tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15553284309773915802024-03-15T01:13:40.481-06:00The Occupied Optimist "Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toilβthis is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart." ~Ecclesiates 5:19-20
<br>Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.comBlogger220125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-28248416261211528232022-12-18T00:13:00.093-06:002022-12-20T00:40:14.467-06:00Blogmas Week Two<h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"> - Blogmas Week Two . Friends & Musicals & Presents , Oh My! -</i></span></span></h2><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><center style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"></center><center style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"></center><center style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></center><center style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><i><b>What a pretty busy week it has been for me. I'm glad I took a break from blogging because there is no way I would have been able to keep up with it all throughout the week. But now it is time to give ya a good update! The week began more chill than it ended. Monday was just a normal teaching day for me. Nothing too exciting went down that day...</b></i></span></span></center><center style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></center><center style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"><br /></center></h2><h2 style="background-color: white; color: white; font-family: "Homemade Apple"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">- Tuesday -</span></i></span></h2><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><center style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; text-align: left;"><br /></center></h2><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYq5Fe5eb4mq8UoCtuaPsub_-15NN7CF1_Bl2Rzi_fn-zCFzFiuXg2fOT6zZ0eZrYAHb8Bb7tzgXkLAzmBQKMHP2Mq470_Rl6YxsS41OQQy85x-RziZyoYVT2_JXruw4-HAedjCtt708Em9uEIragtnilCn446hNMSRA44_aX5wxOOpvNMYA0VEYq/s3832/62E44549-3A6A-46C6-B386-C09BD044E17B.jpeg"><img border="0" data-original-height="2874" data-original-width="3832" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYq5Fe5eb4mq8UoCtuaPsub_-15NN7CF1_Bl2Rzi_fn-zCFzFiuXg2fOT6zZ0eZrYAHb8Bb7tzgXkLAzmBQKMHP2Mq470_Rl6YxsS41OQQy85x-RziZyoYVT2_JXruw4-HAedjCtt708Em9uEIragtnilCn446hNMSRA44_aX5wxOOpvNMYA0VEYq/w640-h480/62E44549-3A6A-46C6-B386-C09BD044E17B.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"><br /></div></h2>Tuesday also was a fairly normal teaching day with no festivities to report of, but I will mention Tuesdays are one of my favorite teaching days! This past Tuesday marked my last day working closely with Cavod's <a href="https://cavod.org/citylight-dance-theatre/" target="_blank">Citylight Dance Theater</a> Junior team (pictured above), until next year. I love these young ladies so much! They are a fun crew and an absolute delight to set choreography on. I am so proud of all they have accomplished this year so far!<div><br /></div><div><br /><h2 style="background-color: white; color: white; font-family: "Homemade Apple"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;"> </span></i></span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">- Wednesday -</span></i></h2><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"><br /></div></h2><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2z7dBYZ8TgFfqwOqsiexkVF1c1ex1ZhT9xbb8NwfQ-fr9X0At8lpjA7kpPnFNfyXXigYf9fBbLI8dzBJIlqsEVN6sHsIJyDTbl-ICTBdK_4MqX-7MVvLD-8HebfVZJqgb3Oub5lPQrmyF7kEAUoLvs8n1C5rAdKdZp-OedQROPrhI2daDgDhHD9bI/s4032/437B52AD-C53B-4733-8E13-5CC84BD2FF2B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2z7dBYZ8TgFfqwOqsiexkVF1c1ex1ZhT9xbb8NwfQ-fr9X0At8lpjA7kpPnFNfyXXigYf9fBbLI8dzBJIlqsEVN6sHsIJyDTbl-ICTBdK_4MqX-7MVvLD-8HebfVZJqgb3Oub5lPQrmyF7kEAUoLvs8n1C5rAdKdZp-OedQROPrhI2daDgDhHD9bI/w640-h480/437B52AD-C53B-4733-8E13-5CC84BD2FF2B.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Wednesday was a fun day for me! A group of my friends and I enjoyed a night "out on the town". I think it was about 24 of us that got together to attend "A White Christmas" performed at the Fulton Opera House in downtown Lancaster. It had been <a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2016/12/a-night-in-downtown-lancaster-in.html" target="_blank">quite a while</a> since I had last seen a show at the Fulton. Thank you to the Blatts for the invitation! We had a great time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlsfJC64WxLPIMsjnKYMJJTrk5K_6UdkdnwLugtaaaz1v9VNTjSh80sEFFtjaaJuJMYrMwtd7eI6J-pmqAnH1mu7yMql7xQx8v8MmXQ5ZCIk69tjYzB4mLBTKl50xbv0XzZUVhPV5MFfUv90ytJS-LlcPaElWSAokrw8DdRT7_gXEwilslfeva48b/s1600/9C6878EE-19E7-41A1-B6AF-2C2A91DC40FE.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlsfJC64WxLPIMsjnKYMJJTrk5K_6UdkdnwLugtaaaz1v9VNTjSh80sEFFtjaaJuJMYrMwtd7eI6J-pmqAnH1mu7yMql7xQx8v8MmXQ5ZCIk69tjYzB4mLBTKl50xbv0XzZUVhPV5MFfUv90ytJS-LlcPaElWSAokrw8DdRT7_gXEwilslfeva48b/w640-h480/9C6878EE-19E7-41A1-B6AF-2C2A91DC40FE.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV917WxjHZDbS6nFvhe5nwA1j9liu7xGx3gq8aPCnXec-jWI5oy7VJW6fW13GnwVxamKX0EGNeX0AAGl1Puk79XuoF_Ft4DanU0eRjXjh7cQD9PEneJ_gEzAT465oSzXkkBMBEQ7c4MzK5mA6Wgmu0eJpGKWlXEKtMaRlD_6JmaG2PSUtK23gsR1I/s4032/B9410E1C-4A41-4368-A738-884433D46A62.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV917WxjHZDbS6nFvhe5nwA1j9liu7xGx3gq8aPCnXec-jWI5oy7VJW6fW13GnwVxamKX0EGNeX0AAGl1Puk79XuoF_Ft4DanU0eRjXjh7cQD9PEneJ_gEzAT465oSzXkkBMBEQ7c4MzK5mA6Wgmu0eJpGKWlXEKtMaRlD_6JmaG2PSUtK23gsR1I/w640-h480/B9410E1C-4A41-4368-A738-884433D46A62.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the balcony</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWNSbb3-OA8vbuRtKxKDY7QuqbAJ7jiEzXgh5-gOsJFDArlf5JtPiYrQ-6FuJJ67VWLpE7-_3nj4FD4nZCpYfRx9K7RZEQBzdxfmMPye9sITi-6eJ-UULMfMSdvUC9bzGL7-4hjeRmqVNfVSA6Vwd6uxJlsCoIJr_4-NyGJIW1nbWybqDL79g6zej/s2048/2C863B42-422A-4462-9E7E-3E5BC0125970.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWNSbb3-OA8vbuRtKxKDY7QuqbAJ7jiEzXgh5-gOsJFDArlf5JtPiYrQ-6FuJJ67VWLpE7-_3nj4FD4nZCpYfRx9K7RZEQBzdxfmMPye9sITi-6eJ-UULMfMSdvUC9bzGL7-4hjeRmqVNfVSA6Vwd6uxJlsCoIJr_4-NyGJIW1nbWybqDL79g6zej/w480-h640/2C863B42-422A-4462-9E7E-3E5BC0125970.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGsKRtbIJ5YEYNvC-4CaIOYALE4THwpJzPNAj4MZOSOzQ9CTvKZsZ58tVasIWztVDg-m6XXJimrDaS23GLOcXVsV0V2El7Lz00-2XmniomF1qA_zr4qXFwiuyr8ixGEQm9kg1XXA1KKfzPR4mqbDk_8TzKOxMAztQKSCCIK5SBfHT9BCuKZvA7-iD/s2576/D0383601-7565-499C-B0AD-3D5B25D31DAC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGsKRtbIJ5YEYNvC-4CaIOYALE4THwpJzPNAj4MZOSOzQ9CTvKZsZ58tVasIWztVDg-m6XXJimrDaS23GLOcXVsV0V2El7Lz00-2XmniomF1qA_zr4qXFwiuyr8ixGEQm9kg1XXA1KKfzPR4mqbDk_8TzKOxMAztQKSCCIK5SBfHT9BCuKZvA7-iD/w640-h480/D0383601-7565-499C-B0AD-3D5B25D31DAC.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><h2 style="background-color: white; color: white; font-family: "Homemade Apple"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;"> </span></i></span><i style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">- The Weekend -</span></i></h2></div><div><br /></div><div>Thursday was chill, or should I say chilly! It was the first day of the season that freezing rain, sleet, and snow were forecasted. I was feeling pretty tired of "extroverting" by the time Friday rolled around, but I persevered forward. Friday evening after teaching a series of private lessons and conducting a two-hour rehearsal with the Citylight Dance Theater Senior Company, I then switched gears, and outfits to attend Cavod's Holiday Staff Party. It was a beautiful night at the Detweiler's Farm. Dinner was served inside a greenhouse with twinkle lights and candles everywhere! It was so magical. I regret not taking any pictures.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday, just when I didn't think I had any energy left, I tapped into an extra reserve to get me through a seven-hour adventure with some dear friends of mine at Hershey Park's Christmas Candy Lane. The air was nippy and the lines were long, but we had ourselves a great time regardless. It was the perfect festive activity needed to help get me in the Christmas Spirit and I so cherished the quality time spent with the people pictured below.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_ElS-q33MK7qm_dLgq8IdNgY6S9YFeaO0x_I63bb5qHjxNRKDH26BjPn1Nuxf6Mufikl5TMy3hyUkZWfGCG-ssTJ3DJkN5_LYS3UyN_lyKQryiDfh10GzRQghdJifZDllDU0bh5eXOBVNayz3ckOOMjJZeG7YBQBGROrXMLXmk9nRspibDLhYOnH/s2576/A41A2265-D937-46FD-9BE2-96A0112FEDBA.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_ElS-q33MK7qm_dLgq8IdNgY6S9YFeaO0x_I63bb5qHjxNRKDH26BjPn1Nuxf6Mufikl5TMy3hyUkZWfGCG-ssTJ3DJkN5_LYS3UyN_lyKQryiDfh10GzRQghdJifZDllDU0bh5eXOBVNayz3ckOOMjJZeG7YBQBGROrXMLXmk9nRspibDLhYOnH/w640-h480/A41A2265-D937-46FD-9BE2-96A0112FEDBA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gotta have a car selfie!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqsKq6EA8ETnL_-7wXdrqLslrVlhbX8snv7DVN5Wdmaal4Tx1S6PE3iKpVFN2tBiP0VzhyftS4K5UCKSO75DxKDJhkLe1sm0BpGkTWhfRmkIPfO0wuyYgNvH5QkesGrfquscMMB1ykWmH3M_zxc49fE5ZOf7zz5410CM9GMjYNyUEDHmNnMrkGG8Z/s3088/AEE08B1A-6D4F-413C-BC03-FCBE02120124.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqsKq6EA8ETnL_-7wXdrqLslrVlhbX8snv7DVN5Wdmaal4Tx1S6PE3iKpVFN2tBiP0VzhyftS4K5UCKSO75DxKDJhkLe1sm0BpGkTWhfRmkIPfO0wuyYgNvH5QkesGrfquscMMB1ykWmH3M_zxc49fE5ZOf7zz5410CM9GMjYNyUEDHmNnMrkGG8Z/w480-h640/AEE08B1A-6D4F-413C-BC03-FCBE02120124.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWghdS9mpQtiIJPKBZlMh8YLuhufTA1LpykTJxgfSmGgv2eHGfHPtkXSiwniWUhJaNnhXhWjU_Cd-ny71BW_6v38m3ufEDifuAhxRkhWGNiImzOdc1mMtyw-SgLPZqUlP2xJ5mfjvliNnUikQSMPEuefjmbU-447nfbCBCsHMd94Zk-QiKWOozO1c/s4032/5DAE08E7-63AC-4A7A-A78F-B795B1609D44.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWghdS9mpQtiIJPKBZlMh8YLuhufTA1LpykTJxgfSmGgv2eHGfHPtkXSiwniWUhJaNnhXhWjU_Cd-ny71BW_6v38m3ufEDifuAhxRkhWGNiImzOdc1mMtyw-SgLPZqUlP2xJ5mfjvliNnUikQSMPEuefjmbU-447nfbCBCsHMd94Zk-QiKWOozO1c/w480-h640/5DAE08E7-63AC-4A7A-A78F-B795B1609D44.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our favorite interactive ride "<a href="https://www.hersheypark.com/explore-the-park/rides/reeses-cupfusion/" target="_blank">Reese's Cupfusion</a>" had a long line (90 mins.) but it was worth the wait!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQx_2OJXV_uGbyp573ImX8O21CP4P9cYb-8R_QyHTJIiHdGf1quzNg5IpglXdsXaX9NtWfCXvk5GLexqrVGgLFbpBVSlOsZiOFGCv1kaszB6g-RKpOhRCOSm0DjAAM5zvDH21N2SYxbPzz1LYLbOZjTwJJBcwRHsDjMZSA7nzKZG47RwkGPUQNy5bc/s3088/4B8E7E0B-0EE8-4548-B992-D75A3FB19401.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="3088" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQx_2OJXV_uGbyp573ImX8O21CP4P9cYb-8R_QyHTJIiHdGf1quzNg5IpglXdsXaX9NtWfCXvk5GLexqrVGgLFbpBVSlOsZiOFGCv1kaszB6g-RKpOhRCOSm0DjAAM5zvDH21N2SYxbPzz1LYLbOZjTwJJBcwRHsDjMZSA7nzKZG47RwkGPUQNy5bc/w640-h480/4B8E7E0B-0EE8-4548-B992-D75A3FB19401.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All bundled up...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEcbCm4Oyfxp4jWXEBIizv70CjMrnVp5knkDQ0GrAe1b2qv4E0s4QRQN5F2TacHwaH4m6Vz027D49Aa8TMdEj_vwVAoWuVGyUZUs84PKtswu4VPRz_GSNkxhggXmKbc6d4RCpp2GzYQWB1i0BAlSHt4EVR4ns18U4BjbdDtc9NU-oY0kyxUL6h7us/s3088/DEC5CAF6-B17E-46F7-8B85-E58A705D6B3A.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidEcbCm4Oyfxp4jWXEBIizv70CjMrnVp5knkDQ0GrAe1b2qv4E0s4QRQN5F2TacHwaH4m6Vz027D49Aa8TMdEj_vwVAoWuVGyUZUs84PKtswu4VPRz_GSNkxhggXmKbc6d4RCpp2GzYQWB1i0BAlSHt4EVR4ns18U4BjbdDtc9NU-oY0kyxUL6h7us/w480-h640/DEC5CAF6-B17E-46F7-8B85-E58A705D6B3A.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freezing our butts waiting in line, trying to stay optimistic π</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy-Bj_gMXuOfTl1XS-Sp-z6kLb-_wYzjfE5Q1p7GA6bKWzoZ3iCUV7jGGBFYz96_x_zknwkxJWF_7oh7FhavZqG0i35fnesutGskaANZfxOsvPbKzzzKL4SuVCkEGhSwC652lUN6TphgebEksn98NF3uJGkFdetQAldWK13epXK0ElfW0TPwIpPJD/s3088/86369491-151E-4C75-A7A5-A712CE73D44D.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="3088" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy-Bj_gMXuOfTl1XS-Sp-z6kLb-_wYzjfE5Q1p7GA6bKWzoZ3iCUV7jGGBFYz96_x_zknwkxJWF_7oh7FhavZqG0i35fnesutGskaANZfxOsvPbKzzzKL4SuVCkEGhSwC652lUN6TphgebEksn98NF3uJGkFdetQAldWK13epXK0ElfW0TPwIpPJD/w640-h480/86369491-151E-4C75-A7A5-A712CE73D44D.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#hersheyparkhappy</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FISZ_5jc6ARM_cIVHS2uTVYbt85eBPVIkxDAGs1N1WeI6BZEjjbKJNqsrjyOGGUvGtdl-lYF24Eaho4-GK1VJnXeB8GDz94y08gEFP2uK8W-BjzsdijD9uyC6xZNP5geN3hNd_h-mbcxy2DsReb0WdKes0JkyIpMK6hO1whqaiTC9fHP1bknPlMF/s4032/AC1F3E55-FC96-4737-848C-7E8C6705948C.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FISZ_5jc6ARM_cIVHS2uTVYbt85eBPVIkxDAGs1N1WeI6BZEjjbKJNqsrjyOGGUvGtdl-lYF24Eaho4-GK1VJnXeB8GDz94y08gEFP2uK8W-BjzsdijD9uyC6xZNP5geN3hNd_h-mbcxy2DsReb0WdKes0JkyIpMK6hO1whqaiTC9fHP1bknPlMF/w640-h480/AC1F3E55-FC96-4737-848C-7E8C6705948C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty lights aglow</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YHhRuptTg1uJ7e1mNM5WsXOyxa1lr7kiSvy7ej5diJWfHnHeAlx12OZZsymjTKoj-HEaKYXRk3UOpgBBb-Ku-N4jMRr4zCYfom-q3pjYUxkQijejt3H4xf6W45IGlIgv3fVHYPX9ukqK2Rf3Qgu6oW6H6qBtsBODWbFVNF1DGO0t82TrZf2G-4gg/s4032/FC57C3FC-E759-4817-A917-0E8E3B9E519B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-YHhRuptTg1uJ7e1mNM5WsXOyxa1lr7kiSvy7ej5diJWfHnHeAlx12OZZsymjTKoj-HEaKYXRk3UOpgBBb-Ku-N4jMRr4zCYfom-q3pjYUxkQijejt3H4xf6W45IGlIgv3fVHYPX9ukqK2Rf3Qgu6oW6H6qBtsBODWbFVNF1DGO0t82TrZf2G-4gg/w480-h640/FC57C3FC-E759-4817-A917-0E8E3B9E519B.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><h2 style="background-color: white; color: white; font-family: "Homemade Apple"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><i style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">... Lastly</span></i></h2></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCWrVFLu-2ULxSVhinx3zBM6qAQTRTHWHKt2qKuZIspuItqVgvJW1J2mRoeKgQGWS-_FqqxE_fO3NHM4OOTuRbiPTFynPSAnTdWEDawKygX6OeZijPas952WM96ObNGPORlASCGsU_eZJPACDorRZEZPVIL6ILBsixxKsCRJIqBJ6aniO8AfW1cej/s3814/F684E170-83D5-48DE-A331-5B5C8EC843FC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3814" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCWrVFLu-2ULxSVhinx3zBM6qAQTRTHWHKt2qKuZIspuItqVgvJW1J2mRoeKgQGWS-_FqqxE_fO3NHM4OOTuRbiPTFynPSAnTdWEDawKygX6OeZijPas952WM96ObNGPORlASCGsU_eZJPACDorRZEZPVIL6ILBsixxKsCRJIqBJ6aniO8AfW1cej/w640-h508/F684E170-83D5-48DE-A331-5B5C8EC843FC.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Pictured here are the gifts unwrapped and revealed, from my <a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2022/12/sunday-best.html" target="_blank">last blog post</a> for those of you who were curious as to what my Secret Santa from church got me! Her gift selections were all so perfect for me and so thoughtful! I was all smiles opening them up! She did a great job! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></b></i></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: arial;">7 more days till Christmas! I am excited, but also am starting to feel the pressure as I still have several cards and gifts I desire to make before the big day. I didn't EVEN TRY to procrastinate this year. Time just got away from me, but ready or not, </span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: arial;">HERE IT COMES!</span></b></i></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face="Roboto, "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">π</span></span></div><h2 style="background-color: white; color: white; font-family: "Homemade Apple"; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: -webkit-center;">k</h2><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"><center style="color: #352929; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCkDA_XaihPrEe5R5VT_D1yYo9sHQ4PZ0Pc_NU2-0upsNCxHfYrSg6C4Hfd4XphzoDG3jeAdZSsiS-7EO-aNnOcu0pmnKYqDh74zuNTvxnKGC3o3vwqrd-W1vgDsqhv3AgKs8YFc0lWE/s1600/2mg5i7q.jpg" style="color: #b87209; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="70" data-original-width="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCkDA_XaihPrEe5R5VT_D1yYo9sHQ4PZ0Pc_NU2-0upsNCxHfYrSg6C4Hfd4XphzoDG3jeAdZSsiS-7EO-aNnOcu0pmnKYqDh74zuNTvxnKGC3o3vwqrd-W1vgDsqhv3AgKs8YFc0lWE/s1600/2mg5i7q.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></a></center><center style="color: #352929; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></center><center style="color: #352929; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><span style="color: black;">______________________________________________</span></center><center style="color: #352929; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" style="text-align: left;" /><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><i style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; text-align: left;">β</i><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"> For More Optimistic Reads </span><i style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; text-align: left;">β </i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" style="text-align: left;" /></center></div></h2></div></div></div></div>Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-24415877734515100162022-12-11T11:50:00.001-06:002022-12-18T11:18:18.730-06:00Sunday Best<h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"> - Blogmas Day Eleven . Guarding my Boundries . Secret Santa -</i></span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><i><b>Hi everyone! Today was a fairly typical Sunday. Church, Wegmans, friends, rest. Not much to report, except can I just say, I've broken a record!!! I've blogged for eleven days straight! I'm feeling so accomplished right now as I have never done that before. With that being said, even after making the commitment earlier to blog every day leading up to Christmas, I've decided to loosen up the expectations a little bit and grant myself the grace to skip days if needed. </b></i></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;">Blogging daily has been a MOST enjoyable process...but a VERY time-consuming one, which is the main factor influencing my decision to step back from it a little bit. Ideally, it would have been so cool and wonderful to document all the days leading up to Christmas, and every day for that matter, as I believe every day usually has at least one thing special about it worth remembering, documenting/sharing about... but I've decided to be a "big girl" and let myself be a little flexible with this insignificant commitment to myself since I've started to notice the pattern of losing sleep over the sake of writing and editing for Blogmas. As hard as it was to make this decision I think it is the wisest thing and for the best! You wouldn't have caught me making wise decisions like this a year ago. I must be growing up lol. </center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">BUT, in accordance with my desire to keep my blog active and current/relevant, and still participate in Blogmas, I will be continuing to do my best to post as frequently as possible, just not at the expense of my sleep OR at the expense of the post's quality, which was another reason for deciding not to "just post something daily for the sake of posting something", if I have nothing quality to post about.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">I think overall since I am not a full-time influencer π, and have an equally time-consuming rich life to lead offline as much as online, this is the best decision to make in order to keep both realms healthily balanced! But I am so excited going forward. I have learned a thing or two the past couple days regarding how to become faster and more consistent with creating content and have gained fresh vision and creative inspiration for The Occupied Optimist going forward (online and offline to be honest!) Would you get excited with me and wish me luck! Thank you readers who have stuck by me and are following along on the journey!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZa3nBrKVsoJMLfiJ9DMp_M3hI4gA2TcSuuQgGvNVNUCjVKNysmjP2BGdwVvcL87q-0dDgyWvIXcf927fv3MYU0lV9-p3hedX8OeJhRWDV-2D5wTa4n701JSC9MBpqHla01a78lZIIGv7oW8iNThW5JPX1ZjTHqtP4UBYTHXO9V9UKWP9n5J457e88/s3696/CA69EE05-5C14-47A0-B478-2F6900203B6A.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2772" data-original-width="3696" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZa3nBrKVsoJMLfiJ9DMp_M3hI4gA2TcSuuQgGvNVNUCjVKNysmjP2BGdwVvcL87q-0dDgyWvIXcf927fv3MYU0lV9-p3hedX8OeJhRWDV-2D5wTa4n701JSC9MBpqHla01a78lZIIGv7oW8iNThW5JPX1ZjTHqtP4UBYTHXO9V9UKWP9n5J457e88/w640-h480/CA69EE05-5C14-47A0-B478-2F6900203B6A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My church's Christmas tree! Crossway's Christmas tree, In all its glory!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyeuZ3pIjQbQhO0CSgizkXNt0tFECgAfbDnOKazVT7E2px9V7NAHy1BPVnZd19S4e3g_NMBB5SGhEVG2jb7Jvp8-yweTk73v0uRGlW-WquJiLUoDAIEBYZecrJd_p2Ax7Gl4RUecM6SfrOBYl64W0SbDI7mdaG_76jFtsGB_N14qu4efdtsRWhIbc/s3916/73570592-C550-4830-922D-F85C247D4F5C.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3916" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyeuZ3pIjQbQhO0CSgizkXNt0tFECgAfbDnOKazVT7E2px9V7NAHy1BPVnZd19S4e3g_NMBB5SGhEVG2jb7Jvp8-yweTk73v0uRGlW-WquJiLUoDAIEBYZecrJd_p2Ax7Gl4RUecM6SfrOBYl64W0SbDI7mdaG_76jFtsGB_N14qu4efdtsRWhIbc/w640-h494/73570592-C550-4830-922D-F85C247D4F5C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got these Christmas gifts from my Secret Santa from church today! Isn't the wrapping paper just darling!!! Want to know what is in them? me too!<br />I guess you will just have to come back and see my next blog post in order to find out! <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">π</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBn80jBFIah6uXbKpSgHA4Oa93g8emzyZBmqsFy2eU8YtUAw65xKCmjlUfsypJRfPqvpmgnMBAw9YqELlfLWwAa7B-EpZ6rqVamersZ8NlIomthecB8ZwLeNkS5LA25nC6h6c0pozAmMwTuGsCgUX0GKG-F1qfMFZZisS3PWFQ_3TNr2MFzZPxnFdQ/s115/name.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="70" data-original-width="115" height="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBn80jBFIah6uXbKpSgHA4Oa93g8emzyZBmqsFy2eU8YtUAw65xKCmjlUfsypJRfPqvpmgnMBAw9YqELlfLWwAa7B-EpZ6rqVamersZ8NlIomthecB8ZwLeNkS5LA25nC6h6c0pozAmMwTuGsCgUX0GKG-F1qfMFZZisS3PWFQ_3TNr2MFzZPxnFdQ/s1600/name.jpg" width="115" /></a></div></span></center>
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Thanks for stopping by! Comment and say Hi!</center>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /> <i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β</i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> For More Optimistic Reads </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β </i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /></div>
Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-32800783769383745512022-12-10T22:15:00.004-06:002022-12-18T11:17:15.118-06:00Blogmas Day Ten Photo Dump<div><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"><br /> - Blogmas Day Ten . More Shopping . Photodump -</i></span></span></h2></div><i><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><div><i><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNz5vaAnNbPglRx77S1xTeqWsUATygA6SyOBlHEzPpGNIDVktsL3GfhGgNO0MzRg8KnBSKNKmJS8kV4AFrGrNqq9gPsOrv7jgIDMOXE_sUAeeaONnEoDVmSAs39C5hW-7QzR80G8Xe9n3Y4iMlNBe798IRCW_VLRzPTQ1RjQSkO9sFgAsJ5g7Z-0j/s4032/B384F642-8DE9-48FD-973A-6DF8734A6331.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNz5vaAnNbPglRx77S1xTeqWsUATygA6SyOBlHEzPpGNIDVktsL3GfhGgNO0MzRg8KnBSKNKmJS8kV4AFrGrNqq9gPsOrv7jgIDMOXE_sUAeeaONnEoDVmSAs39C5hW-7QzR80G8Xe9n3Y4iMlNBe798IRCW_VLRzPTQ1RjQSkO9sFgAsJ5g7Z-0j/w640-h480/B384F642-8DE9-48FD-973A-6DF8734A6331.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A merry sight at "Creatively Lancaster."</span></td></tr></tbody></table></b></i></div><div><br /></div>Hello friends, I hope you had a good day. I had a pretty good day. It has been a long one. I think I will go ahead and drop a short description of it and then just dump a few photos of it here for you. My day started at 9am with choir practice at the church. I LOVE choir! It is just so fun! Following our 2-hour rehearsal, I set out to do some Christmas shopping at Lancaster's Park City Center shopping mall. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to find what I was looking for, but I did! I also was delighted to discover <a href="https://www.creativelylancaster.com/" target="_blank">Creatively Lancaster</a> was having one of their maker's markets there! Yay! Tis the season for artisan craft markets. I spent so much time perusing through all the stands... daydreaming of having one for myself someday.</span></b></i><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Yes, it has been quite a chill day, one without much structure which is a rarity for me, but I have been loving it! Currently, I find myself killing time in one of my favorite coffee shops, New Holland Coffee Co, and in just a little bit I will drive down the road to watch some of my favorite students perform in Cavod Performing Arts' Christmas show, Wonder! Well, that's all for now! Signing out!</i></b></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiZGtUKUGA8G1COJUrRxyU014BVBLCbbma8RLc9GfNxBuJaoByy0I5odfTFrHCfc5U3oEog4w6Gh39MrZwFOYf8ZHVbTkv5g1553ZjBYmIArCPFON1uPdkOM4Qtzvg-ouJdmr-wniWsMzGNtvCBZIasDXSsx7dS1ThBI9L2EDl5d1Z0d-p2C6AQH4/s4032/ECA83969-71E4-486E-ACC1-C3732564F454.jpeg" style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpiZGtUKUGA8G1COJUrRxyU014BVBLCbbma8RLc9GfNxBuJaoByy0I5odfTFrHCfc5U3oEog4w6Gh39MrZwFOYf8ZHVbTkv5g1553ZjBYmIArCPFON1uPdkOM4Qtzvg-ouJdmr-wniWsMzGNtvCBZIasDXSsx7dS1ThBI9L2EDl5d1Z0d-p2C6AQH4/w640-h480/ECA83969-71E4-486E-ACC1-C3732564F454.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JSWGH5QbX7_DQ4O992iYXEasYMMd4OuPPJN0Sf3YKLusd_jPQ4Mvd3SXBDVyh63MFKPVQF_U0K32k7bmcdsoa_pE4wBYEecMFQg3BCN-WEtHWcZPth_ZMATUYQPjf9MdNaNqVNRxJ2Lw4VWbY3-UOGj2OSO_VUSlf68Ul_UwkgXqh-34naNDnadI/s4032/F6AC67C0-C391-4702-89CD-7E67B2DFB9D3.jpeg" style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-style: italic; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JSWGH5QbX7_DQ4O992iYXEasYMMd4OuPPJN0Sf3YKLusd_jPQ4Mvd3SXBDVyh63MFKPVQF_U0K32k7bmcdsoa_pE4wBYEecMFQg3BCN-WEtHWcZPth_ZMATUYQPjf9MdNaNqVNRxJ2Lw4VWbY3-UOGj2OSO_VUSlf68Ul_UwkgXqh-34naNDnadI/w640-h480/F6AC67C0-C391-4702-89CD-7E67B2DFB9D3.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Makers Market in Park City</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbdwo2FEQEDDz7jRePC37WnGKY-C-bT-7fmROp8LEYVkuWHRIKFWRtM2oPiMV2maEMyAlLw4kfTa00zH2VnoPVZlo2V2nornsIFVo4bPERLiswPow6U7qHGxDphqmIVR4e97m76IQBhSH1rsG6H8HPADVLdvO7M9wOnQDpKdfjZpxJPtkUmDcMTYu/s4032/D55D9933-FA38-465D-B7C5-4AB2B5478492.jpeg" style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbdwo2FEQEDDz7jRePC37WnGKY-C-bT-7fmROp8LEYVkuWHRIKFWRtM2oPiMV2maEMyAlLw4kfTa00zH2VnoPVZlo2V2nornsIFVo4bPERLiswPow6U7qHGxDphqmIVR4e97m76IQBhSH1rsG6H8HPADVLdvO7M9wOnQDpKdfjZpxJPtkUmDcMTYu/w640-h480/D55D9933-FA38-465D-B7C5-4AB2B5478492.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCk1_cRFZXF1-NJg0Hfl-_YTP9QUKLtLVtwPnPXBpj5_Abinq6_mK1oW0jQBX14rE79YP8sMMVsrSGOLqO1nngxTGNByT6AoBmkRFM2liXmyJb8D8YSV7Un_jFanGoF7w5xbJwyCm7qd9Q3HPfYeRNlo0xf8ar3t3-_e7GqGyB-gChc38SI37oZVP/s2576/B0C8C052-BC54-4A84-AF0E-00B98CF28F51.jpeg" style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-style: italic; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCk1_cRFZXF1-NJg0Hfl-_YTP9QUKLtLVtwPnPXBpj5_Abinq6_mK1oW0jQBX14rE79YP8sMMVsrSGOLqO1nngxTGNByT6AoBmkRFM2liXmyJb8D8YSV7Un_jFanGoF7w5xbJwyCm7qd9Q3HPfYeRNlo0xf8ar3t3-_e7GqGyB-gChc38SI37oZVP/w640-h480/B0C8C052-BC54-4A84-AF0E-00B98CF28F51.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mission accomplished!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dW2RgfxtXgSw4tZ26kM1v3LY_Eho2b8UZDDVdZbkAJmCn0uYu0o-ssBYXYmvPoBy8DOz4ySBDwLfycwSx3j-ZfZA_ovnp5EjDyTo9lUiWI_9zhUgovRY5iKVNMjuLvsV_SlAxBxVW86VrhtpmXnp_i3N2EHWvHLG8bEnMzV1RXjDCBVT8psnZJ4a/s4032/F868EB89-37D2-4B38-88B2-E6526F936DFA.jpeg" style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dW2RgfxtXgSw4tZ26kM1v3LY_Eho2b8UZDDVdZbkAJmCn0uYu0o-ssBYXYmvPoBy8DOz4ySBDwLfycwSx3j-ZfZA_ovnp5EjDyTo9lUiWI_9zhUgovRY5iKVNMjuLvsV_SlAxBxVW86VrhtpmXnp_i3N2EHWvHLG8bEnMzV1RXjDCBVT8psnZJ4a/w640-h480/F868EB89-37D2-4B38-88B2-E6526F936DFA.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbDb48I-Awtunrcw9-Syvma_iEduOCwOpymgV1LwVq0VrDRJduhkSE8a0TIjx-y3Na-DLdkI8b_jDGtjkdfyeBZMNvv_Y5cb4g2A_kUYpEG27kjZUdA1lZFnbWpFYCMsEAaN9tNXKKZ5o1KyT64Kajb9Gaz61ymx47U3X2n-HPj4AUsAoE0_USxaq/s4032/16B37704-4EA3-4BF6-8F44-7F50806E0C78.jpeg" style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-style: italic; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbDb48I-Awtunrcw9-Syvma_iEduOCwOpymgV1LwVq0VrDRJduhkSE8a0TIjx-y3Na-DLdkI8b_jDGtjkdfyeBZMNvv_Y5cb4g2A_kUYpEG27kjZUdA1lZFnbWpFYCMsEAaN9tNXKKZ5o1KyT64Kajb9Gaz61ymx47U3X2n-HPj4AUsAoE0_USxaq/w640-h480/16B37704-4EA3-4BF6-8F44-7F50806E0C78.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade Poptarts at New Holland Coffee Co! Poptarts <i>definitely </i>make the world a better place!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcnwXJq8ejmAw6KYwgwQ6Mc7AVOWVbxsSk2BOzGkpz7vodDmkz3IZBlOb1BXVQgmEEkhyvorKGyP66HiFNvM23KhBnDpdqg-sm7amUPf0x0-qaY4oCPq_uLekDBUVsGiIMQqdTKOBFdRJ499-ngsgDf5CSelmfFE6E_urnXZOHdjmNM3pjrbNs_i1/s4032/B0FD13D7-5D44-4D11-9461-E0739BB7B19A.jpeg" style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-style: italic; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcnwXJq8ejmAw6KYwgwQ6Mc7AVOWVbxsSk2BOzGkpz7vodDmkz3IZBlOb1BXVQgmEEkhyvorKGyP66HiFNvM23KhBnDpdqg-sm7amUPf0x0-qaY4oCPq_uLekDBUVsGiIMQqdTKOBFdRJ499-ngsgDf5CSelmfFE6E_urnXZOHdjmNM3pjrbNs_i1/w640-h480/B0FD13D7-5D44-4D11-9461-E0739BB7B19A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">POV: Apple Walnut Salad from New Holland Coffee Co.</td></tr></tbody></table>
<center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hxkw80XLB2W4lTl8P9qVu-lj2PBMBh3aeYGSQzO11AlkQ9j6q5DaQfeOctlxspfMHfULnqjCj39pXADkraN0-ZkNJhsKSEdi3zZuIpvs3-ou0fFe6rPwZ0jNxmpYF6JYUJ2_mxhFKAljBU6BYzubvp8V3vxVwUGd-anYMKrvlXnV8NmsXuJJPDID/s3023/556B65E8-7031-41E5-87A6-F512C3F9D274.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3023" data-original-width="2878" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hxkw80XLB2W4lTl8P9qVu-lj2PBMBh3aeYGSQzO11AlkQ9j6q5DaQfeOctlxspfMHfULnqjCj39pXADkraN0-ZkNJhsKSEdi3zZuIpvs3-ou0fFe6rPwZ0jNxmpYF6JYUJ2_mxhFKAljBU6BYzubvp8V3vxVwUGd-anYMKrvlXnV8NmsXuJJPDID/w610-h640/556B65E8-7031-41E5-87A6-F512C3F9D274.jpeg" width="610" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Later Update: The dancers ended up doing a fantastic job!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b style="font-family: arial;"><br /></b></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Also, 15 more days till Christmas! Are you ready?</b></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>READY OR NOT, here it comes!!!!!</b></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>π</b></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></center>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /> <i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β</i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> For More Optimistic Reads </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β </i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /></div>
</div></div>Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-89844276751629042202022-12-09T21:17:00.016-06:002022-12-10T01:42:44.695-06:00The Perfect Recipe for Encouragement- Ps. 130<br /><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"> - Blogmas Day Nine . Happy Paper Clip . Psalm 130 -</i></span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;">Hi Folks! How has your week been? We made it to the end! I have not much to report on today. </span></span> Today has been a fairly quiet day for me. Sometimes I like it like that, but other days like today, it can be a challenge. In full transparency, as evidenced in my journal entry from this morning, I have come to realize I'm still wrestling with feelings of loneliness. The feeling comes and goes, but ever since my recent breakup experience, it has been harder for me to shake it off. </center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"></i></span></span></h2><blockquote><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"> We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. </i></span></span></h2><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">- 2 Corinthians 10:5 </i></span></span></h2></blockquote><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"></i></span></span></h2></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">... But I diligently fight against it by continually reminding myself of truth and renewing my mind with scripture. I know that even if I am experiencing loneliness on a whole new level, the loneliness doesn't by any means define me. Jesus Does - And that truth brings me much comfort.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">I definitely feel like I am in "a valley" in life right now, looking up, longing for the next mountain top. I'm not going to declare this valley a bad thing though. Besides the fact that I do feel like I am trekking upwards out of it, I take heart in this valley knowing God is using it to grow me. He and I both know, more often than not, I am quicker to call, rely on, and turn to him in the valleys than when I am on mountain tops, unfortunately to say... but <a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/better-to-have-a-burden" target="_blank">THIS</a> article says it well, AND I also know- furthermore to his glory, valleys don't last forever! Praise the Lord!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"></center><blockquote><center style="text-align: left;"><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #e06666; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;"></i></h2></center></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><center style="text-align: left;"><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #e06666; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">For no one is cast off </i><i style="color: #e06666; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">by the Lord forever. </i><i style="color: #e06666; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">Though he brings grief, he <u>will</u> show compassion, </i><i style="color: #e06666; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">so great is his unfailing love. </i><i style="color: #e06666; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone. </i></h2></center></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><center style="text-align: left;"><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #e06666; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;"> I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lordβs great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. </i></h2></center></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><center style="text-align: left;"><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #e06666; font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">I say to myself, βThe Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.β The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.</i></h2></center></blockquote></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"> <i style="color: #e06666; font-family: "homemade apple";">Lamentations 3: 31-33, 19-25 </i></p><blockquote><center style="text-align: left;"><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><i style="color: #e06666; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"></i></h2></center></blockquote><p> </p><p>SO, anyway, <i>is an apology necessary for my content not being the most "happy" today?</i> After some quick thought, I've concluded: No, I don't think so. Though not those most "fluffy" of entries, I think it is stilled grounded in optimism. Life does not always dish out mountain tops, but there can still be faith and hope in the valleys to write about, and that is what I am setting out to do! I know as a "Blogmas" entry, this post insufficiently cultivates the "Christmas Cheer" that Blogmas posts typically do, but I'm just not for it today. I'm not sure I will be at all this year. I think the paper clip in the photo above has more Christmas cheer than I do at this point. But that is okay. I cherish the real "reason for the season" and meaning of Christmas deep deep deep in my heart... It has just been a little hard for me to jump on the commercialized Christmas bandwagon this year with the loss I experienced earlier, but that is okay. Can anyone relate?</p><p><br /></p><p>NOW, for the meat of the blog post (as if the verses above were not enough π). I wanted to share with you this passage in scripture that has been absolutely rocking my world lately, Psalm 130. I first discovered this Psalm through the music artists, Shane and Shane, and their reference to it in one of their songs "I Will Wait For You" (featured in my <a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2022/12/a-playlist-of-hope-for-weary-and-heavy.html" target="_blank">blog post from Monday</a>). Without fail, no matter how low I am feeling, whenever I take time to visit this passage in scripture, really read the text and "marinade" in, and pray through it, my soul renews. Continue reading below to read through it for yourself, discover its richness, and read my thoughts on it. I hope you find yourself just as refreshed by it as I!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Psalms 130</span></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;</p><p>2 Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.</p><p>3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?</p><p>4 But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.</p><p>5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.</p><p>6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.</p><p>7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.</p><p>8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.</p></blockquote><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My Thoughts:</span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Psalm 130:1-2 <i>Wow! the psalmist is in a really <span style="color: #ea9999;">low</span> place! <span style="color: #ea9999;">CRYING out </span>-longing to be heard! #relatable</i></center><center style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></center><center style="text-align: left;">Psalm 130:3-4 <i>I LOVE these verses. They highlight our <span style="color: #ea9999;">biggest problem</span>, that we have offended a mighty, perfect, just, and holy God with our sin, and in light of remembering that, any present hardships, trials, and/or sufferings, become seemly small in comparison.</i></center><center style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></center><center style="text-align: left;"><i>BUT THEN GOD GOES AND TAKES CARE of our biggest problem, forgiving us through Jesus! If this good and glorious God is big enough, and cares enough to take care of my biggest problem (my sin debt), it encourages me to know and believe He can then take care of, oversee, and handle any of my other problems. <span style="color: #ea9999;">"Therefore he is feared"</span> - Is a reminder to me to have a proper perspective on just how mighty and amazing the God is that I am praying/crying out to and that I better darn be doing so reverently. </i></center><center style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></center><center style="text-align: left;">Psalm 130:5-6 <i>A reminder to be putting my hope in the right thing, God and his Word! And Oh, how the psalmist <span style="color: #ea9999;">EXPECTANTLY LONGS & HOPES & WAITS FOR GOD</span> and for his salvation to be fully consummated. #iamforit</i></center><center style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></center><center style="text-align: left;">Psalm 130:7 <i>With HIM is <span style="color: #ea9999;">unfailing love, </span>(I surmise, deep down inside, is all my being really wants and needs in this life) and <span style="color: #ea9999;">redemption </span>(His heart is for the restoration; one day all that's broken will be fixed) <span style="color: #ea9999;">FULLY.</span></i></center><center style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></center><center style="text-align: left;">Psalm 130:8 <i><span style="color: #ea9999;">HE DOES IT</span>. He does the work.</i></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><b>Is this text NOT just the MOST BEAUTIFUL, HOPE-INDUCING, LIFE-GIVING text you've read all week? Tell me I'm wrong? </b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;">π</center><center style="text-align: center;">Hope you enjoyed this post, Blessings! </center><center style="text-align: center;">Thanks for stopping by,</center><center style="text-align: center;"> Let me know that you did!</center><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCkDA_XaihPrEe5R5VT_D1yYo9sHQ4PZ0Pc_NU2-0upsNCxHfYrSg6C4Hfd4XphzoDG3jeAdZSsiS-7EO-aNnOcu0pmnKYqDh74zuNTvxnKGC3o3vwqrd-W1vgDsqhv3AgKs8YFc0lWE/s1600/2mg5i7q.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #b87209; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="70" data-original-width="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCkDA_XaihPrEe5R5VT_D1yYo9sHQ4PZ0Pc_NU2-0upsNCxHfYrSg6C4Hfd4XphzoDG3jeAdZSsiS-7EO-aNnOcu0pmnKYqDh74zuNTvxnKGC3o3vwqrd-W1vgDsqhv3AgKs8YFc0lWE/s1600/2mg5i7q.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></a></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">____________________________________________</span></center>
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Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-20534615328769294922022-12-08T21:15:00.022-06:002022-12-10T04:15:05.352-06:00Puerto Rican Style Cassava Chili <br /><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">- </i></span></span><i style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;">Blogmas Day 8 . Cassava Chili . Yum! -</i></h2>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><b><i>Hi everyone! How goes it? This year's series of "Blogmas" posts might end up being the most boring, unfestive string of Blogmas posts in all of Blogmas history that anyone has ever seen. I just don't have too many holiday festivities going on this year. Oh well. I am simply happy that the challenge of writing every day for Blogmas is getting me back into blogging more. </i>π</b></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><b><i>But Hey! Speaking of Christmas, last Christmas I was gifted a Puerto Rican cookbook from my dad and I absolutely love it! I have been meaning to tell you guys about it here on my blog for quite some time... maybe since last Christmas! Has it really been almost a year? Well, what better day to share with you about it than today!</i></b></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUk_t2a3K1QTFnJKOF32nBvDad1DhnjZSLxhNeYf45xIjYGRVSScju5Tue0dkJHqqIJK0AIW0y2Ox0MPBg5jun6eNATp_SWUl-LFx2KiVW4iMRkIO8TFTFl1leRhM69TNl5hzL1RBZ9e9iaM85CZE46HgVxa3EH_jS55TofqRzgrxVz7pFiAQG4KA/s2930/96F6E4F4-F585-4F21-ABE2-7CBB85687FB4.jpeg" style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-style: italic; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2930" data-original-width="2926" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUk_t2a3K1QTFnJKOF32nBvDad1DhnjZSLxhNeYf45xIjYGRVSScju5Tue0dkJHqqIJK0AIW0y2Ox0MPBg5jun6eNATp_SWUl-LFx2KiVW4iMRkIO8TFTFl1leRhM69TNl5hzL1RBZ9e9iaM85CZE46HgVxa3EH_jS55TofqRzgrxVz7pFiAQG4KA/w640-h640/96F6E4F4-F585-4F21-ABE2-7CBB85687FB4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"A Taste of Puerto Rico" by Yvonne Ortiz</td></tr></tbody></table><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;">I was given the opportunity to pick out whatever Puerto Rican cookbook I wanted! I landed on this one, not only because I liked the author's last name, but because she boasted of including a total of 200 recipes in her book, more than any other book I'd seen on the market! Low and behold upon acquiring the book I discovered not all of the recipes to be of value to me- things like dressings, seasoning combinations, or marinades, which out of convenience, I'd probably be more apt to buy than make, and then there is the whole chapter on seafood which I don't really eat, BUT <i>there are</i> a lot of other intriguing recipes in there too that I am interested to give a try! </span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;">The book is also very interesting because the author shares a bit of the cultural background and history of Puerto Rico's culinary journey over the years, as well as personalizing the book with her own stories and experiences around each recipe she shares.</span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;">When the book first came in the mail and my dad gave it a lookover, the first thing he said was "there are no pictures!" But that didn't bug me. I figured if I had any questions I could always ask google! </span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="color: black;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Today I thought it would be fun to share with you my experience working with cassava for the first time! Continue below for a sneak peak into this book's Cassava Chili Recipe!</span></b></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #ea9999; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8827y3TVRlckyb8NOzpd6m9ALbT5htPHtZkD7uqVv4g4S4ca_8G6cWv8fOC-dEkZd6rJZTZWz-zoiSyv0nfwztZklAbodRhM94XCshrS-kBBMlKOpl2Vd_U25Y8ewU7Q9KXwutwdVXQi1CsQz3qNE-XsUrU-dhuTsnA63Nr2De_san9lAASQtMIyU/s4032/IMG_6594.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8827y3TVRlckyb8NOzpd6m9ALbT5htPHtZkD7uqVv4g4S4ca_8G6cWv8fOC-dEkZd6rJZTZWz-zoiSyv0nfwztZklAbodRhM94XCshrS-kBBMlKOpl2Vd_U25Y8ewU7Q9KXwutwdVXQi1CsQz3qNE-XsUrU-dhuTsnA63Nr2De_san9lAASQtMIyU/w480-h640/IMG_6594.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><h2><i style="color: #ea9999; font-size: 25px;"><u style="font-weight: normal;"> Cassava Chili </u></i></h2><h2><br /></h2><div><br /></div><h2><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9BixL1c_6Mz3zUFUgyT7IuAf9a3UwtkRwVF2lbtTH97BESho1Yi5wAVKwVnI_6YKbySoZgIcxxos_YFreXOjZ147sEvEot4zZ2j875l_blHThpyLPsYZZ0LvdOsfcyVEQn7aonbM1qR-PHNv4nMx1mYMVuN-SjRrTbqTLnCYHOu9afSbw5T57IwW/s3928/551C4B84-EBBE-4214-9B22-98CA87E4FDAA.jpeg" style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2946" data-original-width="3928" height="465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9BixL1c_6Mz3zUFUgyT7IuAf9a3UwtkRwVF2lbtTH97BESho1Yi5wAVKwVnI_6YKbySoZgIcxxos_YFreXOjZ147sEvEot4zZ2j875l_blHThpyLPsYZZ0LvdOsfcyVEQn7aonbM1qR-PHNv4nMx1mYMVuN-SjRrTbqTLnCYHOu9afSbw5T57IwW/w621-h465/551C4B84-EBBE-4214-9B22-98CA87E4FDAA.jpeg" width="621" /></a></h2><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><div><h3><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ingredients:</span></u></h3></div><div><ul><li>3-1/2 Pounds cassava, peeled and cubed</li><li>salt water</li><li>2 tablespoons of annatto oil combined with 1 tablespoon of corn oil (I substituted the corn oil with vegetable oil)</li><li>1/4 cup of basic recaito</li><li>1 16-ounce can of whole tomatoes, drained, seeded, and chopped</li><li>1-1/4 cups of tomato puree</li><li>1 cup of tomato sauce</li><li>2-1/2 cups of white navy beans, cooked</li><li>1-1/2 teaspoons of chili powder</li><li>2 teaspoons of salt</li><li>A pinch of ground nutmeg</li></ul></div></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9igZLlpJdk-7ZaU9Dna8Mkq9w5daW9j7DvdQGDKVM6BauVyjlmcEyJUxS1VB7F1JbmSWVSmDIgXlVQnkWnEsWVNB0zHFnE8Dch1NhaoHTHShYDptJFpBx-c4tMsAcecB_aoOQX90s5Dohi-iTFltQfeIIgQ83Ryuh83SN37ihJoyYQvFVIW3cY9n-/s4032/3809C9D3-0460-460A-B53C-46920383D14A.jpeg" style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-style: italic; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9igZLlpJdk-7ZaU9Dna8Mkq9w5daW9j7DvdQGDKVM6BauVyjlmcEyJUxS1VB7F1JbmSWVSmDIgXlVQnkWnEsWVNB0zHFnE8Dch1NhaoHTHShYDptJFpBx-c4tMsAcecB_aoOQX90s5Dohi-iTFltQfeIIgQ83Ryuh83SN37ihJoyYQvFVIW3cY9n-/w640-h480/3809C9D3-0460-460A-B53C-46920383D14A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This recipe serves about six.</td></tr></tbody></table><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #352929; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17px;"><h3 style="margin: 0px; position: relative;"><u>Directions:</u></h3></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #352929; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17px;"><ol><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Boil the cubed cassava in the salt water for about 25 mins. then drain and set aside.</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Heat the oil in a large skillet and add recaito, tomatoes, tomato puree, and tomato sauce.</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Cook mixture for about 5 mins over medium-low heat.</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Add beans, cassava, and seasonings and cook for 10 more mins</li></ol></div></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><h2 style="color: white; font: bold 14px "homemade apple"; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: -webkit-center;"><i style="color: #ea9999; font-size: 25px;"><u style="font-weight: normal;">Buen Porvecho!</u></i></h2><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcf8sRv2jaVbai_hGkm3qRWXNBsUjvxOjrZuvhkcaHO_k5xJXylMI-OddqoDizwzJ9xkUiYRIMRN_fgCAesa9G2E3Zk_dp-qht3_LUH2IBXad_NRcQiDPSmWCIfBbb5exfg_ZbsvElWslOi3z-K9liiw-m9OLLaSqXagQpXo0IR4LTHOMEcF6z54p/s4032/3A58AE69-6A82-4011-9B38-E2A6654E5A10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcf8sRv2jaVbai_hGkm3qRWXNBsUjvxOjrZuvhkcaHO_k5xJXylMI-OddqoDizwzJ9xkUiYRIMRN_fgCAesa9G2E3Zk_dp-qht3_LUH2IBXad_NRcQiDPSmWCIfBbb5exfg_ZbsvElWslOi3z-K9liiw-m9OLLaSqXagQpXo0IR4LTHOMEcF6z54p/w480-h640/3A58AE69-6A82-4011-9B38-E2A6654E5A10.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="color: #352929; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700;"><br /></div><div style="color: #352929; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 700;">______________________________________________</div></div></i></span></span></h2></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;">I had never cooked with cassava before so this was a whole new experience for me. I figured with it being a tomato-based chili, I wouldn't be able to screw it up too much! I did have to do a sufficient </span></span>amount of research before attempting this recipe. After all, I thought yams, yuca/cassava, and sweet potatoes were all the same thing/interchangeable. BOY, was I wrong!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;">Cassava does go by several different names though: Yuca, Manioc, Mogo, among others.</span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;">If you are a first-time user of cassava I'd like to share the following youtube videos which really helped to give me a visual frame of reference (you know, since the book didn't have pictures!) and get me started with even the basics of how to peel and chop up the cassava. </span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><center style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://youtu.be/g4AUPzOcBFU" target="_blank">How to Cut and Cook Yuca/Cassava/Tapioca || Kerala Style Mashed Tapioca</a></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span><a href="https://youtu.be/w8TX3e52P1k" target="_blank">Boiled Cassava ( Manioc ) | How to Cook Cassava Root | cook with mom</a></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://youtu.be/0nbnGUQYdT4" target="_blank">How to Make Chilli Mogo (Cassava) - A Quick and Easy Recipe!</a></span></span></center></blockquote><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;">Cooking cassava was a super fun experience for me. I have tried this recipe a couple times now and it really is an easy one to conquer after getting over the initial intimidation of using this foreign root vegetable. Just be careful not to overcook the cassava as it will then get super tough to chew. #personalexperience</span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;">The recipe above calls for some other ingredients that may be foreign to you if you are unfamiliar with Puerto Rican cooking, recaito and annatto oil. These can be bought premade at the market but the "Taste of Puerto Rico" cookbook explained how to make them from scratch so I went ahead and tried that out..</span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QXOChqdTU3MgfTKDU8FCvgQeR3dx4unsZ00ItkVdNTavZF7CnZbrGDoINxTLBzVhLDzhK1Skb8trw5wAVJsXcvmRPrLpy54OlrRpC_XGi3oQKrAAZUvfPhyzrY-l3YcN191QD8CqlADuSILG1FLhm69pPqBBKWx_tffZvfytwStjAwGTmrl8Gtyz/s4032/IMG_6598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QXOChqdTU3MgfTKDU8FCvgQeR3dx4unsZ00ItkVdNTavZF7CnZbrGDoINxTLBzVhLDzhK1Skb8trw5wAVJsXcvmRPrLpy54OlrRpC_XGi3oQKrAAZUvfPhyzrY-l3YcN191QD8CqlADuSILG1FLhm69pPqBBKWx_tffZvfytwStjAwGTmrl8Gtyz/w640-h480/IMG_6598.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making the Recaito from scratch; like a pepper, onion, cilantro paste, THIS is what MADE the chili taste so bom!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZolM2kcElnS08NRM0KBNS5icVwfajooB52F_S7R3eY6TdLi1w8LRSntR97gW2WFnGYHvHn5udhLOJ7KC-LOd31HXaOl_LbtkmsHcE9IyGPFmgMs6ce-TUmY4J77Ies0093Cmzmht2ZB6JLfK0w33msTLSZCURDpyWGeMsZEwCuaTK_CMLczVbVPGh/s4032/936B8C7D-BD47-4F9D-B2FC-724D45C660C5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZolM2kcElnS08NRM0KBNS5icVwfajooB52F_S7R3eY6TdLi1w8LRSntR97gW2WFnGYHvHn5udhLOJ7KC-LOd31HXaOl_LbtkmsHcE9IyGPFmgMs6ce-TUmY4J77Ies0093Cmzmht2ZB6JLfK0w33msTLSZCURDpyWGeMsZEwCuaTK_CMLczVbVPGh/w640-h480/936B8C7D-BD47-4F9D-B2FC-724D45C660C5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> I got these little seeds from the Puerto Rican mercado downtown. The seeds look like bacon bits and are what contribute to the oil's orange color! Very Pretty!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></center><center style="text-align: left;">I am not much of a cook, but I thoroughly enjoyed learning new things and making this recipe from my "Taste of Puerto Rico" cookbook, my Christmas present from daddy! I can't wait to discover just how delicious all the other recipes in this cookbook are. Wish me luck and I hope all your cooking endeavors, especially this holiday season, are successful and delicious! π§‘</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center>
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Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-82443239611046849572022-12-07T22:04:00.003-06:002022-12-09T21:53:06.337-06:00Change of Plans<h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"> - Blogmas Day Seven . Normal Work Day . Shopping Small Biz -</i></span></span></h2>
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<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;">Hi everyone! Blogmas day seven isn't exactly going to be as exciting or festive as I originally was expecting it to be. Originally, this evening was supposed to be my Church small group's Christmas party. I was looking forward to preparing food for it and sharing pictures of this evening's event with you all but unfortunately, the party has been postponed due to illness of the host. So, ill be praying for the host in the meantime and you all can just look forward to a post in the future regarding our Christmas party.</span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;">It ended up being a fairly normal day. I worked- taught two private lessons, and then a ballet technique class, followed by a short pre-pointe class at <a href="https://cavod.org/" target="_blank">Cavod</a>'s Manheim location. With only a week and a half left until Christmas break for the kids, it is always a fun time of the year to be teaching. I feel at ease with my lesson planning mostly all set, up until the final day before break, The kids are buzzing with excitement in anticipation of Christmas vacation, and while we haven't quite gotten there yet, Christmas music rings through the studios and halls of our school. Who can't help getting caught up in the Christmas cheer in that kind of setting!</span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;">I headed to Manheim early today so before teaching, I stopped by one of my FAVORITE local small businesses, <a href="https://www.prussianstreet.com/" target="_blank">Prussian Street Arcade</a>! It is a <i>super cute</i> artisan craft market featuring the most one-of-a-kind, high quality, beautiful homemade crafts, home decor, as well as fashion boutique and antique items! They have a little something for everyone. I love coming here to shop but also to just walk around and be inspired! Today I sauntered through just to get some ideas on what I want to do for some last minute Christmas gifts I still need to get. I suppose it is not <i>too </i>last minute yet<i>... </i>The rest of this blog entry will feature pictures I snapped of certain vendor booths and items that stood out to me. Enjoy!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCA-jkerUXq_uwT1Bj5UXm63xTkji0tdo9kat6pyevRsBmKKEja5oe7-nDB4XWhMALOsv8CJ9hBK-gvT0cxVU5kIFGkpDXOH4sNOR5fFAIfSdLTWQ7JVakhoUyc8hSwf4gBUeUuovkUQ6x_Q-WftCt_DODc0cVjqdav3FXobpcowBo40la6vYp0MC_/s4032/33DDAB18-D341-45DA-AC18-81C473B7B896.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCA-jkerUXq_uwT1Bj5UXm63xTkji0tdo9kat6pyevRsBmKKEja5oe7-nDB4XWhMALOsv8CJ9hBK-gvT0cxVU5kIFGkpDXOH4sNOR5fFAIfSdLTWQ7JVakhoUyc8hSwf4gBUeUuovkUQ6x_Q-WftCt_DODc0cVjqdav3FXobpcowBo40la6vYp0MC_/w480-h640/33DDAB18-D341-45DA-AC18-81C473B7B896.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"I wish life wasn't so expensive, and dogs lived longer, and leftover french fries <br />still tasted good heated up"</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroQKfpEnzErQ1-Zm3Bgev5Ur5iroAr_TKM94MNJnHSvZm2eKYs3Q4Ls8Z_mm1Mw2Bm_ymr_wfaBVV29oFK9q6ODuojkuIjqJvZL_tlZLPdU-4CQptxwe_-fRJ2t_WG5R--ryHmejVWqBp71Cokaic4v-DHhWXxby3zqqh5VL4WNc18pUhKuATMhI9/s4032/CB5D6B4E-6897-44E5-A7C2-614D8C753A2C.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroQKfpEnzErQ1-Zm3Bgev5Ur5iroAr_TKM94MNJnHSvZm2eKYs3Q4Ls8Z_mm1Mw2Bm_ymr_wfaBVV29oFK9q6ODuojkuIjqJvZL_tlZLPdU-4CQptxwe_-fRJ2t_WG5R--ryHmejVWqBp71Cokaic4v-DHhWXxby3zqqh5VL4WNc18pUhKuATMhI9/w640-h480/CB5D6B4E-6897-44E5-A7C2-614D8C753A2C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I spotted these cute little guys at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sweet_arrow_co/" target="_blank">Sweet Arrows Co.</a>'s Booth.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4k2-bXB1Ey7c35Rw0mECpgC62KZwwztehhfyocNRfoS0dupinedxhuk4wnF-Fcs3zq2FYltkTFnlLD2fSp2xgpUwoXJDj66HEXOUGIwgpHTzLt7Neb9ND8TFq0SuYASrqNXhxa3u6h-1kHjSU51OGRFWJvnkI2dNSad3cFTTXfcnue5ei9fM3jbG/s3654/3AC8DB21-0570-45D3-987C-54F0024BC146.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3654" data-original-width="2740" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4k2-bXB1Ey7c35Rw0mECpgC62KZwwztehhfyocNRfoS0dupinedxhuk4wnF-Fcs3zq2FYltkTFnlLD2fSp2xgpUwoXJDj66HEXOUGIwgpHTzLt7Neb9ND8TFq0SuYASrqNXhxa3u6h-1kHjSU51OGRFWJvnkI2dNSad3cFTTXfcnue5ei9fM3jbG/w480-h640/3AC8DB21-0570-45D3-987C-54F0024BC146.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span></center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkW1xb-MO0GY28-erqhpzygocr8c-pd5GDpJKHA53SN9UQjZ-Ok5k72A280_A8_Y7ULKubrlatRIu5EUPXVW0dxs04WdfFvyCFg9RMzjAfvLQnpdUX9e9azNYVCwO2abK3cFvW9cDhWwPbYwAemy0MDIHHhnGWsgHtkpypSPJ1ADFeZOz-LV1VqC0W/s4032/E8674529-E1C7-4810-A795-63ED0777D5A8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkW1xb-MO0GY28-erqhpzygocr8c-pd5GDpJKHA53SN9UQjZ-Ok5k72A280_A8_Y7ULKubrlatRIu5EUPXVW0dxs04WdfFvyCFg9RMzjAfvLQnpdUX9e9azNYVCwO2abK3cFvW9cDhWwPbYwAemy0MDIHHhnGWsgHtkpypSPJ1ADFeZOz-LV1VqC0W/w640-h480/E8674529-E1C7-4810-A795-63ED0777D5A8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...maybe someday I will have a booth of my own. π #dreaming</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodthXT5pL_8STBvVJLFyus4uqf3Uk3ahvYhf9YY4mSOHefUxyk6Fbeg7cZJUwLrLyKdJ6w6nJHbP0rlBiNBI5LchXMTkahZ12f6wBshmfkQtLj93WV1AK8u9H6Iac4vfJ-2As8moQavRcmMDb1yML-PaaghdwiIT9bbTq_QPA8AK9ydCIpC7n172q/s4032/70AFFE51-2ADD-4E0C-B244-FBED110E5F62.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodthXT5pL_8STBvVJLFyus4uqf3Uk3ahvYhf9YY4mSOHefUxyk6Fbeg7cZJUwLrLyKdJ6w6nJHbP0rlBiNBI5LchXMTkahZ12f6wBshmfkQtLj93WV1AK8u9H6Iac4vfJ-2As8moQavRcmMDb1yML-PaaghdwiIT9bbTq_QPA8AK9ydCIpC7n172q/w640-h480/70AFFE51-2ADD-4E0C-B244-FBED110E5F62.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span></center><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0s8oMcbAhMBkfRS7luDR7Qg7zCUQJMbThgTYmqMFFJ7hH1iClng3mYDe_X2McWtdo5Otp9FklEyoaaMlTTUAQHPsigAPTmRP4OPlHNY5JBwm4daxa5e5hW90pCKDBIDUFIpSFWqD3cxaMH7EN_VdX_CmXNYy8dyYZTEFHRqQjf0aPij3_CPqSDN5/s4032/880DE5BC-481D-4D93-AF9F-A16433AEEB1C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH0s8oMcbAhMBkfRS7luDR7Qg7zCUQJMbThgTYmqMFFJ7hH1iClng3mYDe_X2McWtdo5Otp9FklEyoaaMlTTUAQHPsigAPTmRP4OPlHNY5JBwm4daxa5e5hW90pCKDBIDUFIpSFWqD3cxaMH7EN_VdX_CmXNYy8dyYZTEFHRqQjf0aPij3_CPqSDN5/w480-h640/880DE5BC-481D-4D93-AF9F-A16433AEEB1C.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEC19trB4rygPMRCSJpCC6g3aEXEKT9q2Yerhuby4JhNK4uSlr56joj3SJn3KLvDSPadrkeH78SOlqRBUXaRmpoqmFzK_Rn1hGf7tlL0uSuR4k8i4h3zETufQQVZStAyZHEmvvE8JaxcgXX2ZKvZ9dT-1CRPqK_O_hcSmMsleqmHYwunwMedZln0of/s4032/9DEB3E9E-A99F-49E7-A55F-4EFB0E7B8701.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEC19trB4rygPMRCSJpCC6g3aEXEKT9q2Yerhuby4JhNK4uSlr56joj3SJn3KLvDSPadrkeH78SOlqRBUXaRmpoqmFzK_Rn1hGf7tlL0uSuR4k8i4h3zETufQQVZStAyZHEmvvE8JaxcgXX2ZKvZ9dT-1CRPqK_O_hcSmMsleqmHYwunwMedZln0of/w480-h640/9DEB3E9E-A99F-49E7-A55F-4EFB0E7B8701.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: black;">Though I am sad our Christmas party got canceled, I must admit, it is extremely nice having a quiet Wednesday evening home early this week; Actually getting to eat dinner at a normal hour! (Whereas usually I teach lessons right through dinner time and eat once I get home, OR have church small group on Wednesdays). I have been in great need of a "Selah". With all of the engagements, Christmas preparations, and general holiday bustling that has kept me busy the past couple of weeks, I think this might be the first time in a WHILE that I get to actually pause, read a good book, and wind down early tonight. I am praising the Lord for this unexpected unplanned evening of relaxation! I hope your able to get some soon too! All the best,</span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center>
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Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-88575720858386552832022-12-06T13:06:00.022-06:002022-12-07T02:24:02.822-06:00Steve Harvey and His Rags-to-Riches Story
<center><center><h3><u style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY!</u></h3><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span><h2><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">βReturn home and tell how much God has done for you.β</span></i></span></span></h2><h2><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">~ Luke 8:39</i></span></span></h2><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I introduce to you Testimony Tuesdays!!! A testimony by definition is: a formal written or spoken statement, a public recounting of a religious conversion or experience. The Bible commands us in numerous places to bring praise, glory, and honor to our God by proclaiming, declaring, and telling about His marvelous works to others. That is the purpose and heart behind this installment for my Tuesday posts. Each Tuesday (more or less), a testimony will be shared here involving the recounting of salvation, redemption, overcoming, and/or healing just to name a few; A story that brings glory to our God and in which we might be encouraged, spurred on, and challenged with at the same time.The stories shared will either be of my own personal experiences, excerpts from books, testimonies I find via youtube or other media sources, as well as YOURS! I would love to know and give you the opportunity to share here with us a testimony of your own, of whatever fashion involving the Lord doing a transforming work in your life. Just email me your testimony and I will see what I can do about posting it on a future Tuesday! You may choose to have your name be known or anonymous. I look forward to hearing from you!</span></center><center><br /></center><center>_________________________________</center><center><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">π Like a Cinderella story- today I would like to share with you a "testimony" of Steve Harvey; not a salvation testimony mind you, but a story of him citing God as playing an instrumental role in his gaining of success in life and his career. I do not know much about Steve Harvey AT ALL, let alone where he stands with his faith and religious beliefs, but when this video clip popped up in my social media feed it immediately caught my attention, challenged, and inspired me. I do not know if he is intentionally testifying to the same God of the protestant Christian bible that I believe in, but I do know after hearing his story, I couldn't help but think, "Hey, that sounds just like my faithful God!" Give his story a listen and I hope you are as encouraged and spurred on by it as I was to trust God, persevere, and never give up!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Harvey" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a> cites: Full name being Broderick Stephen Harvey Sr., is an American television host, producer, actor, and comedian. He hosts The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Family Feud, Celebrity Family Feud, the Miss Universe competition, Family Feud Africa, and the arbitration-based court comedy Judge Steve Harvey... Harvey is a Christian and has attributed his success to his faith in God.</i></center><center style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></center><center style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></center><center style="text-align: center;"><i><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9igSh9IwMAc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></i></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">Blessings !</span></i></span></span></h2></center></center><center>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /> <i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β</i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> For More Optimistic Reads </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β </i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2022/09/testimony-tuesday-on-topic-of-suffering.html" target="_blank">A Testimony on the Topic Of Suffering</a></li><li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2021/01/the-testimony-of-former-ballerina.html">The Testimony of Leslie Shivers</a></li><li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2016/08/the-heart-of-life-is-good.html" target="_blank">The Heart of Life Is Good</a></li></ul></div>
Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-62420853894789440672022-12-05T00:53:00.000-06:002022-12-07T02:23:20.802-06:00A Playlist of Hope for the Weary and Heavy Laden<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: xxx-large;">I know I am the optimist,</span> but if I'm honest, my heart has been feeling a little heavy-laden lately, which can be a challenging way to feel in a season where the βfestive-holly-jolly-joyful spiritβ almost seems to be a standard, what is to be expected from all, like one is weird if feeling anything less than that. So maybe I am weird... but I have been experiencing a legitimate sadness due to <i>1.)</i> being personally scathed by the dysfunctions of this world, but also as an empath due to <i>2.) </i>taking on the load and sharing the burdens of <i>others </i>scathed by the dysfunctions of this world. Yet, when I look around, it is as if the heaviness intensifies at the sight of the many others around me beaming with Christmas joy and holiday cheer. I am not a grinch or against those people. Often times I am one of those people, but then there are other days the burdens I'm carrying make it much more difficult for me to join in. I am left feeling as if "I am on the outside looking in", as if something were wrong with me? as if I were alone? Am I? When I go through spells of sadness like this, I sure do feel like it. <div><br /></div><div>In actuality, I know Iβm not alone. It is just that the weary and heavy-laden tend to isolate and/or stuff their feelings, as opposed to unloading and talking about things with people. Well, not all, but I am definitely no exception to that. It can definitely be hard for me to be transparent about my hardships and the negative emotions that come with them them, <i>especially</i> during the month of December, not wanting to put a damper on anyone's spirit or "rain on their parade" so to speakβ¦ but maybe I should. Maybe we all need to welcome it and feel welcomed to be dumpers when it's our turn for a hard day. I donβt mean for the purpose of throwing pity parties or ruminating too deeply on dark themes for too long, but just to <i>acknowledge</i> to one another what weβre actually going through, sparing us from slipping into isolation, and allowing for opportunities to <i>find comfort and support</i> in one another. That sounds God-glorifying enough! <div><br /></div><div>I am reading the book of Proverbs right now and this is what it says about good friendship (and other verses about staying in fellowship with one another and not isolating):</div><div><br /></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><i>A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. - Proverbs 17:17</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.</i> </div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><i>- 1 Thessalonians 5:11</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. - Hebrews 10:24-25</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand himβa threefold cord is not quickly broken. - Ecclesiastes 4:12</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. - Proverbs 15:22</i></div></div></blockquote><div><div><br /></div><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"># Goals . </i></span></span></h2><div> </div><div>we were <i>made</i> to support one another in this way! Okay, pep-talk to myself, over. π</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: xxx-large;">I know</span> Jesus is a perfect friend, and He and His word are there for me when I feel no one else can be, but in today's blog post I want to share with you my next greatest source of comfort that I turn to in hard times, MUSIC! In fact, as the title of this blog post alludes, today I'm going to share with you more specifically, the top 10 favorite song of mine that I have been turning to lately when the "going gets tough". I swear I have been listening to these songs on repeat for the past couple months now! I hope you enjoy them and can find them to be as edifying and encouraging as I found them to be. I praise God for the creative singers, songwriters, and composers, He destined to write such beautiful hopeful, and life-giving songs. They revive my soul. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am sorry to say, I am so old-school though. I know most people use Spotify these days as their main music listening source. I do not. Just below, I will include youtube links to all the songs. If you discover any you like then you can go ahead and add them to YOUR spotify playlist! (I'm afraid I am finding it to be true, the older I get- you can't teach an old dog new tricks! π) I know they are not Christmas songs but I still hope you can find refreshment through them and are blessed! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="float: left; width: 133.09px;"><ul><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;">#1</span></i></b></ul></div><div style="float: right; width: 532.384px;"><ul><i><span style="font-size: large;"><h2><b style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><i><u>New Today</u></i></b></h2></span></i></ul></div><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><br /></blockquote><center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/44bjmvi7d3o" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><br /></center><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span><br /><div style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; height: 120px; line-height: 26px; overflow: auto; width: 640px;"><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b> </b><b>Lyrics to</b></span></center><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b style="color: #ea9999; text-align: left;">New Today by </b><b style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="https://www.micahtyler.com/" target="_blank">Micah Tyler</a></b></center><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></center><center><center style="text-align: center;">Iβve been hard on myself lately</center><center style="text-align: center;">Every morning I feel the weight</center><center style="text-align: center;">When itβs hard to just get out of bed</center><center style="text-align: center;">Tell my heart </center><center style="text-align: center;">Cause sometimes I forget </center><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;">That Your mercies are new today</center><center style="text-align: center;">Your mercies are new today</center><center style="text-align: center;">I can rest on Your shoulders</center><center style="text-align: center;">There is grace to start over</center><center style="text-align: center;">Your mercies are new today</center><center style="text-align: center;">Your mercies are new today</center><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;">Help me rise like the morning sun</center><center style="text-align: center;">Help me see that Your works not done</center><center style="text-align: center;">When Iβm less than what I want to be</center><center style="text-align: center;">Lord I need You to keep reminding me</center><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;">Your mercies are new today</center><center style="text-align: center;">Your mercies are new today</center><center style="text-align: center;">I can rest on Your shoulders</center><center style="text-align: center;">There is grace to start over</center><center style="text-align: center;">Your mercies are new today</center><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;">I kept thinking you were angry</center><center style="text-align: center;">But you were fighting just to hold me</center><center style="text-align: center;">And pick me up every time I fell</center><center style="text-align: center;">If Your love is here to lift me</center><center style="text-align: center;">And Your blood says You forgive me</center><center style="text-align: center;">Show me how I can forgive myself</center><center style="text-align: center;">Cause Your mercies are new today</center><center style="text-align: center;">Your mercies are new again and again</center><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;">Your mercies are new today</center><center style="text-align: center;">Your mercies are new today</center><center style="text-align: center;">I can rest on Your shoulders</center><center style="text-align: center;">There is grace to start over</center><center style="text-align: center;">Your mercies are new</center><center style="text-align: center;">Oh new today</center><center style="text-align: center;">I can rest on Your shoulders</center><center style="text-align: center;">There is grace to start over</center><center style="text-align: center;">Your mercies are new today</center><center style="text-align: center;">Your mercies are new today</center><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center></center></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="float: left; width: 133.09px;"><ul><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;">#2</span></i></b></ul></div><div style="float: right; width: 532.384px;"><ul><i><span style="font-size: large;"><h2><b style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><i><u>The Dark Before the Dawn</u></i></b></h2></span></i></ul></div><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><br /></blockquote><center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FpHlYB1QvEQ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><br /></center><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span><br /><div style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; height: 120px; line-height: 26px; overflow: auto; width: 640px;"><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b> </b><b>Lyrics to</b></span></center><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b style="color: #ea9999; text-align: left;">The Dark Before the Dawn by </b><b style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="https://www.andrew-peterson.com/" target="_blank">Andrew Peterson</a></b></center><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></center><center><center><center><center>I've been waiting for some peace</center><center>To come raining down out of the heavens on these war-torn fields</center><center>All creation is aching for the sons of God to be revealed</center><center>Oh, I believe, I believe that the victory is sealed</center><center>The serpent struck but it was crushed beneath His heel</center><center><br /></center><center>Oh, I know the wind can bring the lightning</center><center>Oh, I know the lightning brings the rain</center><center>Oh, I know the storm can be so frightening</center><center>But that same wind is gonna blow that storm away</center><center><br /></center><center>Blow that storm away</center><center><br /></center><center>Lord, I'm waiting for a change</center><center>I'm waiting for the change</center><center><br /></center><center>So I'm waiting for the King</center><center>To come galloping out of the clouds while the angel armies sing</center><center>He's gonna gather His people in the shadow of His wings</center><center><br /></center><center>And I'm gonna raise my voice with the song of the redeemed</center><center>'Cause all this darkness is a small and passing thing</center><center><br /></center><center>This is the storm, this is the storm</center><center>The storm before the calm</center><center>This is the pain, the pain before the balm</center><center>This is the cold, the cold</center><center>It's the cold before the warm</center><center>These are the tears, the tears before the song</center><center>This is the dark</center><center>Sometimes all I see is this darkness</center><center>Well, can't you feel the darkness</center><center>This is the dark before the dawn</center><center><br /></center><center>I'm just waiting for a change</center><center>Change</center><center>Lord, I'm waiting for the change</center><center><br /></center><center>I had a dream that I was waking</center><center>At the burning edge of dawn</center><center>And I could see the fields of glory</center><center>I could hear the sower's song</center><center><br /></center><center>I had a dream that I was waking</center><center>At the burning edge of dawn</center><center>And all that rain had washed me clean</center><center>All the sorrow was gone</center><center><br /></center><center>I had a dream that I was waking</center><center>At the burning edge of dawn</center><center>And I could finally believe</center><center>The king had loved me all along</center><center><br /></center><center>I had a dream that I was waking</center><center>At the burning edge of dawn</center><center>I saw the sower in the silver mist</center><center>And He was calling me home</center></center></center></center></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="float: left; width: 133.09px;"><ul><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;">#3</span></i></b></ul></div><div style="float: right; width: 532.384px;"><ul><i><span style="font-size: large;"><h2><b style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><i><u> Hallellujah Anyway</u></i></b></h2></span></i></ul></div><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><br /></blockquote><center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/acM0WeAycBI" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><br /></center><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span><br /><div style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; height: 120px; line-height: 26px; overflow: auto; width: 640px;"><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b> </b><b>Lyrics to</b></span></center><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b style="color: #ea9999; text-align: left;">Hallellujah Anyway by </b><b style="color: #ea9999;"><a href="https://rendcollective.com/" target="_blank">Rend Collective</a></b></center><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></center><center><center><center>I'll find a way to praise You</center><center>From the bottom of my broken heart</center><center>'Cause I think I'd rather strike a match than curse the dark</center><center><br /></center><center>Yeah, I'll find a way to thank You</center><center>Though the bitterness is real and hard</center><center>'Cause I'd rather take a chance on hope than fall apart</center><center>I don't think I'm ready to surrender to the dark, no</center><center><br /></center><center>Even if my daylight never dawns</center><center>Even if my breakthrough never comes</center><center>Even if I'll fight to bring You praise</center><center>Even if my dreams fall to the ground</center><center>Even if I'm lost, I know I'm found</center><center>Even if my heart will somehow say</center><center>Hallelujah anyway</center><center><br /></center><center>Yeah, I hear a hymn of triumph</center><center>In thΠ΅ wilderness of my lament</center><center>In thΠ΅ lowlands or the mountain tops, I won't forget</center><center><br /></center><center>All that goodness that You have shown me</center><center>The promises that You have kept</center><center>There's better days on the horizon up ahead</center><center><br /></center><center>Even if my daylight never dawns</center><center>Even if my breakthrough never comes</center><center>Even if I'll fight to bring You praise, oh-oh-oh</center><center><br /></center><center>Even if my dreams fall to the ground</center><center>Even if I'm lost, I know I'm found</center><center>Even if my heart will somehow say</center><center>Hallelujah anyway</center><center><br /></center><center>All c'mon, now</center><center>Let it rise</center><center>Let it rise</center><center>In the dark or the wild</center><center>Oh, my soul stands by</center><center>If you got a soul then sing let it rise</center><center>Let it rise</center><center>Let it rise</center><center>In the dark or the wild</center><center>Oh, my soul stands by</center><center>If you got a soul then sing let it rise</center><center><br /></center><center>Even if my daylight never dawns</center><center>Even if my breakthrough never comes</center><center>Even if I'll fight to bring You praise, oh-oh-oh</center><center>Even if my dreams fall to the ground</center><center>Even if I'm lost, I know I'm found</center><center>Even if my heart will somehow say</center><center>Hallelujah anyway</center><center>Hallelujah anyway (oh, oh, oh)</center></center><center><br /></center></center></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="float: left; width: 133.09px;"><ul><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;">#4</span></i></b></ul></div><div style="float: right; width: 532.384px;"><ul><i><span style="font-size: large;"><h2><b style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><i><u> Battle Is the Lord's</u></i></b></h2></span></i></ul></div><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><br /></blockquote><center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Y3AnfCVAYg" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><br /></center><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span><br /><div style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; height: 120px; line-height: 26px; overflow: auto; width: 640px;"><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b> </b><b>Lyrics to</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>The Battle is the Lord's by <a href="https://www.rebeccastjames.com/" target="_blank">Rebecca St. James</a> </b></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: georgia, garamond, serif;"><b>(feat. Brandon Lake)</b></span></span></center><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></center><center><center><center><center>Why so heavy, oh, my soul?</center><center>Did you forget who's in control?</center><center>If He calls the windβ andβ waves to still</center><center>Heβ holds you now and always will</center><center><br /></center><center>Theβ battle is the Lord's, take courage in the fight</center><center>The weapons of this war are praises lifted high</center><center>My confidence is sure, my God has gone before</center><center>I'll sing into the night, the battle is the Lord's</center><center><br /></center><center>Come be still, oh, anxious heart</center><center>Find rest here in the Father's arms</center><center>In His presence, there is perfect peace</center><center>In His power, there is victory, yeah</center><center><br /></center><center><span style="text-align: left;">The battle is the Lord's, take courage in the fight</span></center><center>The weapons of this war are praises lifted high</center><center>My confidence is sure, my God has gone before</center><center>I'll sing into the night, the battle is the Lord's</center><center><br /></center><center>Here now, Your presence here now</center><center>We are set free now</center><center>Hands lifted high in worship</center><center>Here now, fear has to leave now</center><center>Your kingdom's here now</center><center>Yours is the power and glory (Here now)</center><center>Here now, Your presence here now</center><center>We are set free now</center><center>Hands lifted high in worship (Here now)</center><center>Here now, fear has to leave now</center><center>Your kingdom's here now</center><center>Yours is the power and the glory</center><center>Yours is the power and glory<br /></center></center></center></center></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="float: left; width: 133.09px;"><ul><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;">#5</span></i></b></ul></div><div style="float: right; width: 532.384px;"><ul><i><span style="font-size: large;"><h2><b style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><i><u> Here</u></i></b></h2></span></i></ul></div><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><br /></blockquote><center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YQnBvUiAGsI" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><br /></center><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span><br /><div style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; height: 120px; line-height: 26px; overflow: auto; width: 640px;"><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b> </b><b>Lyrics to</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Here by <a href="https://www.karijobe.com/" target="_blank">Kari Jobe</a></b></span></center><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></center><center><center><center><center><center>Come and rest here</center><center>Come and lay your burdens down</center><center>Come and rest here</center><center>There is refuge for you now</center><center><br /></center><center>You'll find his peace</center><center><br /></center><center>And know you're not alone anymore</center><center>He is near</center><center>You'll find his healing</center><center>You're heart isn't shattered anymore</center><center>He is here</center><center><br /></center><center>Breathe in</center><center>Breathe out</center><center>You will</center><center>You will find him here</center><center><br /></center><center>I will rest in you</center><center><br /></center><center>You will find him</center><center>You will find him here</center><center>You will find him</center><center>You will find him here</center></center></center></center></center></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="float: left; width: 133.09px;"><ul><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;">#6</span></i></b></ul></div><div style="float: right; width: 532.384px;"><ul><i><span style="font-size: large;"><h2><b style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><i><u> Once And For All</u></i></b></h2></span></i></ul></div><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><br /></blockquote><center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5iItYCguD7E" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><br /></center><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span><br /><div style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; height: 120px; line-height: 26px; overflow: auto; width: 640px;"><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b> </b><b>Lyrics to</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Once And For All by <a href="https://laurendaigle.com/" target="_blank">Lauren Daigle</a></b></span></center><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></center><center><center><center><center><center><center>God I give You all I can today</center><center>These scattered ashes that I hid away</center><center>I lay them all at Your feet</center><center><br /></center><center>From the corners of my deepest shame</center><center>The empty places where I've worn Your name</center><center>Show me the love I say I believe</center><center><br /></center><center>Oh Help me to lay it down</center><center>Oh Lord I lay it down</center><center><br /></center><center>Oh let this be where I die</center><center>My lord with thee crucified</center><center>Be lifted high as my Kingdom's fall</center><center>Once and for all, once and for all</center><center><br /></center><center>There is victory in my Saviors loss</center><center>And In the crimson flowing from the cross</center><center>Pour over me, pour over me yes</center><center><br /></center><center>Oh let this be where I die</center><center>My lord with thee crucified</center><center>Be lifted high as my Kingdom's fall</center><center>Once and for all, once and for all</center><center><br /></center><center>Oh Lord I lay it down</center><center>Oh Lord I lay it down</center><center>Help me to lay it down</center><center>Oh Lord I lay it down</center><center><br /></center><center>Oh let this be where I die</center><center>My Lord with thee crucified</center><center>Be lifted high as my Kingdom's fall</center><center>Once and for all</center><center><br /></center><center>Once and for all</center><center>Oh once and for all</center><center>Once and for all</center></center></center></center></center></center></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="float: left; width: 133.09px;"><ul><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;">#7</span></i></b></ul></div><div style="float: right; width: 532.384px;"><ul><i><span style="font-size: large;"><h2><b style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><i><u> Why God</u></i></b></h2></span></i></ul></div><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><br /></blockquote><center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iv_Pf7bDZj4" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><br /></center><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span><br /><div style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; height: 120px; line-height: 26px; overflow: auto; width: 640px;"><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b> </b><b>Lyrics to</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Why God by <a href="http://www.austinfrenchmusic.com/" target="_blank">Austin French</a></b></span></center><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></center><center><center><center><center><center><center><center>Why God</center><center>Do people have to die?</center><center>A daughter or a son</center><center>Sudden and so young</center><center>Long before their time?</center><center>Why God</center><center>Do people fall apart?</center><center>A promise and a ring</center><center>Becomes a broken thing</center><center>A road that got too hard?</center><center>I don't understand</center><center>But I understand</center><center>Why God, I need You</center><center>It's, why God, I run to Your arms</center><center>Over and over again</center><center>It's, why God, I cling to Your love</center><center>And hold on for dear life</center><center>And I find, You are right by my side</center><center>Why God</center><center>Do we feel so alone?</center><center>Every single day</center><center>Fighting through the pain</center><center>Hoping there is hope?</center><center>I don't understand</center><center>But I understand</center><center>Why God, I need You</center><center>It's, why God, I run to Your arms</center><center>Over and over again</center><center>It's why God, I cling to Your love</center><center>And hold on for dear life</center><center>And I find, You are right by my side, ooh...</center><center>Give me a faith stronger than I have</center><center>I need to know when it hurts this bad</center><center>That You hold my heart when it breaks</center><center>And I'm not alone in this place</center><center>That's why God, I need You</center><center>Why God, I run to Your arms</center><center>Over and over again</center><center>It's, why God, I cling to Your love</center><center>And hold on for dear life</center><center>And I find, You are right by my side</center><center>Always right by my side</center><center>Even here in the why... God</center></center></center></center></center></center></center></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="float: left; width: 133.09px;"><ul><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;">#8</span></i></b></ul></div><div style="float: right; width: 532.384px;"><ul><i><span style="font-size: large;"><h2><b style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><i><u>Sovereign Over Us</u></i></b></h2></span></i></ul></div><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><br /></blockquote><center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4x8TZiwPGa0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><br /></center><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span><br /><div style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; height: 120px; line-height: 26px; overflow: auto; width: 640px;"><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b> </b><b>Lyrics to</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Sovereign Over Us by <a href="https://michaelwsmith.com/" target="_blank">Michael W. Smith</a></b></span></center><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></center><center><center><center><center><center><center><center>There is strength within the sorrow</center><center>There is beauty in our tears</center><center>And You meet us in our mourning</center><center>With a love that casts out fear</center><center><br /></center><center>You are working in our waiting</center><center>You're sanctifying us</center><center>When beyond our understanding</center><center>You're teaching us to trust</center><center><br /></center><center>Your plans are still to prosper</center><center>You have not forgotten us</center><center>You're with us in the fire and the flood</center><center>You're faithful forever</center><center>Perfect in love</center><center>You are sovereign over us</center><center><br /></center><center>You are wisdom unimagined</center><center>Who could understand Your ways</center><center>Reigning high above the Heavens</center><center>Reaching down in endless grace</center><center><br /></center><center>You're the lifter of the lowly</center><center>Compassionate and kind</center><center>You surround and You uphold me</center><center>And Your promises are my delight</center><center><br /></center><center>Your plans are still to prosper</center><center>You have not forgotten us</center><center>You're with us in the fire and the flood</center><center>You're faithful forever</center><center>Perfect in love</center><center>You are sovereign over us</center><center><br /></center><center>Your plans are still to prosper</center><center>You have not forgotten us</center><center>You're with us in the fire and the flood</center><center>You're faithful forever</center><center>Perfect in love</center><center>You are sovereign over us</center><center><br /></center><center>Even what the enemy means for evil</center><center>You turn it for our good</center><center>You turn it for our good and for Your glory</center><center><br /></center><center>Even in the valley, You are faithful</center><center>You're working for our good</center><center>You're working for our good and for Your glory</center><center><br /></center><center>Your plans are still to prosper</center><center>You have not forgotten us</center><center>You're with us in the fire and the flood</center><center>You're faithful forever</center><center>Perfect in love</center><center>You are sovereign over us</center><center>You're faithful forever</center><center>Perfect in love</center><center>You are sovereign over us</center></center></center></center></center></center></center></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="float: left; width: 133.09px;"><ul><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;">#9</span></i></b></ul></div><div style="float: right; width: 532.384px;"><ul><i><span style="font-size: large;"><h2><b style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><i><u>Shepherd of my Soul</u></i></b></h2></span></i></ul></div><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><br /></blockquote><center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P4S8ne-xU0E" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><br /></center><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span><br /><div style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; height: 120px; line-height: 26px; overflow: auto; width: 640px;"><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b> </b><b>Lyrics to</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Shepherd Of My Soul by <a href="https://riversandrobots.com/" target="_blank">Rivers and Robots</a></b></span></center><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></center><center><center><center><center><center><center><center><center>Lord of the mountains and sea </center><center>You are treading a path set for me </center><center>God of the seasons and sky </center><center>You have always been holding my life </center><center><br /></center><center>And Lord, You are the shepherd of my soul </center><center>So I lay down my plans, I give up my rights </center><center>And let You take control of this surrendered life </center><center><br /></center><center>So I put my trust in the one </center><center>Who created the stars and the sun </center><center>You are eternally kind </center><center>Always faithful and endlessly wise </center><center><br /></center><center>You comfort, You sustain </center><center>In shaking You remain </center><center>Unmoved and unafraid </center><center>Forever and always </center><center>You lead me by still waters </center><center>Lead me through the valleys </center><center>Lead me in Your wisdom </center><center>Shepherd of my soul </center><center><br /></center><center>Through valleys of shadow and death I am not afraid </center><center>By my Fatherβs breath every star in the sky was made </center><center>And who can I fear when Youβre standing right here by my side? </center><center>Always leading, protecting and guarding my left and my right </center><center><br /></center><center>Father You make all things new </center><center>Great God of creation </center><center>Father You will always be my rock and salvation</center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div style="float: left; width: 133.09px;"><ul><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;">10</span></i></b></ul></div><div style="float: right; width: 532.384px;"><ul><i><span style="font-size: large;"><h2><b style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><i><u>I Will Wait For You</u></i></b></h2></span></i></ul></div><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><br /></blockquote><center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l8pCbtLeXzc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><br /></center><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span><br /><div style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; height: 120px; line-height: 26px; overflow: auto; width: 640px;"><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b> </b><b>Lyrics to</b></span></center><center style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: georgia, garamond, serif;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>I Will Wait For You (Psalm 130)</b></span><b style="font-size: 16px;"> by <a href="https://www.shaneandshane.com/" target="_blank">Shane and Shane</a></b></span></center><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></center><center><center><center><center><center><center><center><center><center>Out of the depths I cry to You</center><center>In darkest places I will call</center><center>Incline Your ear to me anew</center><center>And hear my cry for mercy Lord</center><center><br /></center><center>Were You to count my sinful ways</center><center>How could I come before Your throne</center><center>Yet full forgiveness meets my gaze</center><center>I stand redeemed by grace alone</center><center><br /></center><center>Yeah, I will wait for You, I will wait for You</center><center>On Your word I will rely</center><center>And I will wait for You, surely wait for You</center><center>'Til my soul is satisfied</center><center><br /></center><center>So put Your hope in God alone</center><center>Take courage in His power to save</center><center>Completely and forever won</center><center>By Christ emerging from the grave</center><center><br /></center><center>I will wait for You, I will wait for You</center><center>On Your word I will rely</center><center>I will wait for You, surely wait for You</center><center>'Til my soul is satisfied</center><center><br /></center><center>Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh</center><center>Ooh-ooh-ooh</center><center><br /></center><center>Now He has come to make a way</center><center>And God Himself has paid the price</center><center>That all who trust in Him today</center><center>Find healing in His sacrifice</center><center>That all who trust in Him today</center><center>Find healing in His sacrifice</center><center><br /></center><center>I will wait for You, I will wait for You</center><center>Through the storm and through the night</center><center>I will wait for You, surely wait for You</center><center>For Your love is my delight</center><center><br /></center><center>Oh, I will wait for You, I will wait for You</center><center>Through the storm and through the night</center><center>I will wait for You, surely wait for You</center><center>For Your love is my delight</center><center><br /></center><center>I will wait for You, I will wait for You</center><center>Through the storm and through the night</center><center>I will wait for You, surely wait for You</center><center>For Your love is my delight</center><center><br /></center><center>Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh</center><center>Oh-oh-oh-oh</center><center>Oh, You are my delight</center><center>You're my delight</center><center><br /></center><center>I will wait for You, I will wait for You</center><center>On Your word I will rely</center><center>I will wait for You, surely wait for You</center><center>'Til my soul is satisfied</center><center>I will wait for You, I will wait for You</center><center>On Your word I will rely</center><center>I will wait for You, surely wait for You</center><center>'Til my soul is satisfied</center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><div style="float: left; width: 133.09px;"><ul><b><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: xx-large;">11</span></i></b></ul></div><div style="float: right; width: 532.384px;"><ul><i><span style="font-size: large;"><h2><b style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><i><u>One Day</u></i></b></h2></span></i></ul></div><br /><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><br /></blockquote><center>BONUS! </center><center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fu2UY88yHNc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><br /></center><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span><br /><div style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; height: 120px; line-height: 26px; overflow: auto; width: 640px;"><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><b> </b><b>Lyrics to</b></span></center><center><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: georgia, garamond, serif;"><span><span style="text-align: left;"><b>One Day (When We All Get To Heaven)</b></span><b style="font-size: 16px;"> by <a href="https://mattredman.com/" target="_blank">Matt Redman</a></b></span></span></center><center style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></center><center><center><center><center><center><center><center><center><center><center>One day You'll make everything new, Jesus</center><center>One day You will bind every wound</center><center>The former things shall all pass away</center><center>No more tears</center><center><br /></center><center>One day You'll make sense of it all, Jesus</center><center>One day every question resolved</center><center>Every anxious thought left behind</center><center>No more fear</center><center><br /></center><center>When we all get to heaven</center><center>What a day of rejoicing that will be</center><center>When we all see Jesus</center><center>We'll sing and shout the victory</center><center><br /></center><center>One day we will see face to face, Jesus</center><center>Is there a greater vision of grace</center><center>And in a moment, we shall be changed</center><center>On that day</center><center><br /></center><center>And one day we'll be free, free indeed, Jesus</center><center>One day all this struggle will cease</center><center>And we will see Your glory revealed</center><center>On that day</center><center><br /></center><center>And when we all get to heaven</center><center>What a day of rejoicing that will be</center><center>When we all see Jesus</center><center>We'll sing and shout the victory</center><center><br /></center><center>Yes, when we all get to heaven</center><center>What a day of rejoicing that will be</center><center>And when we all see Jesus</center><center>We'll sing and shout the victory</center><center><br /></center><center>Oh one day, one day</center><center>Yes, one day we will see face to face, Jesus</center><center>Is there a greater vision of grace?</center><center>And in a moment, we shall be changed</center><center>Yes, in a moment, we shall be changed</center><center>In a moment, we shall be changed</center><center>On that day</center><center><br /></center><center>When we all get to heaven</center><center>What a day of rejoicing that will be</center><center>When we all see Jesus</center><center>We'll sing and shout the victory</center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></center></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><i><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><u><br /></u></span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><u>Reflection time! </u></span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">What are you going through right now? </span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Who are your closest friends and what is it about them that makes them so special to you?</span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">Besides God, His word, and other people, what are other things you turn to to find comfort in? </span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #8e7cc3;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #8e7cc3;">What songs are theraputic for you? Please share them with us in the comments below to make this collection of songs more complete!</span></i> π<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #e06666;">Happy Jaming!</span></i></div><div style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #e06666;">comment, follow, subscribe, and don't be shy!</span></i></div></div><div style="font-family: georgia, garamond, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span></i></div><div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /> <i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β</i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> For More Optimistic Reads </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β </i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2017/03/a-weight-lifted.html" target="_blank">A Weight Lifted</a></li><li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2016/05/gangster-redemption.html" target="_blank">Gangster Redemption</a></li><li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2016/12/music-artists-i-discovered-and-fell-in.html" target="_blank">Favorite Songs of 2016</a></li></ul></div>
</div></div></div></div>Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-90999080169782985082022-12-04T09:53:00.002-06:002022-12-10T16:53:08.125-06:00Blogmas Day Four In Snapshots<p> <i><b><span style="font-family: arial;">You know it has been a long day when my blog entries consist of more photos than text. After a long day (and weekend!), sometimes just doing a photo dump and going to bed early is what is best! I began my day with church, then attended and helped host a graduation party for a close friend. following that, I attended a neat show done by <a href="https://piercingword.org/" target="_blank">Piercing Word</a> called "The Advent of Christmas". Piercing Word is a really neat Theatrical Ministry in Lancaster PA that puts on musicals with scripts consisting of only all memorized biblical scripture. It is pretty interesting and impressive. Before ending my day at home composing this blog entry and winding down for the night, I ended my day out back at church for our annual tree lighting event, in which I volunteered to help the kids make ornaments for it! Now I'm pooped, and ready to turn in for the night. Peace and Blessings.</span></b></i></p><center><span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">____________________________</span></center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><center><span style="color: black;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghl8NX7j1NuYNgVCd7BZIV97_PDkgXnGVttwFbEOyaWtMyuDkC3xIo09JGFqWxf6b7k6fzjHn2SnVg1WbrWcMEjOJuax2NKz5OkAFjhAdrDarfcRl1-mJLD4Z-5T_XFUjF7OK_6tNjZuShreFdTC1B_Um8oMueNV1m3q4rhmgA0YNJP_1kam6Wq3NM/s4032/IMG_6040.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghl8NX7j1NuYNgVCd7BZIV97_PDkgXnGVttwFbEOyaWtMyuDkC3xIo09JGFqWxf6b7k6fzjHn2SnVg1WbrWcMEjOJuax2NKz5OkAFjhAdrDarfcRl1-mJLD4Z-5T_XFUjF7OK_6tNjZuShreFdTC1B_Um8oMueNV1m3q4rhmgA0YNJP_1kam6Wq3NM/w640-h480/IMG_6040.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little quiet time to start the day before I hit the ground running...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobc0WOOBJqRR7l4W0MNrhbfMyUbF26DFgt2t9ioRleSEBeJ-bZMKPs0gZ0ntYHkVafzF4_HCvsz2IhziYVpl70AM7-Fq9QEvMnRAglkNG9Bv71mBUIj6emQaeoJ7UprmwfaXtXWb1bi6wAfzyM0-mx_HKQfwCbMRE8fJ699O1g5-SOXHYkEA9RvR6/s4032/IMG_1619.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgobc0WOOBJqRR7l4W0MNrhbfMyUbF26DFgt2t9ioRleSEBeJ-bZMKPs0gZ0ntYHkVafzF4_HCvsz2IhziYVpl70AM7-Fq9QEvMnRAglkNG9Bv71mBUIj6emQaeoJ7UprmwfaXtXWb1bi6wAfzyM0-mx_HKQfwCbMRE8fJ699O1g5-SOXHYkEA9RvR6/w640-h480/IMG_1619.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7rZoxcUNh7Uj5TdEdeLXXcWmxjutrNXN1xuLKdzsoYupaI_Hh7tPKwFKptCY1hflIjYRfTUxgmU1cE5mIkeNyfkybnoh0fytyu6JGSFTx7b9Ex7yImpPno0A3gU8MyeZQd3UP0Om5Mndpzy5s7m6CFzmans08G_0Vi-3oM0AsqpHJoxuNJfz5PPy/s4032/IMG_1614.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbazUrOsqqyKRX2_0aONKRUL8aCFWy45RLduC-qAeZU7uIXgWRq8visRsM87qA63KdtTwFgiCK0uPrPtjr7PJLnoClIQdF8esMryXmd29JA3nhWv3kK95FqDMArzOHqioQJozWVTch6bdsnOiLNnp9x16SxgyrymtP2yqjc8CibRFjxK_-II5EO56R/s4032/6D5CDDA9-642F-4DF1-AFAB-0EE495D844FD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbazUrOsqqyKRX2_0aONKRUL8aCFWy45RLduC-qAeZU7uIXgWRq8visRsM87qA63KdtTwFgiCK0uPrPtjr7PJLnoClIQdF8esMryXmd29JA3nhWv3kK95FqDMArzOHqioQJozWVTch6bdsnOiLNnp9x16SxgyrymtP2yqjc8CibRFjxK_-II5EO56R/w480-h640/6D5CDDA9-642F-4DF1-AFAB-0EE495D844FD.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyarmjB-mZQ8JtzkeMC48ogVTisXng3CIyNeQ2tNUPTx18AS0HjywtFE2DtTNu6JoHS6CeQ3IsyR5Yx0y62Rk533ZTsqzEZR8oNMpS2fbxh10DRc270u20cAKhaFJYzJ-byVpb-SNDD4iSAdjon-kS7tiS_0Um628ADwWLbKJXcI8VVBPvOamiVRpm/s4032/IMG_1621.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyarmjB-mZQ8JtzkeMC48ogVTisXng3CIyNeQ2tNUPTx18AS0HjywtFE2DtTNu6JoHS6CeQ3IsyR5Yx0y62Rk533ZTsqzEZR8oNMpS2fbxh10DRc270u20cAKhaFJYzJ-byVpb-SNDD4iSAdjon-kS7tiS_0Um628ADwWLbKJXcI8VVBPvOamiVRpm/w640-h480/IMG_1621.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></center><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><i style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">Happy Blogmas !</span></i></span></span></h2><center></center><center><br /></center><center>-Signing out!</center><center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCkDA_XaihPrEe5R5VT_D1yYo9sHQ4PZ0Pc_NU2-0upsNCxHfYrSg6C4Hfd4XphzoDG3jeAdZSsiS-7EO-aNnOcu0pmnKYqDh74zuNTvxnKGC3o3vwqrd-W1vgDsqhv3AgKs8YFc0lWE/s1600/2mg5i7q.jpg" style="background-color: white; color: #b87209; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="70" data-original-width="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCkDA_XaihPrEe5R5VT_D1yYo9sHQ4PZ0Pc_NU2-0upsNCxHfYrSg6C4Hfd4XphzoDG3jeAdZSsiS-7EO-aNnOcu0pmnKYqDh74zuNTvxnKGC3o3vwqrd-W1vgDsqhv3AgKs8YFc0lWE/s1600/2mg5i7q.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" /></a></center><center><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: black;">______________________________________________</span></center><center><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" style="text-align: left;" /><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; text-align: left;">β</i><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"> For More Optimistic Reads </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; text-align: left;">β </i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" style="text-align: left;" /></center><center><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2022/12/blogmas-2022.html" target="_blank">December Bucketlist</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2022/12/two-let-festivities-begin-this-evening.html" target="_blank">It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas- Day Two</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2022/12/crazy-blogmas-day-three.html" target="_blank">Crazy Blogmas Day Three</a></li></ul></center>Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-5957877653494372582022-12-03T22:43:00.004-06:002022-12-05T22:59:51.847-06:00Crazy Blogmas Day Three<center><center><h2><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><i>- Blogmas Day Three . Nutcracker and Makers Market Haul ! -</i></span></span> </span></h2></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Y7xPbqGQiPF45LFm_dpqAuhWQ9UKj__ti0uOXNvVqEMfJz6XTkdfgu48MWB_eV1AANUdu9MekBy_KYP2tZ6UfKQhdXsd0TVDP0mTTFV0ZWnzPl8R2nj1dT48z4a1SYyMhIlKv95ZjVpTfPOR6rYbz_0gbKPGDwzYbvhm6wpd9xfwmpoQ9VPNSljg/s2576/IMG_1574.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="1932" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Y7xPbqGQiPF45LFm_dpqAuhWQ9UKj__ti0uOXNvVqEMfJz6XTkdfgu48MWB_eV1AANUdu9MekBy_KYP2tZ6UfKQhdXsd0TVDP0mTTFV0ZWnzPl8R2nj1dT48z4a1SYyMhIlKv95ZjVpTfPOR6rYbz_0gbKPGDwzYbvhm6wpd9xfwmpoQ9VPNSljg/s320/IMG_1574.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and the Nut :)</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Busy times! It looks like I'm about to knock out </i></b></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>nearly half of my </i></b></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2022/12/blogmas-2022.html" target="_blank">December Bucketlist</a></i></b></span></div></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i> in just one weekend! Yes, busy times for sure, but also fun - lots of parties, church events, Christmas shows, gift exchanges etc. This month is definitely not without the challenging balancing act of how to best spend our time, money, and also energy too (which I often forget to take into consideration) without burning out! I hope this introvert makes it through the month with all the social engagements I've committed </i></b></span><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>myself to. Ready or not, here it all comes! Can you relate?</i></b></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></b></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></b></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>Hey then! Let's breathe deeply, take it all in stride, and make sure we count our blessings as we go! </i>π </b></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">____________________________</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><br /></b></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><br /></b></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: xx-large;">This Morning,</span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"> </span> I started my day by stopping by the Lancaster County Christian School Holiday Craft Show. I really enjoyed the experience and meeting some of the vendors. My original intention for attending the craft show was to show support to some special friends of mine who were selling their amazing creations to the world as </span>first-time craft show vendors, which I thought was really exciting and inspirational! Participating as a vendor in a maker's market myself is something I have always dreamed about doing. I also ended up getting a little shopping done as well!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7m_16KhFauSTeVSkTaCIaWV12Aj7jL4ip1CvBLI1DK87FvjnrwqBlPS_L7erCcX7FOb3p9H8pVqhWTJ5DaXfZu9Pu0u4j5Bvxyv8T_EJWuyf8G3AjkC2s1r-SCfQBKlfF-LODa7zMzx7JNheW9EyHMWc4g0T1LiU4amYCtLMLLMWRafTnn4G7iuFa/s4032/IMG_1562.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7m_16KhFauSTeVSkTaCIaWV12Aj7jL4ip1CvBLI1DK87FvjnrwqBlPS_L7erCcX7FOb3p9H8pVqhWTJ5DaXfZu9Pu0u4j5Bvxyv8T_EJWuyf8G3AjkC2s1r-SCfQBKlfF-LODa7zMzx7JNheW9EyHMWc4g0T1LiU4amYCtLMLLMWRafTnn4G7iuFa/w640-h480/IMG_1562.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><center><br /></center><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIPOgDPAUXRG1NhlC_1wsoSaes9bC1VNeCTOA4y5nJsgIWTkGdJp_CA_T1295QVUkNZdW9jTPWNYz443PtbM94_AhceXbrEkdxRh0A6ImNbwwgjueSdAsJttxipc0GoqUnJenkD2ZcfvdPjaoZ37PCqITqCID4OoyfKDmj6ls5ulGlkSh_oiBLijM/s4032/IMG_1563.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIPOgDPAUXRG1NhlC_1wsoSaes9bC1VNeCTOA4y5nJsgIWTkGdJp_CA_T1295QVUkNZdW9jTPWNYz443PtbM94_AhceXbrEkdxRh0A6ImNbwwgjueSdAsJttxipc0GoqUnJenkD2ZcfvdPjaoZ37PCqITqCID4OoyfKDmj6ls5ulGlkSh_oiBLijM/w640-h480/IMG_1563.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwIxGqmMT5jWScHZ4VzvPoopi6Wi0ibcmEbBcjWYKG8LisaKwkUZAI1W4bWUIDhzNZD04cVZy2dmUBpuP_oV0HJYdmnQrV-4KIoFXOwokHkZiNh2TFlaV11MP323qI8rqWUF0cPhfh4GgB-2NdYbgL1kV4OMZBUv7KlbkPTynXSZyxvk8HEDiNOvf/s4032/IMG_1566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwIxGqmMT5jWScHZ4VzvPoopi6Wi0ibcmEbBcjWYKG8LisaKwkUZAI1W4bWUIDhzNZD04cVZy2dmUBpuP_oV0HJYdmnQrV-4KIoFXOwokHkZiNh2TFlaV11MP323qI8rqWUF0cPhfh4GgB-2NdYbgL1kV4OMZBUv7KlbkPTynXSZyxvk8HEDiNOvf/w640-h480/IMG_1566.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friends at their lovely stand! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></center><center><br /></center><center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndUywXEMW2EYAre7vwGcL6HQEbnMEke_pJW5vypIg20q7QULzKifjUM1sTOl4HOrhs8l9cqjooz0cGdKFmsxNB5ISKrGfstT2nq9M6xfIijlNlK9h2szE2CuYGB_KUxxByjW_FYoGHT5DtJPyqZLrwPx2s9hzv803UGMmBQXTcDl36dH26qBRATJp/s3024/IMG_1570.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndUywXEMW2EYAre7vwGcL6HQEbnMEke_pJW5vypIg20q7QULzKifjUM1sTOl4HOrhs8l9cqjooz0cGdKFmsxNB5ISKrGfstT2nq9M6xfIijlNlK9h2szE2CuYGB_KUxxByjW_FYoGHT5DtJPyqZLrwPx2s9hzv803UGMmBQXTcDl36dH26qBRATJp/w640-h640/IMG_1570.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what I bought: A few books, some fun cookies, and some crocheted items, all to be gifted!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: xx-large;">In The Afternoon,</span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"> </span> I attended the local Nutcracker with another dear friend of mine, one of my students. It had been years since I had last seen the Nutcracker! Put on by the "<a href="https://vyballet.com/" target="_blank">Viktor Yeliohin International Ballet Academy</a>", It was cute and we has a good time.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPkMDQJpQOVZhMj1MlHca39tBhevDmSyTOmdl8S4zLhP-apVFQN4iOxg6fi8X0hOVC-39Vxp7EU1pCjwOVn5X2XAoQOEkj-K953H5gHiZCerS1CLRLJy0gym06mCVWWzjvhTETp7oplFB4doxeTAM2Cc4ASckh710m6SZMi4nYke3U9sy95zDHhDX/s3024/IMG_1585.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPkMDQJpQOVZhMj1MlHca39tBhevDmSyTOmdl8S4zLhP-apVFQN4iOxg6fi8X0hOVC-39Vxp7EU1pCjwOVn5X2XAoQOEkj-K953H5gHiZCerS1CLRLJy0gym06mCVWWzjvhTETp7oplFB4doxeTAM2Cc4ASckh710m6SZMi4nYke3U9sy95zDHhDX/w640-h640/IMG_1585.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><center><br /></center><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOV8SxUUDFiDt99gcakuHKiDLpZ3IE3JeMQme20ukZ4LGtvt4dYXF8mNdgxF4wiAS2uJo4oXj3KWKcKkydoAAIUVIc164Gh2a2y5hE0R8FwXOKc5OL4JRSXlQUTN2iJihWNSWOiY0epOAuREIJvjnFsVYmJ11i8iUkG2yPa2rH-80jgbZsIXGZDWr/s1005/XXRP4086.JPEG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOV8SxUUDFiDt99gcakuHKiDLpZ3IE3JeMQme20ukZ4LGtvt4dYXF8mNdgxF4wiAS2uJo4oXj3KWKcKkydoAAIUVIc164Gh2a2y5hE0R8FwXOKc5OL4JRSXlQUTN2iJihWNSWOiY0epOAuREIJvjnFsVYmJ11i8iUkG2yPa2rH-80jgbZsIXGZDWr/w478-h640/XXRP4086.JPEG" width="478" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Cheese!" π·</td></tr></tbody></table><center><br /></center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFY5MOvLOZAmh71Yx3Dtl3cvY_37Q9lEahwdPEcnhDvlMOrL7Wl4jOqZENowbP6fhqsaozLga9vKMx8wIQQqgB9MmxSreihnl4x7WmiHlVGgrLXNs9qswFZ5zNDhHxkw_fh8IWnh3LaYIfesfZddJ0leQWIiW1YZQblDCjbhHr4l55tq_54E1dfQN/s4032/IMG_1579.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFY5MOvLOZAmh71Yx3Dtl3cvY_37Q9lEahwdPEcnhDvlMOrL7Wl4jOqZENowbP6fhqsaozLga9vKMx8wIQQqgB9MmxSreihnl4x7WmiHlVGgrLXNs9qswFZ5zNDhHxkw_fh8IWnh3LaYIfesfZddJ0leQWIiW1YZQblDCjbhHr4l55tq_54E1dfQN/w640-h480/IMG_1579.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bravo!</td></tr></tbody></table><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuuVJlp2we_PQ7s9N-a65QVYKK-c2jHWvqPRK_LcnxivWIVXeeq48x3Y4aAGNCg7xMjW4MtSNE6tY3mSCI6k7FvOaFQupkY5qC7QWW7Gk-QtrhEKDLXl3hz7ZiyUyXzzsTRSe-VijQzt5F8zqr_-Chl3qTkxKnCrABgUOLNZcKF_VZcJWwpS72tba/s5376/IMAG0178.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5376" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuuVJlp2we_PQ7s9N-a65QVYKK-c2jHWvqPRK_LcnxivWIVXeeq48x3Y4aAGNCg7xMjW4MtSNE6tY3mSCI6k7FvOaFQupkY5qC7QWW7Gk-QtrhEKDLXl3hz7ZiyUyXzzsTRSe-VijQzt5F8zqr_-Chl3qTkxKnCrABgUOLNZcKF_VZcJWwpS72tba/w360-h640/IMAG0178.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thought I would share a pic from when I was in<br />The Nutcracker. I believe I was 13 or 14 here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: xx-large;">Then,</span><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"> </span> I went home to prep things for my tomorrow, which is going to be even <i>more full</i> and <i>more crazy</i> but I guess you will just have to stay tuned to hear more about it!! I think the following picture captures it well... All those bags...No, they are not groceries, No, they are not trash, <i>but</i> all those bags are what I will be loading into my car tomorrow morning and are what is needed for all my Sunday adventures. </center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCar8FZADiI4HurGIDYwvJyVcVVhit6hyy-gTpxX6fUI5pP8RP63Rb8D_5gQ6C0rAQ7J2clwvixal_drPJ89yUkw2WYSzqFBjce4yyQd1qHzC1ltXHuHvsoWn6PU8UqxmIE4WEKf6MXF5vlrgqheEAsNse0VZRv2AQbQd6uPYdPK4pEAFk9Vlfy-t/s4032/IMG_1589.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoCar8FZADiI4HurGIDYwvJyVcVVhit6hyy-gTpxX6fUI5pP8RP63Rb8D_5gQ6C0rAQ7J2clwvixal_drPJ89yUkw2WYSzqFBjce4yyQd1qHzC1ltXHuHvsoWn6PU8UqxmIE4WEKf6MXF5vlrgqheEAsNse0VZRv2AQbQd6uPYdPK4pEAFk9Vlfy-t/w640-h480/IMG_1589.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></center><h2></h2><h1><center><center style="text-align: center;"></center></center></h1><h2 style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><i style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: x-large;">... Stay Tuned !</span></i></span></span></h2><center><div></div></center><center><br /></center><center></center><center>π</center><center><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: black;">______________________________________________</span></center><center><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" style="text-align: left;" /><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; text-align: left;">β</i><span style="font-size: x-large; text-align: left;"> For More Optimistic Reads </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; text-align: left;">β </i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" style="text-align: left;" /></center>
Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-32010511432959984892022-12-02T03:33:00.020-06:002022-12-03T03:50:08.925-06:00Itβs Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas<center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><center><center><h2><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><i>- Blogmas Day Two . Let The Festivities Begin ! -</i></span></span> </span></h2></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>This evening was the annual Christmas party held for Cavod's <a href="https://cavod.org/citylight-dance-theatre/" target="_blank">Citylight</a> dancers and hosted by my co-worker Jill and I. I always enjoy connecting with my students outside of the dance studio. We had such a great time! </i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> I honestly have not felt very Christmasy this year. Not yet. I don't think I have ever before experienced a year like this feeling so empty, unenthusiastic, and unprepared regarding the holiday season. I have no tree up, no gifts bought, no tunes playing. It's not that I'm feeling like a grinch or anything. December has just come so fast out of nowhere! I'm simply not ready for it, neither practically or emotionally. But ready or not, it is here!</span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This evening's party was the most Christmasy thing I have done so far (I guess it is <i>only </i>the second day of December). It ended up being so fun and good for my soul even though I started the top of the day feeling exhausted and later stressing slightly about all the preparations needing to be done. I think the social anxiety I get sometimes before parties (even parties for my students) had something to do with it, but everything went so wonderfully smooth. I ended the day feeling more relaxed than when it started.</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We shared dinner together potluck style, did a White Elephant Gift Swap, played charades "Christmas Carol" style, and made gingerbread houses which I think was my favorite part! I found these three-dollar gingerbread house frames at Ollies (It was a totally amazing find!), and the students did not disappoint when it came to fulfilling our request of them to bring diverse and the-best-of-the-best candy toppings/ house decorations. </span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b><br /></b></span></i></center><center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUZXnLcITIijawbTfQymwzwhmxzHPw_i7y5nNK6YWv2_rzfMCNmlkmgXIjm9KZdudlFUjCusgSzQecqdnRN8pt0KXUxyk52PmwMdDpV4Vqu5ySyXzfxjkQHqVI1o2j_ZQEpl2wsHT8F2biyc8ovcUqLzM-jVPGzsIE86dvc0aMK6fEqeBbXdjMwys/s4032/IMG_1544.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUZXnLcITIijawbTfQymwzwhmxzHPw_i7y5nNK6YWv2_rzfMCNmlkmgXIjm9KZdudlFUjCusgSzQecqdnRN8pt0KXUxyk52PmwMdDpV4Vqu5ySyXzfxjkQHqVI1o2j_ZQEpl2wsHT8F2biyc8ovcUqLzM-jVPGzsIE86dvc0aMK6fEqeBbXdjMwys/w640-h480/IMG_1544.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nom nom nom...</td></tr></tbody></table></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FCz75gPvsXGyTrk-nA4X71e99hG4WtovUJbglEIBYUht3M7YNcu9M32IFPMQnFbbI87WjFQpzRRrHQZlkgW7WSYRsG45TRepscHoL-d00jbb_k6CrnOZPVKz7bJL3LXC96G6klwZ30geYdsEas5mYvTSioxxfuMzSngJtJPgxE-o0nXiIAhO6Fci/s4032/IMG_1550.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FCz75gPvsXGyTrk-nA4X71e99hG4WtovUJbglEIBYUht3M7YNcu9M32IFPMQnFbbI87WjFQpzRRrHQZlkgW7WSYRsG45TRepscHoL-d00jbb_k6CrnOZPVKz7bJL3LXC96G6klwZ30geYdsEas5mYvTSioxxfuMzSngJtJPgxE-o0nXiIAhO6Fci/w640-h480/IMG_1550.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jill and I made the one in the middle, "Confetti Christmas"! π You can ignore the fact that there might<br />be a little problem with its construction. It held up all night!</td></tr></tbody></table><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKP3BTg1gcZTJNc3s--CvSi1igdGe57UvoRwiU5Hbac4MBRozxBsBCc31k2avdJSOsYBVQc9PNkm1iTC4smyfa9jhaRgIZAfA7RJGQ2SIfeRYXqh3TBvS2cVON9E9kYhIj0DNb_mIzgFVzq-XepgdMVBvIq68jhmuOJ8VMwWMky9qxKPIf7FMLhseW/s1024/IMG_4691.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKP3BTg1gcZTJNc3s--CvSi1igdGe57UvoRwiU5Hbac4MBRozxBsBCc31k2avdJSOsYBVQc9PNkm1iTC4smyfa9jhaRgIZAfA7RJGQ2SIfeRYXqh3TBvS2cVON9E9kYhIj0DNb_mIzgFVzq-XepgdMVBvIq68jhmuOJ8VMwWMky9qxKPIf7FMLhseW/w640-h480/IMG_4691.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Despite my lack of feeling the "Christmas Spirit" lately, there is no shortage regarding the gratitude <br />I have in my heart for the people God has put in my life this season.</td></tr></tbody></table><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">One Christmas party down, several more on the horizon; I can't tell if they are helping cultivate more "Christmas Spirit" in me...or if all the planning, prepping, and shopping they require is just making me more exhausted. Ah, tis the season. <i>But</i> I know all of it is worth it in the end seeing the smiling faces of the people around me I get to serve, fellowship, and celebrate with. I know "Christmas Spirit" has little to do with the reason for the season anyway. I will FOREVER be in dumbfounded awe and wonder over the precious give granted to us in the form of the little baby who grew up to live the perfect life we could not, die a sinners death he did not deserve, and then raise to life to finish the work that brings us peace, and wholeness, freedom, and right-standing with God. </center><center style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></i></center><center style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></i></center><center style="text-align: left;"><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">" My soul magnifies the Lord , </i></span></span></h2><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: small;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,"</i></span></span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">Luke 1:46-47</span></div></center><center style="text-align: left;"><div></div></center><center><br /></center><center></center><center><span style="color: black;">π</span></center><center><span style="color: black;">______________________________________________</span></center><center><span style="color: black;">Thanks for stopping by! Comment and say Hi!</span></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Have You Read... </span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /></div></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></center>
Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-75066032851205822312022-12-01T17:04:00.213-06:002022-12-04T23:33:11.131-06:00Blogmas 2022
<center><i><br /></i></center><center><center><h2><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><i>- Blogmas Day One . Feels Good to be Blogging Again ! -</i></span></span> </span></h2></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b><i> </i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Well, here we are. December 2022. I've decided to give Blogmas a go again this year. For those of you who don't know Blogmas is </span></i></b></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>when bloggers everywhere commit to posting daily material pertaining to Christmas, lasting for 25 days starting the 1st of December and leading up until Christmas day! It is a fun way to get into the Christmas and blogging "spirit", and since I've lost my rhythm with getting content out, what better way to get back into it, and a festive way at that!</i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> I am not sure that I will always have very interesting things to blog about every day this month, but I guess we will see. The fun part will be simply documenting it as it unfolds. It is easy for me to see my simple </span>redundant teaching-dance-all-the-time-life as rather predictable and unfascinating, but one of the things I love about keeping this blog is that it forces me to take a closer look at my day and note all of the smaller but just as important and precious things that take place in it, in an effort to scrounge up something interesting to tell you all about, giving me opportunity to discover things I can be grateful for that I might have otherwise overlooked. Over the next couple of days, you will be hearing about many of the mundane happenings I will be experiencing, but also about some of the special moments too! I'm sure throughout the month you will also be hearing about the lessons God is teaching me, and </span></i></b><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial;">I will see what I can do about slipping a DIY or holiday recipe in there too somewhere if I can. </span> </i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b><br /></b></span></i></center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRbCxXhe4gxt1zpSc_bQLDWg6TMqqqdw07be3KlvT6B2JilyJIAuzd856oAGjGh1_c7J99ga1wSCUUAUTF_88w8Sn6962D5_jXuqr0_oCRIK8XeMl4Y3FCz9wnir-QVx0jMRa55kzWLPeIduudOL5aZ0BrPHyISeks-yDBhHa5CxH7vyt7YU8RUGV/s3024/IMG_1513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRbCxXhe4gxt1zpSc_bQLDWg6TMqqqdw07be3KlvT6B2JilyJIAuzd856oAGjGh1_c7J99ga1wSCUUAUTF_88w8Sn6962D5_jXuqr0_oCRIK8XeMl4Y3FCz9wnir-QVx0jMRa55kzWLPeIduudOL5aZ0BrPHyISeks-yDBhHa5CxH7vyt7YU8RUGV/w640-h640/IMG_1513.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful Christmas tree at <a href="https://cavod.org/" target="_blank">Cavod Performing Arts</a>!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Today I will begin Blogmas 2022 by simply sharing with you all my bucket list for the month of December! Enjoy!</b></span></i></center><center style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></i></center><center style="text-align: left;"><div><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">- DECEMBER BUCKETLIST -</span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Finish a book</li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Go ice-skating</li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li style="text-align: left;">See the Nutcracker</li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Attend a holiday Makers Market</li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Build a gingerbread house</li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Go see Christmas lights</li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Make Christmas cards</li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Bake cookies</li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Attend the Christmas Eve Church Service</li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><li style="text-align: left;">Successfully participate in Blogmas all 25 days</li></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">π</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999;">____________________________</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div></center><center><center></center><center><br /></center><center><i>25 days until Christmas! </i><i style="text-align: left;">What will you be up to this month? </i></center><center><i style="text-align: left;">Stop by for some more daily Blogmas updates from me!</i></center><center><i>Love you, my dear readers!</i></center><center></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCkDA_XaihPrEe5R5VT_D1yYo9sHQ4PZ0Pc_NU2-0upsNCxHfYrSg6C4Hfd4XphzoDG3jeAdZSsiS-7EO-aNnOcu0pmnKYqDh74zuNTvxnKGC3o3vwqrd-W1vgDsqhv3AgKs8YFc0lWE/s1600/2mg5i7q.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="70" data-original-width="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCkDA_XaihPrEe5R5VT_D1yYo9sHQ4PZ0Pc_NU2-0upsNCxHfYrSg6C4Hfd4XphzoDG3jeAdZSsiS-7EO-aNnOcu0pmnKYqDh74zuNTvxnKGC3o3vwqrd-W1vgDsqhv3AgKs8YFc0lWE/s1600/2mg5i7q.jpg" /></a></div></center><center></center><center><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span></center><center><span style="color: #ea9999;">______________________________________________</span></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Have You Read... </span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /></div></center><center><br /></center><div><ul>
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</ul></ul></div>Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-66322340016668192832022-09-20T07:09:00.000-06:002022-09-20T07:09:43.533-06:00Testimony Tuesday on the Topic of Suffering<center>
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<center><center><h3><u style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY!</u></h3><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span><h2><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">βReturn home and tell how much God has done for you.β</span></i></span></span></h2><h2><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">~ Luke 8:39</i></span></span></h2><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I introduce to you Testimony Tuesdays!!! A testimony by definition is: a formal written or spoken statement, a public recounting of a religious conversion or experience. The Bible commands us in numerous places to bring praise, glory, and honor to our God by proclaiming, declaring, and telling about His marvelous works to others. That is the purpose and heart behind this installment for my Tuesday posts. Each Tuesday (more or less), a testimony will be shared here involving the recounting of salvation, redemption, overcoming, and/or healing just to name a few; A story that brings glory to our God and in which we might be encouraged, spurred on, and challenged with at the same time.The stories that will be shared will either be of my own personal experiences, excerpts from books, testimonies I find via youtube or other media sources, as well as YOURS! I would love to know and give you the opportunity to share here with us a testimony of your own, of whatever fashion involving the Lord doing a transforming work in your life. Just email me your testimony and I will see what I can do about posting it on a future Tuesday! You may choose to have your name be known or anonymous. I look forward to hearing from you!</span></center><center><br /></center><center>_________________________________</center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">If any of you are familiar with Paul's situation in 2 Corinthians 12, lately I've been feeling a lot like that; like I have a thorn in my side, or maybe picture a weighty burden slowing me down. Whatever it is, it's hampering my spirit. I guess if I am honest, I have circled back around to struggling with contentment again, like I do from time to time. My heart has been hurting and frustrated, maybe sometimes confused, longing and impatient. I feel like I have been throwing temper tantrums towards God in my prayers lately, expressing my dissatisfaction with where things are at in life for me right now. I could say it even feels like a form of suffering that I am experiencing, <i>UNTIL</i> I zoom out, stop focusing on myself, and stop having the woe-is-me attitude, but instead, count my blessings. But there is still something to be said about the very real emotions I am undergoing. I don't want to dismiss them entirely, but deal with them rightly.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">In today's Testimony Tuesday we are going to consider the life of Joni Eareckson Tara. She is one that knows much of suffering and hearing her life story helps me to realize how all my troubles pail in comparison to what she and others like her have gone through. Watch below to hear her life-giving powerful testimony. She speaks with much authority and conviction. The Holy Spirit shining through her as she speaks is enough to convince me to take heart and have hope, aside from the fact that,</center><center style="text-align: left;">if she can- I can too.</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gG0xdP576cc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></center></center><center><br /></center><center><i><br /></i></center><center><i><br />
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BONUS CONTENT: (I am absolutely obsessed right now with this timely reminder and the nuggets of truth nestled within the following 10 min. snippet from John Piper's website <a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/" target="_blank">DesiringGod.com</a>, read and written by Scott Hubbard) <span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/better-to-have-a-burden" target="_blank">Better to Have a Burden</a> </span>Give it a listen! And may your heart be lightened.</i></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #352929; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">______________________________________________</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #352929; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><center></center><center></center><center>Thanks for stopping by! Have a happy and blessed Tuesday!</center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /> <i style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β</i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> For More Optimistic Reads </span><i style="color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β </i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /></div></span></div></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul><li><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2016/04/12-bible-verses-to-remember-for.html" target="_blank">12 Bible Verses for the Perseverant</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2016/03/no-pain-no-game.html" target="_blank">No Pain No Game</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2018/03/the-trip-that-changed-my-life.html" target="_blank">The Trip That Changed My Life</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2019/01/feeling-down-and-out-part-1.html" target="_blank">Feeling Down and Out</a></li></ul><div><br /></div></div>
</center>Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-39670341275231701052022-09-18T18:59:00.003-06:002022-10-01T20:51:04.688-06:00End of Summer Photo Recap<div><b><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Technically it is not officially Fall until September 22nd, this coming Thursday, so I will take advantage of these last couple of days of summer and do a photo dump post to give you a glimpse of what all I have been up to the past couple of months. These snapshot posts are never able to actually cover in full everything, nor do these pictures even encompass half the amount of the people that I have been blessed and graced by in life these past couple of months, but here are just a few of them; faces you may not know, BUT are so special to me!</span></i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-size: large;"> June -</span></i></b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGNvi888hG1ESrmNP9RDJjg0OPiGn78y32wDWDnSJmmY-gMWCHT5XbHwdRPQV9231jSs_uglyHIsxeb-aaMVocM06LLI2NmLFSwf7u_jSmX3aytXQtLecKVbTheBgHJjcD6uGqtJuOewtI6_D4lEp7UZ8YG3JUBc5cagB0ulQe94WxjYBDUXbbED_/s2714/IMG_7556.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2714" data-original-width="2320" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGNvi888hG1ESrmNP9RDJjg0OPiGn78y32wDWDnSJmmY-gMWCHT5XbHwdRPQV9231jSs_uglyHIsxeb-aaMVocM06LLI2NmLFSwf7u_jSmX3aytXQtLecKVbTheBgHJjcD6uGqtJuOewtI6_D4lEp7UZ8YG3JUBc5cagB0ulQe94WxjYBDUXbbED_/w548-h640/IMG_7556.JPG" width="548" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friends came out to support me in the audience at <br />Cavod Performing Arts' Spring Dance Concert! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1m_2PWYiYi2Lq-QswZe206zgtR9iDLPQYd95FXKR8vTbsG3hU5uIh_O5MlFjpUk2do9Y8mE1RfrlvbKXou2q-2ux37MXMDc7W5YXq9nyyW5AWZCqyAWcM35RAcmnLpWROPS84ZQ7TWAs0yqnK48YL-v2JfFP66YLBOww4SYY_CN2gP_Idbm06eOOh/s2048/IMG_8562.JPG"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1m_2PWYiYi2Lq-QswZe206zgtR9iDLPQYd95FXKR8vTbsG3hU5uIh_O5MlFjpUk2do9Y8mE1RfrlvbKXou2q-2ux37MXMDc7W5YXq9nyyW5AWZCqyAWcM35RAcmnLpWROPS84ZQ7TWAs0yqnK48YL-v2JfFP66YLBOww4SYY_CN2gP_Idbm06eOOh/w640-h480/IMG_8562.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEOMTM2eSipYC9KDKRz2GhVpWygONNjFORHRgPvvknnC3biG3D7x7rhlVvoAwLNHjbv1OwJsVZDJP5cE4UZM5o94zcVb5b4rdM3VNDGtOoaY3BgOwB7WaLC0fQyxpeEbKy3JGMz8aI05qSHPLgFO0BhJ4JeclWM9n35gwyMrAAlZ214JB8Z38Vygv/s6000/52129930514_06f28cb2fc_6k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEOMTM2eSipYC9KDKRz2GhVpWygONNjFORHRgPvvknnC3biG3D7x7rhlVvoAwLNHjbv1OwJsVZDJP5cE4UZM5o94zcVb5b4rdM3VNDGtOoaY3BgOwB7WaLC0fQyxpeEbKy3JGMz8aI05qSHPLgFO0BhJ4JeclWM9n35gwyMrAAlZ214JB8Z38Vygv/w427-h640/52129930514_06f28cb2fc_6k.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #352929; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700;">My church, </span><a href="https://crosswaypa.org/" style="background-color: white; color: #ff9900; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Crossway of Lancaster</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #352929; font-family: "Josefin Slab"; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700;"> has a "Community Day" once a year in the summer where they host a mile-long race.<br /> Though my legs felt like jelly by the end, I had a blast participating and won 2nd place in my age category! </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-size: large;"> August -</span></i></b> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdglLkM343pG1Q_LTOmBdoRMonrDYFtpdV9pdkf1E-VNG7oZYZXEBrO5xQHT8Dr-QcXbjQZl-nC5xr3tKNA242ISEqft3hsd_gYmoYGGpSSv4ESwMe_TgqEPcp6wi7ykMBchaYg7q0srLqxMtuo_dzNvEnVEe67U5Qk8RaO2VfnzbwaLu_0ReOhWr/s4032/IMG_9045.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdglLkM343pG1Q_LTOmBdoRMonrDYFtpdV9pdkf1E-VNG7oZYZXEBrO5xQHT8Dr-QcXbjQZl-nC5xr3tKNA242ISEqft3hsd_gYmoYGGpSSv4ESwMe_TgqEPcp6wi7ykMBchaYg7q0srLqxMtuo_dzNvEnVEe67U5Qk8RaO2VfnzbwaLu_0ReOhWr/w640-h480/IMG_9045.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I published <a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2022/08/weekend-whatevers-colorado-springs-style.html" target="_blank">that post</a> in August about my wonderful trip to Colorado Springs, CO. <br />Wow, was that just last month!?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50RcYZH4uMMk4qbUwsV7NipT0H48ScOgw_PcfnzIAWcDn2h8ItreqY1nTZkp0VgJ0YhqvlQjkY94rRWut6TpA8k2YV15xRJjYtREnJf_37ITNE1VrjqIViPdkYBHhtQvZg_ZPqPiu-KXb65m2Ua6qmlKfIjG4YouEIdDz13qsMWFUwiiW4FSNIMxt/s4032/IMG_3005.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50RcYZH4uMMk4qbUwsV7NipT0H48ScOgw_PcfnzIAWcDn2h8ItreqY1nTZkp0VgJ0YhqvlQjkY94rRWut6TpA8k2YV15xRJjYtREnJf_37ITNE1VrjqIViPdkYBHhtQvZg_ZPqPiu-KXb65m2Ua6qmlKfIjG4YouEIdDz13qsMWFUwiiW4FSNIMxt/w640-h480/IMG_3005.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We wrapped up the <a href="https://cavod.org/citylight-dance-theatre/" target="_blank">Citylight Dance Theater</a> season and said our goodbyes <br />to some of these precious dancers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvfWDOJF6fOKwBBAT32d9ULi1qRltXuD_DFUprOj2Xv1iczr3pzzWvI6gPIHnMwdiozAl5MhvarGnOPqaxswIRR-SL0vNcMDRFsC7h7Kqvf3cCThQ6pgeOFc_VHbSmlTpmNVI5VyuOfTCWI7QvDslHykmEz4hjlE49AxJd9RTfAglW6EAWPpz6hFE/s1200/IMG_9380.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvfWDOJF6fOKwBBAT32d9ULi1qRltXuD_DFUprOj2Xv1iczr3pzzWvI6gPIHnMwdiozAl5MhvarGnOPqaxswIRR-SL0vNcMDRFsC7h7Kqvf3cCThQ6pgeOFc_VHbSmlTpmNVI5VyuOfTCWI7QvDslHykmEz4hjlE49AxJd9RTfAglW6EAWPpz6hFE/w640-h480/IMG_9380.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Participated in the 2nd Annual <a href="https://www.kitchenkettle.com/index.asp" target="_blank">Kitchen Kettle</a> Employee Olympic Event they started hosting just last year to help with the closing out of the summer season. Feeling like a winner wearing my medal alongside my teammates. How did I win it? <br />Hula-hooping. :)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC86ubAbNpcDXBJSKENozr-dSF0cdM0LHRGA48bIGvAyRNQdKiMqx_qwIpPV4iiWvyCuSPaaOdx1Cmtb98bs8uSqzherZbuF1tCflIS3AOTq6nG3oRHF2kMLfp-_6VCaYGMiQDmILn28CAXrBn3YAeOu-J05jP_HQ9GNtogR5aB2o-d--YQLQTgtg3/s2048/IMG_6062.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC86ubAbNpcDXBJSKENozr-dSF0cdM0LHRGA48bIGvAyRNQdKiMqx_qwIpPV4iiWvyCuSPaaOdx1Cmtb98bs8uSqzherZbuF1tCflIS3AOTq6nG3oRHF2kMLfp-_6VCaYGMiQDmILn28CAXrBn3YAeOu-J05jP_HQ9GNtogR5aB2o-d--YQLQTgtg3/w640-h480/IMG_6062.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My fellow coworkers and I from the Inn at Kitchen Kettle Village came together to host a shower for Victoria.<br />The gathering also seemed to serve as a little reunion too and was so fun!<br />It was a wonderful time getting together outside the workplace!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvpsIK9kzM1Txb9HDJV3hIucifcWVycBH20nAp9r-ku1dIeRmhSXf3BeZEU3ilgGGJQfUzY9D8zTsSIjn383yTES1tqKp6MG9hFxVcueBQm8MWGUeplxcK9RWzm25gnG81GmEEAf7x16Qrvto7zYT4TuoxKNLpW3Ks1QpHcNJIK7ucH3RqABUtg_e/s2576/IMG_9253.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvpsIK9kzM1Txb9HDJV3hIucifcWVycBH20nAp9r-ku1dIeRmhSXf3BeZEU3ilgGGJQfUzY9D8zTsSIjn383yTES1tqKp6MG9hFxVcueBQm8MWGUeplxcK9RWzm25gnG81GmEEAf7x16Qrvto7zYT4TuoxKNLpW3Ks1QpHcNJIK7ucH3RqABUtg_e/w640-h480/IMG_9253.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the end of the month, my parents and I visited the <a href="https://www.hersheypark.com/explore-the-park/rides/?ride_types[]=2&seasons%5B%5D=halloween" target="_blank">Hershey Park Water Attractions</a>. <br />It was such a special time. I just love them!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #e06666; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-size: large;"> September -</span></i></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfLZsfVCtdTnniG6QDuKIdpeRWqOshgvrEseU3EF7NOCUJquvoiU8ZPN-qakWRcxjjTC4zV0DOXTZm17pwbSWb2VjntGg0R9gqU7muOxknXmrera2yZTCjK_SkSIYlu4Pb7i8l-erqkxVFXkUwHtptYvOv1ghUQKHuBnRXxAnk-wDaqtgpF44AHtc/s1932/IMG_E9742.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="1932" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfLZsfVCtdTnniG6QDuKIdpeRWqOshgvrEseU3EF7NOCUJquvoiU8ZPN-qakWRcxjjTC4zV0DOXTZm17pwbSWb2VjntGg0R9gqU7muOxknXmrera2yZTCjK_SkSIYlu4Pb7i8l-erqkxVFXkUwHtptYvOv1ghUQKHuBnRXxAnk-wDaqtgpF44AHtc/w640-h640/IMG_E9742.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I visited Philadelphia for the first time! I experienced only the tip of the iceberg and really need to make a trip back there to experience the rest, but it was a good time!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-3yo5H5O7y0Rt2XM0PVF05q4rkULkW9OfSHPmKjLIL2PKaJUmdFNqM97mcE7bViX7YKrYtMzlzt6ZZEKRhzrbdPfdEucydpOh0nozp6RZzDJX4rX-O_Epnqu6dZX8RUAaZV1Z0nG7K2XRMGISjjYra2I7ZiqTQAruFkwGeaoxWO-YAcldcRJZN2i/s1440/1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1440" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-3yo5H5O7y0Rt2XM0PVF05q4rkULkW9OfSHPmKjLIL2PKaJUmdFNqM97mcE7bViX7YKrYtMzlzt6ZZEKRhzrbdPfdEucydpOh0nozp6RZzDJX4rX-O_Epnqu6dZX8RUAaZV1Z0nG7K2XRMGISjjYra2I7ZiqTQAruFkwGeaoxWO-YAcldcRJZN2i/w640-h482/1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A summer of firsts; I went apple picking for the first time at <a href="https://cherryhillorchards.com/" target="_blank">Cherry Hill Orchards</a>. <br />It was more fun than I imagined it would be! Hah, I think I have enough apples to last me till Christmas!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZ9ncPg6XVQAUklxGPxblU3HdLBok78_LJ_P-_uoKs87c_N1jLK5wkkbJfeXfasbIs2xAWDYu2bNCmm1HsIhFQWHrXJ2ZfRjeD7RdCI84Z1o3dtxrRh__0BWevflM7kU_y4gS0qj82Qzq92fePsD36zNNpxFt1B9XPXNI9BFCzQpRWA81C5t-kxQM/s1440/2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1440" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZ9ncPg6XVQAUklxGPxblU3HdLBok78_LJ_P-_uoKs87c_N1jLK5wkkbJfeXfasbIs2xAWDYu2bNCmm1HsIhFQWHrXJ2ZfRjeD7RdCI84Z1o3dtxrRh__0BWevflM7kU_y4gS0qj82Qzq92fePsD36zNNpxFt1B9XPXNI9BFCzQpRWA81C5t-kxQM/w640-h482/2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apples!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotwD3jEhgwsxY4fJXNpZLgG0OLoLSi3JpvGrfuZ893fo5WGdXU9gyIzlivF71578lRDQcIaR6yPoCrvSXBZGiTpmCP_C9voyhkcnZJOEfWa8PsjXsjjF6lwQLyEeu7DKj-H6oFkUrDBtwINYAeg4RQc0GsMiUcaS1kK3QLShW5wqpb7w_FcDypxJW/s4032/3.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotwD3jEhgwsxY4fJXNpZLgG0OLoLSi3JpvGrfuZ893fo5WGdXU9gyIzlivF71578lRDQcIaR6yPoCrvSXBZGiTpmCP_C9voyhkcnZJOEfWa8PsjXsjjF6lwQLyEeu7DKj-H6oFkUrDBtwINYAeg4RQc0GsMiUcaS1kK3QLShW5wqpb7w_FcDypxJW/w640-h480/3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went with these wonderful ladies from my church! They are very special to me!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmn9bN1-e0J3I0EXaefEtmwlLBNM5SWESpLeav8P_mRQBtq1vkyY0bSy0pcNiKs21_f3YvNaOlEPFSiiy44YQ4ot9Q1BQSSBZIFalfBK0CbA5paYdTu-pMXBsB27RjViiauScOD5EYYQfWEFe0AS0mi1_vI6kB1Qr_moObHX7ojg_ReeCXjP7WiUq/s3109/4.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3109" data-original-width="2159" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmn9bN1-e0J3I0EXaefEtmwlLBNM5SWESpLeav8P_mRQBtq1vkyY0bSy0pcNiKs21_f3YvNaOlEPFSiiy44YQ4ot9Q1BQSSBZIFalfBK0CbA5paYdTu-pMXBsB27RjViiauScOD5EYYQfWEFe0AS0mi1_vI6kB1Qr_moObHX7ojg_ReeCXjP7WiUq/w444-h640/4.JPG" width="444" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The same day, after visiting the orchard, I then experienced my first time visiting <a href="https://longwoodgardens.org/" target="_blank">Longwood Gardens</a>, Kennett Square, PA.<br /> It was a great experience but I kind of felt like they were in between seasons. <br />I would love to go in Spring when I'm sure all the plants are much more in their prime with flowers in bloom. </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEszL_HvqCceIHm5blWw7LZ_LxObl1eGvp1WVDi03nNmky7i-WW3xgnzNNwlB9MH6RIa1XC427RpMZpFUpm2BWzEDBhSG7mRUu97Eel182cVRe8ISKAEeGuAlk_u_juUTZ7ugWTkJ6ZxmFUD_yDwW8gGv6YTFUv0Py1d76to35LgUtfli1LhWkbpTR/s3088/5.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2320" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEszL_HvqCceIHm5blWw7LZ_LxObl1eGvp1WVDi03nNmky7i-WW3xgnzNNwlB9MH6RIa1XC427RpMZpFUpm2BWzEDBhSG7mRUu97Eel182cVRe8ISKAEeGuAlk_u_juUTZ7ugWTkJ6ZxmFUD_yDwW8gGv6YTFUv0Py1d76to35LgUtfli1LhWkbpTR/w480-h640/5.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gang that joined me was top-notch; friends of the highest quality! ;)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBF7tccrFV2KcSQTZOBJLwaJqGe3CHIM464Y22fckFWRrjn6OfWzv-RwblEmMHyeKw7mGLvkAhzr7I3gQgFwLhBUFnU2SVxA7y6UUVo2P9EDlF2-qJj7SLmOKlSaxFiF3914OPh7rmlOnUBTGZDLvyj8tEpgOuracXOhK9bd_OcuReNiec94qVQbS-/s4032/6.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBF7tccrFV2KcSQTZOBJLwaJqGe3CHIM464Y22fckFWRrjn6OfWzv-RwblEmMHyeKw7mGLvkAhzr7I3gQgFwLhBUFnU2SVxA7y6UUVo2P9EDlF2-qJj7SLmOKlSaxFiF3914OPh7rmlOnUBTGZDLvyj8tEpgOuracXOhK9bd_OcuReNiec94qVQbS-/w640-h480/6.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stayed till 8:30pm to watch the water fountain light show! <br />I really enjoyed it- ALMOST as much as fireworks!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Looking back and feeling grateful, </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>looking forward and staying hopeful,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>in my Savior.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">π</div>
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</div>Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-51955951470252437112022-09-07T00:25:00.006-06:002022-09-25T11:34:47.105-06:00Weekend Whatevers | Fall's Around the Corner!<center style="text-align: left;">
<i><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;">Hi everyone! School has started, the weather is getting cooler- sorta, and Starbucks </span></span>is now officially serving their pumpkin spice lattes! I think I am allowed to get a little excited for fall now. It is sad to see summer go, but the new season brings some much-needed refreshment. I am striving to focus especially on embracing the peace, grace, and hope that God has for me this season. I've started a new 90-day devotional I am quickly falling in love with, and also started a new Instagram account to help distinguish the start of this new season and to serve sort of as milestones for it. Continue reading on to my "Weekend Whatevers" listed below for more details on these things and to discover what all else I have been up to! This week's [WW] addition is a fun one including lots of good pictures!</span></b></i></center><center style="text-align: left;"><i><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></i></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><h2 style="color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;"></span></span></h2></div></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><h2 style="color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: normal;">Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we a have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because Godβs love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.</span></span></h2></div></blockquote><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>Romans 5:1-4</i></b></span></div></div></blockquote><p> </p><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;"><b><i></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHQ_g9OTVbNgiEy0BNsTuFQMlQfQ1ahej2wvbdN5GkJMvJX2kM5EgAup5Nj19_IQpkfHqDgfOSBmORq_HAIZnxOYxTuOozqIr18AeatCt4LiyqY8pdsyVNy7Txt92xPwEibHDuB7JPDgffc1RGmbx7iJzRCnmtR9slb_mzWqnf-5Gcda7zfhi9fza/s2539/IMG_E9637.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1904" data-original-width="2539" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHQ_g9OTVbNgiEy0BNsTuFQMlQfQ1ahej2wvbdN5GkJMvJX2kM5EgAup5Nj19_IQpkfHqDgfOSBmORq_HAIZnxOYxTuOozqIr18AeatCt4LiyqY8pdsyVNy7Txt92xPwEibHDuB7JPDgffc1RGmbx7iJzRCnmtR9slb_mzWqnf-5Gcda7zfhi9fza/w640-h480/IMG_E9637.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just drove by this hot air balloon looking like it's about to land, <br />on my early morning commute and wanted to share!<br />#livinginlancaster</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black;"><center style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">1.</span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b></span><span style="color: black; font-style: normal;">Thee amazing Connie, my boss at Cavod Performing Arts blessed each of us instructors with a copy of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Be-Still-Devotions-Hopeful-Heart/dp/168408623X" target="_blank">THIS</a> beautifully designed 90-Day devotional by Cleere Cherry. Though I originally underestimated it- not really a fan of small, pithy, daily devotionals by unknown authors I've never heard of before, I am falling </span><span style="color: black;"><i>in love </i></span><span style="color: black; font-style: normal;">with this devotional, and feel like it is speaking straight to my soul! Connie if you're out there reading this, "Thank you"!</span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial; font-style: italic;">2.</span> </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">The devotional prompted me to look into <a href="https://www.cleerelystated.com/" target="_blank">Cleere Cherry</a>. Who knew she was so cool!?</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkuwe1IDH_wzB5m3AjMC4keaIaZOBYhurPu7VHmTc08KSLUlFXVDeJZEpKPLYaBVTX0-D85nDPiiGNi_WHv-fPPZAdqfmZPTAmvco1DCjFYl3FtcwDWEGj8IIhdWrssWrzXJ8JU73Sddgo2Xi_3Zj_l9hlUObI-PBUs9KrheUtBgM5-LGlCu80-sH/s2828/IMG_9995.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2828" data-original-width="2828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkuwe1IDH_wzB5m3AjMC4keaIaZOBYhurPu7VHmTc08KSLUlFXVDeJZEpKPLYaBVTX0-D85nDPiiGNi_WHv-fPPZAdqfmZPTAmvco1DCjFYl3FtcwDWEGj8IIhdWrssWrzXJ8JU73Sddgo2Xi_3Zj_l9hlUObI-PBUs9KrheUtBgM5-LGlCu80-sH/w640-h640/IMG_9995.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"> People! I am pulling out my paints! The Lord has been doing something in me, stirring up and reawakening my love for colors, crafts, and creating through the means of materials I haven't used in a <i>long while</i>; watercolor, paper crafts, calligraphy, and collaging! It still might be a while before I get back into the sewing...the burnout from that is very real, but I do hope to get back into it sooner than later. I have even pulled out some of my adult coloring books for the evenings my brain is at lower capacity. I'm just getting started so I hope you'll stick around for when I am able to start getting some photos up of some of the things I have been working on! For now, I wanted to share with you two Instagram accounts that I have really been inspired by and that have helped to facilitate my falling back in love with watercolor again! If you like watercolor too, check out <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mamathingcrafts/" target="_blank">mamathingcrafts</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/madelinekerrii/" target="_blank">madelinekerrii</a>.</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">4.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"> I have been reading books like crazy lately! I think it is my newest outlet! This new hobby is what led me to create my latest Instagram account <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dailylilreads/" target="_blank">Dailylilreads</a>, in hopes of documenting my journey reading literature, the Word of God, and hopefully also creating a bit of a community around it</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">. Would you please check out the account and maybe even give it a follow if it is your thing? I'm really excited about it!</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: arial;">5.</span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEKEXbCwaOq2goNz794sozYbpdulRVJbdp9ySm7K6eJW4bhg0yR0sMojbtolyKH3nj3slQ4Z4SacTb4D1v-oxxjk_zPHa-t-59erObxi5Z0xVJpMdujFuXGTVLM8iwUNRPR4wNhMdfhbcN4o_tVtk98H9zu2NmUMeNDefgyhOksfxdD8t3DlTHykS/s1920/IMG_9767.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEKEXbCwaOq2goNz794sozYbpdulRVJbdp9ySm7K6eJW4bhg0yR0sMojbtolyKH3nj3slQ4Z4SacTb4D1v-oxxjk_zPHa-t-59erObxi5Z0xVJpMdujFuXGTVLM8iwUNRPR4wNhMdfhbcN4o_tVtk98H9zu2NmUMeNDefgyhOksfxdD8t3DlTHykS/w320-h320/IMG_9767.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Okay, so speaking of crafting. It has been a long time since I have taken my hand to ceramic painting. I wouldn't say it was ever my favorite thing to do. I used to be a part of a ceramic painting club through 4H when I was young, but I'm not really sure why. Perhaps I enjoyed it more when I was younger, but at this point, I've definitely mostly grown out of the love for it - I suppose because I have simply found my crafting niche elsewhere, but recently I made a visit to <a href="https://www.thepotteryworks.com/">The Pottery Works</a> in downtown Lancaster with some friends, and even though it is not my forte, I totally enjoyed the experience. Give it a go if you are in downtown Lancaster! You don't have to be a Picasso in order to still have a good time! "The Pottery Works" is way better than the one found in Park City Mall. It is worth the trip and there is a parking garage conveniently placed right across the street from it so finding parking may even be easier than finding a lot at the mall on a busy day!</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">6.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"> I have been living a "hop, skip, and a jump away" from Lancaster City for 3 years now and am ashamed to say that I still really haven't given it a decent exploration session, but lately I have been really getting out; seeing the sights and doing the things! Maybe this is the year I become better acquainted with our city. This past Friday </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">was my grandma's birthday and to treat her we took her to "<a href="https://el-rincon-ponceno.edan.io/" target="_blank">El RincΓ³n PonceΓ±o</a>", a wonderful Puerto Rican restaurant on the corner of Queen and Walnut! The food was pretty good. Not sure it could live up to my grandma's own cooking but it was pretty close. What impressed me most were the charming personalities of the cooks who also doubled as waitresses and the friendly and efficient customer service they offered. They put a smile on my grandma's face so we tipped </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">them well and were happy enough!</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UbkK8S9cpQLm0b7sE2AqmNDuOmb-k9br-m0uSXyukYME2DoAalLK-pNy44MoF3IiylxIIJJbsmYiSADjEuwkvC402n_BDoeWWmJSiu1CIbLi3o0igTnMU98NYB8Jh-jlo-snDtaaAemyRTC7dmH2kEOR1cbE0qM9Gd7f_5TwfHxy6FFkI2FN3zyc/s4000/8E18FBC6-AAF4-4D3F-97BF-1F38EA2538F8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UbkK8S9cpQLm0b7sE2AqmNDuOmb-k9br-m0uSXyukYME2DoAalLK-pNy44MoF3IiylxIIJJbsmYiSADjEuwkvC402n_BDoeWWmJSiu1CIbLi3o0igTnMU98NYB8Jh-jlo-snDtaaAemyRTC7dmH2kEOR1cbE0qM9Gd7f_5TwfHxy6FFkI2FN3zyc/w640-h480/8E18FBC6-AAF4-4D3F-97BF-1F38EA2538F8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">7.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><a href="https://www.sickmansmill.com/" target="_blank">Sickman's Mill</a> might be my new favorite summer spot. Too bad I discovered just how fun tubing there is on their last week of offering it until next summer. Oh well. If it is a long winter at least I will have tubing to look forward to! Thanks to my friend Marisa for convincing me to go!</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">8.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">I have been SO into Classical music lately! I always seem to get in this mood as it just seems right with the ushering in of Fall. I just feel like classical music goes so well with the transition from this particular season to the next. All the sounds of the instruments and musical notes just seem to mimic and correspond so well to the sight of the beautiful autumn leaves falling, graceful birds migrating, and soft flecks of sunshine gleaming through the tree branches. I find appreciation for most all composers, but some of my favorites are Mozart, Chopin, Vivaldi, and the contemporary, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_YHE4Sx-08" target="_blank">Max Richter</a>. </span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">9.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">In a <a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2022/08/weekend-whatevers-colorado-springs-style.html" target="_blank">previous</a> "Weekend Whatever" post, I mentioned about trying a new hair product, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/LOreal-Paris-EverPure-Conditioner-Color-Treated/dp/B091G47FDH/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2EK8IVCXFF0F4&keywords=loreal+everpure+bond+strengthening+shampoo+and+conditioner&qid=1660710331&rdc=1&sprefix=loreal+ever+pure+bond+stre%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-4" target="_blank">Loreal Ever Pure Bond Strengthening shampoo and conditioner</a> for my curly hair.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"> Now I am going to give you an update and share my experience and opinion on it. My friend who recommended it to me swore by it, claiming a noticeable difference of it taming her frizzys and strengthening her hair follicles (even though it is recommended for color-treated hair which none of ours are)</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">! </span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">On the onset of using it on my hair, I first noticed the smell. Not a bad smell, but generally just very fragrant, but an interesting scent, like none other I can compare it to! Nither the shampoo or conditioner generated much sudsiness when lathered in, which I did not like, and actually kind of thought it left my hair feeling tangled and dry under water, neither was I a fan of what my curly hair looked like once it was dry. I mean, it wasn't any worse than it normally is, but for the price of the shampoo and conditioner I would have expected better results, also especially with how much my friend was talking it up. </span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">BUT, I will say, on my follow up wash, days later, my hair folicles surprisingly <i>did</i> feel much more silky, less tangled, and stronger, under water. I was so surprised. Not sure what to think of that. I really should give this product a second chance. BUT let me just wrap this up by sharing a product that I MYSELF recommend, and personally testify without a doubt, it to be a wonder-working, sure-to-please product you'll love. I know my curly hair does! Given to me by <i>another</i> friend (Thanks again Marisa π), <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mielle-Rosemary-Mint-Strengthening-Masque/dp/B07N7NBYSP/ref=asc_df_B07N7NBYSP?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80676718050731&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584276308811474&psc=1">THIS Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Hair Masque</a> has successfully been able to nourish my hair wonderfully, giving shape and definition to my every curl! I feel my previously abused and damaged hair has rediscovered and embraced it's natural curl pattern again all thanks to this magical hair masque! It's been making me feel so happy and beautiful! Give it a try and let me know what you think! I've seen it in Walmart and Target. </span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"> </span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: arial;">10.</span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>I finally can say I've been to Philadelphia. I still experienced <i>only</i> the tip of the iceberg and really need to make a trip back there to experience the rest, but my friend and I decided to take a spontaneous trip to visit one of her favorite spots, Chinatown. I got to experience Dim Sum (like Chinese brunch!), and we also visited the Drexel University Campus. It was a good time!</b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b><br /></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJqax8NmZ5Oy0uZt9_CUrcVb6Y21_-ZGwAd_Bmg7xCjpxuWP4-Gmbn8sCNZQ3I3zGcMcMT2htSWO95JWwZCQJDWuSaIhQPVD1T192NU9SCOiCK21STDnThoAxT8j0CBQ9uus529Kww2TfhSbzk5hqFxhkHOaNm1I3YoIK3vzq4mYEDhg_i6Xv1oKt/s4032/1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJqax8NmZ5Oy0uZt9_CUrcVb6Y21_-ZGwAd_Bmg7xCjpxuWP4-Gmbn8sCNZQ3I3zGcMcMT2htSWO95JWwZCQJDWuSaIhQPVD1T192NU9SCOiCK21STDnThoAxT8j0CBQ9uus529Kww2TfhSbzk5hqFxhkHOaNm1I3YoIK3vzq4mYEDhg_i6Xv1oKt/w640-h480/1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></center><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZt0ulp7llopz7kFHftMyszSDQ2YKcQ1AH7OXsly56mYhiA4rM83wEqBJjwOOyP8CPYwhAM-deFs7cFBHVCmH4zME-tmiIkGmwS_z4y8obUEQzkWk-U-l7Cy6owDpxtUDXpgAoSXhSkWpow-_s0BTU-z7WrQ_UEF99urrID4-33p7CjrhKxIOz4-E1/s4032/2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZt0ulp7llopz7kFHftMyszSDQ2YKcQ1AH7OXsly56mYhiA4rM83wEqBJjwOOyP8CPYwhAM-deFs7cFBHVCmH4zME-tmiIkGmwS_z4y8obUEQzkWk-U-l7Cy6owDpxtUDXpgAoSXhSkWpow-_s0BTU-z7WrQ_UEF99urrID4-33p7CjrhKxIOz4-E1/w640-h480/2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></center><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggELWBuCGG2TNGvkoFWLJWlnHhaP4fHI0pFd2JTfqwd6rKSpHbNvap5O8vDSq5TKf-Rr5DkciB0wuu9v1Y4rzdjFbxNUT8LPjNyZG5OwfPnmbDuaId_P_-qLsMmLFsBxSA0E8snyw3qEmeIHjNDdcXyxM6WwwyEHt2OZP_K2P5w3XldVYlqMY8V5pp/s2576/3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggELWBuCGG2TNGvkoFWLJWlnHhaP4fHI0pFd2JTfqwd6rKSpHbNvap5O8vDSq5TKf-Rr5DkciB0wuu9v1Y4rzdjFbxNUT8LPjNyZG5OwfPnmbDuaId_P_-qLsMmLFsBxSA0E8snyw3qEmeIHjNDdcXyxM6WwwyEHt2OZP_K2P5w3XldVYlqMY8V5pp/w640-h480/3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></center><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7aYghEQc-AzNo6hVjlRZhiAM3T23q51OygwcttW7tYjgLs-RZy1AElbSe3Ns17EaK5pKIhERpqEgp7eLe5POghptr2YuL0fleY1giTWz052b1sWHWxBBYMAAMyx68G96UeAHLdDnJdsUrfMFL637E41cf8gT9RmZEz0SroI-VmA0bJAnC5EqpgJRg/s4032/4.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7aYghEQc-AzNo6hVjlRZhiAM3T23q51OygwcttW7tYjgLs-RZy1AElbSe3Ns17EaK5pKIhERpqEgp7eLe5POghptr2YuL0fleY1giTWz052b1sWHWxBBYMAAMyx68G96UeAHLdDnJdsUrfMFL637E41cf8gT9RmZEz0SroI-VmA0bJAnC5EqpgJRg/w640-h480/4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ocean-harbor.com/" target="_blank">Ocean-Harbor</a>, Amazing Dim Sum Restuarant- 1023 Race St, Philadelphia, PA 19107</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV83iENF--NsvVaGi5X18v98AnMqtYb1lM8v3C-PEBCCkI_RuRteM2HEOUL7XlLsCA463etpd9zhYe7K8pI4_7oJQiZoPSJlfykjBWBvfErAIf9KPHxi1SozGV-2NUTAXPjQBN5_lyBYky56PkKtimD9J4bDUT2QiKq7hvchtu2PsRxcz-dlOHTdKW/s3024/5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV83iENF--NsvVaGi5X18v98AnMqtYb1lM8v3C-PEBCCkI_RuRteM2HEOUL7XlLsCA463etpd9zhYe7K8pI4_7oJQiZoPSJlfykjBWBvfErAIf9KPHxi1SozGV-2NUTAXPjQBN5_lyBYky56PkKtimD9J4bDUT2QiKq7hvchtu2PsRxcz-dlOHTdKW/w640-h640/5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></center><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4Nt4hjSO5IJRYolZcbYsciQ12Pcad1lIh4yK2O7cEWpkWwlSCgahxn3x-ONe_RDKnJ96R6YK0zvkE0E4QqEAphlMVsOMcArts2kcbIWWDkxjDb6GzEKVuxIUIKjYQs2ZJ6U_75XeilBqmqsfeL1hVOG-1RW3ifdpvyZQGJ35QuZNQ9fa7WAl2Tc8/s3024/6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4Nt4hjSO5IJRYolZcbYsciQ12Pcad1lIh4yK2O7cEWpkWwlSCgahxn3x-ONe_RDKnJ96R6YK0zvkE0E4QqEAphlMVsOMcArts2kcbIWWDkxjDb6GzEKVuxIUIKjYQs2ZJ6U_75XeilBqmqsfeL1hVOG-1RW3ifdpvyZQGJ35QuZNQ9fa7WAl2Tc8/w640-h640/6.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></center><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbApmY-TRhXFNtw7Uw0dlUat-6E10p8KLtG91hGhEuAwlPTdzqcrBDKZQhNnJfe4Em4FZ1NwqhT9jHR03fhCv_fhlXWfCMt60FX4EC0WTH64d8VjLYfZLMMBEbgi3LNqhVO55danR63CLayq4RVl2fz6JxG2YtrMkzcUw51kCtF6bFdqTz8uuLzWfx/s4032/7.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbApmY-TRhXFNtw7Uw0dlUat-6E10p8KLtG91hGhEuAwlPTdzqcrBDKZQhNnJfe4Em4FZ1NwqhT9jHR03fhCv_fhlXWfCMt60FX4EC0WTH64d8VjLYfZLMMBEbgi3LNqhVO55danR63CLayq4RVl2fz6JxG2YtrMkzcUw51kCtF6bFdqTz8uuLzWfx/w480-h640/7.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><i><br /></i></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b><i>Thanks for following along with my adventure!</i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b><i>I hope you had a fantastic Labor Day Weekend!</i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b><i>Until next time,</i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b><i>Blessings in Christ!</i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b><br /></b></span></center></span></span></center></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">______________________________________________</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /> <i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β</i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> For More Optimistic Reads </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β </i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul><li><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2022/08/weekend-whatevers-colorado-springs-style.html" target="_blank">Weekend Whatever- Colorado Style</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2020/05/visited-by-amish-man.html" target="_blank">Weekend Whatever- Quarantine Edition</a></li><li><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2021/01/weekend-whatevers.html" target="_blank">Weekend Whatever- 2021 New Year Post</a></li></ul></div>
</span></div></div>Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0Lancaster, PA, USA40.0378755 -76.305514411.727641663821153 -111.4617644 68.348109336178851 -41.149264400000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-821427841474342022022-08-26T15:23:00.001-06:002022-09-04T13:41:17.842-06:00Starting With Prayer<center>
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<center><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b>The first week back to the studio at <a href="https://cavod.org/" target="_blank">Cavod Performing Arts</a> was a success! It was so lovely to see all of the students smiling faces again and was special to watch them warmly embrace one another after a long summer apart. It felt so good for me to be back in my element and I am enjoying the rhythm of the good ole' routine. I am so thankful God led me to my ballet instructing position with Cavod Performing Arts and am so excited to see what the Lord has in store for all of us here at Cavod this coming year.</b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03eQyGEZuj2XgoQIn9FndiDfN_8TW5O5iJrjmoTbFRhsMQbxmhiYeg9n8tErvMu78M9gPYK478-IIpnI-QMEC1f24wlnBg9p4QvqIKsM1yMMyKqLSJjcVir2sE-d5XX7AZNIHz7tWsCIuiNt-CTxLiFp9--sr2jRdLlgpAAsJ3zD8n2BOcRN_VNP4/s4032/IMG_8397.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03eQyGEZuj2XgoQIn9FndiDfN_8TW5O5iJrjmoTbFRhsMQbxmhiYeg9n8tErvMu78M9gPYK478-IIpnI-QMEC1f24wlnBg9p4QvqIKsM1yMMyKqLSJjcVir2sE-d5XX7AZNIHz7tWsCIuiNt-CTxLiFp9--sr2jRdLlgpAAsJ3zD8n2BOcRN_VNP4/w640-h480/IMG_8397.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few of my lovely students from last season.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Cavod is a special place. One of my favorite things about teaching at Cavod is how much freedom we are given, not only with encouraging and guiding our students to be better dancers but also in facilitating their development of faith and good character.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Faith, that is, in Jesus Christ</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></center><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><center><div style="text-align: left;">"The way, and the truth, and the life." - John 14:6</div></center><center><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></center><center><div style="text-align: left;">"The one in whom the whole fullness of deity dwells" - Colossians 2:9</div></center><center><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></center><center><div style="text-align: left;">"The one who, though he had none, God made to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians 5:21</div></center><center><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></center><center><div style="text-align: left;">"Our blessed hope, the glory of our great God, our Savior." - Titus 2:13</div></center><center><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></center><center><div style="text-align: left;">"The King of kings and Lord of lordsβ - Revelations 17:14</div></center><center><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></center><center><div style="text-align: left;">"The founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God, endured opposition from sinners so that we will not grow weary and lose heart" -Hebrews 12:2</div></center></blockquote><center><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We help encourage the students in their faith in subtle ways; In our actions, by loving them unconditionally like Christ, and by cultivating growth in them through the vehicles of constructive (but not too abrasive) criticism <i>AND</i> encouragement, which I know from experience as a former ballet student can seem a much less common approach educating in the world of the performing arts these days. We are also encouraged and given the freedom to say a prayer at the beginning of each class which is one of my favorite ways to prepare both the hearts and minds of the students and myself as we enter into our ballet classes which can be so demanding of our hearts, minds, and bodies! I predominately work with the junior age and young teens. I remember what it was like to train at their age, with such vigor, and at such a formative period in their lives. My favorite prayer to pray over them actually comes from the pen of King David, found in Psalms 19:14</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;">"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart</span></i></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;">be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."</span></i></b></div></center><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><center><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div></center></blockquote><center><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">...Because Lord knows the self-deprecating thought life performers can find themselves wrestling against at times.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am eternally grateful for my own, very experienced, and wise former dance teacher who set the example for me and would pray this over myself when I was a student. I can now say I've <i>"been there, done that"</i> in the sense that: I once, in my youth, trained vigorously, worked hard to attain my goals, climb the ranks, made it professional, and now too, am a well-seasoned ballet teacher that has found the necessity of prayer, and faith, and "above all, guarding your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (Proverbs 4:23.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In hindsight, I am amazed looking back on the journey the Lord has taken me on, and am so honored to be his vessel in this way as a dance teacher in this season. I only pray this enthusiasm and gratitude sticks with me in the thick of the school year. π</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In closing, to any of my readers out there that equally have a heart for prayer and my mission, would you please keep the following prayer requests in mind on behalf of me and my students and their families:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>That God would be the source, our all and everything, for all us teachers, leaders, and staff at Cavod. That he would guide, and provide us with wisdom and all the smarts when dealing with the precious souls he has entrusted us with educating. That we would be sufficiently poured into as we pour out; that Cavod would stand out and be known as a set apart organization unquestionably for the glory of God.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>That God would protect our students physically (no injuries in Jesus' name), emotionally, and spiritually, as well as their families.</li></ul><div><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Would you pray for Cavod's Citylight Dance Theater outreach team; That we would have fruitful ministry this year?</li></ul><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>For logistical needs; that we would meet our funding goals no problem, for good communication within the school amongst one another and amongst the families we work with, and for performance bookings and opportunities for us and our students to give back to the Lancaster Country Community. </li></ul></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Thanks for stopping by!</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Have a great day and a blessed week </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>in the Lord!</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>π</b></span></div></div>______________________________________________</center>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /> <i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β</i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> For More Optimistic Reads </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β </i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /></div>
Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-68817708496553661792022-08-17T00:58:00.002-06:002022-08-17T00:58:14.328-06:00Hershey Park Happy<b><i><span style="font-family: arial;">The end of summer is steadily approaching. Iβm not sure if Iβm ready to move on from it... but βready or not, here it comes.β I feel like I am still readjusting from my trip to Colorado two weeks ago visiting my friend Micky, where I had virtually no responsibility (I was on vacation after all!), was fed delicious home cooked meals each night (so when one gets married, do you automatically magically gain the skill of good cooking? I may be selling myself shortβ¦but i sure do hope that gift descends upon me when the time comes!) and got to spend practically 24/7 with Micky and her dear family. </span></i></b><div><b><i><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div><b><i><span style="font-family: arial;">I have returned back to my empty little apartment here in Lancaster, PA and it just feels so quiet. I have had to work hard to ward off feelings of loneliness. I think the routine that is to come with the start of the school year will be good for me. I have been counting down the days. </span></i></b></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57H6IuFu23JUippnVkCKu149HhBrSiSgUg5h9cu3d-83MkoMOYbaR8oxefa4gZrLt_px_sG7tQKPkOKuFgYRbhsi3ls-rbfgEEJe0tjcDIQYIBignTO4dAcGc68s1blP_3HB39KEs1AAkpKWvy1y4Ykq4JWp1SGSda3jZO8-6W6H811vheeHtKnRJ/s4032/IMG_9258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2683" data-original-width="4032" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj57H6IuFu23JUippnVkCKu149HhBrSiSgUg5h9cu3d-83MkoMOYbaR8oxefa4gZrLt_px_sG7tQKPkOKuFgYRbhsi3ls-rbfgEEJe0tjcDIQYIBignTO4dAcGc68s1blP_3HB39KEs1AAkpKWvy1y4Ykq4JWp1SGSda3jZO8-6W6H811vheeHtKnRJ/w640-h426/IMG_9258.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wave pool at the Hershey Park Theme Park</td></tr></tbody></table></b></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This past weekend, my family and I visited <a href="https://www.hersheypark.com/explore-the-park/rides/?ride_types[]=2=" target="_blank">Hershey Parkβs βBoard Walk and Shoreβ</a>, their waterpark zone. It was <i>SO</i> refreshing. I couldnβt have asked or imagined a better way to end my summer and have been so thankful- one of the perks of me moving back to Pennsylvania has been being able to spend more quality time with my folks! This past weekend was definitely a special time with them, even if the park was incredibly busy. We were able to get into the wave pool earlier on in the day before the line got too long, and later we got to enjoy and absolutely LOVED the lazy river. It was such a beautiful sunny day and the temperature perfect! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJn8S7zLZFLJZtPI7RuVus_HHDOd8pjnO35Iu60zug5IkwFTVcaqA9H8YssLeX7Yd4WbHU4qkvgPSx4ZLr-DTLnfolaXrJx6_Ztxt84yye9rjyGnM-zGiEjzrniWjBhwPccTQR7jUe0uwlj3GBBfZLC8zncv36X3t1tfj2Fwy8XPOadrDfmpS6-lN/s2576/Photo%20Aug%2013,%205%2040%2045%20PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJn8S7zLZFLJZtPI7RuVus_HHDOd8pjnO35Iu60zug5IkwFTVcaqA9H8YssLeX7Yd4WbHU4qkvgPSx4ZLr-DTLnfolaXrJx6_Ztxt84yye9rjyGnM-zGiEjzrniWjBhwPccTQR7jUe0uwlj3GBBfZLC8zncv36X3t1tfj2Fwy8XPOadrDfmpS6-lN/w640-h480/Photo%20Aug%2013,%205%2040%2045%20PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Until this year, it has never before been so difficult to answer the frequently asked question: βHow was your summer?β I feel like my summer has been a <i>WHOLE MYRIAD</i> of things; things that I never feel like going into when asked, (can anyone relate?), nor do I feel like going into it here, at the momentβ¦but I do hope you all had a sensational summer! </div><div><br /></div><div>As we move forward into another fall and school year for some, if you so choose, join me in memorizing this scripture that has been very dear to my heart as of late! </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The promises of Jesus are so sweet! π </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSeDogqeOHJFkDAB94biq099wP_OProRWTafGyNQU17WkjO2t2iYOlQU-BTZ9wxFTfb_bhIenMFGwdcz_UHQqcSr1GhjyvLZhHLs0QO8GboXBSNJt5L4iPzL9rnS0bPYQ7JnQ4OJt7HRhFVm4y1LhAIPn16KKYHloaVRM8aPyn7CaIelgKFyHkszN/s1080/Philippians%204-13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSeDogqeOHJFkDAB94biq099wP_OProRWTafGyNQU17WkjO2t2iYOlQU-BTZ9wxFTfb_bhIenMFGwdcz_UHQqcSr1GhjyvLZhHLs0QO8GboXBSNJt5L4iPzL9rnS0bPYQ7JnQ4OJt7HRhFVm4y1LhAIPn16KKYHloaVRM8aPyn7CaIelgKFyHkszN/w640-h640/Philippians%204-13.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><center>That's all for now friends, Thank you for stopping by!</center><center> Comment below and say Hi!</center></div><div><br /></div><div><center>______________________________________________</center><center><br /></center>
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</div></div>Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0Hershey, PA, USA40.2859239 -76.65024679999999111.975690063821155 -111.80649679999999 68.596157736178839 -41.493996799999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-77590909908358507812022-08-09T21:54:00.003-06:002022-09-04T12:56:32.354-06:00Weekend Whatever's - Colorado Springs Style!
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<center style="text-align: left;"><i><center style="font-style: normal; text-align: left;"><i><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Hey Friends! I hope you all are enjoying your last couple weeks of summer! I just wanted to drop a few pictures and links here to fill you all in on what I have been up to this past week! I spent my whole last week </b></i><i><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">in Colorado Springs, Colorado </b></i><i><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">visiting and catching up with a dear old friend of mine (a Fellow </b><a href="https://www.balletmagnificat.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Ballet Magnificat</a><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> Alumni)! I have been to C</b><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><span>olorado before, in my past days touring with Ballet Magnificat, but it sure was wonderful to visit the state for </span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">leisure</span><span>, without a </span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">preplanned</span><span> agenda or any obligations, not to mention how wonderful it was reuniting with my friend again after so many years! </span></b></span></i></center><center style="font-style: normal; text-align: left;"><i><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></span></span></i></center><center style="font-style: normal; text-align: left;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial;"><i><b>I spent most of my time catching up, relaxing with, and learning from my friend about what she has been up to, and what her new life of marriage and parenting has been like. It was such an enriching trip! </b></i></span></center><center style="font-style: normal; text-align: left;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></center><center style="font-style: normal; text-align: left;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIGZszfwdoDnvEKbGaln2w9JCDtAjV9t1FtcclsaVY0iNvDK-Xzxbs-sOIQ8L9w1ppx3WbqXag9IcvZewWBqn5V7tT8zY8hL1ljoGksF6ujYt2el3MY-tcgWFWex3BVCbsyWdUBLezTAGUfCnxVEcGH4LHzw5IVkUZpWOY7UpZIp4HUIvC4_1kjAr/s5173/Photo%20Aug%2005,%202%2034%2025%20PM%20cropped.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3879" data-original-width="5173" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIGZszfwdoDnvEKbGaln2w9JCDtAjV9t1FtcclsaVY0iNvDK-Xzxbs-sOIQ8L9w1ppx3WbqXag9IcvZewWBqn5V7tT8zY8hL1ljoGksF6ujYt2el3MY-tcgWFWex3BVCbsyWdUBLezTAGUfCnxVEcGH4LHzw5IVkUZpWOY7UpZIp4HUIvC4_1kjAr/w640-h480/Photo%20Aug%2005,%202%2034%2025%20PM%20cropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden of The Gods, Colorado Springs CO</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></i></center><center style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial;"><i><b>We had beautiful weather every day and it wasn't hard to fall in love with the beautiful big blue sky and magnificent mountain ranges in the backdrop wherever we went! Like a good tourist I took many pictures! Continue reading below to see a few of them, and read the handful of "Weekend-Whatevers", random facts and discoveries I made during my time in Colorado Springs, Colorado!</b></i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="font-family: arial;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHU-PUPi8OrzcSWX_l8H6o-T2QsmfV3eTiPUC6ts2ZD0KxR8DknGNAkulCD8WzqH3qAuHsR2632PAZGeqH21zh0oS170sWEhSTA9K6zUuW6vKeaAefgWgQixDYZrktvQp7d6XoGSew_DvCXif7RRP-Ch9e-mrYko_9aqQHXGBaH1-1aE5zM67adDc/s4032/A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHU-PUPi8OrzcSWX_l8H6o-T2QsmfV3eTiPUC6ts2ZD0KxR8DknGNAkulCD8WzqH3qAuHsR2632PAZGeqH21zh0oS170sWEhSTA9K6zUuW6vKeaAefgWgQixDYZrktvQp7d6XoGSew_DvCXif7RRP-Ch9e-mrYko_9aqQHXGBaH1-1aE5zM67adDc/w640-h480/A.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mountainous skyline and Pikes Peak in the background</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KhGZqSULMH53q4FTlUnsO05igC4IPjauSl5AImOxPrzs6bIGsJeozTeRN4Y81ILGJeRhb4AIFlv-8UkUEqXUO2a5RM39sVY1goSaTRQHsRQMvzJYrdbSkSmXNGW9r85iHKlbRIbs9JV089A6RUKnhvim3OKl8pLAs3cvEQ2nfnM4DOYw2WIHuuVa/s4032/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KhGZqSULMH53q4FTlUnsO05igC4IPjauSl5AImOxPrzs6bIGsJeozTeRN4Y81ILGJeRhb4AIFlv-8UkUEqXUO2a5RM39sVY1goSaTRQHsRQMvzJYrdbSkSmXNGW9r85iHKlbRIbs9JV089A6RUKnhvim3OKl8pLAs3cvEQ2nfnM4DOYw2WIHuuVa/w640-h480/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striking a pose in front of the red rocks at Garden of The Gods</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovXdaep5B1TopA7LPG84ZXFJ5gH5k5GAcgVCBAcJMlyYypwIzDTkJAXnHwKeAbXVbrRgdGMLQMAFnWBA_kFgPWgL1M1MXMpsSCQ2PckWyAwLIouib84P1Z0V7G_DPukui9q-9EWX00B3eZJGttuY3SWVUKlsiKWidEJldMYhT7F1X-r3lZIitChio/s4032/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovXdaep5B1TopA7LPG84ZXFJ5gH5k5GAcgVCBAcJMlyYypwIzDTkJAXnHwKeAbXVbrRgdGMLQMAFnWBA_kFgPWgL1M1MXMpsSCQ2PckWyAwLIouib84P1Z0V7G_DPukui9q-9EWX00B3eZJGttuY3SWVUKlsiKWidEJldMYhT7F1X-r3lZIitChio/w640-h480/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Kissing Camels"</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVlnk9XwZiLGpWwV4Ry2_JXprhp-aLJbEVHeOqS0H8-zNASyGxK7nB5rwkUNs9JvsonLBKqt7WJSXTLZj2Dhi4Yf1mCHRY-iWkuEw_q0IWgNTok74-CeHdxHORMkIWNLOsNHxOXI4BjQ76awmyZKegZs9kjfAnqhkizDNyB1rH2eFsw0hlkpzSj7U/s4032/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVlnk9XwZiLGpWwV4Ry2_JXprhp-aLJbEVHeOqS0H8-zNASyGxK7nB5rwkUNs9JvsonLBKqt7WJSXTLZj2Dhi4Yf1mCHRY-iWkuEw_q0IWgNTok74-CeHdxHORMkIWNLOsNHxOXI4BjQ76awmyZKegZs9kjfAnqhkizDNyB1rH2eFsw0hlkpzSj7U/w640-h480/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Balance Rock"</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95CMSeBASgNN4gL_KnsVRofpEyio7TW-za8AeVXhyqaediaitYLT_oW2U0VjiwkQUL9mM8Xn1OG3N3GAuOBu-qpyJrQ2oyUkNiTdB1KuyZQo1CFseMesWRZqs-CVUKBxbZIh_Zj_AoF1VO9KkSqiUtRvdYlv-O8L0znHpfVvX8GPXJ5Y0y7FBD1yj/s4032/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95CMSeBASgNN4gL_KnsVRofpEyio7TW-za8AeVXhyqaediaitYLT_oW2U0VjiwkQUL9mM8Xn1OG3N3GAuOBu-qpyJrQ2oyUkNiTdB1KuyZQo1CFseMesWRZqs-CVUKBxbZIh_Zj_AoF1VO9KkSqiUtRvdYlv-O8L0znHpfVvX8GPXJ5Y0y7FBD1yj/w640-h480/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nature sighting at Garden of the Gods</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljyl9wQomCQzNFagDbFXO0BKWEWgCZ24GaN5A8TMvGF9Uv-zgQ7Wr3r6JyVJVTpzJI_qS9IGpfgJXXGZX1mTeoHh26SYA0pup4R57KF3EbR47x_E4er7u1nzF0qrMfmzbGBf_W2F7weoOyS2VOYm6M0wK4MFNxQd7fYymthTAkoIboNumol9FRsXP/s4032/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljyl9wQomCQzNFagDbFXO0BKWEWgCZ24GaN5A8TMvGF9Uv-zgQ7Wr3r6JyVJVTpzJI_qS9IGpfgJXXGZX1mTeoHh26SYA0pup4R57KF3EbR47x_E4er7u1nzF0qrMfmzbGBf_W2F7weoOyS2VOYm6M0wK4MFNxQd7fYymthTAkoIboNumol9FRsXP/w640-h480/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7MZrNeFXVufVw51zK_uKrWloHg6Vs0Dqm2urJDD0QjWMQ6yd3z2QQCC79yZgbV_7P9xhD0PTZ11Jao5bJMWADwBVRl8L8TEy7EL2IGwu0B_0X8EUtvosEYETAonI5rFmdi2fJOb8PXiDla8wT9sj3Ppn6pESagKiQb4osUjmmbW9YFmc95_1bZx_/s4032/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd7MZrNeFXVufVw51zK_uKrWloHg6Vs0Dqm2urJDD0QjWMQ6yd3z2QQCC79yZgbV_7P9xhD0PTZ11Jao5bJMWADwBVRl8L8TEy7EL2IGwu0B_0X8EUtvosEYETAonI5rFmdi2fJOb8PXiDla8wT9sj3Ppn6pESagKiQb4osUjmmbW9YFmc95_1bZx_/w640-h480/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monument Lake</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxje5rRhwIRVAJJNzyoegSfqZJqJXvyt2aUHIC-t16Qol2XYKRGA3KPmcV4InYAGffjcwQC07bLM_hZBCbTORw4-Ad3sQucw2Z66NWFXRfUJAeNBYwQ97b3WBz0tyHyisR_Pvd9bZyc_F0fAxcrptKuLMRojfFga1OolHnzjiItHuEpQDVYeIfOSf/s3088/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3088" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxje5rRhwIRVAJJNzyoegSfqZJqJXvyt2aUHIC-t16Qol2XYKRGA3KPmcV4InYAGffjcwQC07bLM_hZBCbTORw4-Ad3sQucw2Z66NWFXRfUJAeNBYwQ97b3WBz0tyHyisR_Pvd9bZyc_F0fAxcrptKuLMRojfFga1OolHnzjiItHuEpQDVYeIfOSf/w640-h480/7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quality Friendship</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black;"><i><b> </b></i></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: black;"><center style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">1.</span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b></span><span style="color: black; font-style: normal;">Visiting The Gardens of the Gods in Colorado Springs, was quite the experience, such a different landscape than what I'm used to here on the east coast!</span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial; font-style: italic;">2.</span> </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">I'll continue</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"> my Weekend Whatevers today bragging on my friend who provided me with amazing meals all week! Even her simple over-easy eggs we'd have at least once every day were delicious! I was told the "secret" ingredient was <a href="https://www.mccormickforchefs.com/products/mccormick-culinary/mesquite-barbecue-seasoning" target="_blank">McCormick Culinary Mesquite Barbecue Seasoning</a>!</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"> Along with the BBQ seasoning, my friend also convinced me to add iron supplements to my grocery list after explaining to her my experience lately with lack of energy, informing me of their power in increasing red blood cells, producing muscle cells, and helping with overall body function and regulation.</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">4.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Also <a href="https://www.amazon.com/LOreal-Paris-EverPure-Conditioner-Color-Treated/dp/B091G47FDH/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2EK8IVCXFF0F4&keywords=loreal+everpure+bond+strengthening+shampoo+and+conditioner&qid=1660710331&rdc=1&sprefix=loreal+ever+pure+bond+stre%2Caps%2C87&sr=8-4">THIS</a>, Loreal Ever Pure Bond Strengthening shampoo and conditioner for my curly hair. My friend is very convincing. </span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">5.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">During my week in Colorado, I picked up this book from my friends' bookshelf, "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Saving-Your-Marriage-Before-Starts/dp/0310346282/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3V75VW0IID5BT&keywords=saving+your+marriage+before+it+starts&qid=1660710488&sprefix=Saving+your+%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts</a>" and was able to start and finish it all in that one week. UM, THIS BOOK WAS LIFE CHANGING, bringing clarity to my fogged-up brain as of late, and providing me with a godly perspective on how healthy marital relationships are established, ones that are cut out for the long run. This book was such a helpful, but also EASY read, and I HIGHLY recommend it to any and everybody looking for love no matter what gender or stage of life they are in! Get it! Read it! Do it! One of the things I most appreciated about this book most was how it affirmed me in the good ways I subconsciously went about doing things in my previous relationship, which was <i>so</i> encouraging, but then also, I found myself wishing I had read this book <i>before</i> having entered into that previous dating relationship, as I felt I would have been better able to articulate myself and feelings in conversation about certain things if that would have been the case.</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">6.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">With love on the brain I have been getting an itch to re-read <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Severe-Mercy-Sheldon-Vanauken/dp/0060688246/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3L87L1WK5MVM7&keywords=a+severe+mercy+by+sheldon+vanauken&qid=1660710585&sprefix=A+severe+%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-1" target="_blank">this</a> beautiful and epic love story again. "A Severe Mercy" is one of my most favorite books I have ever read.</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">7.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">On our way to Colorado Springs from the Denver airport, we stopped at <a href="https://about.ikea.com/en" target="_blank">IKEA</a>. It was a first-time experience for me. And it was AMAZING. From the Swedish meatballs to all the showrooms; I thought for a hot second that I was in heaven.</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">8.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Though this music band has no longer been touring as of 2021, my friend introduced me to the band </span><a href="https://riversandrobots.com/" style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;" target="_blank">Rivers and Robots</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"> which I have absolutely fallen in love with, especially the song "</span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4S8ne-xU0E" style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;" target="_blank">Shepherd Of My Soul</a><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">".</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></b></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">9.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">And just one <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8EAIMVOipA" target="_blank">other song</a> I have recently discovered that has been ministering to my soul lately.</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: arial;">10.</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>Lastly, along the theme of relationships and wisdom, check out this podcast I was introduced to during my trip, <a href="https://www.boundless.org/podcast/" target="_blank">Boundless</a>. It's based out of Colorado Springs, CO! I have really been enjoying it.</b></span></center></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center></center>
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Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0Colorado Springs, CO, USA38.8338816 -104.821363410.523647763821153 -139.9776134 67.144115436178851 -69.6651134tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-34236084254418193192022-07-27T20:57:00.006-06:002022-08-22T05:19:00.279-06:00Fearing God, not People
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><b><i>Oof! It has been a week for me. How about you? Currently, in my early 30s, Adulting and all its responsibilities have been weighing extra heavy on me lately. I have been feeling confused, anxious, fearful, incompetent, and helpless about it all. Sure, it is the perfect time to remember I am not doing this alone, but it has been hard. It helps a little to remind myself that usually when trials come, they come in waves; when it rains it pours but also being reminded that this is</i></b><b><i> just a season. It won't last forever. For as much as I feel like a child wanting to run away to some hidden place where I can curl up into a small ball, cover my eyes, and retreat from the pressures of the world and adulthood, I know that is not an option, but at least I have </i></b><b><i>Jesus as an anchor.</i></b></span></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><h2 style="color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">... We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, </span></span></h2></div><div><h2 style="color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">firm and secure.</span></span></h2></div></blockquote><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial; font-size: xx-small;"><b><i>Hebrews 6:19</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">One thing that never helps during times like these is my struggle with "Fearing Man". It makes matters already difficult, only more complicated. As a people pleaser, I find myself wrestling with the temptation to give the opinion of others more weight than they deserve, leading me to feel controlled and often tormented by them. If I'm honest, in full transparency, I have recently experienced (for the first time) a dating relationship, of six months, beautifully blossom and then crumble into a painful breakup (the ending in which I initiated- but painful nonetheless). Though difficult, God has been ever-present. I know my experience wasn't in vain for I have grown and learned so much from it, but without trying to be dramatic, I steal the following quote from <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YXBTLYN?ref_=k4w_embed_details_rh&tag=x_gr_w_preview_sin_kcr-20&linkCode=kpd" target="_blank">Charles Dicken's A Tale of Two Cities</a></i> to perfectly describe my last couple of months:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><i><span style="color: #e06666;">βIt was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.β</span></i></div><div><i><span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><i>β Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities</i></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="color: #e06666;"> </span></i><br /></span></div></blockquote><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>I battled with people-pleasing and "fear of man" all along the dating process, before, during, and even after, and one thing I have learned and am convinced of is that this struggle and sinful pattern of thinking that I've been dealing with has got to STOP. Oh, to be as free as how the apostle Paul describes himself to be in 1 Corinthians 4.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span></span></div></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #e06666;"><i> "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me." β 1 Corinthians 4:3-4 </i></span> </div></div></blockquote><div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>I have been doing a lot of reading lately; The autobiography of Will Smith for one thing which I would NOT really recommend. In my opinion, his story <i>is</i> rather compelling, but the book gets rather "trippy" and nonsensical by the end, coming from a Christian standpoint. One thing that did stand out to me though was that not even a celebrity such as Will Smith was able to evade the struggle of people pleasing and fear of man in his lifetime and experience. I would just advise dealing with it a little differently than he would.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Other more helpful books I have been reading on this topic that I <i>would</i> highly recommend are:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Self-Forgetfulness-Path-Christian/dp/1906173419/ref=sr_1_1?crid=SPBX9NK50PLH&keywords=freedom+of+self+forgetfulness+tim+keller&qid=1658954649&sprefix=freedom+of+self%2Caps%2C264&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness by Timothy J. Keller</a></li></ul></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13579364-the-freedom-of-self-forgetfulness?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=J87RvJIp1V&rank=1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="688" data-original-width="1183" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmcUOtVROtwtmXhWBVvxOmkMxgXreoz7yBUfd9KJ-s_Khdkgp_yYMbh-xKCypJw3xeIgASgbbXlu-fzsFCP5JLbQR_i-0YtQ09KVg-lutLyfxEGj7ytYlvhAyo787LKzQBM2qU-EsdHqkbMLT6yRviiOJHqqVoLF6A8eIpgQeJ5OSgzCm1FUp1ZQp/w640-h373/The%20Freedom%20of%20self-forgetfulness.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/When-People-Are-Big-Small/dp/0875526004/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1G1QR0BPZEYO9&keywords=when+people+are+big+and+god+is+small&qid=1658954711&sprefix=when+people%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-1" target="_blank">When People Are Big and God Is Small: Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependency, and the Fear of Man by Edward T. Welch</a></li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34485.When_People_Are_Big_and_God_Is_Small?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=3chgZfvtEz&rank=1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="1165" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1y_w_akZR372PfP3-ExdHDGyqMyjkblQSoC3_VeLIuS7B3L7CrUkbx_MMotjyxfK3cW3r-maPF0ZEY699nn1hqYAENlXsrRhGCNMip0GXGOVzV5kU1zpuxp5Km6lQlNz_bsbSYdnTtSLQyvzRcRkomveXRL61jqTo2OUCEi8zImaFl2UXAj7IbXCL/w640-h382/When%20people%20are%20big%20and%20God%20is%20small.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>AND OF COURSE,</i> the word of God has been a go-to and the most effective remedy I've found for squelching out my "fleshly" people-pleasing tendencies. So today, for the remainder of this blog post I would like to share with you my favorite "daggers" of truth from these resources that have been helping me fight against my "fear of man", p</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">eople pleasing, and self-idolization. I hope anyone relating to my struggles, whatever your circumstance, will find the following to be edifying and helpful. Be blessed!</span></div><div><b style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2022/07/fearing-god-not-people.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1374" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9OWly03Fgs362K3WcAR7BHV2lKODUkiVQJ2VftvPurEwu7quINDa4YcmKsTuLPyDqbGgoVvmufs__-867YJqA5Qve7uoTprzJBZ21qP_N28zUkLH96tBME9nYoTFHZ862XiFKIAWBTW-gt94xPT2bmdi6OrepM8KuLJ_G5BgHAt2tbAgnZmwtPPs/w640-h360/People%20Pleasing%20Banner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-size: x-large;"> # Amazing :</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>1 Samuel 16:7 "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."</div><div><br /></div><div>Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."</div><div><br /></div><div>Proverbs 10:27 "The fear of the Lord adds length to life,"</div><div><br /></div><div>Proverbs 19:23 "The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm."</div><div><br /></div><div>Proverbs 29: 25 "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe."</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-size: x-large;"><span> </span># Ouch :</span></div><div><br /></div><div>John 5:41,42,44 "I do not accept glory from human beings, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God."</div><div><br /></div><div>John 12:42 "Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God."</div><div><br /></div><div>Galatians 1:10 "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."</div><div><br /></div><div>1 Samuel 15:24 "Then Saul said to Samuel, βI have sinned. I violated the Lordβs command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them."</div><div><br /></div><div>Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other."</div><div><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-size: x-large;"><span> </span># Goals :</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Matthew 22:16 βTeacher,β they said, βwe know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You arenβt swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. </div><div><br /></div><div>1 Thessalonians 2:4 "We speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts."</div><div><br /></div><div>Ephesians 6:19-20 "Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, or which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."</div><div><br /></div><div>1 Peter 3:13-14 "Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened."</div><div><br /></div><div>1 Corinthians 4:3-4 "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me."</div><div><br /></div><div>Matthew 10:28 "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."</div><div><br /></div><div>Isaiah 51: 7-8 "Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations."</div><div><br /></div><div>Jeremiah 17:5-8 "This is what the Lord says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."</div><div><br /></div><div>Psalm 146:3-4 "Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing."</div><div><br /></div><div>Psalm 34:9, 11 "Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing...Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you to fear the Lord"<i> (it has to be learned!!)</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i> *BONUS: </i>Romans 14:17,18 βFor the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.β</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "homemade apple"; text-align: center;">A few quotes from :</span></div><br /><div><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-size: x-large;">" When People Are Big and God Is Small "</span></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Page 68 - "When people are [made] large, God will be [made] small."</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Page 113 - "Too often our mountain-top experiences [with God] are quickly overtaken by the clamor of the world, and God is once again diminished in our minds. The goal is to establish a DAILY tradition of growing in the knowledge of God."</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Page 135 - "When you spend time in the throne room of God, it puts things in perspective... Daily stops in the court of the Lord cure the fear of man."</i></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div><br /></div><div>
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</div></div>Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-59621202237015608982022-07-16T17:32:00.006-06:002022-07-24T21:59:55.007-06:00Being Called to Selflessness and ServingIt has been for a couple months now that I have been fixated on the following scripture:<div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i>"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39</i></span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>This time it has been particularly the second part of the scripture that has been standing out to me recently. It amazes me how God can so powerfully use scripture to reach out to our hearts, challenge, and bring conviction! But more on that scripture in just a moment... </div><div><br /></div><div>It sure is interesting to me how God can also work, more than that, He even <i>chooses</i> to work through <i>mere mortals</i> to get his work done too sometimes. Lately, I have been reflecting on the beauty of relationships and how deep relationships and trusted friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, can serve as vessels in which the Lord may choose to work; Christ-like examples that can spur others on in the faith, can be good sources of accountability, and who can also play the role of being like a mirror or sounding board, that through good edifying conversation and providing their listening ear, can allow for others to verbally process aloud their thoughts and ideas to them. </div><div><br /></div><div>This can at least be said about a select handful of special individuals who have really shown their support and love to me as of late, them being the Lord's chosen vessel and me being the impotent companion in need of their listening ear, accountability, and of the being spurred on by them, my Spirit-filled friends. Things happen and clarity always seems to come to me when I have someone to "vent" to, for a lack of a better word. It is a blessing to have them near even if it is without them even saying a word, but just having their comforting presence! But then, not even<i> just that!</i> Sometimes, these friends of mine even go the <i>extra mile</i> pouring back into me by returning my venting with wisdom!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGWBzgmzi8yjvYFsrjfrVD80muTKIUpfrraj7fo9hpT_190w3Q6DiLMgJ4pbN06pJVcvNK_vd3rPi6BJC-1wHZ0d5AqKcKJxClEvld6BhdVKVMODWS5RrirPCyPsgT9IKu9F-HziqiJklLbQfzvyXVNitpKax_doYfybJF2AQNdnnhmCVxeMmL9Wu/s4804/priscilla-du-preez-DAFh1p9huAE-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3203" data-original-width="4804" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGWBzgmzi8yjvYFsrjfrVD80muTKIUpfrraj7fo9hpT_190w3Q6DiLMgJ4pbN06pJVcvNK_vd3rPi6BJC-1wHZ0d5AqKcKJxClEvld6BhdVKVMODWS5RrirPCyPsgT9IKu9F-HziqiJklLbQfzvyXVNitpKax_doYfybJF2AQNdnnhmCVxeMmL9Wu/w640-h426/priscilla-du-preez-DAFh1p9huAE-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>I guess my point is, it is a MARVELOUS thing! My friends inspire me to want to be like that to them and to everyone I meet! And with that, back to the scripture above!</i></div><div><br /></div><div> I feel like God has really been calling me to love, serve, and better prioritize the people around me in this season! It is easy for me to get selfish and fall into the complacent position of only wanting to receive and not give, and then, sometimes on the off chance I DO make an effort to give of myself, whether I'm giving comfort, wisdom, resources, service etc, I often find myself doing it for the wrong reason (self-righteousnessly, for recognition, reward, or compensation), or with the wrong attitude (begrudgingly etc.) <i>#FAIL</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, to be more like Jesus is the goal, but I must say, it has been cool to see his serving nature modeled in the friends around me lately, in the power of the Holy Spirit.<i> #GOALS</i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaQUNq59YO1H_5I9zdMoV_Lf3EbPhUA8RMbbYEr50NYZOZALlvpZxhj9ZhYOXM32Mz8zSKSOdX8eSmOM1SeZ8w7DkFzj295OygRl647QQtDBWrDgexJpdnsLryYZbnyRN1_3YSYv-tkpZAbKnKMbWEEflLi2m4LcaCdzEZ03WL1kjl3qEwG5LScUq/s650/For-the-Son-of-Man-came-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="650" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaQUNq59YO1H_5I9zdMoV_Lf3EbPhUA8RMbbYEr50NYZOZALlvpZxhj9ZhYOXM32Mz8zSKSOdX8eSmOM1SeZ8w7DkFzj295OygRl647QQtDBWrDgexJpdnsLryYZbnyRN1_3YSYv-tkpZAbKnKMbWEEflLi2m4LcaCdzEZ03WL1kjl3qEwG5LScUq/w640-h371/For-the-Son-of-Man-came-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2016/03/11/5-ways-that-jesus-served-while-on-earth/" target="_blank">Image Source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I've been reminded that everyone is going through <i>something. </i>I want to slow down in life and make sure to take time and look for opportunities where I can reach out and be a blessing to others in need like my friends have done for me; and not to give them the credit, or myself when I am able to follow through, but that God would get the glory! It has been pretty neat how the past couple of days during my bible reading time going through the New Testament chapters of Corinthians, God has been reiterating to me this theme of selflessness and serving! I keep coming across certain verses that leap off the page and into my heart, calling me to better serve and love people! I have seen it exhibited, read about it, and have been a recipient of the love, kindness, and generosity of others, now I am ready to meet the challenge myself of better operating in this manner.</div><div><br /></div><div> In closing, I just wanted to share with you the couple of scriptures in the Corinthians that have powerfully impacted and reshaped my attitude on the topic of serving, and hope you can be blessed by them!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<div><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i><center>"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" </center></i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i>1 Corinthians 10:31</i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i>"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love." </i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i>1 Corinthians 16:13,14</i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i>"This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lordβs people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else."</i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i>2 Corinthians 9:12,13</i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; text-align: left;">_____________________________________________</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #ea9999; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><i>PS. Did you know I have other blog articles featured on another website? <a href="https://www.xrhythms.co.uk/">XRythems.co.uk</a></i></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><i>Check out my blog post linked below for another article featuring the same theme of selfless living, and serving.</i></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><i><br /></i></span></span></center><ul>
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</div>Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-45495613684698473112022-07-13T21:26:00.002-06:002022-07-27T21:13:59.435-06:00This Happened!While I was gone from blogging here... this happened! π I am quite proud of this accomplishment, a project I have dreamed of doing for some time now was finally completed the 20'-21' school year; 365 pirouettes! One pirouette for every day of the year, check it out!<div><br /></div><div> It has been quite nostalgic for me to go back and watch! Now, for your viewing pleasure, Enjoy!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /> <i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β</i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> For More Optimistic Reads </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β </i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /></div>
</div>Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-8858013472565258422022-07-08T00:52:00.012-06:002022-07-08T01:00:44.706-06:00- Midnight Musings -<center style="text-align: left;"><center style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>Well, No better day than TODAY...EARLY morning (beyond midnight?!) on Friday, July 8th to return to my cozy little corner of the world wide web and resurrect The Occupied Optimist from its nearly year and a half slumber!</i></span></b></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">I don't know if anybody is out there reading this. If not, that is okay. I have decided to come back here and blog again, just because it is a good place to throw out the thoughts of my heart and mind... out into the void, for the simple sake of public self-expression. Should anyone happen to stumble across my thoughts and learn something new, be edified or encouraged, well, then that is just a plus! </center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">My life has changed so much over the past 3 years, since my dancing days. Perhaps my life has become significantly more boring, common, and substandard in comparison to what my former blog entries have reflected, with all my accounts of touring across the country and world as a professional ballerina, <i>BUT! I refuse to think so.</i> </center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Things are certainly <i>different</i>. </center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Stepping down off the public platform, out of the limelight; it isn't so cold here. The things I now occupy myself with and strive to accomplish each day<i> may be</i> entirely different from my former pursuits, perhaps less physical and <i>DEFINITELY</i> less SELF-focused, and altogether just LESS in general, but I would say, Indisputably... I'm still FOCUSED. The things I focus my energies on <i>these days</i> may have less to visibly show for, <i>BUT!</i> I feel/sense the harvest is so much richer than ever before in the things that really matter. Not to say that being a professional performing artist for Jesus didn't serve its good purpose in my life for its time, But...</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i>...we are always evolving, I'm growing older and wiser.</i></span></b></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></b></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i>I'm not thinking less of myself, but thinking of myself less.</i></span></b></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i> (c.s. lewis- Mere Christianity) </i></span></b></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></b></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i>The glory days are over, but it feels like life has only just begun!</i></span></b></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></span></b></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><i>Time moves slower now, but relationships are deeper, and it's wonderful.</i></span></b></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"> </center><center style="text-align: left;">I still stand by the statement I've made in my '<a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/p/about-me.html" target="_blank">about me</a>' section! My life may be different now then before, <i>BUT</i>, I still have a story to tell!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImt-W2YO9mR69dqnrqpTxOAmHyYS8pNHLc08naGfSegkcodOvMKoz28CmUJwn7MFvZq7KtpeqbT7tQjkrjCLmpRzUPKimWwPFBc7UqlPPxJ9CidyFk_Y3vzWgH69mDnqprKaXf5JQ14r31-qhdZsHye6d0E41CdM4irlHndjaOq0evhFOcVbJQCiB/s6720/nathan-dumlao-LPRrEJU2GbQ-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4480" data-original-width="6720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjImt-W2YO9mR69dqnrqpTxOAmHyYS8pNHLc08naGfSegkcodOvMKoz28CmUJwn7MFvZq7KtpeqbT7tQjkrjCLmpRzUPKimWwPFBc7UqlPPxJ9CidyFk_Y3vzWgH69mDnqprKaXf5JQ14r31-qhdZsHye6d0E41CdM4irlHndjaOq0evhFOcVbJQCiB/w640-h426/nathan-dumlao-LPRrEJU2GbQ-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">For now, In closing, I would like to share with you this rich passage of scripture I have been recently meditating on. Be Blessed!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><center style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">1 Timothy 6:6-19</span></b></i></center><center style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></i></center><center style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;">But godliness with contentment is great gain. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.</span></b></i></center><center style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></i></center><center style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;">11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue </span></b></i></center><center style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;">RIGHTEOUSNESS, </span></b></i></center><center style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;">GODLINESS, </span></b></i></center><center style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;">FAITH, </span></b></i></center><center style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;">LOVE, </span></b></i></center><center style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;">ENDURANCE,</span></b></i></center><center style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;">& GENTLENESS. </span></b></i></center><center style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></i></center><center style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;">17 Those who are rich in this present world be not arrogant nor put your hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but put your hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Do good, be rich in good deeds, and be generous and willing to share. In this way you will lay up treasure for yourselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that you may take hold of the life that is truly </span></b></i></center><center style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial;">life.</span></b></i></center></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: center;">π</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center></center><center>______________________________________________</center>
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Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-90904367539845513362021-01-10T22:34:00.003-06:002021-01-10T22:34:45.358-06:00Weekend Whatevers
<center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black; font-family: arial;"><b><i>My First "Weekend Whatevers" post this year! Wahoo!</i></b></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><i><br /></i></b></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: arial;"><i>Well y'all, we just completed our first week of 2021. Without taking into consideration all the crazy news headlines from the past week, I'd say it's been a pretty good first week of the year for me, by God's grace. I'm just doing what I can to keep my chin up, be kind, live</i></b><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i> justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God (Micah 6:8) I read this cool quote this week: </i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><blockquote><span style="color: #fd906f;"><blockquote>Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change. ~ BobKerrey</blockquote></span></blockquote><p> </p></i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i>Having experienced that unexpected kind smile from that person I made eye contact with crossing the street the other day, that unexpected hug from a sister at church, or even a kind unexpected compliment coming from that sweet cashier in the grocery store, I believe this quote to be true. Unexpected assaults of kindness can totally demolish any negative thoughts I have or bitterness floating around in my mind, can lift my soul when it's weary, and can even redirect and transform my attitude and way of thinking for a day. Knowing how random acts of kindness affect me, I want to do my best to pass on the kindness to others! I know I can't change the world this way, but if can positively impact the sphere of people the Lord has placed me amongst, then why not! Ya with me? Maybe you can help me to brainstorm different unexpected ways we can bless and treat kindly those people all around us. Share your thoughts in the comments below. </i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCAj-TLr2z10woD87DyIj9VjTG8gLfQNWnjTOzJg1oH7gLc47VEHrPEovUB0JKB7-RmxUYTf5cywX67OPLw5q_JP7cGEBP5m3KsYGW9kjCapwf2hZC6hkZFDTDA_0GJQFuDPamLHR8sk/s2048/IMG_1151.JPG"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirCAj-TLr2z10woD87DyIj9VjTG8gLfQNWnjTOzJg1oH7gLc47VEHrPEovUB0JKB7-RmxUYTf5cywX67OPLw5q_JP7cGEBP5m3KsYGW9kjCapwf2hZC6hkZFDTDA_0GJQFuDPamLHR8sk/w640-h640/IMG_1151.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Just me and G unwinding after a long but successful first week...</span></div><i style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"><br /></i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">1.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">I'll begin</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"> my Weekend Whatevers today by sharing with you about the new daily devotional I've started for this year: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50630629-experiencing-god-day-by-day-devotional?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=HWC2VoFcdo&rank=4" target="_blank">Experiencing God Day by Day Devotional by Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby</a>. I absolutely am loving it! I have an in-the-palm-of-your-hand sized copy. I appreciate how even though the concepts are shared in a short and concise manner, they still pack very convicting and profound punches of edification. It is an easy read. I actually look forward to reading it in the mornings because I know I will be able to fit it in. I have just discovered there is also an <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/356373.Experiencing_God?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=bpWH95r9sd&rank=1" target="_blank">Experiencing God Bible Study</a> by the same people I will definitely have to look into next.</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">2.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"> <a href="The Five Silent Years of Corrie ten Boom" target="_blank">The Five Silent Years of Corrie ten Boom</a> is the book I've started reading for 2021. So far so good. We'll see how long it takes me to finish!</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">3.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">I also have to mention how in love I am with my NEW <a href="https://www.christianbook.com/esv-macarthur-2nd-edition-leather-brown/9780785235651/pd/235654?event=ESRCG" target="_blank">John McArthur Study Bible</a> gifted to me by my Grandpa, one last gift before he went to be with Jesus. Y'all this bible is amazing. Just taking in how many cross refreences he sites, that alone, has led me to saving faith all over again, HA, and without yet even reading them.</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">4.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">I stumbled upon this really cool blog, <a href="http://Soveryblessed.com">Soveryblessed.com</a> and wanted to share this post with you about the <a href="https://soveryblessed.com/6-top-superfood-staples/" target="_blank">6 super foods</a> that would be a great idea to keep in your kitchen. I found this article really helpful and interesting not because I am looking to lose weight or anything but just because the foods discussed in this article are simply really healthy and nutritious, and would make great staples to anyone diet. It's a new year! Who ISN'T making strides to improve their health around this time? </span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">5.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Let's talk m</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">ovies! Has anyone else seen the movie "<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2948372/" target="_blank">Soul</a>" by Disney? I thought it was pretty good. I appreciated it paying homage to musicians and artist, but I don't feel the need to own this one. If you have see Disney's Insideout, it kind of reminded me of that movie, butin my opinion better. I was not a fan of the "Great Before" concept.</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">6.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">I also recently got the chance to watch the movie "<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4294970/" target="_blank">I Believe</a>" for the first time. My cousin spoke SO highly of it! I LOVE me a good Christian movie, but this one did not do much for me. It was somewhat predictable, and though I hate to compare true stories, I think "I Can Only Imagine" was so much better, in storyline but also production. </span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">7.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">If any of you love shopping at <a href="https://www.bathandbodyworks.com/?gclid=3e739696dd5b1ab191a9c96d15ab3c10&cm_mmc=Bing-_-Paid-Search-_-B_Brand_Core_Exact-_-B_Brand_Core_Exact_General&s_kwcid=AL!5233!3!!e!!o!!www%20bathandbodyworks%20com&ef_id=3e739696dd5b1ab191a9c96d15ab3c10:G:s" target="_blank">Bath & Body Works</a> like I do, NOW is the time to shop. Twice a year they hey hold their Huge Semi-Annual Sales, January and June I believe, and they are the sales I hold out all year for! 50% off sale items - ya gotta check it out! I always make sure to stock up on their wall flower fragrance refills!</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">8.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Let me tell you about these </span><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/333759022391427730/" target="_blank">High-Rise Ankle Length Faux Leather </a></b></span><b style="font-size: 17px;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/333759022391427730/" target="_blank">Jogger Pull-On Pants</a> I recently bought for myself, and my grandma for Christmas (yeah, my G-ma is that cool) from Target, I am OBSESSED. I am definitely glad I read the reviews because they definitely do run extremely large, don't fit <i>exactly</i> right in the hips, and oddly, make a bit of noise when you walk, okay maybe kinda loud, BUT they are sooo cute if worn well, and for the price that even other faux leather pants go for, they are definitely a steal! ! ! ! I am in love and wish I could wear them everyday.</b></center><center style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></b></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">9.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Right now I am really into "Five Iron Frenzy" and their songs "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwZXThxLkOc" target="_blank">Every New Day</a>" and "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EqrewXci5k" target="_blank">On Distant Shores</a>". I know they are SO dated, but it can't be denied that they're really unique, fun, and deep artists!</span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #ea9999; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">10.</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"> </b></span><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>On an entirely different note, I think it was my mom who introduced me to this really neat online learning platform called <a href="https://alison.com/" target="_blank">Alison</a> where you can enroll in taking FREE courses offering numbers of different relevant and valuable subjects. I mean, it is not like getting a collage degree but if you are interested in exploring a certain topic, developing your current skills in a given area, or want to dip your toes into learning a new trade, this website might be a great place to start. Check it out! I think I might be interested in looking into some of their business, marketing, or computer science courses.</b></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center>
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<center>That's a wrap friends! Thanks for stopping by! </center>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /> <i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β</i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> For More Optimistic Reads </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β </i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /></div>
Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com2Lancaster, PA, USA40.0378755 -76.305514411.727641663821153 -111.4617644 68.348109336178851 -41.149264400000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-32886039905333850262021-01-05T09:48:00.035-06:002021-01-10T22:54:31.905-06:00The Testimony of Former Ballerina Leslie Shivers<div><br /></div><div><center><h3><u style="color: #ea9999; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;">TESTIMONY TUESDAY!</u></h3><span style="color: #ea9999;"><br /></span><h2><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;">βReturn home and tell how much God has done for you.β</span></i></span></span></h2><h2><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><i style="font-weight: normal;">~ Luke 8:39</i></span></span></h2><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I introduce to you Testimony Tuesdays!!! A testimony by definition is: a formal written or spoken statement, a public recounting of a religious conversion or experience. The Bible commands us in numerous places to bring praise, glory, and honor to our God by proclaiming, declaring, and telling about His marvelous works to others. That is the purpose and heart behind this installment for my Tuesday posts. Each Tuesday (more or less), a testimony will be shared here involving the recounting of salvation, redemption, overcoming, and/or healing just to name a few; A story that brings glory to our God and in which we might be encouraged, spurred on, and challenged with at the same time.The stories that will be shared will either be of my own personal experiences, excerpts from books, testimonies I find via youtube or other media sources, as well as YOURS! I would love to know and give you the opportunity to share here with us a testimony of your own, of whatever fashion that involves the Lord doing a transforming work in your life. Just email me your testimony and I will see what I can do about posting it on a future Tuesday! You may choose to have your name be known or anonymous. I look forward to hearing from you!</span></center><center><br /></center><center>_________________________________</center><center><br /></center><center><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">Today's blog entry features the story of a person who is very special to me. She was not only a co-laborer of mine at Ballet Magnificat but also a role model and friend, Leslie Shivers. When I think of Leslie, I think about how talented, disciplined, hard-working, and Jesus-loving she was. She is also one of the sweetest people you will ever meet! As healthy, active, and young as she is, we were all stunned by the announcement one day at the studio to learn of her being diagnosed with cancer. Does cancer even have biases, because it doesn't seem?</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">I had never personally known anyone diagnosed with cancer up until that point, and definitely not anyone diagnosed with it at 28, so close in age to me! But now, just having lost my grandpa to cancer this past August, it is by no means, a new concept to me anymore. Unlike my grandpa, thankfully Leslie's story ends differently, or should I say continues!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;">But similarly to my grandpa, I witnessed Leslie walk through her trial faith-filled and persistently steadfast in the Lord. It is a MARVEL to behold the resilience of a human being under fire who is rooted in the Lord. I don't think I've ever before witnessed a clearer picture of the scripture in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (how His power is made perfect in our weakness) until watching Leslie, and then my grandpa, suffer so greatly battling against cancer. I know it was not always easy, but God proved that scripture to be true in their lives and was glorified so greatly through their circumstances. Watch the video below as Leslie herself shares her story. Be encouraged, blessed, and filled with hope!</center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center>
<center><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nh33etAKqLw" width="560"></iframe></center>
<center><br /></center><center><i style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #352929;"><span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></i></center><center><i style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #352929;"><span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b>"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." ~Romans 8:18</b></span></span></i></center><center><i style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #352929;"><span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></i></center><center><i style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #352929;"><span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></i></center><center><i style="color: #ea9999; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #352929;"><span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 23.8px;"><center style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #352929; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23.8px;"><i style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #352929;"><span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Happy Tuesday!</b></span></span></i></span></center><center style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #352929; font-family: "josefin slab"; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 23.8px;"><i style="color: #ea9999; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #352929;"><span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Be blessed.</b></span></span></i></span></center></span></span></i></center><center><br /></center><center>______________________________________________</center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /> <span style="font-size: x-large;">Have You Read... </span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2016/09/jason-castro-going-deeper.html" target="_blank">Testimony Tuesday with American Idol's Jason Castro</a></li><li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2017/03/a-weight-lifted.html" target="_blank">Testimony Tuesday with Amy Perry of Selah</a></li><li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2016/05/there-is-exit.html" target="_blank">An Unexpected Pregnancy</a></li></ul></div>Lillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190239275566622911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1555328430977391580.post-34185057859623794672021-01-03T16:11:00.000-06:002021-01-03T16:11:20.027-06:00Celebrating 5 Years!<div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWilZguszqLUYrd6bwrpZrq66A-R8MUJ9tmBPWngg3w63PZUaQRINup3Q1B_J5dhNhZC17C3NeUfmz_75x7bkLMGbGdzlQjWD_qhpHVCRWHcIRMb98I6GXuxFira9faX27D0AbMx1b_Us/s180/Fireworks-PNG-Pic-180x180.png" style="clear: right; float: right; font-style: italic; font-weight: 700; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="180" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWilZguszqLUYrd6bwrpZrq66A-R8MUJ9tmBPWngg3w63PZUaQRINup3Q1B_J5dhNhZC17C3NeUfmz_75x7bkLMGbGdzlQjWD_qhpHVCRWHcIRMb98I6GXuxFira9faX27D0AbMx1b_Us/w146-h146/Fireworks-PNG-Pic-180x180.png" width="146" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b><span style="color: #fd906f; font-size: xx-large;">Not only</span> is it the start of a brand new year ( and I pray to God it ushers in as much refreshment, excitement, and newfound hope for you, as it does for me...) but it is also "The Occupied Optimist's" five year anniversary! Ekk! I think this is so exciting! I also have an odd sense of pride about it. My blog has come so far since my <a href="https://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com/2015/12/its-just-beginning.html" target="_blank">first post</a>, and even though I've wavered in consistency with updating it, and for sure have slowed my roll, especially in recent years, I am simply pleased with myself for overall sticking with it! New inspiration has settled upon me to dust off the abandoned corners of this blog, tidy things up, and get back to writing again- a therapeutic hobby I miss! </b></i></span><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><b>My life has evolved SO much over the past year or so. I have LOTS to tell, but I need you all to tell me what YOU are interested in reading about. You may or may not know, God recently called me out of a nearly decade-long stint of traveling the world as a professional ballet dancer, to settle back into "normal life" again here in Lancaster, PA. Yes. It's going well. And yes, I have lots to tell. I am somewhat dumbfounded and astonished by those of you that have stuck around long enough to follow me on my journey up until this point. How pleasant it has been for me to have your company along the way. I am truly thankful for it! And if you're newer, well I'm thankful for you too, that you would choose to take time out of your day to read what I have to say. You can expect more, informative, personal, inspiring, and encouraging content to come your way this year! In celebration of this new chapter, enjoy </b></i></span><i style="font-family: arial;"><b>The Occupied Optimist's</b></i><i style="font-family: arial;"><b> new "facelift". It was about time I updated the site design and layout! Newness is everywhere!</b></i></div><div><h2 style="background-color: white; font-family: "homemade apple"; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><i style="font-weight: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="font-family: inherit;"></i></span></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></i></div></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">" Do not call to mind the former things ; pay no attention to the things of old . Behold ! I am about to do something new ; Now it springs up ; do you not perceive it ? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland . " </span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div></blockquote><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">~ Isaiah 43:18-19</span></i></div></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></i></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: inherit;"></i></div></i></span></span></h2>
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<center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><br /></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><i style="font-family: arial;"><b><span style="color: #fd906f; font-size: xx-large;">So</span> there has been this recent trend of people posting favorite pics for each month of memorable events that happened last year. I seriously considered including something like that at the end of this blog post, for my first post of 2021! I love taking photos and usually have myriads to choose from on my iPhone, but the more I got to thinking about it I realized this past year has been very different; an exceptionally uneventful year with not too many happy or memorable events to look back on. Not to say, I don't have TONS of things to be thankful for from this past year, just that I don't have too many pictures of those things that have been more so conceptual than concrete. So instead, I'm going to finish off this blog post with some silly footage of something I spotted out in downtown Lancaster that I feel perfectly depicts how many of us may be saying sayonara to 2020. </b></i></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><i style="font-family: arial;"><b><br /></b></i></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='468' height='389' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxn0dustF-uSdrgHkJc6RbBfcxXQHMsswlZ20PJFrU2aMytkJ1MlZjIUsIj7GctB6FJUr2tTLipHCX55J8Yxw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><i><br /></i></span></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><i><br /></i></span></span></center><center style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fd906f;"><i> * Have a happy and blessed new year to you and yours! *</i></span></center><center style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></center>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /> <i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β</i><span style="font-size: x-large;"> For More Optimistic Reads </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #e06666; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">β </i><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sQGh578hm_B86zMH6I-L8t8TNlTWLYJWlv6PST0sFc2rx29nxuay2Gu1ZyxSUYw2NJ0Gi4gRBsJX_rDElOktYHn4EVZA8LaANVkaQ82DrHnxqSZan8JgZOAyJwSxqiFPyl1f_YDjpsY/s1600/Lilly+Bee.png" /></div>
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