Month: December 2014

20 Days Til Christmas

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I appreciate the awesome gift of a road trip.  My WWCrew and I have been to many places. This year we made some short trips, but they were just as fun. There is nothing like taking off with my friends to chart uncharted territory.

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We load up on snacks and hit the road. It is too fun. The car is filled with laughter and learning. We are foodies, so the destination usually involves a restaurant.

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We stopped at KD’s in Oklahoma City. This one was fun. The menu’s lite up, the food is good, but warning the portions are huge.  We have discovered through trial and error that there are two things we need to ensure a good meal: Dr. Pepper and Bread. We enjoyed the food and realize needed to walk around after eating.

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We also believe in experiencing history and learning from the past. It was a beautiful day to visit the Oklahoma  Memorial.

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Life is too short to spend it with a bunch of haters. Cling to those who love you, let go of those who don’t.  Peace is a gift and you need to protect it. Lots of people will say that they are your friends, but how do they react when you need them? When people show you who they are, believe it. God reveals things about people to us for a reason.  He doesn’t want you to stop loving and praying for them, but He doesn’t want destructive people having influence in your life.

21 Days Til Christmas

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When I was a kid growing up in Fort Worth, it never snowed. It iced, but never the white fluffy stuff.

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For the past two year Father Winter has sent the white fluffy stuff. It throws everything off in our world, but hey, sometimes it is exactly what we need.

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Whenever we think we have everything under control, we need something to turn over the apple cart and help us focus on what is important.

Because of where the city is located and how we think, we are not prepared to deal with snow. This causes us to be still.

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Like everyone else, I get caught up in life. So I love it when nature just shuts everything down. We can send men into outer space and create bombs that can blow up half the world, but heavy rains, deep snow, mudslides and other nature events remind us of how much we really control.

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We are vulnerable to the elements. It reminds us we are created.

22 Days Til Christmas

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This might be a weird Christmas present to some, but to me, it was one of the best.  This year some friends invited us to a Passover Seder.  This is a Jewish celebration of the Passover. Jewish people celebrate the passover to commemorate the night Death passed over them, but killed the Egyptian firstborn.

My friends went through a lot of trouble to walk some Christians through this meal and the readings.  They prepared a meal and bought wine.  They borrowed dishes and made copies of readings.  They walked our Gentile minds through their Jewish experience. It was a great experience.

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The bible I read puts the passover in a historical and spiritual perspective.  Walking through some of the steps with my Jewish friends added a physical dimension for me.  I couldn’t help but think, that this is what they did at the Last Supper.

I am grateful for the experience because it has added another dimension to my Christian walk.

23 Days Till Christmas

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It is easy to get caught up in the need for more things. We spend a lot of time thinking about the things we want and dream about, but not enough time grateful for the things we have.

God has given me some awesome friends! I have the best time with my WWC (Wrong Way Crew). We have earned this nickname because we are always going the wrong way (directionally) even with GPS.

With Me

The night this name stuck, we were in Washington DC heading for our hotel.  We had just gotten off the Metro and were walking down some dark streets with our suitcase.  We walked almost two blocks from our hotel before we realized we were going the wrong way.

What I love about these ladies is that they make me laugh. I laugh so hard I almost black out for lack of oxygen. We have learned to enjoy life whether it is travelling across the country or hanging out in our home city.

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24 Days Til Christmas

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Some days God will give you a work environment that is like family. Cherish those moments. I remember being a young woman running around the editorial floor, dodging Shankman, giggling with Lois and wonder “what the world?” about Bob. I was inspired by Serena’s art and got the biggest kick out of Annette.  They encourage me in a way, no one has since. We talked, laughed and supported one another.

Even though the company is gone and regular contact doesn’t happen, it is so sweet to gather together with these folks. This year I went to the reunion. It was a blessing. I loved having all of my sisters together.

Friends

It was a good reminder that sometimes coworkers can be lifelong friends. It is not always true, which is what makes them special.

My work experience over the last ten years has been filled with hateful, mean spirited people that the Lord has used to sand my rough places. He taught me through these people that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. He gave me the reunions and good memories during the tough times, so that I could hold on to them and know they are coming back again. He wanted me to know that not everyone you work with is going to be your friend and encourage you.

If you are having a rough patch, hold on to the good memories. They are coming back. The Lord is very good at separating sheep and goats. Watch and wait.

25 Days Til Christmas

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In 25 days we will all meet around a tree or table or something and unwrap presents. When we buy these presents we will think of the people who we have encountered all year and their impact in our lives. The greatest gift was given more than 2000 years ago when God sent His son to earth in human form, in baby Jesus.

God has given me gifts all year. Over the next 25 days, I will share my bountiful year.

Hope

One of the best things that we had this year was a Sweet Sixteen party for Hope.  It was more fun than any of us imagined it would be.

The food was outstanding thanks for First Family Catering. Woo Hoo!

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the costumes were hilarious

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and the people were amazing.

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I have some of the best memories from this party.

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Thanks God for the 16 year old, the great party, funny costumes, great food and wonderful people to share the moment with.

Karen