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Seasons

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  We like to say that we have different seasons of life. There comes a moment when your parents cross over to a different place and season where they are no longer the independent parent you always knew. My mom (Iris) has always been extremely independent. Stubborn and not willing at times to do what she should do for her health. The last time I visited she looked so good. Healthy, strong and happy. It takes one fall to change it all. Yesterday, she fell and broke her hip. I was not able to go to the hospital and the doctor suggested I wait until we knew how the operation went and instead focus on what the plan will be when she gets out of rehab. He had full confidence she would be fine when she was operated on. He was right. I knew this because people were praying all over the world for my mom and I know who my God is.  The real test will be how she responds and recovers in rehab. I would love for her to move back to her home and keep her independence, but I also know to be h...
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A Beautiful Deception

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  The past week, I have seen this beautiful flower in the trees all over North Carolina. It's even on the trees behind where I live. It fills the air with the most amazing scent. I finally looked it up and discovered it's called Wisteria. If kept in check and pruned it is a wonderful and pleasant flower.  It truly is mesmerizing. However, if left to grow freely, it becomes an invasive plant. The flower becomes a beautiful deception.  If you are not careful and you allow it to cover a tree, it will consume the tree and eventually kill it. What seems to be mesmerizingly wonderful can cause you to lose sight of what it really is and if not kept in checked, it becomes very hard to defeat. It will bring death to whatever it has consumed.  I find that to be a very valuable life lesson. Just because it looks good and feels good, doesn't always mean it's good. Too much of something can have a negative effect. You can put this into relationships all the way to the food we eat...
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That Moment

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  Ever since RJ was a baby, I was never ready for when he would decide to make a change. When RJ is ready, he is ready. I still remember when he no longer wanted to nurse, he skipped the bottle completely and went straight to a sippy cup and he wasn't one yet. RJ takes his time to make sure he has it right. He prays about it. Does a lot of research and then when he has come to his decision, he is sure of it.  Today, he was talking about something he was working on and in the moment, I caught a glimpse of him as a little boy. I was like a moving picture of him from when he was little to the very moment of him standing there sharing his thoughts. I saw him as the amazing young man he is. Little boy no more. Happy. Confident. Sure. Hopeful. Dreaming. In a way, flying. My only child. The one I prayed for and gave to the Lord, is embarking on a new journey. This one, I must take a back seat on. This one will have me on my knees in prayer like never before. I hope and pray I have in...
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The Call Goes Full Circle

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  Ever since I was a child, I had a "call" to go overseas. My mom told me when I was five, she found me digging a hole in the ground because I needed to get to China. I had read a children's book and, in the book, they dug a hole to China. She used to joke that I was born speaking Chinese. In my late teens this call became more pronounced. I was 15 and Bro. Hattabaugh told me I was going to go to China him one day and I laughed and told him no, but the truth was God had been dealing with me for some time.  Then came the day that I was on my very first plane ride and it was with Bro. Hattabaugh to China. I spent 2 weeks there with him and a group of others. That birthed a deep desire in me to return. This was followed by a summer in Taiwan with two other girls, the missionary kids and another guy. We forged a lifelong bond. It could be years since we spoke or seen each other, but when we do, the connections is instant. This led to my going to Taiwan for two one-year trips....
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Faith Weekend

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  Tonight, RJ and I experienced our first  Faith Weekend at Heaven View. One of my favorite things about my church is the hallway filled with pictures of missionaries that this church supports financially and of course with prayer.  People brought international themed food and we enjoyed fellowship and great food together. Then, to my surprise and delight both Linder Brothers got up to speak. They are very funny people and truly have a heart for missions. I learned a long time ago there is a special blessing that comes when you give to missions. God is good. 
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The Joy of Costco

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RJ and I decided to make Date Day a little different. We started with him driving through Tangelwood Park. Then we spent time with the horses. After that we went to Costco. It was RJ’s first time ever being in one. He really enjoyed their hot dog and said it was one of his favorite moments with me and one he will remember for a long time. The simplicity of it all made it all the more special. I love this young man and his simple heart. What an honor and gift it is to be his mother. God is good. 
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Making A Way

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 I have a handful of favorite and trusted preachers. You do know that not every sermon that is posted online lines up with God's word and you need to be careful what you listen to. That being said, there are some that I know are trusted and I look forward to watching on a weekly basis. One of them happens to be my pastor's brother. By the way, my pastor is and has been one of my favorite preachers for years. Now, instead of watching online, I get to hear him preach in person. My dog even has some favorite preachers. I will put her favorite preacher on while cleaning and she just lays on the couch to watch and listen. Some people put tv shows on for their dogs, I put preaching on for her. This particular one was listening to Bro Linder preaching on God making a way. It's such a good sermon that I wanted to share it on my blog. I encourage you to watch/listen to it. God hears you, is watching over you and He will make a way for you.  I know this because I have lived it. I con...
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