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2 Chronicles 29:11
My sons, do not be negligent now; for the Lord has chosen you to stand before Him and serve Him, to minister before Him and to burn incense.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
chiming in the new year
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Friday, December 19, 2008
wows
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We're reading a fascinating fictional account of Jesus' birth. It's one of those books that's been shelved for years. Just before we left for Florida, I scanned our books to find something for airport reading. I guess because of the time of year it was I chose The Birth by Gene Edwards. Wow. What a fresh perspective.
And one other quick note, we sat under the teaching of Stewart and Jill Briscoe at the camping comference. Jill Briscoe sat under the teaching of C.S. Lewis in England. He was actually one of the main influences that brought her to Christ. Wow. What a privilege for me.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Cleaning up after pigs
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What's moved into my temple?
Pigs?
Yeah, I think so.
Lord, please clean out whatever isn't You and light the lampstand in my heart.
Which is why I love Hanukkah. Hanukkah was a revolt against Pigs and a miracle of restoration.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Runnin' on E
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Sunday, November 16, 2008
Smells good
It is true that moms can hear all. The kids came into the house after playing the back nine of the disc-golf course. It's getting colder, but they keep playing; they just add layers. As they came rumbling into the house the conversation went something like this:
(Tate) "Oh, it smells good in here. Mmmm. Cookies".
(Jackson) "It's prob'ly a candle".
This could be an ad for Michelle's incredible candles (see link) or it could be a little humor at my expense. To my defense, I was baking - apparently I should do so more often!
(Tate) "Oh, it smells good in here. Mmmm. Cookies".
(Jackson) "It's prob'ly a candle".
This could be an ad for Michelle's incredible candles (see link) or it could be a little humor at my expense. To my defense, I was baking - apparently I should do so more often!
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Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Long Time, No Write
Hello World!! Here's a challenge for you: Live with hi-speed internet for 2 years and then go 2 months without it. It's amazing how quickly you'll feel disconnected. So, though there's lots of nasty stuff on the www, it truly is an incredible tool for staying connected.
So what's new? Well, Jackson had all the funding come in to build his well. (see link) Ellie is almost as tall as Laurie. Jackson has decided to grow out his hair (despite Tate's advice that it would be a disadvantage in all athletics). Tater's still getting headaches because the eye doctor still hasn't gotten his prescription correct (the adjustment period is over and objects are still closer than they appear).
We still remain Five for Aslan. God is moving in our hearts and the kids are learning to hear His voice. There is much to say, but now that I have the internet again, I don't have to say it all right now. Hooray!!! Press On!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Oh... that's bad! No... that's good.
Jackson was thirsty on his way to church and Mommy had a semi-fresh, half bottle of water to offer him. Oh... that's good! No... that's bad. That's bad because after Jackson finished drinking the water he suctioned the bottle to his upper lip and gave himself his first hickey and like I said we were on our way to church.
After mingling and greeting during the service at church the nice lady offered us some hand sanitizer. Oh... that's good! No... that's bad. That's bad because Jackson chewed on his fingers forgetting he had just doused them with sanitizer.
The sanitizer had a foaming chemical reaction with the saliva in Jackson's mouth. Oh... that's bad! No... that's good. That's good because Jackson sat through the entire service without swallowing and at the conclusion of the prayer, quietly told us he "need'd toe gow shpit" in the bathroom.
After mingling and greeting during the service at church the nice lady offered us some hand sanitizer. Oh... that's good! No... that's bad. That's bad because Jackson chewed on his fingers forgetting he had just doused them with sanitizer.
The sanitizer had a foaming chemical reaction with the saliva in Jackson's mouth. Oh... that's bad! No... that's good. That's good because Jackson sat through the entire service without swallowing and at the conclusion of the prayer, quietly told us he "need'd toe gow shpit" in the bathroom.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Home
It's been one week and a day since we officially moved on to Bair Lake Bible Camp grounds. The closet space is amazing, we have a laundry shoot, and Trev walked home for lunch today - so much to be thankful for.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Tater strikes again
Last night was our last campfire at the House on Cond. Because sound travels so well across water, we benefited from the music pumping at Shady Point campground. The D.J.'s selection contained a lot of country. Yee-Hah! We could sense that the Shady Point crowd was gettin' down and Trev guessed that they were probably line-dancing. Once again our Tater didn't hear quite right and he said, "that would be fun..."blind-dancing". Everyone just ties on a blind-fold and starts dancing. Then, whoever you touch first is the person you dance with!" Line-dancing? Blind-dancing? Doesn't matter - let's just dance.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Just keep packing... just keep packing...
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Thursday, August 21, 2008
A home with a view
As Bob and Nanci prepare to move into this house, they have brought several friends over to tour their new home. Without fail each person that sees the view of the lake from our living room says, "you're going to really miss this view". Yes, I am. Yes, we are. At one point I was regretting not taking more pictures of the lake's beauty and started to feel pretty sad about leaving our view. Then I was reminded of an ironic truth: I do have pictures of the lake. It's just that the lake serves as the background of pictures of my family and friends. The view I love most I get to take with me... it's the people God has gifted into my life. So, come enhance the view of our new home because then we will still have a wonderful view.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Suzie's favorite week of the year
Our friend Suzie just returned from her week at Camp Barnabas. It sounded like such an incredible place that I wanted to see for myself.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
good.......trade..........
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We sold our sporty Mazda 3 and bought "The Dash". "The Dash" is a golf cart. The cover of the cart extends past the back seat and looks like Dashell Robert Parr's hair (a.k.a. Dash of the Incredibles). We think it was a "good......trade......." (remember the trade between Dances with Wolves and Wind in His Hair? ) None of the campers know what we're talking about when we say, "good........trade.........". And actually, none of the campers have even heard of Dances with Wolves. Are we really that old? I guess so! Anyway, once again God has provided and we are so thankful for "The Dash".
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Dead varmits and weeding
This is kind of a truth re-visited, but yesterday God gave me two really appropriate illustrations of this truth. Let's just say that somewhere in your basement a dead varmint (mouse or piny squirrel) lies decomposing. The process is in the very early stages and the smell is permeating the house. What if we wake up every morning and spray the whole interior of the house with lemony-fresh air freshener? For a while it may smell better, but the lemony particles can only do so much and the stench of the varmint returns. The smell is sickening and cannot be ignored. The only solution is to find the culprit and remove it from the premises.
Sometimes when we're weeding the numerous flower beds around our home, the kids have a hard time removing the root of the weed they're pulling. Sometimes just the leaves come off, the stem snaps and the root is left there just waiting until we walk away to start growing again. For a day (or two if we're lucky), the flower bed looks great! But a cosmetic improvement just scratches the surface; we needed to go much deeper and rip out the root and all it's nasty tentacles.
So are we asking Jesus to forgive our sins (to be represented by the smell of the varmint and the leaves/stem of the weed) or are we asking Him to remove our sinful nature (like removing the dead rodent or ripping out the root)? It would be absurd to assign medications to a person based on their symptoms alone when the doctors know full well that cancer is the cause. Kill the cancer. Remove the varmint. Rip out the root.
Sometimes when we're weeding the numerous flower beds around our home, the kids have a hard time removing the root of the weed they're pulling. Sometimes just the leaves come off, the stem snaps and the root is left there just waiting until we walk away to start growing again. For a day (or two if we're lucky), the flower bed looks great! But a cosmetic improvement just scratches the surface; we needed to go much deeper and rip out the root and all it's nasty tentacles.
So are we asking Jesus to forgive our sins (to be represented by the smell of the varmint and the leaves/stem of the weed) or are we asking Him to remove our sinful nature (like removing the dead rodent or ripping out the root)? It would be absurd to assign medications to a person based on their symptoms alone when the doctors know full well that cancer is the cause. Kill the cancer. Remove the varmint. Rip out the root.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
There go the Amalekites
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Dad's Day '08
Thursday, June 5, 2008
12 hours
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If he works diligently he can fill three five-gallon buckets with gravel in 12 hours. Each bucket filled nets him about 5 cents (U.S.). He's been chipping rocks since he was 4 and now he's 10. His options are reduced to an option: continue doing what he knows.
We're struggling to teach the kids a good work ethic. There's this ugly assumption that they're (we're) entitled to comfort and leisure. It seems that the Bible talks a lot more about hard work and suffering than it does about "livin' it up".
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Commonly Sensible
Trev and I were talking last night about how lasting Oswald Chamber's writings have been in our hearts. One of the primary principles that is sprinkled throughout his devotional, 'My Utmost for His Highest', is that faith is the opposite of common sense. Digging into the meaning of common sense we restated it as "what is commonly sensible within our culture". My mind went immediately to Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world...". The pattern of our world = doing what is commonly sensible.
It doesn't make sense to touch a leper, it doesn't make sense to speak harsh truths that disperse crowds and it doesn't make sense to leave a throne so you can die.
(I'd love to know what you think.)
It doesn't make sense to touch a leper, it doesn't make sense to speak harsh truths that disperse crowds and it doesn't make sense to leave a throne so you can die.
(I'd love to know what you think.)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Change the Channel
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Am I a pool of stagnant water? Have I hoarded the things God has poured into me? Have I not allowed them to freely flow out of me as wonderfully as they flowed into me? Does God's love flow out of me? If all He has poured into me has become stagnant - is that a stench to Him? Is it repulsive?
Lord, please allow me to be a channel that Your life-giving water flows through to others.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
SWATT
So my first full week as Camp Director for Bair Lake Bible Camp is over. It has proven to be another item on the list of things God has done to show how awesome He is. The timing of my starting there could not have been better. This week was SWATT week. SWATT stands for Servants With Ample Time and Talent. Basically, it is a group of retired folks who have been involved with BLBC for years, and twice a year, they come back and spend a week working on whatever projects they can. They did everything from sewing curtains to changing electrical boxes and building shelves. They were a great group. I got to spend time hearing stories, learning history, and just getting to know some of the people that God has used to bring BLBC to where it is today. And they're still allowing Him to use them. So I thank the Lord for His faithfulness and for the faithfulness of the SWATT team.
There is much going on at BLBC. Check out the web site at http://www.blbc.com/. God is doing wonderful things here. It is very exciting! I can't wait to see what will happen my second week.
There is much going on at BLBC. Check out the web site at http://www.blbc.com/. God is doing wonderful things here. It is very exciting! I can't wait to see what will happen my second week.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
...said the Cat in the Hat
If the weekend of June 20, 21, 22 looks boring to you,
I know something you really ought to do.
It's Seussical Jr and it's sure to be great,
not to mention on stage you'll see Ellie and Tate!
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Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Foreshadows
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Friday, May 2, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Toes
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Thursday, April 10, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
25 days
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I will start by recapping what is happening right now. We were approached, soon after I resigned(mid February), by the director of the Bible camp we live next to. He asked if I would consider taking the position of directing the camp since he would not be directing any more. Even though we thought we were heading across the world for international missionary work,we felt at peace about pursuing that and we had our interview last week. Thank you to all who lifted us up in prayer. We felt the interview went well. The current director is deciding between me and one other person. We feel confident that he is seeking the Lord and will decide as he feels God leading him. He let us know that he will make the decision by May 1st. That's 25 days from now. So I am inclined to become anxious. That is a long time to wonder how I'm going to take care of my family.... And there's the problem. I worry and am afraid because of one thing. My confidence has moved from being found in God, to being found in myself. --In the story of David and Goliath, Goliath yells out to the Israelites, "Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul?" The Israelites were afraid and ran away. But then David comes along and says, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" So David went and killed him. What a contrast. David's confidence was in God, and the Israelites confidence was in themselves, just as the enemy was telling them it should be. God chose to use David to defeat the Philistines, but David knew this was not David vs. Goliath, it was God vs. Goliath. Jeremiah 17:5-8 says there are two types of people. Those who trust in man and those who trust in God. It says those who trust in man "will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives." And those who trust in God "will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." The Israelites were the bush in the wastelands. David was the tree, not fearing, no worries, and bearing fruit. -- I have concluded that if I'm worried, fearful, anxious, stressed, etc. it is because of one thing; my confidence is not in the Lord. I want to be the tree by the water. I want to see the problems around me as David saw them. My confidence must be in God and God alone. So for 25 days we wait. But we will wait having confidence in the Lord, knowing He is our leader and He will provide. Thank You, O Lord, for your word. Thank You, O Lord, for the next 25 days.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Four Armor-Bearers
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In 1 Samuel 14, Jonathan, one of the leaders of Israel's army, decides to do something that doesn't make a lot of sense. His army is completely outnumbered and surrounded. They are hiding in caves. It doesn't look good. He decides to take action and do something about it, though. He decides to go and fight and see if maybe God will fight for them. He asks only one other man to go with him (the Bible only calls him Jonathan's armor-bearer). This armor-bearer could have said, "You're crazy! Two against many. No way." But instead, he was supportive and said, "Go ahead; I'm with you heart and soul." Wow. Long story short, God does fight for them and the rest of the Israelite army joins them and they win the battle. --- Well, I have been blessed with four armor-bearers. Leaving my job and going into ministry is a battle also. And it doesn't make sense on many levels. But we know God will fight for us as we remain in Him. For me, one of the main ways he has confirmed that is by giving me four incredible people to live with who are right beside me saying, "Go ahead; we're with you heart and soul." Wow.
Many Thanks
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Yesterday was Trevor's last day as a financial advisor. After 8+ years the day was full of many emotions. Thanks to all who are joining with us in prayer - there has been a sweet peace flooding our hearts and our home the past few days. Surely this is an answer to prayers. Another answer to prayer is Jackson's much improved health. He has been fever free for over a month! Thank you, Lord!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
A great birthday gift
Tate and Jay put this together all by themselves. All the moves. It was their mommy's birthday gift. She loved it. Hope you do too.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Stayin' Alive
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Yesterday's disco lesson didn't go so well. My limited knowledge of disco is from Sat. Night Fever clips and from my Mom's competitive disco days. Despite this I was trying to demonstrate a few basics to the kids. Tate gave it all he had, Ellie sat watching and trying not to laugh at us, and Jackson wouldn't make a move. I was really confused by his hesitancy since he's usually willing to boogie down.
Later on I asked Jackson why he hadn't danced. Totally seriously he replied, "I don't know. I'm just not that funky..."
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Lessons learned in Kiwi land
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The path less taken? Edward Jones offered a complimentary tour of the city of Queenstown our second day on the south island. Since we rented a car, we opted to branch out on our own and fore go the bus tour. (Besides, I don't think my system could have tolerated any more motion sickness prevention medicine...) After surveying the map we picked our remote destination and headed out. The goal was simple: find where the well-paved road ends and the non-advisable road begins and TAKE IT. We found the end of the rental-car-appropriate road and were readyto head into the mountains when the sign and locked gate informed us that the crazy man's road was closed. After a brief bout of disappointment, we detoured to a small hike that took us back into a mountain surrounded, sun-kissed lake. The path itself was worth the hike. Maybe it's because we were so green-depraved, but the f
erns, trees, moss and winding stone path was a joy. I briefly corrected my posture and walked as regally as I could along the path pretending I was in the company of Lord Elrond's elves. That's the kind of path it was. Heading back the Lord spoke. He gently reminded me that had we not varied from the "path" of all the other brokers, we would never have seen this path - the path He had in store for us that day. How similar to life back home and our varying from the EDJ path.
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Milford sound!! The "must see" of New Zealand. The drive to Milford Sound began with crossing much of the same landscape we had already conquered, but as we entered the Fiordlands our eyes saw sig
hts that cameras and words cannot capture. Yet, despite the rivers, rainforests, and towering rock cliffs sprinkled with waterfalls we pressed on to get to our destination. We couldn't resist stopping a few times for photos, but didn't engage in any of the possible hikes or adventures along the way. We were so set on "getting there" that we felt rushed and were unable to savor the moment. When we did "get there" we were met by a dense fog and cold enduring rain that almost completely shrouded everything. The "must see" couldn't be seen and we both felt like something had been stolen. Funny though, it wasn't so much the loss of Milford Sound that poked at us, it was the loss of the missed adventures along the way.
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Saturday, March 15, 2008
In the land of "The Lord of the Rings"
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We just returned from New Zealand. What a place! We were very blessed to have been able to spend 4 days on the north island, and 6 days on the south island. Our 4 days in Auckland were spent talking to people who are serving the Lord and spreading the gospel. With all that is happening in our lives, we were really searching to see if God wanted us to join them. So we visited 4 different churches, talked with 3 different pastors, and spent a good amount of time with missionaries from Indiana. So we got to see different ways of doing ministry and the beautiful diversity of the body of Christ.
New Zealand may not be the first place you think of when you think about sending missionaries, but we found out that there actually is a huge need there. At least half of the people there believe in nothing. Turning to God is the last thing on most people's minds, even when their lives fall apart. It was quite sad to realize this.
So, as we drove the countryside on the south island, hardly ever seeing a church building, (if we did it was set up more as a historical building) we dreamed of coming there and creatively starting a church. Using adventure outings to build a church would be a blast, eh? There was also the thought of just joining what God is already doing in Auckland on the north island. As for now though, it is only a good idea, not a God idea.
We did see many locations where different scenes from "The Lord of the Rings" was filmed. It was neat to talk to any of the locals about it. They all were more than welcome to share their LOTR knowledge. We also went horseback riding where they filmed the battle scene of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." We were very blessed.
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So the people who know all about the "power of the Ring," need to hear about "His divine power [that] has given us all we need for life and Godliness..." 2 Peter 1:3
We will pray for those there in New Zealand, and we ask for any others to join in praying for them. The country that is so proud of being the location of the movie "The Lord of the Rings" needs our prayers and needs workers.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Camp Director?
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Our options have broadened. We are still looking at possibilities of right now going into international missions, but we've said from the beginning that we wondered if there might be something else first. About a week after I let my employer know I was leaving, the director of Bair Lake Bible Camp asked me if I would be interested in being a candidate for stepping in and directing, as he was stepping out into some new ventures. So directing a Bible camp is now in the mix of where God may put us. That would mean moving just a mile down the road, as they want this person to live on camp grounds. There are many details we don't know yet, and we still have a lot of praying to do, but we are excited that this may be where God wants us to "minister before Him." In a couple of weeks we will start the interview process and they want this person to start May 1st. That would be great timing. But we are keeping an open heart for whatever God wants us to do still.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
from Jay
Hold it Loosely
Last night Trevor was reading 'The Fellowship of the Ring' aloud as the kids drew with crayons, paper and colored pencils spread out on the carpet. As the kids hear words they don't understand, they frequently stop Trev from reading and ask the word's meaning. At one point in the story Jackson stopped him to ask, "Daddy, what does content mean?". Sometimes I answer and sometimes Trevor does. This time as we were making eye contact trying to decide who should answer, we heard, "It means to be satisfied" - Ellie had stepped up to the plate.
What does it mean to be content? God's asking the tough questions: Will I be content wherever we live? With all the changes happening in our life I am struggling with the very thing we tell the kids all the time: hold it loosely. Though we have said from day one that this is God's home, as the reality of letting it go draws close, I see in me a temptation to strengthen my grip. So today I am praying, please Lord help me hold it loosely. Help me remember that it is Yours and that the very concept of possession is just my imagination because it's ALL Yours.
"when nothing satisfies you, hold My hand"
-Jennifer Knap
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Significance of 2 Chronicles 29:11
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Well, the word is out. We are being called to stand before Him and serve Him, to minister before Him and burn incense. It's not that we have not been doing this already, it's just that He is asking us to go and do this. So, I will soon be leaving my job and we will be looking for a place to serve our Lord. It's kind of a neat position to be in. Here we are God. Where should we go? At this point, that could mean going a mile down the road or going across the world. We're not sure. But we are ready. God has been so gracious in His leading us to do this. It has been a gradual pull away from "things" and moving our whole family to a place where we are open to whatever He has. We're all tempted to fear. There are so many questions that are not answered. But there is also peace. We know that the "burn incense" part, which is representative of our prayers, is so very important in all of this. We will not hesitate to ask friends and family for prayer. And we will be in prayer more than ever. "Apart from Me, you can do nothing." Lord, the only thing I know to do right now is to cry out to You and to trust that You hear me and that You will catch and hold us. Thank You for the victory that is Yours. Thank You that we need not worry. This is all a God idea, not a good idea. We want to praise You. We want to know You. We want to see Your face. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty!
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Cubed
Friday, January 4, 2008
We missed it
I missed something amazing last night. Just before we went to bed we were checking for emails from our friends in Kenya (our concern for their safety has grown because of recent upheavals in Nairobi) and in the process saw that during the early morning hours today there was going to be an amazing meteor shower. The peak of action was supposed to begin around 1:30 this morning. Trev and I agreed that we would not set out alarms, rather we would see if we woke up at that time because of some kind of supernatural nudging. If either of us woke, we'd wake the other and head outside to view the spectacle.
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I woke up at 1:25 a.m.
Bitter cold night vs. warm bed = warm bed wins. At the time I felt only a trace of regret as I turned over to get back to sleep. I thought how loving I was being to Trevor to let him stay warm too.
Now I am fully awake and I fully regret by bed's victory. It's not just the falling stars I missed. I believe God had something for us and we missed it. I hate it when we do that.
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I woke up at 1:25 a.m.
Bitter cold night vs. warm bed = warm bed wins. At the time I felt only a trace of regret as I turned over to get back to sleep. I thought how loving I was being to Trevor to let him stay warm too.
Now I am fully awake and I fully regret by bed's victory. It's not just the falling stars I missed. I believe God had something for us and we missed it. I hate it when we do that.
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