMYox/s400/st.paul'scathedral.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311364273443698370" /></a><br />Once inside, we didn’t know where to look first. Our eyes flitted from the gilded alter to the glorious dome and then all about us as we took in the beautiful space.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNr9D7fc9M12-SQJDem-JRRsrg3ZIuLm-0gPTp7bwd1xz9NjuSBPyzxbhgnrC6NDP5yVBffkbI9Z3PPIZSuH022LvE0OPvTXxAz9w3Igu6TLDivN-Lx3jB2PZzNIb0eCPmTna/s1600-h/st.+paul%27s+interior.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNr9D7fc9M12-SQJDem-JRRsrg3ZIuLm-0gPTp7bwd1xz9NjuSBPyzxbhgnrC6NDP5yVBffkbI9Z3PPIZSuH022LvE0OPvTXxAz9w3Igu6TLDivN-Lx3jB2PZzNIb0eCPmTna/s400/st.+paul%27s+interior.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311364554666156738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2b3x7vKusXvVh5Iyd5n1XKioUwAn1bWdJhXF6ktMRUzLVxu7rlCl-jahKEPJTtxK1DbWHNM-aO-KS4hKE313qhV2KnSdtuHcZP4-1m8AKq7QyLr0GU3XPagVeq9qGFQRyBFqd/s1600-h/st.paul's+dome.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2b3x7vKusXvVh5Iyd5n1XKioUwAn1bWdJhXF6ktMRUzLVxu7rlCl-jahKEPJTtxK1DbWHNM-aO-KS4hKE313qhV2KnSdtuHcZP4-1m8AKq7QyLr0GU3XPagVeq9qGFQRyBFqd/s400/st.paul's+dome.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311364835526456498" /></a><br />We left the cathedral in search of dinner and were dropped at a busy outdoor shopping area and moved off in small groups to find a restaurant that might provide some great local food. Quite a few opted for the traditional fish and chips meal while others found Italian food to their liking. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRuVCeezDGUilflaxi-c4y2xK7My7obJFpc2iVnHo1Sl-SH0EcM8TDbCDT_RTC2XH-4xFJQ659dSwOqqloNSwdUTgEnYXutDPa7xBEG8cO3mSaz8Z0NFjsyP6aDh8Fc75PKat/s1600-h/sheridans-fish-n-chips-spre.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRuVCeezDGUilflaxi-c4y2xK7My7obJFpc2iVnHo1Sl-SH0EcM8TDbCDT_RTC2XH-4xFJQ659dSwOqqloNSwdUTgEnYXutDPa7xBEG8cO3mSaz8Z0NFjsyP6aDh8Fc75PKat/s400/sheridans-fish-n-chips-spre.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311365034021146050" /></a><br />After dinner it was back to the hotel and then a quick walk to St. Andrew’s Fulham Fields Church, where we would be leading in worship the next morning. We needed a chance to rehearse in the church and to get a standing order set up. We were met there by the Priest and were graciously allowed to practice from 7-8 pm. Walking back to the hotel, we were full of the excitement that a day of sightseeing brings, but were also ready for bed, having been up for more than 24 hours. <br /><br />Falling to sleep proved to be hard for me... my body seemed to be floating on a bed that rode the same currents of air we'd traveled through the night before and images from the day flashed in my mind. Tomorrow we would lead in worship in an Anglican Church-- I fell asleep after a long while with the help of my ipod and a Key Life Podcast.Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-48800342206966073962009-02-09T10:14:00.002-05:002009-02-09T10:17:02.841-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_2p-Upw_-w0J_GGIjDxhDDgQ1n4Z268-0Fd3tT2Re4etTdyL60sdPL_gBp3-_vUWWqeEbtvV3SREo8pRDEJTrZ1InQc_Uwe5bea-XURXgYnoMRgxr_inQ8y2iNhqIRNGQPBM/s1600-h/westminster-abbey.2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 323px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_2p-Upw_-w0J_GGIjDxhDDgQ1n4Z268-0Fd3tT2Re4etTdyL60sdPL_gBp3-_vUWWqeEbtvV3SREo8pRDEJTrZ1InQc_Uwe5bea-XURXgYnoMRgxr_inQ8y2iNhqIRNGQPBM/s400/westminster-abbey.2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300816820320341330" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">A Brief Update </span><br /><br />I have had no time to blog since the New Year began. The past 6 weeks have been comprised of 15-18 hour days 7 days a week, and I don’t see the end in sight until mid-March. In the midst of the busyness, God has graciously enabled me meet all deadlines and keep the details of life in order, although there has been a great deal of stress in the process. (If you know me, then you know what an act of divine intervention that really is!)<br /><br />My HS choir students have been preparing advanced literature for their Cathedral Tour in England and are very excited that the departure date is now down to a matter of days. We are praying that God would marry our faith to the text in each song and use us to glorify Himself in the process. <br /><br />In the midst of these preparations I have spent many late nights studying and writing for a women’s retreat, which took place last weekend in St. Petersburg. I’m so grateful to the Lord for His presence and aid in the sessions. <br /><br />If you are inclined to prayer, then please pray for us:<br /><br />That we might travel safely as a group (51 students, 16 adults, one child).<br />That sickness would not descend upon us.<br />That we might glorify our Heavenly Father in our singing, words, and interaction.<br />That the Lord might clear any obstacles in our path.<br />That our students’ lives might be enriched spiritually and their perspective broadened.<br />That we might return safely and in good health.<br />That we might be able to turn around and compete well at District Festival on February 26th and then in the ACSI Festival on March 6th.<br /><br />Thank you for your prayers!Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-14291528830847109422009-01-01T16:52:00.011-05:002009-01-01T18:00:41.461-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosraFBoBMQ2a6pgbCxThVswzte025rDs7ClpPGANFqD5yTvB9MY9GVLJ9sGOcM9fnb4xsa-gLSDLs0ZmwZe685EiSHuPGqVntjEFfON_Xm7GJGQTtbAf8WdshNm5W5OmYM0Nm/s1600-h/our+view+when+seated.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosraFBoBMQ2a6pgbCxThVswzte025rDs7ClpPGANFqD5yTvB9MY9GVLJ9sGOcM9fnb4xsa-gLSDLs0ZmwZe685EiSHuPGqVntjEFfON_Xm7GJGQTtbAf8WdshNm5W5OmYM0Nm/s400/our+view+when+seated.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286462499122915154" /></a><br /><br /><br />Thirty Years <br /><br />Don and I squeezed in a 30th Anniversary trip to Key West for a few days after Christmas. It was good to get away and enjoy one another’s company, lounge in hammocks, soak up some sun, and turn off the world. We had never been to the Keys before and truly enjoyed the gorgeous weather, beautiful surroundings, and great food. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZlCm_XMK9jpEJmvoOFWdau804R3tevJBXtn6VgKBS1a6NLEj7q7UaxFd7g-wIE0vMoZa2D68uF83P_IukHeSlt4ckQd8PXlO5BilQTXLTMEO7siX5UOP6nDYWW14d4msa_Xl/s1600-h/breakfast.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZlCm_XMK9jpEJmvoOFWdau804R3tevJBXtn6VgKBS1a6NLEj7q7UaxFd7g-wIE0vMoZa2D68uF83P_IukHeSlt4ckQd8PXlO5BilQTXLTMEO7siX5UOP6nDYWW14d4msa_Xl/s400/breakfast.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286449473280146354" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckhP0kQFxy901HMzRTAa0Z7OP4wqKh_m6rtQhVAwDFwsDg9sIUvHmjoK6bWRw6K23iU4v9ea8y1GdBcPLVUovlX1Eamd2CZUqjfFC7TpGGUnvALTNCWtfk21QUvnqSlSQGy0Q/s1600-h/dinner+at+sunset.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckhP0kQFxy901HMzRTAa0Z7OP4wqKh_m6rtQhVAwDFwsDg9sIUvHmjoK6bWRw6K23iU4v9ea8y1GdBcPLVUovlX1Eamd2CZUqjfFC7TpGGUnvALTNCWtfk21QUvnqSlSQGy0Q/s400/dinner+at+sunset.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286453064565008754" /></a><br /><br /><br />Our hotel offered dining on the pier and we quickly reserved one of only a few tables for our Anniversary. We watched the sun set like a ball of fire into the ocean while we munched on spicy conch fritters. <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHzjwd2bUMYoc9DZYN8ydtRff0X_CSybiUvnW0Ic25BSV1ZXETZXGR1nZ3cqU9yuYJ7J89zd3uM7-cqemdfXVBUWS0tQkrKBevyRUf8XlbSxr8IXtPmnW0RVnxw-osojpSIPf/s1600-h/sunset3.JPG"><img style="float:center; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHzjwd2bUMYoc9DZYN8ydtRff0X_CSybiUvnW0Ic25BSV1ZXETZXGR1nZ3cqU9yuYJ7J89zd3uM7-cqemdfXVBUWS0tQkrKBevyRUf8XlbSxr8IXtPmnW0RVnxw-osojpSIPf/s400/sunset3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286454372039426562" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdUTYKCrKd_dDQvEPVgwQYG9elsVeOjkTP6uuHsfaZP5_9pSFGvw2ZARueoT92dSX_3Hs515PPanMj2NeXpEqpLwZF1t1yxjd5bcpIPw7Z5rE3_vEup_W4nZYuKoUAVIed2Mp/s1600-h/suneset+2.JPG"><img style="float:center; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdUTYKCrKd_dDQvEPVgwQYG9elsVeOjkTP6uuHsfaZP5_9pSFGvw2ZARueoT92dSX_3Hs515PPanMj2NeXpEqpLwZF1t1yxjd5bcpIPw7Z5rE3_vEup_W4nZYuKoUAVIed2Mp/s400/suneset+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286454367337818018" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8N_BKGmAmfDO1gm5LVApLlbPmMv1HXZvQ_0h1cNaA7lH4flQSgY6MWAigSd7lb7OkC_-hz_1-VfeaJiIH-yGBGsTsdL30nEgBCVXBf113Zuag7N0aRlyoRXSXr2BhhTwPtWZt/s1600-h/sunset+4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8N_BKGmAmfDO1gm5LVApLlbPmMv1HXZvQ_0h1cNaA7lH4flQSgY6MWAigSd7lb7OkC_-hz_1-VfeaJiIH-yGBGsTsdL30nEgBCVXBf113Zuag7N0aRlyoRXSXr2BhhTwPtWZt/s400/sunset+4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286461246375927986" /></a><br /><br />The next morning we walked back out to the pier, watching the sun rise on our 31st year together.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnsZ3aH9iNEqT3BWYu3DKop3vMPybmhmgtRpILdA5VN9H4j1KnvzvjDygn4jZOAvJTy8GgrvzwVUANVOX73hxBV0oBF8n_yUE5JElGYy6_u2h1UTm68EOZBVKWFFPLyqN_nWO/s1600-h/key+west+sunrise"><img style="float:center; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnsZ3aH9iNEqT3BWYu3DKop3vMPybmhmgtRpILdA5VN9H4j1KnvzvjDygn4jZOAvJTy8GgrvzwVUANVOX73hxBV0oBF8n_yUE5JElGYy6_u2h1UTm68EOZBVKWFFPLyqN_nWO/s400/key+west+sunrise" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286456471638306114" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDF0JDnMves-YvVYoQ667Kk3VrEgpWvKAmN7I4qhfbrKdSwhxzfb7wpHG85sID6F_VoVAubJWB_FWyH2lz2U7LxQO4UX9wy4qo7QekVuDrCdmOoGAvXCXgUUVP4ophS-1VQyUs/s1600-h/IMG_1712.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDF0JDnMves-YvVYoQ667Kk3VrEgpWvKAmN7I4qhfbrKdSwhxzfb7wpHG85sID6F_VoVAubJWB_FWyH2lz2U7LxQO4UX9wy4qo7QekVuDrCdmOoGAvXCXgUUVP4ophS-1VQyUs/s400/IMG_1712.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286463644764570242" /></a>Happy New Year!Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-1728099659373361892008-12-14T21:42:00.006-05:002009-01-01T21:02:21.931-05:00<span style="font-weight:bold;">Good Dog</span><br /><br />Tonight I gave my daughter the privilege of playing in her bed until she got sleepy. It's been a busy couple of weeks for us and she needed the destressing time. I moved into the kitchen trying to bring a little order to the house before retiring and was taking some small pleasure out of scrubbing at a stain in the sink when I heard a cheerful, "Mohhhomm" come rolling down the hall.<br /><br />She met me in the hallway with a smile of delight. "I put all my animals on my bed and I made Amos a little house. Come see!"<br /><br />What a sweet little guy he is. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD76UQ1DV0SXrE8dVTYUmMZyWcpgg4LKh_rPeAnYNAAupQc6HallXwSCt0Bi2_l0Ek3cI_W_vWm-byGzxHdTPIoWRokffuUUVYcafvXOxCXk-_2jMD85tODw7l7YqRgvoXj4W9/s1600-h/amos.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD76UQ1DV0SXrE8dVTYUmMZyWcpgg4LKh_rPeAnYNAAupQc6HallXwSCt0Bi2_l0Ek3cI_W_vWm-byGzxHdTPIoWRokffuUUVYcafvXOxCXk-_2jMD85tODw7l7YqRgvoXj4W9/s400/amos.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279845772657971634" /></a>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36233178.post-10764507137081761842008-12-07T15:26:00.007-05:002008-12-08T07:34:42.984-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuhUAq73bkPZ74w_rDImdMWM0SwrAodicw5EW8mlBYkoH8Xx9hzbF_1KMpuRP_wfZ5RFUaxLoqT3X5Gxy17Ymvr0JDvaYvA2ch1fjtntpNpdHiI-0CwaqgXpyqzSkz2PP5aub/s1600-h/stack+of+books.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuhUAq73bkPZ74w_rDImdMWM0SwrAodicw5EW8mlBYkoH8Xx9hzbF_1KMpuRP_wfZ5RFUaxLoqT3X5Gxy17Ymvr0JDvaYvA2ch1fjtntpNpdHiI-0CwaqgXpyqzSkz2PP5aub/s400/stack+of+books.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277149876846145938" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">More Than A Bedtime Story</span><br /><br />I’ve had my nose in a book from my earliest recollection. Years ago I discovered audiobooks and have listened to countless novels while driving, doing yardwork, or other tasks that afforded the opportunity. My taste in literature is pretty broad, but I find I particularly like a good story that fires my imagination.<br /><br /> Recently, I was thinking that I’d look for an audiobook on itunes to listen to as I move through this busy season. Scrolling through a list of possibilities I noticed the term “podiobooks”. Curious, I clicked on to discover a website called <a href="http://www.podiobooks.com/">podiobooks.com</a>. I listened to a couple of samples that were okay, but then found one that was quite a good read. Encouraged, I thought I’d see if I could find some short stories online and struck gold!<br /><br />If you like classic authors and a well-told tale, check out <a href="http://www.miettecast.com">Miette’s bedtime story podcast</a>. Not only can you download and listen to great short stories, but you will have the pleasure of listening to one of the most beautiful spoken voices ever! I have been spellbound by her voice, phrasing, and accent, hearing them in my mind long after the story has ended. Don’t let the title of the website put you off— the stories are suitable for listening to any time of day.<br /><br />She has approximately 200 stories archived on her website and the list is impressive. The recording quality is good and although you can hear the occasional dog bark in the background, or a distant cell phone ringing, the overall presentation is not diminished by the random sound. <br /><br />Check out the podcast—I have a feeling that if you do, you’ll be hooked. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.miettecast.com">http://www.miettecast.com/</a>Vickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15654651840571414081noreply@blogger.com1