tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62704723260186393292024-03-06T01:39:19.091-06:00Faith Over FearLove makes a family. Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-87394318491242376502020-05-07T09:54:00.002-05:002020-05-07T16:30:51.358-05:00To The Mother Of My Children<div>
<b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided to dust off the blog and share a little more regularly about how adoption has truly changed our lives in the best of ways.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">To start, I want to share these beautiful words that my husband wrote for <a href="http://christianadoptionconsultants.com/">Christian Adoption Consultant's</a> Mother's Day series that I hope will be an encouragement to you this week. </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">To the mother of my children,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7gz9TH7AeMEf4EtKlPu_juwLCT_E37P0TfRhVgXyIpWAuo3f5Gxs3ko4F-5hGXglPXTwpeVaHkKRY8LavcAdB-wZfTSX5WfiepLQn0jlbEPmC2qDfD_FITc01akyFesUhwccrTmpR44/s1600/momliv.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1600" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7gz9TH7AeMEf4EtKlPu_juwLCT_E37P0TfRhVgXyIpWAuo3f5Gxs3ko4F-5hGXglPXTwpeVaHkKRY8LavcAdB-wZfTSX5WfiepLQn0jlbEPmC2qDfD_FITc01akyFesUhwccrTmpR44/s320/momliv.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">I think back to the days before we were even married, as we
dreamed of what our lives might look like. What we longed for together, what we
prayed for as we shared our hearts; ever since you were a little girl you longed
to be a mother. To have a family. Little babies to snuggle, tears to wipe dry,
and to be the open arms that your children would run to – to be their safe
space and source of unconditional love and security.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Our journey to becoming a family of four was not one of
convention. While we were blessed with your pregnancy and birth of our son after
many months of difficulty, a second child biologically just didn’t seem to be
in God’s plan for us. The medical challenges and miscarriages were pointing us
to something we had talked about even before our son was born. Adoption. Your
heart was to be a mother, mine to be a father. There were so many question
marks about what our family would look like, how we would navigate the
uncertainties ahead, but there was always the constant of your love for that
little child we had yet to meet. Your heart was in this 100%, I always knew
that you would fight for our family. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">As we got the call that our daughter was born, just days
before a hurricane was to hit our little girl’s hometown, we hopped on a plane
headfirst into a whirlwind of unknowns and anxieties. Was I nervous?
Absolutely! But I was also completely at peace with it all as I knew that you
and I, together by God’s calling, were put in that exact moment to be united
with our little girl. Those days and weeks ahead would throw us right into the
crucible, but as I saw you hold this precious baby girl with those tiny, soft, black
curls atop her head for the first time, I knew that she was ours, and we were
hers. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Every aspect of this was probably the antithesis of how you dreamed
of motherhood as a little girl. How could it not be? It was her birth mother
that had carried this tiny life in her belly for nine months, born in a state
thousands of miles away from our families. Power was knocked out for a week from
a hurricane, and while we cobbled together whatever hours of sleep that we
could, our baby girl lay peacefully in the NICU completely unaware of the unconventional
circumstances of her entry into this world. But that’s part of the beauty of it
all. Amidst whatever chaos life has thrown our way, you are her constant. Her mommy.
<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Yours are the arms that she climbs into. Yours is the shadow
that she spends her days being. She knows your smile and your laughter, your
empathy and your compassion. It is in your imperfections she is learning the
most important truths of what it means to be a mother. That its real and normal
to make mistakes, that its wonderful to be silly and laugh at ourselves, that beauty
is found in kitchen dance parties, stick figure smiley faces and painted pink
toenails. That the smiles, hugs, and encouraging words will always far outweigh
the tears and frustrations – but that those tears and frustrations will come. And
when they do, that it is ok. That love can often be costly, sacrificial, and
inopportune – but that it’s what we’re called to. That in some cases love is an
active choice. And ultimately that it is out of this love we show for one
another that life’s true joys will come. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">This mother’s day, I want you to know that you are everything
and more to me and our children. That our story is just that. Our story. That
there is no standard, no perfect way to be a mom. That I see the way our
children look at you and they adore you. As do I. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Love,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">If you have any questions about CAC or would like to learn more about adoption, never hesitate to reach out to me at candice@christianadoptionconsultants.com </span></b></div>
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Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-28635389253147182552017-05-02T12:26:00.002-05:002017-05-02T13:28:15.051-05:00Livi's Adoption Story<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was a hot August morning, so Liam and I decided to head to the splash park.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As soon as we got there, I lotion-ed Liam up (in the 5 seconds he stood still before racing to play in the water) and then I got settled in my chair.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Adoption and babies had been racing through my mind...I wish I could say it had just been that morning, but in all honestly, it felt consuming for most of the Summer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I had been bringing it to God daily, sometimes hourly (can minute-ly be a word?...)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So I sat there, silently praying and asking God some hard questions. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And then, I saw it. The text from our adoption consultant, Katie:</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Hey, I have a situation I'd like to talk with you about. Can I call you in a bit?"</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Instantly my heart started racing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I immediately responded, "Yes!!" and eagerly awaited her call.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She filled me in about a baby that was apparently due any day now and needed a family.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There weren't a ton of details known, besides for the expectant-mom claiming it was a boy, but since there was no documentation of gender, we couldn't be sure. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We mainly knew that baby was coming soon and they were bringing this situation to us first.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If we were to say yes, she asked if we were willing to wait it out and see how things unfold, since there wasn't much information upfront.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I told Katie that I would call Will right away and then get back to her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I don't know what it was, besides God, that led us to say yes to a very unknown set of circumstances, but He knew. He knew what was waiting for us on the other side of that yes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So I called Katie back and told her "we're in".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Days passed and we waited.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Birth-mom's communication was on and off with the adoption attorney/agency, so we waited to hear from them. We would get bits and pieces of info that they had received, but it didn't tell us much, so we waited some more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Tuesday morning, August 30th, our adoption attorney emailed me saying she didn't have a ton of new information but to "give her a call and she would update me on what she knows".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I called her about an hour later, she answered the phone and said:</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"You're not going to believe it, but in between the time I sent the email and you calling me, I found out the baby has been born. IT'S A GIRL!"</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I could not believe what I was hearing - I was shocked!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She told me that was all she knew and to be patient while she finds out more information.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I immediately called Will at work and he came rushing home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Do we book a flight? Is birth-mom still following through with the adoption plan?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">WHAT DO WE DO WHILE WE WAIT???"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We quickly started looking up flights - if this baby was ours we did not want her to sit in the hospital alone any longer than she had to. That, and there was a hurricane headed straight for where we needed to go, and we had to beat it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We quickly got the call that baby's health was pretty stable and that birth-mom was going to sign consent papers. We were told to book a flight ASAP!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You guys, God was in this all. We found flights to Florida for $39! $39!!!! Unheard of.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As we prepared to leave we felt so many big emotions. A lot was happening at once.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But God met us in each nerve-racking moment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We arrived in Orlando the following afternoon and were greeted by our amazing friend Sarah, who met us with blankets, diapers, wipes, water, snacks...basically everything we needed and more for the baby and our drive up to Tallahassee. We were so grateful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">That drive was surreal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We made calls, reached out online for last minute fundraising, and talked about names!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When we finally arrived at the hospital that night, we were so eager to meet our baby girl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I still remember the walk up to the NICU...it was late, the halls were so quiet, life was continuing on as "normal' for most, but here we were about to meet our miracle baby girl for the first time. I wanted to tell everyone that we passed by!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We walked into her room, and the first thing we saw was her beautiful black hair. She was laying so peacefully in her little glass crib. It makes me teary typing this, as I think of her laying there, so unaware of what had happened in the last 24 hours, waiting for a mommy and daddy to hold her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But there she was, our beautiful little girl, Olivia Grace. It was such a sweet time between the 3 of us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We chose the name Olivia because it means "symbol of peace" like the Olive tree in the Bible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And Grace, because of God's grace to us, always, but specifically in our journey to her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He covered us in so much grace, love and mercy throughout those months of waiting, fundraising, praying to grow our family and bring our baby home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We were so thankful to be able to meet Livi's birth-mom briefly the next morning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our time was short but sweet and something we choose to keep pretty private.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are so thankful for her choice to bring Olivia into this world, knowing she would not be the one to take her home from the hospital. The sacrifice and heartbreak in it all is never lost on us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Livi's birthmom's story will always be a part of Livi's story, and it's not ours to tell.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Maybe one day Livi will choose to share details, but that is something we want to leave up to her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I love to tell our story of how we got to our girl, Livi.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">God's faithfulness is SO evident throughout.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Even while we were in Florida, in the midst of big emotions, little sleep, and a literal hurricane, He was there constantly reminding us of His presence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One particularly hard night, I got a text from my cousin Shaina, and it read:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"As I'm praying for you, I sense the Lord saying, "Do not concentrate on or give attention to the anxiety. Focus on My love." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">She was right. All I had to do was abide in that Love. Isn't that all He really asks of us?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"Focus on My love."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He cared for us the whole time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He FULLY funded our adoption. What seemed impossible - HE made fully possible because He is always able.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When we felt those stirrings in our heart toward adoption years ago, it felt so out of reach. How could <i>we </i>afford to adopt? Let me just say, when the Lord calls you to something, He <i>will </i>equip you. No, it will not always be easy...but He is faithful to lead and provide. We are full proof of that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> I would love to sit down with each of you and tell you of every little detail Jesus was in on our journey, from special dates He used, people He put in our path, funding he provided - that always seemed to come at just the right moment, even the No's He gave us that lead us right to where we needed to be...He was there, in it all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Will and I are just so in awe of how the Lord moved and worked, how He used SO many of you to help us, pray for us, finance our adoption, encourage us. We cannot thank you all enough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As of March 3rd, 2017 -Olivia is offically a Wilberg(happy dance)!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are a happy, grateful, (sometimes exhausted), family of 4 that will sing of His love and faithfulness always.</span><br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">"Because your Love is better than life, my lips will glorify you." Psalm 63:3</span></b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you have been thinking about adoption or have any questions for me, I would love to pray for you, go out to coffee with you, be any kind of encouragement or help I can be. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Please feel free to email me at candice.wilberg@gmail.com</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>"We went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance." Psalm 66:12</i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-4090963822464660492016-03-31T13:43:00.001-05:002020-05-06T11:25:14.258-05:00"Beautifully In Over My Head" <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"The enemy hates when Christ loving families adopt..." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is what we were told when we first started the adoption process, and boy did we feel it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I kid you not, all at once random (and multiple) car problems occurred, Will and I both had dental emergencies, not to mention our basement had just flooded a couple months earlier and we were still dealing with that...and so on. It was nuts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I reached out to a few families who had adopted and asked them if we were stupid to move forward...and one by one they reassured me that this was par for the course. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But again...God met us in each one of those icky situations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He was there when the manager of the auto shop told me what was wrong with my car. Followed by me bursting into tears at the counter. I couldn't hold it in (little did I know it was his first day...I'm sure he'll be telling that story for a while...).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He asked me if I was alright and I said, "Yes, I'm so sorry. We just started the adoption process and we are really trying to save our money, and things just keep happening."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He was so sweet and tried to comfort me as best as a first-day-manager at a car shop can.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The next day when my car was ready to be picked up Will, Liam and I drove over to get it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Will went in to get the keys and the manager asked if I could come in as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I walked in with Liam, and the manager said that our story really tugged at his heart. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">His wife has 2 kids from a previous relationship and he had just adopted them as his own. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They proceeded to discount our services so much, that all we had to pay was basically the cost of the materials (and this was a big job). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He handed me a hand written card, a coupon for a free oil change and another coupon for the next time we needed work on our cars. Tears and hugs all around. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We were so incredibly touched. They didn't know us at all...but they extended such grace and kindness towards us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We will never forget that day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />Another evening Will and I were feeling a bit discouraged about raising finances for the adoption. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We had been questioned by someone about the financial responsibility of adopting and it had us a bit down. And we get it, sometimes just looking at the numbers can be overwhelming. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All we could do was come together and pray - as we had done in every step of this process. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We prayed that God would guide our next steps and affirm our path. We didn't want to do any of this without Him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You know what? That very next day was our biggest donation day yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You see, what we are learning is that the best thing we can do is pause and talk to God...asking Him to guide us. Sometimes His answer is, "wait" and sometimes He makes things abundantly clear. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I remember sitting in church one Sunday morning, asking God to make it clear if we should adopt...and also make it clear how we were going to be able to do it...maybe like a relative we never knew would come out of the wood-work and give us $30,000...no? Ok, never-mind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I will never forget the sermon that day. Our pastor talked about how when we feel called to something we want the steps to be: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Calling</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Clarity</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Obey </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, if you don't already know...most of the stories in the Bible don't go that way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It usually goes something like this: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Calling</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Obey </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Clarity</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That church service got Will and me right in the heart. It was exactly what we needed to hear. We didn't want to pull back because we of fear. If that was the only reason keeping us from our child, then let's look fear in the face and trust God to go, not only before us, but with us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You guys, He is there with you. Through this ick and through the goodness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I won't lie, this journey has been one of the hardest things I have ever done but I have never felt closer to my Lord. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are great days when I see Him show up so clearly that it's almost overwhelming. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But there are also bad days - days where all I can do is ask Him to meet me with His grace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He's there, I have no doubt. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This verse keeps coming to mind: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>"We went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance."</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Psalm 66:12</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We haven't even gotten to the other side of adoption yet, but I can feel His abundance today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>For those of you wondering where we are in the process...we are in the "waiting period." </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Since we are working with an adoption consultant, we see "situations" as they call them (babies that are due in the coming months) from multiple agencies and decide if we want the expectant parents to see our family profile book or not, from there we wait to see if we are chosen. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>So far, we have only said 'yes' to one, that ultimately came back to us as a 'no'. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>But that's ok! We trust God knows exactly where our baby is and the perfect timing for them to come into our family! We are beyond excited to welcome them into our family with wide open arms. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We are so grateful for all of your prayers!! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-31485639222887657372016-03-17T10:44:00.000-05:002016-03-17T10:47:34.588-05:00Don't Waste The Wait.<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SvPxfH1VO0iL2_igocFtKGTyG6AqHUovirCx4u9gG4EKBlSrOAkNIDm8hLomoviTYZd3pTaW4Rc_JdQoHg78mGHsfapE5NNynJX7ZxgvfJ1kwUU58v5Z34iRAmDFAU2azojZEpC_TlI/s1600/1936200_10152979428507609_495601615980107362_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SvPxfH1VO0iL2_igocFtKGTyG6AqHUovirCx4u9gG4EKBlSrOAkNIDm8hLomoviTYZd3pTaW4Rc_JdQoHg78mGHsfapE5NNynJX7ZxgvfJ1kwUU58v5Z34iRAmDFAU2azojZEpC_TlI/s200/1936200_10152979428507609_495601615980107362_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<i><b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the process</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the waiting</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You're making melodies over me</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And your presence </span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Is the promise</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For I am a pilgrim on a journey</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">~Shepherd (Bethel Music)</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In all honesty, the adoption wait has been a little harder on me than I thought it would be. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After dealing with fertility issues before </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and</i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> after Liam, I thought I had this waiting thing down. "No biggie, I've done this many times before..." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was wrong. </span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I sit here, I think of all the times I've just repeated Psalm 13 in my head:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And sometimes, on hard days, I still do. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But as look back over the past couple of years, I see how Jesus has worked on my heart, how He has changed my desires and tuned my heart to His. Honestly, none of that would have happened without this wait, as He drew me near and as I leaned into Him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I don't want to waste this wait because, let's be real, none of this is really about me. God is using this for His glory...yes, even this wait. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.464px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.464px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Funny side-story on the Lord's changing of my heart:</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.464px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At our first home-study interview, we were told that if we did happen to get pregnant during the home-study process, we would most likely have to put everything on hold until the baby was 6 months old. Do you know that I actually panicked a bit that I might be pregnant??</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 22.464px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Of course, I was not pregnant and would have been totally fine if I was ...but GUYS, I actually freaked out for a bit at the possibility of being pregnant. </span><i style="line-height: 22.464px; white-space: pre-wrap;">THAT</i><span style="line-height: 22.464px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is how much the Lord has changed my heart. I am just so darn excited about the baby He has hand picked for us, that pregnancy is not even a desire in my heart right now! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 22.464px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Glory be, He is good. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Listen, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He really does meet us in it all.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sometimes I'm tempted to get bitter and compare my situation with those around me. Everywhere I look, people are growing their families with ease. But then I'm reminded that Jesus knows me better than anyone else, better than I know myself. He knows what He is doing, and working behind the scenes even if I doubt it sometimes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There have been times when I have felt so forgotten only to immediately hear Him whisper, "I see you...I know you."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Our awesome adoption consultant, Katie, reminded me that I don't have to feel bad when weary days creep up. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She told me, "I</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">t's okay to be weary. God knows that some days we will feel like that and so that's why He made a point to speak to that in His Word. Keep clinging to Him!" </span></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="red" style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="red" style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="red" style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.</span><span class="red" style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<span class="red" style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><i><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30</span></i></span></div>
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<span class="red" style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><i><span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
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<span class="red" style="background-color: #fdfeff; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And she's right, all I can keep doing is clinging to Him. In fact, I'm sure that's exactly where He wants me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.464px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm excited to start blogging again and to tell the stories of God's faithfulness through our adoption journey ~and there already are so many. </span></div>
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<i style="font-variant: inherit; line-height: 22.464px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Be joyful in hope..." Romans 12:12</span></b></i></div>
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Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-79967040504335980182015-10-15T14:18:00.000-05:002015-10-15T14:18:35.675-05:00Chosen In Love. <div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYHzEWtNkh6-oF8yFUIuHnidy36qhlN4yqVkOfxAJ61SoAPacF3KXkT7O6wET-Yuww_9cV9oY4CwAC0ChryI0ZgyjbeuorvVHA-lX7hqFuwmpqjh0aJbnHNLNHAQ4G743JdvE8sl2QmI/s1600/adoption.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYHzEWtNkh6-oF8yFUIuHnidy36qhlN4yqVkOfxAJ61SoAPacF3KXkT7O6wET-Yuww_9cV9oY4CwAC0ChryI0ZgyjbeuorvVHA-lX7hqFuwmpqjh0aJbnHNLNHAQ4G743JdvE8sl2QmI/s400/adoption.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My heart is BURSTING just writing this post. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We are so thrilled to announce that Will, Liam and I will be growing our family through domestic adoption! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We can't even express how excited we are to see God work in all of this.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Even before Liam was born, adoption was laid on our hearts. It started as a tiny seed that grew and grew. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can remember rocking Liam one night and looking at his sweet newborn face thinking, "there are so many children that need homes, a family to call their own and a mommy to rock them." </span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I felt a tug on my heart then, knowing that this was something the Lord had for us, we just didn't quite know when. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since that time, we have not been without struggles. We've experienced 2 miscarriages and a lot of heartache, but God has met us in it all. He's been holding our hands along the way, whispering to us that He has a plan for our family and He is walking this road with us.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While yes, we could have gone down the road of IUI and IVF, honestly, our hearts were just not in it. Please don't get me wrong - those are wonderful options for those who do choose those paths - we just really felt the Lord tugging on our hearts and leading us to adoption and we were so excited to say a big ol 'yes!' to Him. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, I want you to hear this - adoption is <u>not</u> our plan B. Adoption is something we are (and have been) really excited for and we always want our child to know that they were chosen, they were planned for and we were just as excited for them as we were for our biological child. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We always knew that we wanted to adopt - whether it was our second, third, or 6th (just kidding, Will!) child!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, here's where we need you. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Adoption is overwhelmingly costly. We are talking $30,000-$40,000 when all is said and done. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do we have this? Definitely not. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctSCjCEJjnLMBbppu20ki_CstN6SJVgLNpTB6n_IO9y-_ToiK6eEnAoPInc3BR89Nmm3Lw7NnYQtxzAUy4hVg_4PkxkjdIQqwDgOyg40IxgojgTBfiaMdgsm5mLoImi9dKhRDo69Cxac/s1600/adopt+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do we trust that God will provide - knowing that He has called us to this? Absolutely. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. Traveling and Lodging: TBD</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Now to him who is able to do immeasureably more than all we ask or imagine..." Ephesians <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">3:20</a></span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctSCjCEJjnLMBbppu20ki_CstN6SJVgLNpTB6n_IO9y-_ToiK6eEnAoPInc3BR89Nmm3Lw7NnYQtxzAUy4hVg_4PkxkjdIQqwDgOyg40IxgojgTBfiaMdgsm5mLoImi9dKhRDo69Cxac/s1600/adopt+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But we can't do it without your help and prayers. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My sister, Kimmy, has generously set up a fundraising page for us and we would love if you would pray for us and pray about giving a donation and help us bring a baby home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First of all, after much thought and prayer, we have decided to adopt an infant domestically here in the United States. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know the adoption process can be a little overwhelming to understand (it was for us, too!) so for the sake of transparency and to give you and idea of where your donation will go - I have laid out the process we are going through and costs involved:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. Home Study Application ~ <b>Cost: $175 (paid)</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctSCjCEJjnLMBbppu20ki_CstN6SJVgLNpTB6n_IO9y-_ToiK6eEnAoPInc3BR89Nmm3Lw7NnYQtxzAUy4hVg_4PkxkjdIQqwDgOyg40IxgojgTBfiaMdgsm5mLoImi9dKhRDo69Cxac/s1600/adopt+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctSCjCEJjnLMBbppu20ki_CstN6SJVgLNpTB6n_IO9y-_ToiK6eEnAoPInc3BR89Nmm3Lw7NnYQtxzAUy4hVg_4PkxkjdIQqwDgOyg40IxgojgTBfiaMdgsm5mLoImi9dKhRDo69Cxac/s320/adopt+2.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. Home Study and post-placement visits. This process takes about 3 months - we have interviews, get finger-printed, get background checked, doctor's appointments, LOTS of paperwork and so on. We will be completing this process shortly :) ~ <b>Cost: $3700 (paid)</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. Once that process is finished, we have decided that, instead of taking the traditional route and applying to only one placement agency, we will actually be applying to several with the help of <a href="http://www.christianadoptionconsultants.com/" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Christian Adoption Consultants</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This will allow our profile book to be shown to more birth mothers - nationwide, and hopefully cut down on our wait time. For families working with CAC, adopting takes 6-10 months on average. <b>Cost $2,800 (paid) </b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. Once we have been selected by a birth mother ~ Placement and Agency Fees: <b>$25,000-$40,000 (this is where we need YOU!) </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. Legal Fees for Finalization: TBD</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You guys, I know this seems like a huge request...and it is. But we serve a God who makes all things possible...even the things that are seemingly impossible. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you for taking the time to read this and to celebrate with us. We are so grateful for your prayers and your willingness to help us grow our family.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Please consider sharing this with your friends and family - we need all the help and prayers we can get! ;) </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;">https://www.youcaring.com/wilbergadoption </span><br />
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Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-3110080972806256392015-06-18T13:19:00.000-05:002015-06-18T15:09:07.955-05:00Goodness and Grace. Is God good in the absence of things you would define as "good"?<br />
Absolutely. <br />
Does it always feel that way? Nope.<br />
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I will be honest and say that I have struggled with this one...sometimes more than I realize.<br />
Is God good in the midst of miscarriages, struggles, loss, hardship?<br />
This week hit me hard - we bought our first home this past March and then, Monday, our basement flooded. I was so overwhelmed as it was happening - helpless and nothing we could do to stop it. Honestly, I felt betrayed.<br />
I know this sounds dramatic, because it was just water, but this has been a hard year...so bear with me, I'm a bit fragile.<br />
I felt betrayed by the house that we bought and love. I felt betrayed by our sump pump and the water it just couldn't keep up with. But mostly, I felt betrayed by God.<br />
"We were finally able to buy a house- why would You bring us to a house that fills with water? That ruins our belongings?" I thought.<br />
I even said it out loud to Will. "I just feel betrayed."<br />
"I know." He said. <br />
So we stopped and prayed because it's all we could do. <br />
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Today my mother in law told us that her daily Bible verse was Isaiah 43:2<br />
"When you pass through the waters I will be with you." and it goes on to say "and when you pass through rivers, they will not sweep over you."<br />
Tears flooded my eyes. Of course, of course He is with me, of course He <i>IS</i> good. <br />
Listen, it doesn't say IF you pass through waters, it says WHEN. And when it does happen "He will be with you." He promises to sustain us and carry us.<br />
I have reminded myself countless times in the past year that "in this world you <u>will</u> have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)<br />
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Troubles aren't anything new, hardships shouldn't always be surprising...but, sometimes,they just are.<br />
Why do I always get so thrown by trials? Why do I question God in the midst of hardship?<br />
Simply put, I am human.<br />
And to be honest, the next trial that pops up will probably be met with the same knee-jerk reaction of "WHY?!"<br />
But when I quiet myself before the Lord, He's there. Waiting to meet me in grace.<br />
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You know how He showed up this week in the midst of chaos? He not only gave us a neighbor who is a plumber only a few houses down from us, He gave us an HVAC and home repair man on our same street as well, all willing to help us out. He gave me a handy, hardworking husband who has spent countless hours cleaning everything up. A sister who brought us a meal. He gave me my mother in law who sent that verse at the exact moment I needed to hear it and countless other blessings.<br />
He is there, always. Sometimes we just need to still our anger and bitterness and ask him to quiet us with His love.<br />
Life is hard. And trust me, I realize there are a million things worse than a basement flooding. But God used this week to remind me that, despite the circumstances, He is good. He is present. He is there, waiting to meet us - with amazing grace and unfailing love. Every single time.Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-1249316288154948772014-06-04T10:44:00.005-05:002014-06-04T10:44:54.451-05:00Glorious Unfolding.<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A few weeks ago I was feeling quite discouraged and just down about some things, while at work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't know about you, but I know that I tend to get caught up in the "whys" of things instead of the "whats" (what can I learn? what can I do to glorify You through this?") This was one of those "why" days. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So I decided to get in my car to get lunch and some fresh air. I drove with the radio silent most of the way but finally decided to turn on the radio</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and this is what I heard at that moment.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b>"There’s so much of the story that’s still yet to unfold</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">And this is going to be a glorious unfolding</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Just you wait and see and you will be amazed</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">You’ve just got to believe the story is so far from over</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">So hold on to every promise God has made to us</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">And watch this glorious unfolding." ~ Glorious Unfolding - Steven Curtis Chapman</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.727272033691406px;">Wow, was that just what I needed to hear at that exact moment. It filled my heart with such peace and gratefulness that God had used that exact timing and chorus to speak to me. It still makes me smile just thinking about it. </span></span></div>
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The thing is, I think God uses many things to speak to us but for the most part we don't tune ourselves to hear it, or see it. I've been trying to slow down, listen, look and feel what God is doing in my life. It's amazing what you will see when you just slow down, listen and embrace.</div>
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So yesterday, when I was feeling quite down in the dumps and just plain sad I kept asking God for some encouragement. I would pray "please send some encouragement, unsolicited encouragement from some one or some thing. Please, I really could use it today." </div>
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As the day went on, I kept praying that prayer, wondering if God would answer that request in my own timing, but trusting that He definitely heard me. </div>
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When I got in my car to head home from work, I still had not felt that encouragement that I so desperately needed, and I prayed "please, Lord, please send some encouragement." And in the back of my head I would hear "the day isn't over yet..." </div>
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I picked up Liam from my mom's house and got in the car, admittedly, losing a little bit of hope for my request...when my phone went off ~ a text message from my sister Kimmy, who has been in Nashville all week. It was a video, that at first I didn't really think much of...until I hit play. </div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">It was Steven Curtis Chapman singing "Glorious Unfolding" live. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Goosebumps.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">She had no idea I was having a bad day, she had no idea that was just what I needed to hear...but God did. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I texted her back and said "You have NO idea how much I needed this today. I was praying all day for encouragement. When I hit play I just burst into tears. Thank you." </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">She told me that she recorded while watching him perform and was going to send it to me two days ago...but forgot. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Wow, God is good, folks. Even in the little things. So good. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">It was really cool when I heard it the first time, a few weeks back...but it was even cooler when I heard it yesterday. I felt God talking to me, and reminding me of His promises, using the same words He used to reassure me before. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">He never ceases to amaze silly old me and I am so happy about that.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I challenge you to slow down and listen for God. He's calling you, He's talking to you and He's giving you daily reminders of His goodness. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">And sometimes, all you have to do is ask.</span></div>
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Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-75617483388309699142013-08-14T14:52:00.001-05:002013-08-14T14:52:39.557-05:00Little Liam. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to the world, little guy.<br />
Your Dad and I prayed for you for a long time and now you are in our arms with you sweet little chin dimple, your baby blue eyes, dark mop of hair that smells like heaven and those little hands that I never want to let go of.<br />
You are our answered prayer. You are what makes me want to get up and be a better person each morning. You are the laugh that I can't get enough of, the smile that I will do numerous crazy things just to see a glimpse of, and the reason I bounce around the apartment at 3am just to stop your tears.<br />
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Your Dad and I promise to raise you as best as we can. We promise to be examples of Christ's love, grace, mercy and compassion.<br />
But we make no promises to be perfect, it's just not possible. Nor will you ever be perfect. That's just how we came into this world - flawed and broken. That's what brings us to Christ.<br />
He gives us strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. He makes all things new.<br />
Our prayer - our deepest prayer and desire is that you know Him and walk through life with Him.<br />
You know how much your dad and I love you? Well, times that by a kabillion (that's right, kabillion..don't worry, mommy won't be helping you with your math homework) and it still doesn't come close to how much God loves you.<br />
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Please, bear with us as we go through life together...this is still new to us and we are taking it one day at a time. There will be days that your Dad and I fall short and will be in need of grace and there will be days days that we are disappointed in decisions you have made...but even when those disappointments come, know that our love for you will never ever change. It is not something you can lose.<br />
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So, let's make a deal to just take this thing one day at a time, it's all we can really do, right?<br />
I promise to do my very best as your mama...if you promise to never poop on me again (kidding!..I will love you even if you poop on me, or pee on me, or vomit...you get the point).<br />
Life is quite an adventure, as you will find out, so let's focus on the One who gave us this journey and I'd be willing to bet that He won't disappoint.<br />
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Thanks for coming into this world and making it a brighter place, what a special gift you are to us.<br />
Your Daddy and I love you more than you know.<br />
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Ps- I would like to state, for the record, that at this age you LOVE my awesome dancing skills. Just need to note it here, for years down the road when you cringe at the site of it. Can't wait to chaperon your school dances!<br />
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<br />Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-86393250059370935862012-10-08T15:12:00.000-05:002012-10-08T15:22:29.468-05:00Dear Mommy Candice ~ Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Mommy Candice (Part 2),<br />
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Remember when you wrote "Dear Mommy Candice" to the mom you hoped to be one day?...oh yea, you were actually pregnant then and you didn't even know it. Fooled ya!<br />
Good thing you didn't actually go horseback riding and drink that purse full of wine.<br />
Remember when you didn't get a positive ovulation test that month and you were kind of ticked off because you felt like you had taken those "evil-twin Candice" inducing meds for no reason? But then you decided to not be mad about it because then you could just relax that month and know that good ol' aunt flo was coming at the end of the month, without it being a surprised or disappointed. Well, I'm pretty sure that was God's way of "tricking" you into relaxing and being even <i>more</i> surprised when you got that positive pregnancy test...God's cool that way (even though you still made Will buy 2 more pregnancy tests, just to confirm that you weren't hallucinating). <br />
Isn't it kinda funny that you signed another year lease on your one-bedroom apartment right before you found out you were expecting? No? Not really? ...Well that's okay, babies don't take up too much room when they are that little anyway. I mean, no, you won't be able to walk in your apartment with all the contraptions that come along with a baby, but that's okay, who needs to walk around anyway?<br />
Looking back, it should have tipped you off that you were pregnant when you got annoyed at the sound of your own chewing, instead of just the sound of others. Take that into account for next time.<br />
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Do you remember at last year's Christmas Eve service, at church, feeling a sense of complete peace come over you that God has wonderful things in store, and by that time next year there may be a little one on its way? And while you didn't know how or when, or anything else about that feeling, you knew that God was in control. Wow, He is so good.<br />
He. Is. Able.<br />
Yes, there is still so much unknown and you know that anything can happen, but there is peace in this moment. Peace in the One who has a plan, always. <br />
He loves to surprise us, loves to surround us and loves to show up in big ways. While there are periods of waiting, trusting and praying- we know that He is always there listening and shaping us into who He needs us to be. That never ends. There will always be highs and lows, sunshine and storms but that is what is so great about our Lord - both of those situations can be used to praise Him.<br />
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So, while sometimes you can't actually go back and read the first installment of "Dear Mommy Candice" because you have now freaked yourself out about what you won't be able to do (I kid), it's amazing to look back on what this past year and a half has held...trials, learning, growing, joy, new friendships, a new understanding of peace that passes all understanding and now...Lord willing, come April - a baby. Wow.<br />
Thank you, Lord for your gifts; for always teaching us, always molding us, knowing what's best for us, and most importantly, always loving us.<br />
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Alright, time to get back to work...this whole "pregnancy brain" thing has you easily forgetting things and easily distract....oh look, a squirrel!<br />
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<b>On a serious note though...thank you for ALL of your prayers. You have no idea how much it means to Will and me. This baby is already so loved and so lifted up in prayer and that makes my heart swell with joy. Thank you, thank you...a million times- thank you. </b><br />
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<br />Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-1350064546660351892012-08-01T14:27:00.000-05:002012-08-01T14:56:18.254-05:00Dear Mommy Candice.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dear Mommy Candice, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It is currently August 1, 2012 and I thought I'd write you so you can look back at this when you are feeding your infant some morning at 3am...and need a little chuckle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today I woke up slightly cranky and a bit bitter about the situation I am currently in...but you know what else I did? I slept 8 hours last night...I bet you miss that, don't ya? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You know what I did the other day? Had some wine...remember wine?...Didn't think so. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wow, it is just so peaceful at home right now, I just love the silence. Oh, what's that? You don't know what silence feels like anymore? I'm sorry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Is your favorite channel still Food Network or has the TV been taken over by "Baby Einstein DVDs" yet?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember when your clothes didn't contain remnants of puke and poop? I do. I'm wearing clean clothes as we speak (minus the brownie crumbs). It's okay, one day your clothes will be clean too, just give it 5 years or so. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm going on a date tonight with Will, and I'm really looking forward to it! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Come again? Oh, well a date is where you and your husband get to go out alone, no kids, have adult conversation and eat normal adult food. You will get to go on one some day soon, I promise. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember how fun it was to be able to go for a run whenever you wanted? Oh wait, scratch that...that's a lie, we never did that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All jokes aside, when you are sitting in your baby's room in the middle of the night, wishing you could sleep...be thankful. This is exactly what you longed for, hoped for, and prayed for. No, not every day will be easy but that's ok...you're human! You know who's not human? God. He's got everything in His hands and He will be there right beside you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While the current me has no idea when God will choose to bless us with a child, my heart knows to trust His timing...you know why? Because He. Is. Able. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He is able to do things that I think are impossible. Able to carry me in times of weakness and sadness. Able to strengthen me when I don't feel like I can continue on. He is able. Always was, always is and always always will be. Don't you forget that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So while I make jokes now about what I can do that you can't (and don't get me wrong, I do enjoy those things), I would trade anything to be where you are now...but in the meantime, I will be thankful for what I do have - most importantly, I am thankful for a God who has the whole world in His hands, but can hear even my softest whisper when I call out to Him. A God that is able and ever-present. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now if you will excuse me, I am going to go do whatever I want...because I don't have kids yet (I kid, I kid...I'm just going to go horseback riding, while drinking wine and carrying a purse that isn't a diaper bag.)</span></div>Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-54164240543472311372012-07-29T21:44:00.003-05:002012-07-29T21:44:34.020-05:00Monday.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I really wish Mondays and I got along...we just don't.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Unless I have them off, then we're best friends. (what up, long weekend!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Time for some devotions, sleep and an attitude adjustment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's to a new week! Hope yours is great :)</span></div>Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-35466559326309189372012-07-17T10:27:00.000-05:002012-07-17T10:50:09.502-05:00Making my way through the gray.<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last night I found myself desperately searching for the light at the end of the tunnel. Man, this thing called life can just be downright hard sometimes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hope seems to run away from you and you find yourself trying to catch it like a game of "got you last!"</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One by one it seems that lives change around me and yet I feel like I'm standing still...just watching.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't want to live in mediocrity. I don't want to be the "blah" feeling I suffered from the past couple days.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I want to be filled with passion, filled with joy and on fire for the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Many days I do feel that fire but other days I am like a flickering candle that can barely stay lit in the breeze. I am flimsy, I am weak, I am dim.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Why do I let things steal my joy and happiness so easily?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I apologize for my depressing rant...self pity is a slippery slope and I decided to jump on it yesterday. It gets better, I swear. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This morning I am reminding myself that everything is not as "bad" as I sometimes like to make it seem. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A couple weeks ago I was reading an article on Amy Copeland. For those of you who don't know who she is - she is the young Christian woman who recently contracted a rare flesh-eating bacteria from a cut on her leg. She has lost at least one of her legs, part of her abdomen and I want to say her hands (but you can double check the facts online). </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyway, I read a quote from her, and her attitude and outlook on life blew me away. This is what she said: </span></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;"><span style="color: #222222;">“</span>...I am blessed to have the opportunity to experience something that not many other people have the chance to experience. I am blessed to be able to have a challenge that not many others get to have. I am blessed to have the capacity to share my experience with others and have a chance to improve the quality of someone else’s life. I’m blessed to be different.”</i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px;">Wow, that is humbling. This is coming from a girl who just lost several body parts, functions, and almost her life but she is celebrating the fact that God chose her to be different and go down a different path. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">While my circumstances are much different and far less severe than hers - when I read that, I felt a reminder of what I wrote in <a href="http://faithbiggerthanfears.blogspot.com/2012/05/thanks.html">this post</a>, when I said that while sitting in church one day, I felt thankful for being chosen for this road. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Dark days may come and I may want to give up, but there is always <i>always</i> a light at the end of the tunnel. I heard a quote from an online sermon I was listening to by Holly Furtick and she said, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"What seems to be like the most pointless or even painful waiting room may be God's most productive workroom." </i> There is so much truth to that statement and I am learning that first-hand.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20.909090042114258px;">This morning I must remind myself that God has chosen me for something different, to do His work and hopefully to encourage others as I go along. I may never know exactly "why" until I get to talk to the Lord in person some day, but that's not the point. The questions right now are "what? and how?". What can I learn from all of this? How can I use this to glorify God? What does God want to reveal to me through this? How can I use this to grow in my walk with the Lord and become the woman God longs for me to be?</span>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 20.909090042114258px;">So while my life may not be where I thought it would 5 years ago, I must trust this path the Lord has me on. He is not like me - He doesn't get lost easily or just blindly pick a path and move forward. His plans are greatly orchestrated and specific for each and every one of us! Isn't that comforting? He has a plan for <u>you</u>, a specific one - not one that is left up to chance. I will steal a line from my sister <a href="http://www.kimmyvos.com/">Kimmy's</a> song: "Oh what a beautiful web He weaves." So true~ He really does have a beautiful plan for our lives. While it may not make sense to us right now, there is a greater work being done. I trust that and I choose to trust Him. He has never let me down. </span></span></div>
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</div>Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-32790971695482897762012-07-11T10:17:00.000-05:002012-07-17T11:16:13.722-05:00"I have found the one whom my soul loves."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Can we just take a minute to talk about how wonderfully amazing this guy is? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wow, I am so blessed that God picked me to be his wife. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't even know where to begin describing how much this man rocks my world. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I mean, he still gives me butterflies just by holding my hand, I love that! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I first met him, I knew that there was something special about this guy - his heart was on fire for the Lord and he wasn't afraid to share it. He also wasn't afraid to make fun of me which was a plus is my book (if you know me, you </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">have</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> to have a sense of humor to get along with me...no duds allowed!)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I couldn't wait for the next time that I would get to see him and spend time with him - I cherished every minute (and still do!)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I remember after we got engaged I would cry to my mom, "I just want to get married at the courthouse! I don't care about a wedding, I just want to marry Will!" (dramatic? yes...but I couldn't wait to be his wife!)</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(See, I was<i> really </i>excited to marry him)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here are just a few things I love about Will:</span><br />
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<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His kindness, sensitivity and huge heart give me the inspiration to strive to be better - this guy will give you the shirt off his back if he knew that you needed it. His willingness to help others never ceases to amaze me.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Every Saturday morning he goes to our favorite bakery and gets me donuts ("Candice, this seems so petty", you might say, but NO, no it is not...donuts make me very happy, especially donuts delivered by my husband)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He has an amazing work ethic - He is one of the hardest workers I know and always strives to do his best. Which also goes hand in hand with the amazing discipline this guys has - I could use some of that! </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I am sad he holds me and tells me that it IS going to be okay. He reminds me that we are always in this together and that the Lord has perfect timing for everything.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He prays with me.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He's super attractive (duh.)</span></li>
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<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He always makes me feel beautiful.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He thinks I am funny - which is great because I can't be the only person who laughs at my own stories...or blonde moments. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think HE is funny - I love that we can laugh together! In fact, I think it's key in any relationship to be able to laugh together!</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He's super smart- I mean, this guy is a wealth of knowledge! I still don't know how he knows all this stuff, but it comes in handy very often. You know what this means?...our kids will now stand a chance in math class!</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He is laid back, which in turn helps me out when I am not in a very "laid back" mind frame. He balances me out so greatly (thanks, Lord!)</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He loves me unconditionally - throughout my mood swings and melt-downs from all of the "drugs" and treatments, throughout my good days and bad, he takes care of me when I am sick, in fact, he finds joy in being able to care for me! He accepts my short-comings and helps me to be a better person, and for that I feel like the most blessed woman alive. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I could go on and on, in fact my mind is still racing from all the things I could say, and I still don't feel like I am even doing him justice in all of this!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But I will end it for now by saying this,</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He is my best friend, my "earthly rock", and he fills my heart with love. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love you Will, and there is not a day that goes by that I don't thank God for bringing you to me. </span><br />
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<br />Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-58506296293991158962012-07-06T10:42:00.002-05:002012-07-06T10:53:16.324-05:00Change.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I had a doctor appointment earlier this week to sit down with my doctor and re-assess our "situation". I left feeling hopeful and encouraged, but also nervous. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We are changing a few things here and there about what we are doing, and change always makes me a bit anxious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You know what else makes me nervous...side effects. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I really have been trying to laugh them off. I mean, I can usually tell when I am over-reacting to something or being irrational from these meds - like when I spill half the mac n' cheese in the sink while draining the water and almost have a complete meltdown, until Will laughs and says "it's just mac n' cheese hun, it's not the end of the world!" (For those of you who haven't met Will, he is pretty much super amazing...and hott). Or when I want to punch someone in the face just for breathing too loudly...no worries, I have never physically harmed anyone...just in my head. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Some days</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> are easier to laugh it off than others. There are times when the hormones like to give me an extra dose of "sap"...meaning I can cry at anything...like a tv commercial- and no, I'm not talking about that Sarah McLaughlin one with the dogs, that one could bring the happiest person straight into depression, let's be honest. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Basically, I am sharing this so those of you around me the next few months will know what to lookout for (ie: "oh don't worry, that's just Candice, she's on her meds...").</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The next thing I learned at my appointment (which I knew before, but tried to ignore) was that I need to "stress less". As my doctor says, "stress makes cortisol levels higher, and higher levels means lower fertility rates." Funny how hearing that made me more stressed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyway, I have always known this to be true, but have tried to pretend that it doesn't apply to me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Don't get me wrong, I really do not lead a stressful life in the way you are thinking. I am very good at physically relaxing (almost too good), and my job does not burn me out. It's the mental stress and anxiety that really gets me. I tend to let myself get overwhelmed quite easily and I let the "what ifs" drag me down, which in turn leaves my body feeling the effects of anxiety and stress. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's the thing, I do not know quite how to change this. This is how I have been for way too long that some times I feel that I can never get out of this cycle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On the other hand, a light-bulb went off, "maybe this is something God is working on during this time of waiting...this <i>needs</i> to be brought to my attention because the longer I let it go, the harder it will be to change...especially when we have kids!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I am opening myself up to changing this and to seeing what God has to reveal. I know there will be days where I still get overwhelmed upon a new curve-ball thrown at me, but I need to be more aware of my reaction to this. It does not have to be a stressed out one, it can be one of<b> trust</b> and <b>faith</b>. So far, God has gotten us through so much, more than I thought I could handle, and He always provides, and I mean always. This is what I need to focus on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I get caught up in "I can't believe this! What now?!", I must remind myself "He has <u>always</u> been faithful".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I do not want this time in our lives to go to waste. I want to come out of this a better person- the woman God longs for me to be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yes, my medications can make that harder some days, and hearing heartbreaking stories from women who are in my situation can make you wonder why all of this has to happen...but I must cling to the fact that we have a God who is bigger than all of it. He is bigger than any statistic, any heartbreak, any fear. He is God and He can do all things, bigger than we could ever dream or imagine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hallelujah, amen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Help me O Lord to recognize Your opportunities in my difficulties.”</span></b></span>
</div>Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-37866914407792291672012-06-27T14:39:00.001-05:002012-06-28T13:10:50.884-05:00Worry.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Did you know that sunflowers follow the direction of the sun so that they can bask in it all day long? It's called </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Heliotropism (big word for me, I know), I believe other flowers do it as well.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I guess I didn't realize that till I heard it on K-LOVE, and I just thought it was pretty cool! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bear with me, I do have a point in all this... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am worrier, plain and simple. I always have been.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For example: In elementary school, I was so worried that if I went to a friend's house for a sleepover, that something bad would happen to my family while I was away. I don't know where that came from, but it gave me anxiety, so I wouldn't go. Or I would go, and then end up going home because I was too consumed by worry (no, it wasn't because I was nervous that people wouldn't like my Jasmine & Aladdin pajamas).</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Super irrational, I realize this now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I could go on with stories like this, because there are many, but I won't. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I won't go into the time that I was really worried about tornadoes, so I watched Twister every day just so I could understand them more (that and I had a crush on Bill Paxton, don't judge) ...but I digress. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The point is, I tend to think that my worrying will help control the situation at hand, when all it really does is get me worked up and makes things worse and actually, it just ends up paralyzing me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This is an on-going struggle for me and a constant work in progress. One of the things I try to do when I find myself getting consumed by worry, is meditate on a Bible verse. I have a few that I like to focus on, such as: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" ~ Isaiah 26:3</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"Submit yourselves, then to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." ~ James 4: 7-8</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"When my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the Rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">I know this may sound simple, but you will be amazed at how changing your focus to Christ can make a huge change, mentally <i>and</i> physically </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;">- for those of you who deal with worry and anxiety, you know what I mean when I say "physically". Anxiety can be a nasty little bugger. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;">It is so awesome how keeping your thoughts focused on the Creator can bring you an overwhelming peace. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;">Which brings me back to the good ol' sunflowers. We can learn something from them - keeping our eyes focused on what's above and following that throughout our day. In their case it's staying focused on the sun, in our case it's fixing our eyes on the Son. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Worrying is not going to fix the future, it is not going to bring me gain, in fact, it's only going to drain me of my joy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;">I refuse to let my joy be stolen by worry ~ I choose to keep my thoughts fixed on things above.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">What do you do to combat worry? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" ~ Luke 12:25</b></span></div>
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<br /></div>Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-32731487925776655872012-06-20T11:44:00.001-05:002012-06-20T11:45:09.897-05:00You are not alone.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK4K6VjAgMLT2cvmQCaZTD-TLplm8eyVzODggKKBPw5Wnx1cXproJUTbOswFiv89KCg3S3jHWviFXkLO6RibMqQAJzLMn-tjpclPoG2jGWo0c617lhLmpq4nvBUuay2VGz9zb3SoKDds/s1600/na.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK4K6VjAgMLT2cvmQCaZTD-TLplm8eyVzODggKKBPw5Wnx1cXproJUTbOswFiv89KCg3S3jHWviFXkLO6RibMqQAJzLMn-tjpclPoG2jGWo0c617lhLmpq4nvBUuay2VGz9zb3SoKDds/s400/na.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At times, this journey can be a lonely one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Don't get me wrong, I have an amazing husband, family and friends who are there for me all the time, whenever I may need them, but sometimes this can just be plain lonely. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sitting in the appointments, going through "examinations", getting numerous tests done, taking the medications, dealing with their side-effects and handling monthly disappointments can take it's toll on a person. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To all the ladies I know (and don't know) who are going through this same journey and to all of you who are struggling with other trials, today I am reminding you (and myself) that you are not alone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These things you are going through are not in vain, He has a plan and purpose for you and will not let you go through this alone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let's focus on that today. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"I will never leave you nor forsake you." ~ Hebrews 13:5</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-18938183915859725652012-06-18T12:28:00.001-05:002012-06-18T12:31:29.390-05:00So good.<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>When the sun starts to rise and I open my eyes </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>You are good, so good. ~Nichole Nordeman</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sometimes I forget about the true goodness of God. He is so good and He cares about </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">every </i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">single detail of our lives. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Years ago, when my friends were in college and I was at good ol' beauty school, I went to Hope College to visit my friends and attend a "decade party". </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"What's a decade party?" you ask...oh, well let me tell you. It's basically a party where you dress up in the "trends" of any decade you desire...and I mean <i>any</i> - there were even a few guys there that dressed up like cave-men, so...yea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anyway, this one, specifically, was a huge gathering thrown at a hotel banquet room...I believe it was a fundraiser? (Hope girls, correct me if I'm wrong). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I went to the thrift store to pick out my costume and had no idea what I wanted to dress up as. I remember thinking in my head "Ok, Lord, help me find something good." Silly, I know...but hey, God doesn't care if we bring the super small requests to him, no matter how silly they seem sometimes! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well, I found this awesome black-knit sweater dress complete with teal and blue planets on it, yes you heard me correctly, planets...along with some white scrunched boots and some fabulous white accessories to go with this 80's themed look. I thought this costume was pretty good, so I was happy with it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Little did I know that I would be winning <u>1st place</u> in their costume contest, out of everyone there!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, the point of this story is not me bragging about winning 1st place (although, my hair was pretty awesomely crimped...and my blue eye-shadow was stellar) but to remind you that He hears us! He loves to be in the fore-front of our minds and for us to converse with Him through the day, whether it's about a big issue or a small one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No, all stories don't turn out the way we want them to, nor does God always give us exactly what we ask for - exactly when we want it, but I smile when I think back to that story because it is a reminder that He cares about the small things in our daily lives. He has a sense of humor and He likes to remind us of His presence and His care for us. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lately, I have been trying to keep my eyes on the daily blessings that the Lord provides...and trust me, they are daily. There are so many things that we take for granted without ever giving thanks for them and seeing the Lord's goodness in them. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sometimes I just want to shout, "There is nothing to be thankful for right now, this isn't fair!" but God likes to correct me; He shows me that I have an amazing, caring, and might I add- handsome husband who loves me with all his heart. He shows me that I can enjoy a warm Summer breeze or an air-conditioned apartment where I can take refuge from the heat (and the humidity that likes to makes my hair look like Donna Summers). I can be thankful for a comfy bed at night, an amazing family who is always there for me, my favorite song coming on the radio at just the right moment, an ice-cold Diet Coke (mmm...) and so on. There are numerous things that show God's goodness, but we have to be open to seeing them. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, I am challenging myself to open my eyes more and see the beauty in every day life. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> So often I want to complain and see the down side, as told in <a href="http://faithbiggerthanfears.blogspot.com/2012/05/complaining.html">this post</a>, but I am learning so much about the importance of today and the "now". I don't want to let life pass me by while I wait for the end result, do you how much beauty I will miss by doing that? There is so much joy in the journey of life and I really don't want to miss it. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I hope you will join me today in seeing the beauty in the"simple" things. I pray that you will be able to see and feel how blessed you are :)</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Every good and perfect gift comes from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." ~ 1 James 1:17</b></div>
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<br /></div>Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-55146592690579124562012-06-13T12:47:00.002-05:002012-06-14T12:30:51.102-05:00Wait.<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<b style="color: #20124d;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;">From this one place I can't see very far</span></b><br />
<b style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">in this one moment I'm square in the dark</span></b><br />
<b style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">these are the things I will trust in my heart</span></b></b><br />
<b style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: white;">you can see something else</span></b></span></b><br />
<b style="color: #20124d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><b style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: white;">something else ~ Sara Groves</span></b></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Discouragement can be a nasty bitch (pardon the language). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sometimes this whole thing is just hard to swallow...and sometimes it just plain sucks. I hate when the feeling of hopelessness rears it's ugly head.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There is frustration in knowing that getting pregnant is completely out of my control - I mean, yes I can do all the "right" things - I can eat right, exercise (does blogging count as exercise...?), I can take the fertility drugs my doctor prescribes me, stand on my head (it's amazing the ridiculous things you will do) and so on, but no matter what, there is nothing I can do to absolutely ensure it happens and some days that makes me want to give up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On the other hand, there is peace in knowing that <i><b>all</b></i> I can do right now is give this to the Lord. He tells us that we are to lay our burdens down at His feet. Why? Because He really truly cares for us and the desires of our hearts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At church this weekend, my pastor said, "God's delays are not delays of inactivity but delays of preparation." It reminded me that this "waiting period" is not a waste of time. I have not been forgotten, as I so often like to accuse God of doing. God is moving in this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A friend of mine reminded me of the quote "strength will rise as we WAIT upon the Lord!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Funny thing, I have heard that line many times before but never</span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>really</i></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> took those words in. As much as I would like to trade in these moments of waiting for actual results, this time is not useless...something that I have to keep telling myself. In this moment, I must keep my heart and mind open to daily blessings, to growth, to being able to encourage others and most importantly, to rely on Him - His timing and His purpose. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I ask for your prayers as I continue forward. Prayers for </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">perseverance</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, and that my anxieties and frustrations of the "what ifs", medical bills and discouragement will be outweighed by my trust and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">thankfulness</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> in the Lord. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The song I quoted above is perfectly fitting for how I feel right now. I am in the dark, I have no idea what is next but I trust that He can see the bigger picture, actually I know He can. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I wish that I had all the answers and knew what was up ahead, but then what would the purpose of Faith be? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He is listening, He has a plan, He knows the bigger picture and He can see "something else" ~something better than we could ever imagine. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Amen to that. </span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><span class="versetext" style="line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"But God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. </span><span class="versetext" style="line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!" ~ Psalm 66:19-20</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go stand on my head...just kidding, I have never actually done that...yet. </span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-44340164592770799602012-06-03T23:02:00.001-05:002012-06-04T12:30:15.143-05:00Love Letter.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dear Candice, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know that sometimes you think that I am hiding from you and from time to time you doubt my presence, but I want you to know that I am here...<b>always</b>. </span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></i></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He has never let you down</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">never looked the other way when you were being kicked around. </span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> He has never wandered off to do his own thing;</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> He has been right there, listening</span><br style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;" /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Psalms 22: 24</span></i> <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(The Message)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You seem to think that I didn't see those tears that you cried into your pillow the other night when things didn't turn out the way you were truly hoping for this time around, but I did. I was there with you. I care about every detail of your life and I want you to lay every burden at my feet. </span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;">Weeping may last for a night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5 </span></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It's human nature to want to doubt my goodness when things don't go your way or when the wait for something that you so desire for seems to be endless, but you are not forgotten. These things are what bring you closest to me. This is what molds you and strengthens your relationship with me, but only if you let it. </span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...But we rejoice in our sufferings knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5 </span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love you more than you can ever imagine and I have a plan specifically made for you. It may not be the path you would have chosen, but trust me, this one is better. </span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I want you to find peace, not only this situation, but in every day that I give you. The anxiety that you let overwhelm you will do you no good. It is of no use when you have me. </span></div>
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<i><b style="color: #741b47;">Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7</b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Know that my love for you has no boundaries, it is unconditional. There is nothing that can separate you from me or my love. Keep your focus on me, not the "what ifs" and worries that tend to surround your thoughts. Be thankful for the daily blessings that come your way. They truly are daily, if you open your eyes to see them. </span></div>
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<b style="color: #741b47;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1 </span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Keep your eyes on me and know that the desires of your heart are not being ignored, I have placed them there for a reason but they may not be executed in your timing or the way you choose. I hold the whole world in my hands, but I also hold the desires of your heart close to mine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is okay to have moments of weakness, you do not always have to be strong - that is what I am here for ~ "My strength is made perfect in your weakness." Ultimately I want you to trust me and my ways, even though you may not understand them today. I never promised an easy life, but I do promise that you will never go through it alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Love, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Your Heavenly Father </span></div>Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-68072928215110258742012-05-21T20:12:00.000-05:002012-06-06T09:53:06.301-05:00Thanks.<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Living in the present is hard sometimes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I still remember being in sixth grade, wearing my velour leopard pants (what was I thinking, right?), and dreaming of being "grown up" - No more school, I could get married, be a mom, oh and also become the 6th Spice Girl, which was my main goal at the age of 12...and still a little bit at the age of 27. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My mom would always tell me to enjoy the days that I had and live in the moment and I would always think, "no way, things will be so much better when I get older!" Looking back, I have NO idea what I thought could be easier than the 6th grade life...I mean, really, what could <i>possibly</i> have been stressing me out? I was probably just bummed that "Dunkaroos" and "Koala Yummies" were no longer going to be around. Those were good, right? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But I digress...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't know if it's true for you, but I know that for myself it is always easy to think "things will be better if <i>this</i> or <i>that</i> happens". Unfortunately, I feel like I do that too much. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Lately it's been:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Things will be so much better when we can buy a house."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">..."when we have a baby."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">..."when all these stupid medical bills are paid off!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">..."if we won the lottery!" (I threw that last one in just now but a girl can dream, right?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While, yes, I would love for all these things to happen...they aren't right now. But I am not called to live for tomorrow. I am called to live for today.<i> </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow..." ~Matthew 6:34</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring." ~ Proverbs 27:1</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">God calls us to be "thankful in all circumstances"...that doesn't mean "be thankful in the circumstances that you are really excited about", it means <i>all</i>. Yep, hard to swallow sometimes. Trust me, I am still working on this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I used to think (and sometimes still do), "how can I be thankful for <i>this?! </i>What is there to be thankful for?" "Can't I wait for this to be over and<i> then</i> be thankful?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I struggle with this quite often. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When this happens I try to think back to a few months ago...I was sitting in church and something came over me. I actually felt thankful for the situation I was in. In an odd way, I felt honored that God would choose me for this. Strange, right? He is shaping me, molding me, and using me through this. Honestly, if I would have gotten my pick of what He could use me through, it would not have been through this...it would have been through me being a successful talk-show host who likes to give away houses and stuff to those who need them (any takers? I have zero experience, but that could make it even more entertaining. No? Ok, didn't think so.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Honestly, I do not feel this way every day. I am not skipping around saying "Oh lucky me, this is the greatest thing ever!" Some days I am like "This sucks, everything is horrible, when is this going to change?!" But through all of this I am learning how to at least TRY and be thankful in all circumstances. It's amazing how your outlook can change when you switch your focus to what you are thankful for instead of what is not happening. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am thankful for Who is in control of this. I am thankful that there IS a plan in all of this and that it is already taken care of. I am thankful for so many big and little things in between. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I will do my best to live in the now and enjoy it without trying to look for what's next. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yes, I am allowed bad days, but I truly hope those days are outweighed by the good. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...Man, I could go for some Dunkaroo's now...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-76710463594086631242012-05-14T19:17:00.001-05:002012-05-15T11:48:20.780-05:00Edith Vos.<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: justify;">
<b>"Perfect submission, all is at rest,<br />I in my Savior am happy and blest,<br />Watching and waiting, looking above,<br />Filled with His goodness, lost in His love." ~Blessed Assurance</b></div>
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We sang this song today as we laid my Grandma, Edith Vos, to rest. </div>
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What a magnificent woman of God she was. I am so thankful that I got to be a part of her life.</div>
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While it was bittersweet to say good-bye to her on Mother's Day weekend, it was also so wonderful to be able to celebrate the life of a inspirational woman who was an amazing example of Christ's love on a daily basis. </div>
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She never sweat the small stuff and she always gave the large stuff to God - I believe her exact words were, "Get on your knees, pray about it then forget about it." Good words to live by. She did not live a life without trials but she never let them break her spirit, she knew there was Someone bigger who was in control. </div>
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Her laughter was contagious and she always had a great sense of humor...which was passed along to my father...and then to me (if I may say so myself). </div>
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Nana, thank you for all that you brought to so many many lives around you -
your compassion, selflessness and kindness did not go unrecognized.</div>
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Thank you for the man you raised my Dad to be- a Godly, humble, loving, hard-working, wise man of God. I am so thankful for him and everything that he is.</div>
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While
I could go on and on about all the wonderful qualities that my Nana
possessed, like the love of chocolate and all things sweet that she
passed down to me (which my waist does <i>not</i> thank her for!) I will end it here for now. She was such a loved woman and she touched the lives of many. </div>
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Nana, as I write this I miss you already but I know that you are celebrating in Heaven with your Creator. Your earthly pain is gone and you have been made new, just like the Lord has promised. </div>
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I love you. </div>
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<br /></div>Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-66039221451387733902012-05-07T11:13:00.001-05:002012-05-07T13:30:51.847-05:00Beautiful Things.<div style="text-align: left;">
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"All this pain..</span></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I wonder if I'll ever find my way.</span></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I wonder if my life could really change, at all.</span></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">All this earth..</span></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Could all that is lost ever be found?</span></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 23px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Could a garden come up from this ground, at all?</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">...You make beautiful things out of us." </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 23px;">~ Beautiful Things - Gungor</span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don't know if you have ever heard that song, but it is one of my favorites. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While listening to K-Love a while back I heard the lead singer talking about the meaning behind this song. Tears came to my eyes when I heard him explain how his wife wrote this song in the midst of struggling with infertility. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He said that not only was she going through this pain, but she had noticed that there were a lot of people in their church and community who were going through times of trial as well. </span></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></i></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"This song is an expression of hope that God will make beautiful things out of the dust in our lives, and God will somehow use us, use our obedience and love, our feeble human effort, and build Himself a kingdom. I see that God is using suffering to bring us closer to Him."</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 23px;">I know what you are thinking, and no, Gungor is not paying me to write this post. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">This song has just touched my heart so much and I wanted to share it with you. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">While I am still trying to turn around the horrible attitude I started out with today, I need to remind myself that even through the midst of all this "suckiness" - He is making me new, I really do believe that. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 23px;">Enjoy.</span></div>
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<b></b><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR7VOKQ0xJY"><b><span style="color: blue;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR7VOKQ0xJY</span></b></a>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span>Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-26834448802932733712012-05-03T10:25:00.002-05:002012-05-08T10:25:58.083-05:00Complaining.<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
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Complaining has become a habit of mine. </div>
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Man, do I complain a lot.</div>
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How annoying is that? </div>
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I don't think I realized how much of a whiner I was until this whole "situation" came about. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When you start to focus on </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">one negative thing, it is so easy to let other negatives seep in. All of the sudden it was like I was focusing on everything that I thought was wrong with my life. Not a good way to go about your days. That, and no one wants to be around a whiner ~"whiners are wieners"...and I was being a major wiener. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When December 31st came around I was more than ready to say good bye to 2011, it was not my favorite year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Something clicked on January 1st. I think I was inspired by the excitement of a new year and new "resolutions" (which I personally never make - unless subconsciously I decided that my resolution would be to eat more donuts. If that's the case, then I totally nailed it) but I felt like this was a fresh start. A light went off and I realized "My circumstances will be the same whether I have a crappy attitude or a positive one, why not be thankful for the blessings I have now and actually enjoy my days instead of wallowing through them." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know what you're thinking, "Candice, that seems pretty obvious." Well, it is. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But some days this is easier said than done. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I really have to make a conscious choice to not let one "bad" thing ruin my day, or to not let the fact that I don't have a child yet be a reason for me to wallow and curse at the day ahead of me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I will be honest, some days I choose the wallowing, and boy am I good at that, but it never gets me anywhere, except a quick spiral into bitterness, and that place sucks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So I have decided to take off my "crabby-pants" and hopefully leave them in the corner for a while. I have this ONE life that God gave me, and He is trying to use me for something...let me tell you...I am not going to get there any faster by being a downer about everything!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As I write this I am reminded of one of my favorite lines from a song I love, "I can't remember a trial or a pain He did not recycle to bring me gain." (Sara Groves) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is so true. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am not perfect, I will not handle every bad situation with a smile on my face and a thumbs up (sometimes it's a different finger I want to put up) but guess what, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"His mercies are new</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">every</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">morning...great is</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thy</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">faithfulness." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Amen to that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here's to you and me, and choosing not to be wieners today!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span>Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-36501323692644878732012-04-30T10:46:00.002-05:002012-04-30T10:46:56.147-05:00Scars.<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have two scars on my lower abdomen. One on the left side and one on the right. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For a while I did not like them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They are not "pretty", they are rather permanent, and they are asymmetrical (come on, doc, if you're gonna make incisions, at least make em' even!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They were a daily reminder of everything that was <u>not</u> happening inside my body. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Exactly a year ago, this past Saturday, I had surgery to remove a rather large cyst on my left ovary. While I thought it might have been the answer to why I had not gotten pregnant yet, it was not. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Even though I still really don't have any more answers today, I have warmed up to these suckers. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Actually, I am a little bit proud of them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now instead of feeling saddened by them, they give me hope and remind me that God chose this path for me. He's not going to leave me hanging. He's the one that sustains me each day and He is the one that gives me strength. So for now, I will let these scars be symbols of strength...not necessarily mine, but His. After all, "His strength is made perfect in our weakness." </span>Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270472326018639329.post-32552193680119102792012-04-26T08:48:00.001-05:002012-05-16T16:08:40.386-05:00One of "those"days.<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
Have you ever had one of "those days"? </div>
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We all have. If you say haven't, you're lying, and lying isn't cool. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Being on Clomid can induce "those days" a lot more often (for those of you who don't know what Clomid is - it is a fertility drug...pills, hormones, ovaries, eggs, etc - you get the point.)</span></div>
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Anyway, I thought I would illustrate what one of these days can look like...while most are not as dramatic as this one - I just wanted to get the point across.</div>
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I may or may not have had a day like the one illustrated below... <br />
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It starts out all fine and dandy. Although you feel like there may be something lurking in the corner of your subconscious, you ignore it and begin your day.</div>
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The world is your oyster. Life is great! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDLGxY4gJMwfhogmsMhwH9ha6CP6tMsZn6kb2Wfh5bNvsvK5rKFFUSLylAIumW11qc2AuTW50KzcT_i5aa5COg1tMZHnenYdXWClzkN1EycZdL5f3zCqnmvarudgi9XTLhzMpZ3ESLf8/s1600/blog+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDLGxY4gJMwfhogmsMhwH9ha6CP6tMsZn6kb2Wfh5bNvsvK5rKFFUSLylAIumW11qc2AuTW50KzcT_i5aa5COg1tMZHnenYdXWClzkN1EycZdL5f3zCqnmvarudgi9XTLhzMpZ3ESLf8/s640/blog+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then...something happens. It can be big, it can be small. <br />
Maybe it is an annoying co-worker who likes to chew loudly in your presence, maybe a grumpy client you have to deal with, perhaps a bad hair day...whatever it is- it is manageable and you can move past it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrs0tB1vO8w5TANWde3BApeT1x96Phc6FbaQz-Z2HDVvJrolBWGmpmZjC4rN2WKES-sTD1zOGMxEr4HOSpxdgxuNxpY_uQTrSM1rm4xZgS9VKdq88aMsXKNRlhM1L29HddOSnnapRMQAI/s1600/Blog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrs0tB1vO8w5TANWde3BApeT1x96Phc6FbaQz-Z2HDVvJrolBWGmpmZjC4rN2WKES-sTD1zOGMxEr4HOSpxdgxuNxpY_uQTrSM1rm4xZgS9VKdq88aMsXKNRlhM1L29HddOSnnapRMQAI/s640/Blog2.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Your day goes on...</span></div>
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Maybe your co-workers decide to order lunch, or you get some take-out at home. </div>
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Oh, what's that you say? They forgot my fries? My burger is covered in onions, when I specifically said I didn't want them?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yWh8hr7qhyDD4ZC7s8IFAwpDRR6jL5VkBOc10BCgPaZrhcSyQ_CvaeUYTDtNu5BtJtU5tfupfP913t02-e1agB3iP7GeN1_NKjqZPzZxjVoqS-gVJfgkEtCzgZ7bShUU_0zjis9RO70/s1600/blog3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yWh8hr7qhyDD4ZC7s8IFAwpDRR6jL5VkBOc10BCgPaZrhcSyQ_CvaeUYTDtNu5BtJtU5tfupfP913t02-e1agB3iP7GeN1_NKjqZPzZxjVoqS-gVJfgkEtCzgZ7bShUU_0zjis9RO70/s640/blog3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It has been unleashed. </span></div>
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It's irrational - you are aware of this but you don't care. It's too late for reasoning. </div>
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Soon that anger turns to tears...lots of tears, and it is way too dramatic. You end up saying things that are dumb and untrue. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zkb5w1MfmD3N5A1axzFmNWVKsSeHU4ZqSt7trmsRjeWoIDbjersm_6skc-bPXISWukpb6WaIGVJGnuA6oLOZHVgRcB_rSNfapLsad5oM-9Jf9Wm3SuEjyLOqRN2tg6NowbY4IVCWvxQ/s1600/blog3.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6zkb5w1MfmD3N5A1axzFmNWVKsSeHU4ZqSt7trmsRjeWoIDbjersm_6skc-bPXISWukpb6WaIGVJGnuA6oLOZHVgRcB_rSNfapLsad5oM-9Jf9Wm3SuEjyLOqRN2tg6NowbY4IVCWvxQ/s640/blog3.5.jpg" width="640" /></a>Thankfully, this does not last long. The tears have been shed and you already start to feel better. </div>
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Maybe life isn't so bad? Maybe I <i>don't</i> need to be Beyonce? I <i>did</i> have some great stuff happen to me today and I have plenty to be thankful for! </div>
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Wow, don't you feel better now? What's that? There is a candy bar hiding in the cabinet? Wow, this day has gotten so much better again!</div>
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Ah, all is well. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFue_kJEgJd9NWU9Gt8wiezIEvrnqKDYF0KlTy8VtRY28wIzMCoqlXtKAL-hkzxfae0TEE2Z07208BzQlj07MNZyFQHs9yrwUEPhV_P5Dbe_wmuoLf-L_UE837GobZJg6y0nBu_9RsMrM/s1600/blog4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFue_kJEgJd9NWU9Gt8wiezIEvrnqKDYF0KlTy8VtRY28wIzMCoqlXtKAL-hkzxfae0TEE2Z07208BzQlj07MNZyFQHs9yrwUEPhV_P5Dbe_wmuoLf-L_UE837GobZJg6y0nBu_9RsMrM/s640/blog4.jpg" width="640" /></a>Well, there ya have it, folks. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yes, infertility is a serious thing and should not always be taken lightly, but let's be honest...we all need to be able to make fun of ourselves sometimes! After-all, Laughter IS the best medicine, right? </span></div>
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No, you don't always find a surprise candy bar BUT life goes on. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Disclaimer: I have never actually thrown any kind of chair. This was just a dramatization.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>Candice Wilberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09471567335989823480noreply@blogger.com7