tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28815056428644895242024-03-13T14:41:44.812-04:00Becoming An Agent of ChangeA rapidly approaching wedding,
a new job, a new apartment, and always a great new pair of shoes!
Life is changing fast and I am loving every minute of it! I would love to keep you up to date on what God is doing in around and through me!Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-44102690789993693742010-08-25T20:54:00.002-04:002010-08-25T20:56:15.416-04:00RelocatedHey there blog readers! I have started a new "married people" blog with a new address - <a href="http://mike-and-kathy.blogspot.com/">http://mike-and-kathy.blogspot.com/</a>. <div><br /></div><div>I won't be updating this one anymore, so you can remove your following and switch it over to the new blog! I'm going to do my best to update more often and give you some fun pics and stories from this first year of married life!</div>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-27608124040480592872010-05-24T15:39:00.001-04:002010-05-24T15:40:32.764-04:00Skeleton Bones<div><b>I love this song! We've been singing it at church a lot lately and the words are just awesome! I have to say I prefer Lucas Allen's version (our worship leader at church), but the song is still awesome! </b></div><div><br /></div><object style="background-image:url(http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/FYESNOPpXV4/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FYESNOPpXV4&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FYESNOPpXV4&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-76974962159362672712010-05-09T21:49:00.002-04:002010-05-09T22:37:43.304-04:00No Longer Much-Afraid<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Recently, the Lord sent me a dream about lies that Satan feeds us. Satan tells us that certain things are cute and safe, and we believe him. It's bogus, but we do.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, after this dream, I opened my heart for God to search it out for lies. And, surprise, surprise, He found some. And it blew me away! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's not that I expected my heart was 100% clean and sparkly. I know there is still work to be done. But, what surprised me was the lies that I realized were in there. I mean, I knew I believed these things, but it never occurred to me that they are BIG FAT LIES! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I realized that I have so accepted <b><u>fear </u></b>as a regular part of my life, that it doesn't even faze me anymore. Ridiculous! I let fear wiggle it's little nose into my heart probably more than 20 years ago, and I just let it stay there warm and cozy.<br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fear was able to hide out for all these years because I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE IT! I had let fear become appropriate or acceptable in my life to the extent that I thought it was NORMAL for Christians to feel that way. So, here's a list (because I LOVE lists) of all the ways I have identified thus far that fear had a hold of my life without my recognition.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. Fear of the unknown -- Whenever something new or unexpected came along, I thought it was appropriate to be afraid. I mean, I'm only human, right! And unknown things are scary! But, letting fear have a foothold is never okay, no matter WHAT! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, there, Fear of Unknown, you have no place in my heart. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. Fear of man -- I'm not scared of men. In fact, I think I actually have an irrational level of confidence in my ability to defend myself against most any man. But, I am ridiculously concerned about other people's opinion of me, and it can be debilitating. Calculating the risks of a decision is wise, but letting the opinion of others prevent you from pursuing things that GOD WANTS FOR YOU is ridiculous and I'm over it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, yep, kicked that one out too. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. Fear that God will take thing away -- I know God will stretch me, and that is true, but somewhere along the way I've accepted that God will probably ask me to do things I don't like and ask me to give up lots of the things I love. How often do I forget that HE ONLY GIVES GOOD GIFTS! And how often have I clenched my little tiny fists around something God wanted to take away, not realizing that He wanted to replace it with something better. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stupid lies, you are officially uninvited to my life party. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are a few more, but this blog seems pretty long. So, if you want to hear more, email me and I will update you! Otherwise, stay tuned for future blogs about what God's teaching me and about how I will be learning/growing in my new job! My first day in the office (just for a few hours for a meeting) is Tuesday, and I would appreciate some fear-killing prayers! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sending love to you all, no matter where you are!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Kathy</span></div></div>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-39096864298930924642010-04-28T20:13:00.004-04:002010-04-28T20:27:03.392-04:00And now back to our regularly scheduled program...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Happy Wednesday, friends and family!</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">So, it has been brought to my attention that my previous blog post was totally random. Sorry for those who were utterly confused and thanks to all who played along. Random or not, you have to admit it was fun! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Today's note, however, is much more expected because as most of you Facebook-stalkers know, <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">I GOT A JOB!</span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Yep, that's right. I am now employed! While I am positive that God is probably looking down from heaven, shaking his head in a very dad-like manner, and saying "I told you so," I admit that I was getting nervous. I mean, I had an offer a few weeks ago. My <u>only </u>offer at that point, mind you, and God told me to say no. I didn't really want the job, but it <u>was </u>a job. So, saying "no" felt difficult despite the fact that I would have rather worked at Kohl's (no offense to anyone who works/worked there.)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Anyway, I am thrilled that this was God's plan! (I also have to give some credit to my brother Andrew for helping me pick out my "power suit" for my final interview, complete with <a href="http://www.express.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=25640&parentCategoryId=2&categoryId=43&subCategoryId=43&user_att_value=Email&user_att_name=Interest&Mppg=0&Mcatpn=category&Mpper=3&Mcatp=cat_2&Mcat=43&Mpos=17&Mrsaa=*&Mcatn=Sale&Mpg=SEARCH%2BNAV&Mrsavf=*&showBreadcrumb=false&relatedItem=true">bright pink button down</a>. haha! Thanks, bro!) </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I will start at the Timmy Foundation in Indianapolis as their new Program Coordinator the end of next month! I'll also be travelling to Latin America here and there, which is clearly breaking my heart, but I think I'll manage. (Love it!) </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';color:#330000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Thanks to everyone who prayed me through the job search and be sure to check out <a href="http://www.timmyfoundation.org/">www.timmyfoundation.org</a> for all the details! </span></span></div>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-150732891182349662010-04-19T23:56:00.002-04:002010-04-20T00:00:18.468-04:00Little Red/White Box<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">I would like to discuss a really horrible Sunday School song. It is called "Little White Box" or sometimes "If I Had a Little White Box." If I could make one request, please don't teach your children</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zodVgCCr0og"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">this song</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">.</span> </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">There are a zillion reasons why this song annoys me, but let's suffice it to say that you cannot and should not want to keep Jesus in a little box. You also really shouldn't have kids carrying around Satan in a box either, for that matter. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">The whole thing is just weird and disturbing. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000066;">So, please, do not teach your children this song. </span></span></span></div>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-31928490956393039462010-04-14T12:17:00.002-04:002010-04-14T12:38:59.507-04:00Hallelujah, with a ham sandwich on the side<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Okay, so here's the deal. I'm kind of excited, so please excuse any typos because sometimes my fingers punch the keys too hard when I'm excited. And then you get all kinds of extra letters. Haha. Anyway...</b></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>I was sitting here eating my ham sandwich because it's lunch time and that is what is in the fridge. I wanted to read the chapter from our Bible study last night that I didn't get a chance to read beforehand. So, I did. And then I got really excited about the next chapter, so I started reading that too...and I came across some phrases that just got me PUMPED. I mean, really, I was talking to God aloud as I read this because I felt like it resonated perfectly with some of the things God has been teaching me lately. So, here are some bits and pieces of what I got excited about, with my thoughts intermingled: </b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>"The great majority of the Christian world is still weeping at the foot of the cross. The consciousness of mankind remains fixed on the Christ who died, not on the Christ who lives. People are looking back to the Redeemer who was, not the Redeemer who is." </i></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>I used to get so frustrated when I heard certain people preach the Gospel message. And I felt guilty for feeling cranky about the Gospel. I mean, really, I thought something was wrong with me! But, this shines a new light on what DROVE ME NUTS about their interpretation of the Gospel. In certain churches, the Gospel is all about how dirty and icky and disgusting you are without Jesus. It's about how Jesus found you in the muck and the mire and loved you anyway. But the thing is, they spend so much time on talking about the gross, sinful humans that they fail to talk enough about the brilliance of the resurrected Christ. I mean, he was transformed! He was resurrected and now "As He is, so are we in the world!" Sin is gross. I concur. But Jesus' glory should be the focus of the RESURRECTION story because without that, it's just not the whole Gospel. And to be quite frank, without the resurrection, the Gospel (or lack-thereof) would be utterly depressing. </b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><i>"Jesus became poor so that I could become rich...Why then should I try to become as He was, when He suffered so I could become as He is? At some point, the reality of the resurrection must come into play in our lives - we must discover the power of the resurrection for all who believe." </i></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Jesus didn't go to the cross so that I could spend all my spiritual energy weeping at the foot of the cross or trying to figuratively nail myself to it. Don't get me wrong, repentance is meaningful and sorrow for sin is worthy of time and attention. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b>BUT it can't end there. It shouldn't end there. Jesus wants more. He died so we could repent and then embrace the power of the resurrected Christ inside of us. </b></span></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b>There is a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance (Eccl. 3:4). I don't know about you...but today I feel like dancing. </b></span></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b><br /></b></span></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993399;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(Quotes are from: When Heave Invades Earth: a Practical Guide to a Life of Miracles by Bill Johnson, page 146.)</span></span></span></div>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-13628309997043525672010-03-30T16:52:00.004-04:002010-04-04T15:09:10.017-04:00Spiritual Monuments<span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-size:100%;" >So, I was reading our book for Bible Study (Bill Johnson's <a href="http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=When+Heaven+Invades+Earth&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=252758906042555602&ei=xWSyS76YGMP68AbNuODyBQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCIQ8wIwAg#ps-sellers">When Heaven Invades Earth</a>) and came across a passage in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2017:8-16&version=NIV">Exodus </a>that talked about building monuments or altars to remember what God has done. It happens all over the place in the Old Testament. God does something awesome, and people build a memorial so that they won't forget. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I am now trying to figure out what this means for me. What can I build/create/save that commemorates what God has done in my life. I mean, I DON'T want to forget because remembering brings joy and encourages and strengthens your faith. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">My only conclusion on the topic thus far is to be more intentional with my journaling. I want to record whenever God provides, or teaches me something, or stretches me or anything else He decides to do. I know this will help me remember, if or when I actually go back and read it.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I want to remember.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And then I want to CELEBRATE! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I want to remember so that my JOY may be in Him and thus my joy may be complete! Let me know if you have other ideas of ways to commemorate intimate experiences with the Lord. I am open to any and all suggestions, and would especially welcome some creative thoughts!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Dios les bendiga,</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#003300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Kathy</span></span></div><div><br /><br /></div>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-43589985729901093732010-03-22T11:15:00.002-04:002010-03-22T11:29:01.007-04:00and the word is NO<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Do you remember </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEwNGgNXr9U"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3366FF;">this video</span></a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEwNGgNXr9U"> </a></span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">from your Sesame Street years? haha. Sometimes Sesame Street still makes for the best illustrations. Old school, Sesame Street, that is. I have nothing to do with this new-fangled Sesame Street where Cookie Monster eats vegetables and Oscar isn't grouchy.</span></b></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But, I digress...</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Recently, the Lord has laid it on my heart that NO is a word I just don't use as often as I should. It's not just about commitments, although I easily say YES to significantly more than I should. It's also the small things. And what shocked me most was when God started telling me to say NO to things that took almost no time at all and seemed like really good things to me! Why would God want me to NOT do a good thing? Weird.</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The first time this lesson emerged was when a new homeless person started frequenting the corner by my apartment. I knew the former corner homeless man. He was really nice and once told me how he was going to break the world record for some trapeze trick. I waited through a couple of stop lights just to make sure he knew that someone on this planet recognized he was human and deserved a moment's time. Even though I couldn't help much, talking to that guy was a blessing. So, I was beyond baffled when I saw the new guy and immediately heard that still small voice in my heart saying, "Do NOT go talk to him and do NOT give him ANYTHING!" It was a whispering shout, but it was firm.</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Isn't that peculiar? I mean, who knows why God said NO to this opportunity to do something simple with a minimal time commitment that could mean a lot to this man. But God has his reasons and I trust that.</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then, I learned that something tragic happened in the life of a friend I have lost touch with. My heart ached for her and I wanted to at least send a card or a letter with my sympathies and prayers, but God immediately laid on my heart once again that I should do NOTHING. </span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I don't know why. Perhaps these NO's are a lesson in tuning my spiritual ears to hear the Lord, even when his words are unexpected. Perhaps (and I feel this is likely the case) what God is doing in the lives of these people is being accomplished in a different way. Perhaps my words/money/card/etc. are not part of His plan for this particular person in this particular instant. </span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And maybe, just maybe, God is teaching me that not every problem is MY problem. I have to trust that God has MANY other workers. I don't have to serve solo, and I don't have to serve everyone. I just have to listen and know that He will say YES when the time is right and He wants to use me. </span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dios les bendiga,</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Kathy</span></b></span></div>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-44792939653716354842010-02-10T12:33:00.005-05:002010-02-10T12:44:39.877-05:00God Is Too BIG to Fit in Little Brains<div style="text-align: center;">"We cover our deep ignorance with words, but we are ashamed to wonder, we are afraid to whisper 'mystery.'" -- The Knowledge of the Holy, p. 18</div><div style="text-align: center;">-----</div><div><br /></div><div>If God were small enough to fit inside my head, what kind of a tiny God would He be? If He didn't leave me with a sense of awe, wonder and mystery, would He still be the all-powerful and all-knowing God we profess? </div><div><br /></div><div>I don't think so, and apparently neither does A.W. Tozer (the author of the quoted book). </div><div><br /></div><div>So, God is too big to fit in our little brains. BUT, this shouldn't make us feel confused or intimidated, this fact should remind us to embrace the sense of wonder and mystery of God. </div><div><br /></div><div>If God is really big and really powerful, then I am really not going to understand sometimes. And that is beautiful. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-38558275562135997062010-02-08T21:44:00.003-05:002010-02-08T21:52:17.902-05:00Happy Interview Day<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#663366;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The job search is officially underway and I had my first informational interview today with <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.cmfi.org">CMF International</a>. The people there were absolutely incredible. They were all so friendly and helpful and they generously shared the majority of their morning with me.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#663366;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#663366;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">They also taught me a lot about the organization, which I greatly respect. I particularly appreciated their dedication to holistic aid (helping the whole person, not just physical or just spiritual, etc.). I am excited to stay in touch with the fantastic people I met today and to follow up on their recommendations! I will keep you all posted!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#663366;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#663366;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">In honor of my wonderfully successful day, I decided to celebrate. Need you even ask what my idea of celebration entails?! That's right....NEW SHOES! hehe. And don't worry...you know they HAD to be on clearance. Ah, I just LOVE THEM! :)</span></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RW8ejXAiTs9S9EvHxgQ1saGn06RX8QYLcPAbfTN2ncgw37P0WXnyN-bozpIh0F11mNMyLzOdNdr_URYhZvj4xGYuysvMHsaw-tnGgZwdlO_mX9US-DCDM-lV6J6y9-_RKB0pWwyi0a7r/s1600-h/Happy+Interview+Day+Shoes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 344px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RW8ejXAiTs9S9EvHxgQ1saGn06RX8QYLcPAbfTN2ncgw37P0WXnyN-bozpIh0F11mNMyLzOdNdr_URYhZvj4xGYuysvMHsaw-tnGgZwdlO_mX9US-DCDM-lV6J6y9-_RKB0pWwyi0a7r/s400/Happy+Interview+Day+Shoes.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436070182419837266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOnmNCCxEqeJi4HBSU7_I0P5cwPM9JRRVf7iG5q6j4ykpa2ZddFfoKmsWLa5r2Dge9On4sgSbaLEACyG8OEgj6DUucgt26B5ij-DCgW28jSWv9dYA7UGBCt6hHudC9KTtkImrxJdBIvWU/s1600-h/Happy+Interview+Day+Shoes+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOnmNCCxEqeJi4HBSU7_I0P5cwPM9JRRVf7iG5q6j4ykpa2ZddFfoKmsWLa5r2Dge9On4sgSbaLEACyG8OEgj6DUucgt26B5ij-DCgW28jSWv9dYA7UGBCt6hHudC9KTtkImrxJdBIvWU/s400/Happy+Interview+Day+Shoes+2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436070170732657138" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; color: rgb(102, 51, 102); ">Happy First Interview Day to me! :) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; color: rgb(102, 51, 102); ">Dios les bendiga,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; color: rgb(102, 51, 102); ">Kathy</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;color:#663366;"><br /></span></div></div>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-88092278168397894512010-01-23T13:16:00.002-05:002010-01-23T13:21:17.274-05:00Support for HaitiHey all! <div><br /></div><div>I just read this really insightful article on donations made to Haiti relief organizations. Check it out <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34958965/ns/world_news-haiti_earthquake/">HERE</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is wonderful that so many generous people are giving of their time and possessions to help the people of Haiti, but the best thing to do right now would be to provide donations for Haiti relief to one of the many organizations who are trained and equipped to most effectively and efficiently engage in disaster relief. </div><div><br /></div><div>Check out a list of organizations <a href="http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=1004">HERE</a> or if you are a SPEA student, you can also make a donation in the Graduate Student lounge to go to Oxfam International's emergency relief efforts. </div><div><br /></div><div>Dios les bendiga....a todos aqui, en Haiti y el resto del mundo. </div>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-8318405637896734652010-01-18T23:21:00.003-05:002010-01-18T23:48:09.399-05:00ThemessageSo, first a funny story....<div><br /></div><div>A couple of years ago for Christmas I had this brilliant gift idea to get Mike a copy of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Message-MSG-Bible/">The Message</a> by Eugene Peterson. I love reading The Message in addition to the NIV and New American Standard because it creates a very personal feeling to the Word. I love the way Eugene Peterson articulates some very powerful and passionate messages of Scripture. There are times when I think his interpretation is quite different from my own, but I feel like the thought process of reaching that conclusion is also a wonderfully valuable experience. </div><div><br /></div><div>But, back to my story. I buy this perfect gift for Mike and I am SUPER excited about it. I wrap it beautifully, because anyone who knows me well can attest to the fact that I am CRAZY about beautifully wrapped Christmas gifts. Mike (who thinks my beautiful wrapping makes one feel some level of guilt for unwrapping their gifts) carefully opened his Christmas gift and responded with a very lame, "Oh, ummm, yeah, thanks," or something to that affect. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was pretty disappointed because I had even written a really nice message on the inside cover. So, in a heartfelt attempt to redeem this moment of gift-giving joy, I suggested that he read my special message. He complied, and then got this really perplexed look on his face. He flipped back to the front cover and it was like a lightbulb went off in his head. "OH!" he exclaimed, "It's The Message."</div><div><br /></div><div>He then proceeded to get as excited as I originally expected. When he explained his initial confusion, I couldn't help but bust out laughing. Apparently when Mike first read the cover he smooshed all the letters together in his head (because that is the way the graphic designer laid out the <a href="http://www.urbanitezoutreach.com/prodimages/the%20Message%20Bible.jpg">cover</a>) and read it as one word: themessage. His pronunciation sounded like a French back rub, and that is EXACTLY what he thought this massive hardcover book was, a book about MASSAGES! hahaha. Poor guy...no wonder he was totally confused. </div><div><br /></div><div>---</div><div><br /></div><div>Despite a somewhat misleading cover, The Message has wonderfully encouraging interpretations in Scripture that I find to be very refreshing (although again I emphasize the fact that this is an interpretive version of Scripture from Eugene Peterson's point of view, which I don't always agree with substantively). Here is a passage I read last night that really ministered to my heart:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Micah 6:8b</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>"It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don't take yourself too seriously - take God seriously."</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I love that. </div><div><br /></div><div>You see, I am quite prone, as I believe many of us are, to take myself very seriously. My problems, no matter how insignificant to others (or event to myself at a later time), seem REALLY big to me at the moment they're happening. </div><div><br /></div><div>But, they're really not that big of a deal. I am really not that big of a deal. <b>And that is WONDERFUL!</b> Why? Because that means that when I mess up, when I fail, when I TOTALLY BLOW IT, it's okay. Because really, it's not about me. It's about Him. It's not about Kathy's glory. It's about God's glory. </div><div><br /></div><div>And what I can't see on this side of heaven is the beautiful tapestry he is creating of my life, despite my flaws, weaknesses and shameful failures. He is big enough to overcome even the worst of my sin. </div><div><br /></div><div>That brings me back to a message from Kyle Idleman at Southeast Christian Church that I heard the Sunday after New Years. (You can actually check out the message <a href="http://secc.lightcastmedia.com/console/3048/1418744029">HERE</a>.) He challenged us to pray a prayer for 2010, and it really spoke to me. It's been coming back up in my heart again and again. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Lord, </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>More of You. Less of me. Fill me with Your Spirit.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>More than anything else, that is what I want. I want to recognize that it's not about me, and to release more of myself each day, so that He can have total control. I want to live my life in a constant state of fullnesses, achieved by the Holy Spirit. </div><div><br /></div><div>So pray for me, hold me accountable, and feel free to ask me any questions you might have about what this all means. I would love to know what God might be using this simple prayer and this little verse from The Message to say to you. </div><div><br /></div><div>Dios les bendiga! </div><div> </div>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-1111348510769278782010-01-16T13:55:00.002-05:002010-01-16T14:06:49.539-05:00Fiestas, townhouses and jazzercise!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Haha, that title makes me laugh. Basically, though, it's a quick list of the things I am most excited about today. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Last night was my somewhat impromptu </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">birthday fiesta</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> hosted by the lovely </span><a href="http://suzzylovesyou.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Suzzy Mangas</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. It was the perfect fiesta including fajitas, hilarious mustaches and LOADS of laughs. We had the BEST time and I was SO thankful for friends who share their time and funny first kiss memories with me. LOVE YOU GUYS!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Monday, since it's MLK Day, there are no classes at IU and the office I am a graduate assistant for is also closed. So....Mike and I are going to check out a</span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></b><a href="http://iuhomes.com/index.php?pid=7&hid=78"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">townhouse</span></i></b></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> that we might maybe possibly move into come August! It's a property that my landlord has coming open, and I really, really like me landlord (a rare occurrence in a college town), so we are hoping to stick with her! I'll let you know how it goes.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One final tidbit...I recently started </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">JAZZERCISE!</span></b></i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's not only part of my, Look-As-Hot-As-Possible-for-My-Wedding program, but also part of my plan to discover a more sustainable work-out plan. I LOVE working out, but doing it alone on a treadmill or even alone in my apartment gets SUPER boring after a while. So...I am stoked about the JAZZERCISE! I get to go work out with lots of other women, I get to DANCE and I get my entire workout (and a good one, at that) accomplished in just one hour. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(Side note, one of the instructors asked me on my second class if I would be interested in becoming an instructor...haha. The really funny part is that I am DEFINITELY considering it as maybe a part-time option after graduation! I think it would be a BLAST!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Also, I am hoping/planning to post on a MUCH more regular basis starting this year for a number of reasons:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. I want to keep you updated on wedding plans!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. I want to do a better job of keeping everyone informed on exciting things going on in my life.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. (Probably the most important reason...) I want to start blogging on some more serious topics that come up from time to time, particularly spiritual topics. </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If you have any suggestions, please let me know!</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dios les bendiga! </span></b></div>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-35921026882568183782009-11-30T22:36:00.002-05:002009-11-30T22:45:10.804-05:00It's a jolly holiday...<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Merry Christmas! </span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Last night was the official beginning of our holiday festivities as Allison and I not only trimmed the tree, but decked out the whole apartment! </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#006600;">Even Willy (my houseplant) got a holiday makeover...</span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYitwdgl7BaZFgVyPmvZX9jXs54k_301W_WMCsiXhJ2NkAPDxGMHHbHsLnhhHZiVMgJcc3COm8MUTXQZLMFOVvtmtlub03nTgUBjcZ1MmNrcvsjEPVoVJzJ_7z7K33GtoZBQjE9ru_2ZG/s1600/DSCN1763.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYitwdgl7BaZFgVyPmvZX9jXs54k_301W_WMCsiXhJ2NkAPDxGMHHbHsLnhhHZiVMgJcc3COm8MUTXQZLMFOVvtmtlub03nTgUBjcZ1MmNrcvsjEPVoVJzJ_7z7K33GtoZBQjE9ru_2ZG/s400/DSCN1763.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410107221293357298" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold; "><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Our happy little Christmas tree... </span></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0W4b8Mc8D5E6EZbLnG7ks6_hHnUu5w-uTl67tMKnR5fOjPLCD6NmiLnEZtOzNrmpBKbVBvsbIbMx1AYWKcNzAMQhvH3fbDg-M8EeNaRSBax3t4M1aXQw7U7Zhj4VNRLeNGTqAYCx9Bri/s1600/DSCN1754.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 187px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0W4b8Mc8D5E6EZbLnG7ks6_hHnUu5w-uTl67tMKnR5fOjPLCD6NmiLnEZtOzNrmpBKbVBvsbIbMx1AYWKcNzAMQhvH3fbDg-M8EeNaRSBax3t4M1aXQw7U7Zhj4VNRLeNGTqAYCx9Bri/s400/DSCN1754.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410107089670484578" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); ">My very favorite Christmas ornament (Thanks, Frankie!)...</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXo7My9BF9Jn_W18atYnzaBeskzNPQruq9RzvNfhMXXmKczhMu1u7TnUbNn2HqrCzFG_OKXjbF1XN5jbGDjSMHfgyRDmH6DP1vdW29wMoCXP_2s1JWpzHFIkCgc34SW0zHQHPZMKo31VVZ/s1600/DSCN1756.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXo7My9BF9Jn_W18atYnzaBeskzNPQruq9RzvNfhMXXmKczhMu1u7TnUbNn2HqrCzFG_OKXjbF1XN5jbGDjSMHfgyRDmH6DP1vdW29wMoCXP_2s1JWpzHFIkCgc34SW0zHQHPZMKo31VVZ/s400/DSCN1756.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410107084061451474" /></a><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); ">Holly, jolly bathroom decor...</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhemxmsslYpRiOpAyYOlyThIR9DKDxMjw-T503ItpZiDXd3mEoar7TbFXyJxOC-g8euXCyuBqvCGmydQuhfNlIxKge0r75QAZ0LoxEsBIzhKR32ICp2q8nh83w9PgaPrJnzfE_LT3vVXQ/s1600/DSCN1761.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhemxmsslYpRiOpAyYOlyThIR9DKDxMjw-T503ItpZiDXd3mEoar7TbFXyJxOC-g8euXCyuBqvCGmydQuhfNlIxKge0r75QAZ0LoxEsBIzhKR32ICp2q8nh83w9PgaPrJnzfE_LT3vVXQ/s400/DSCN1761.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410107080557758690" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkTetNkxw7kS8VKI2c89sIWc0bOOZZzzuONzZ3NX_0n9xkNRyySIhnd1kQV-R8cGJWh6fOqFbIaBr3RyecYc8JImTewUYcMuEvo8FrJWilPVDAW1GXcez-MCjS-lSXo6Hi40cb2MHnuHB/s1600/DSCN1762.JPG"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgkTetNkxw7kS8VKI2c89sIWc0bOOZZzzuONzZ3NX_0n9xkNRyySIhnd1kQV-R8cGJWh6fOqFbIaBr3RyecYc8JImTewUYcMuEvo8FrJWilPVDAW1GXcez-MCjS-lSXo6Hi40cb2MHnuHB/s400/DSCN1762.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410107068913089506" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You can actually see our pretty lights from outside our apartment this year! This is our best alternative to hanging outdoor lights (which we aren't allowed to do in this apartment complex).</span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoYdocsoEkTcYavRUcikFCirTp4i1g6Bk-17qZt4q5bk3Q70EeGENEcrFuce1-_AKiSvSQUej2U5pCM04xdEoupPy1BcC56s4NgrCVU7QlwPYJfePyi_C-zl0rZOtQLwMSHR35DOKBKQs/s1600/DSCN1757.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoYdocsoEkTcYavRUcikFCirTp4i1g6Bk-17qZt4q5bk3Q70EeGENEcrFuce1-_AKiSvSQUej2U5pCM04xdEoupPy1BcC56s4NgrCVU7QlwPYJfePyi_C-zl0rZOtQLwMSHR35DOKBKQs/s400/DSCN1757.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410107066832371698" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large; color: rgb(0, 102, 0); ">Enjoy this holiday season!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I know Allison and I will! During our decorating fiesta, we also baked cookies and ate them with ice cold milk. Then, to top off our evening, we stayed up late to watch Elf. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;color:#006600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I love Christmas!</span></span></div>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-81658554682341627012009-11-17T20:30:00.004-05:002009-11-17T20:39:24.807-05:00Grow a Little Faith<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I wanted to share with you a challenge that God is walking me through. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I was recently convicted about my lack of faith. I believe in God. This isn't a matter of believing </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">in </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Him, it's a matter of believing </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Him </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">and holding firmly to His promises. When God says He is going to do something, I am not good at trusting that He will. I know He will in my head and to some extent in my heart, but the full conviction is not as strong as I know it should be.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">So, God has been challenging me to solidify my faith by remembering. That's right. Remembering. It's a part of worship that I probably neglect too often. This week in my quiet time, I have been focusing on remembering His faithfulness and the way He has exemplified it in my life and those around me again and again. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Just a word of encouragement...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">and perhaps an idea that will encourage your faith as well. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">---</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Matthew 14: 28 - 31</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'lucida grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:16px;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"Come," he said.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">---</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I want to get out of the boat, keep my eyes on Jesus, and walk right through the wind and the waves. </span></span></p><p><br /></p></span></span></span></div>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-68950891620871491332009-11-07T16:43:00.003-05:002009-11-07T16:56:35.777-05:00Get a job and GEEK OUT!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b>I need to GET A JOB:</b></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;">Latest update: I should be scheduling a job interview with a nonprofit called FAME next week! (Check them out at </span></span></span><a href="http://www.fameworld.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;">http://www.fameworld.org/</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;">). The position they are searching for is Director of Missions Resources and I really feel that this is something God could use me to accomplish. Please pray that the interview goes well and that the Lord will make clear whether or not this is His will for me! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b>Time to....GEEK OUT:</b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;">In other news, I wrote a response paper this week on William Easterly's book </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;">The White Man's Burden</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;">, and I actually ENJOYED writing it! I know, how often does that happen when you actually get to read and write about something that gets you truly excited!? So in honor of my dorky appreciation for this book, I am including a bit of my paper below! Just to give you a brief synopsis, my response focused on Easterly's discussion of smaller, more focused piecemeal efforts for foreign aid. He makes several points as to why this would be preferable and to his list of reasons, I added two additional thoughts (the excerpt included below). I hope that you enjoy...</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in;line-height:200%"><span style="line-height: 200%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;">Piecemeal reform creates opportunities for “baby step” success, something that perhaps the Rest needs more than anyone realizes. For centuries, foreign aid professionals (from the West) have slapped their own diagnoses on the problems facing developing nations. If individuals in these countries were given a chance to claim small, piecemeal successes, perhaps these successes would pave the way for increasing improvement. Although a bit idealistic, improving the international citizens’ confidence in their ability to fix their own problems may be a key ingredient in foreign aid success. If nothing else, it provides international citizens a measure of dignity which some projects do not adequately consider. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in;line-height:200%"><span style="line-height: 200%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"> Finally, the idea of short run and long run efforts is a concept briefly mentioned by Easterly, but not explored to the fullest extent. In order for international aid to succeed, there are long term goals that must be met. However, if these goals are to be realized or not, people still require that their basic needs be met in the here-and-now. Piecemeal efforts allow Searchers to investigate and provide for short term needs such that international citizens are healthy and stable enough to become partners in developing creative, culturally appropriate long term solutions. </span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in;line-height:200%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><i>My basic point was that these smaller, more focused initiatives might foster the needed confidence among international citizens to claim ownership of localized solutions to their own problems, which I feel is a more dignified response to international poverty. Furthermore, I think it allows for the creation of efforts that focus on long-run and short-run solutions as being separate, but equally necessary components for successful efforts to eradicate international poverty. </i></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: 200%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><b><i>Hooray for a much needed opportunity to geek out. That was long overdue.</i></b></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in;line-height:200%"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#330099;"><br /></span></span></span></p></div><div><br /></div>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-3312612236636019392009-08-30T18:00:00.003-04:002009-08-30T18:03:55.953-04:00Back to B-town<span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">As many of you know, I am back to Bloomington! Classes begin tomorrow and I am excited to see what this semester holds. Say a prayer for Mike and me as we get settled in to our crazy semester. We will not only be working hard on our classes, we are also both leaders in multiple student organizations, we are trying to get more involved in a local church, we are seeking out premarital classes/counseling, I have a graduate assistantship, we will be on the hunt for jobs, and we'll be planning a wedding! Things just might get a bit busy.<br /><br />Pray that we keep our priorities in order and make time to ENJOY this season of our lives.<br /><br />Keep in touch and I will post new pics of new adventures soon!<br /></span></span></span></span>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-68821079955499313852009-08-10T00:05:00.003-04:002009-08-10T00:13:21.252-04:00Working on a MRS! Haha!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Sunday, August 9, 2009<br />A very happy couple...on a very special day!<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp15ZpQmp7ULeLXSAnQtgzy1JJECBgL9a48wWoyvItoxtDtPY2UfA1BiqGzyRfWUoAJSAr1Z647tR7HUXfUnSRDDJ0wmtlJ7chiKucZW7FvT3h7DiQyS7x-rJfyyC2VCRHEKh7jD6hg2u/s1600-h/Us+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp15ZpQmp7ULeLXSAnQtgzy1JJECBgL9a48wWoyvItoxtDtPY2UfA1BiqGzyRfWUoAJSAr1Z647tR7HUXfUnSRDDJ0wmtlJ7chiKucZW7FvT3h7DiQyS7x-rJfyyC2VCRHEKh7jD6hg2u/s400/Us+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368181793828272994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br />We were all grins from ear to ear!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1ckis_GehYj3ZKM3YaQjnzSX4bOfi2lmtLMKNNpx9AmPMQwCGhBZcTO5k2adry7IqnDKhqdNFo2TaQHbP21UY-BVnSEmRd_mlxk-annJeJjQ0Rq9Aoz4pIwhv1NHidJt2io-xmoFAS78/s1600-h/Us+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1ckis_GehYj3ZKM3YaQjnzSX4bOfi2lmtLMKNNpx9AmPMQwCGhBZcTO5k2adry7IqnDKhqdNFo2TaQHbP21UY-BVnSEmRd_mlxk-annJeJjQ0Rq9Aoz4pIwhv1NHidJt2io-xmoFAS78/s400/Us+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368181791092170802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br />Who knew that cheek muscles could get so sore!</span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHWGE3gQIOEhqx3RMzEYKNKo47_k_dCOKmVWceqnBuMkbv0e75SvZogea6oe6vy-eRqUw9eJDBdaKXorNQ7q1aEiPLja-4i-9Jkeq3yE_DkdAOTNEC_BsLj-6zKy5bg-au3XXmoE8Zp2g/s1600-h/Us+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqHWGE3gQIOEhqx3RMzEYKNKo47_k_dCOKmVWceqnBuMkbv0e75SvZogea6oe6vy-eRqUw9eJDBdaKXorNQ7q1aEiPLja-4i-9Jkeq3yE_DkdAOTNEC_BsLj-6zKy5bg-au3XXmoE8Zp2g/s400/Us+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368181786520281090" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" > That's right! Mike and I are officially ENGAGED! He proposed to me Sunday afternoon at a park near the river. There are pictures of us by the river on Mike's camera, so hopefully I can post them soon!</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugpNDuEZexmsH6aztp9FZeUhPOXXro2dipmF5mMBLWBcdiikgZ3l_GdKv_mUGRCoYWU71Uhg7vOMpLQ2MjMGtFj1R-Ojyi40LuV-l3En-ZNqove55lrkhXSNr5PmqIVot0IxtqIJh3FAd/s1600-h/Ring+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugpNDuEZexmsH6aztp9FZeUhPOXXro2dipmF5mMBLWBcdiikgZ3l_GdKv_mUGRCoYWU71Uhg7vOMpLQ2MjMGtFj1R-Ojyi40LuV-l3En-ZNqove55lrkhXSNr5PmqIVot0IxtqIJh3FAd/s400/Ring+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368181783588676866" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Isn't the ring gorgeous!<br />He did a wonderful job....the proposal...the ring...the prayer and thought that went into it all. I am so blessed. </span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7UlWjtILjK9hhACZSpxhKX12kwuhkXLrMk4MiZvosNntWIr-d-xTAnE_E3a2Hl1BKeYOqT3mda9Noio5dEcDcS5b5uHcBuNcWN_g_uzK936PRrNc0ib-w_Shq6BjNYPI7nspPvkhhjaJ/s1600-h/Ring+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7UlWjtILjK9hhACZSpxhKX12kwuhkXLrMk4MiZvosNntWIr-d-xTAnE_E3a2Hl1BKeYOqT3mda9Noio5dEcDcS5b5uHcBuNcWN_g_uzK936PRrNc0ib-w_Shq6BjNYPI7nspPvkhhjaJ/s400/Ring+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368181779956498050" border="0" /></a>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-41713772361278386632009-07-30T16:00:00.002-04:002009-07-30T16:25:38.293-04:00Mi colega favorita...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">This is my very best friend in all of Guatemala, Blanqui Ordonez. Blanqui helped with both the June and July teams by taking care of the house and helping with cooking. She has the most beautiful heart and it was such a blessing getting to know her and hear about what God is doing inside her. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">This is Blanqui with nuestra gorda, Adriana. Isn't she precious! She looks just like her mommy!</span><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktBfmyki2Fe9tk6EtnZ14lXL_HDhgqw1Afqn7dyp4268ti9-lsWxu14du16LN9dZmqq1GrLJaAAMYlpmv91bnnceegJvwW5swau7mcPvAq35IQklVyJwjOEOXCiHlJW-tW7DvR7NHYFXt/s1600-h/Blanqui+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktBfmyki2Fe9tk6EtnZ14lXL_HDhgqw1Afqn7dyp4268ti9-lsWxu14du16LN9dZmqq1GrLJaAAMYlpmv91bnnceegJvwW5swau7mcPvAq35IQklVyJwjOEOXCiHlJW-tW7DvR7NHYFXt/s400/Blanqui+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364347051917161970" border="0" /></a>Me, Blanqui, Adriana, and Blanqui's sister Gabi.<br /></span></div><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvhQ_oa1e-q6-9mmKFpT3KgB_jiM3CrDOetAxgET26bkEvdwGSuYd7RdLkeNyU8J1VlgKvOyKPnapslyRgNgnvWPjOYA5AMMr0dzIArFKPwcqFdSfSktaHUtnd9fLcdO7tZATa5dsYoPL/s1600-h/Blanqui+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 362px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvhQ_oa1e-q6-9mmKFpT3KgB_jiM3CrDOetAxgET26bkEvdwGSuYd7RdLkeNyU8J1VlgKvOyKPnapslyRgNgnvWPjOYA5AMMr0dzIArFKPwcqFdSfSktaHUtnd9fLcdO7tZATa5dsYoPL/s400/Blanqui+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364347035735284514" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 102); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiJ_Tx9sJmW1Y3XFkKqUFpwzmANieqS8Bz2BHIMVFPUO72czTs_c0GYy8dmya_q8i26wyAZUkh0z6jQjqSBJt2EvANlDhqUK_LrTNC0BZimejxpAqcpSEZUAg_N_dy2YcB8yutN8yQoPB/s1600-h/Blanqui+3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiJ_Tx9sJmW1Y3XFkKqUFpwzmANieqS8Bz2BHIMVFPUO72czTs_c0GYy8dmya_q8i26wyAZUkh0z6jQjqSBJt2EvANlDhqUK_LrTNC0BZimejxpAqcpSEZUAg_N_dy2YcB8yutN8yQoPB/s400/Blanqui+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364347022896806610" border="0" /></a>I have only talked to Blanqui a few times since I've been back but I trust that God will keep our hearts close and that he will bring us back together some day. Say a prayer for my favorite colega as she determines what God is calling her to do with her life.<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />Traduccion: Esa es mi mejor amiga de Guatemala, Blanqui Ordonez. Blanqui ayudo con las dos jornadas en junio y julio, por cuidar a la casa y ayudar en la cocina. Tiene un corazon muy bonito y era una bendicion conocerle y aprender lo que Dios esta haciendo en ella. / Aqui estamos con nuestra gorda, Adriana. Que preciosa! Es como su mama!/Blanqui, yo, Adriana, y su hermana Gabi./ Solo he hablado con Blanqui algunas veces hasta que regrese, pero tengo confianza en Dios que El va a mantener nuestros corazones cercas y que El va a reunir Blanqiu y yo algun dia. Por favor, ora para mi colega favorita por que ella esta tratando de determinar lo que Dios quiere para su futura. </span><br /><br /></span></div>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-60695605326373088632009-07-06T23:12:00.002-04:002009-07-06T23:25:44.309-04:00Mi hermanito!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FXvmlDCglcOBsS_uvs2yAHa90S1jj5nKLClF_HBhqCodHFJ2Ao86NNj8uMwXD0DlfyUbr6H71gVB_crSEUvWmJGPID-bJGQIxBUsKK94IOr_2x7Ym66jDoV8h1x2FoDXA2A1Ezwv3gJp/s1600-h/DSCN0571.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >Guess who I got to see?!?! Cristian!<br />For those of you who don't know, he is the little boy who stayed with us during his surgeries in the U.S.<br />Now he is studying to be a computer science engineer! Can you believe it!?! It was such a blessing to get to spend time with him. </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FXvmlDCglcOBsS_uvs2yAHa90S1jj5nKLClF_HBhqCodHFJ2Ao86NNj8uMwXD0DlfyUbr6H71gVB_crSEUvWmJGPID-bJGQIxBUsKK94IOr_2x7Ym66jDoV8h1x2FoDXA2A1Ezwv3gJp/s1600-h/DSCN0571.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FXvmlDCglcOBsS_uvs2yAHa90S1jj5nKLClF_HBhqCodHFJ2Ao86NNj8uMwXD0DlfyUbr6H71gVB_crSEUvWmJGPID-bJGQIxBUsKK94IOr_2x7Ym66jDoV8h1x2FoDXA2A1Ezwv3gJp/s400/DSCN0571.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355552793853015106" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIJgbHQk-WzXCaPzujqYml7Q-ScQXdSorZVIHsl9kzCXwWfhxoW1BitUulTnAvodKbiu1-FINioHShopjg096kdchhIG8ojkpW5V7KYXlVvgfvEpFn35uNx-HFbAE7V6JmlQyrSfAEWd_/s1600-h/DSCN0574.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIJgbHQk-WzXCaPzujqYml7Q-ScQXdSorZVIHsl9kzCXwWfhxoW1BitUulTnAvodKbiu1-FINioHShopjg096kdchhIG8ojkpW5V7KYXlVvgfvEpFn35uNx-HFbAE7V6JmlQyrSfAEWd_/s400/DSCN0574.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355552792435295106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >Here is a quick picture from our trip today to Antigua....SO PRETTY!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkTYh5fo6UlLKzVRBIaQBkFg17PKijPHXhy_UCNck87S6Jny7PUS-3o_1m4tggoX1zyTgMK_PBr4LE-kmkfqIZejQg12ExNgd8lwOyGMnuswtB5dgcpG0inK50svl94DL7vdqsroVHQ-d/s1600-h/DSCN0674.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkTYh5fo6UlLKzVRBIaQBkFg17PKijPHXhy_UCNck87S6Jny7PUS-3o_1m4tggoX1zyTgMK_PBr4LE-kmkfqIZejQg12ExNgd8lwOyGMnuswtB5dgcpG0inK50svl94DL7vdqsroVHQ-d/s400/DSCN0674.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355552782367066226" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-size:130%;" >And just for kicks, here is a picture of Ronald McDonald by his fountain. The McD's in Antigua is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! It was really weird, but really pretty. Check it out! Ron is livin the high life! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETv3eIckhf9o768F97fHrHYaSTMtEWEYvUfe2gPtwaWMv9I-JSlhNMdSAARXUrx2xqgLeH2vStsgHTGqnGzpijO_Sdtu6myVSy1O6GKocO1bttecOURliVqcLTiMwcSLB8SSIPg6L72Rr/s1600-h/DSCN0619.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETv3eIckhf9o768F97fHrHYaSTMtEWEYvUfe2gPtwaWMv9I-JSlhNMdSAARXUrx2xqgLeH2vStsgHTGqnGzpijO_Sdtu6myVSy1O6GKocO1bttecOURliVqcLTiMwcSLB8SSIPg6L72Rr/s400/DSCN0619.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355552777510150514" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUxxhqS9_4ua9Pfwpfv2Za8TtXTpCb7HWNoFR6U3k8DhhSm-H-S1jD3BN8Q6RZT1cWa0pgZmTrCpFHW8bmpeZFBHRJT2iQNkG2vsoMnGDmreJa6uMGwxCDhj-n4qETDmucL70ZMI7Zq3X/s1600-h/DSCN0620.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUxxhqS9_4ua9Pfwpfv2Za8TtXTpCb7HWNoFR6U3k8DhhSm-H-S1jD3BN8Q6RZT1cWa0pgZmTrCpFHW8bmpeZFBHRJT2iQNkG2vsoMnGDmreJa6uMGwxCDhj-n4qETDmucL70ZMI7Zq3X/s400/DSCN0620.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355552768132824610" border="0" /></a>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-87719915670800273152009-07-01T16:27:00.003-04:002009-07-01T22:59:41.917-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;">La Playa!<br />Bienvenidos to the beautiful black-sand beaches of Guatemala! It was absolutely beautiful!<br /><br />During the drive to the beach, I took a lot of pictures of the beautiful clouds. God has made SUCH a beautiful world. Even here where there is a lot to be sad about, there is still so much for which God deserves PRAISE!<br /></span></span></span></span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9moKMYvHUt8MAI1eR9go35R5iQylG-B0jsFj82AViSyB-2nCt35CFuS8DOBNp4Q3glwV0Nc_b_o6cyY4Z8DgJrPVxVcfzTUif23nMbl0DJUgtbzhdQBCeIKOLFfwLTB4s6-4hNtJ4qa3/s1600-h/Clouds+7.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9moKMYvHUt8MAI1eR9go35R5iQylG-B0jsFj82AViSyB-2nCt35CFuS8DOBNp4Q3glwV0Nc_b_o6cyY4Z8DgJrPVxVcfzTUif23nMbl0DJUgtbzhdQBCeIKOLFfwLTB4s6-4hNtJ4qa3/s400/Clouds+7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353689246336517650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzY46zpldmGhDY85pK3RK8krZg23BGE6AggFygByfHymMIIulBJncDFe9iuZJFvxAdLcoO7d1aDWHvrQvCI-m30SgS3FWe4tr36e3ZxEj783LRcETgFDW5PXIc6-1Kyor9QZuyejOd1TRs/s1600-h/Clouds+11.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzY46zpldmGhDY85pK3RK8krZg23BGE6AggFygByfHymMIIulBJncDFe9iuZJFvxAdLcoO7d1aDWHvrQvCI-m30SgS3FWe4tr36e3ZxEj783LRcETgFDW5PXIc6-1Kyor9QZuyejOd1TRs/s400/Clouds+11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353689238296124498" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">This is the shower house next to the pool. They had a gorgeous house there and it really made for a nice vacation!</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiq1_eWFXDeno2X0OaQgEo4betP4mnVaKFe4QvEAZks0jTOYlcRBsszncG2R3YyA3T6hlFREfi4E8PfdBTdBA0Z11DtORmX6IZz6k5xacNT9OHMEDLMJgYFDiiSXP10tSgrISfoAPpAgRf/s1600-h/Casa+3.JPG"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"></span></span></span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiq1_eWFXDeno2X0OaQgEo4betP4mnVaKFe4QvEAZks0jTOYlcRBsszncG2R3YyA3T6hlFREfi4E8PfdBTdBA0Z11DtORmX6IZz6k5xacNT9OHMEDLMJgYFDiiSXP10tSgrISfoAPpAgRf/s400/Casa+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353689251921295394" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Seidy and Victoria had a blast playing in the pool! I worked with Seidy and she got pretty brave with her swimming. </span></span></span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWekLe4j6RDl18cIdr3aSNq8S_bTwDbLPTEC1HPT9aTmYA7ppWoc9eOLChgT9Jv3qf5UTc2Xbf7YgAey3er52_iExW4cFKRzrZR1JLRnqylnJcQQEpk_D7lbg8VLDDBD7Wgjpys7cH4sG/s1600-h/Piscina+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWekLe4j6RDl18cIdr3aSNq8S_bTwDbLPTEC1HPT9aTmYA7ppWoc9eOLChgT9Jv3qf5UTc2Xbf7YgAey3er52_iExW4cFKRzrZR1JLRnqylnJcQQEpk_D7lbg8VLDDBD7Wgjpys7cH4sG/s400/Piscina+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353689261499782274" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Running to the beach!</span></span></span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNc4fXERcV75-dBo6vLs-ZgJ_eZQqq8Y6W85uLD1CbiyIBX5PaLJ5gr2yMXpiD7U4SmqDefOmgufWLC2JhhyphenhyphenRKtB286HeNMH7CJDTeN_7XndzdrzunwR23uoMzOxgqcx4W6avJ_qfFMVj/s1600-h/Playa+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNc4fXERcV75-dBo6vLs-ZgJ_eZQqq8Y6W85uLD1CbiyIBX5PaLJ5gr2yMXpiD7U4SmqDefOmgufWLC2JhhyphenhyphenRKtB286HeNMH7CJDTeN_7XndzdrzunwR23uoMzOxgqcx4W6avJ_qfFMVj/s400/Playa+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353592641877362418" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">This was the pathway to the beach from the house. It was very close.</span></span></span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipw8pj9D7vZRPWq-yCWCpznscSMCoK3eCSG5jmZUqPDt1VDYC94-05kTYRHijQfbuFLJ7nJm7VktEqVQAWTnrXHYEdh4BqnAccyvyWNIIsiUXix-l0QniAhCu0l51pGQ76XmGaRoMf0YWI/s1600-h/Playa+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipw8pj9D7vZRPWq-yCWCpznscSMCoK3eCSG5jmZUqPDt1VDYC94-05kTYRHijQfbuFLJ7nJm7VktEqVQAWTnrXHYEdh4BqnAccyvyWNIIsiUXix-l0QniAhCu0l51pGQ76XmGaRoMf0YWI/s400/Playa+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353592630558495730" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">And here are the black sandy beaches! I had never seen black sand before and it was SUPER hot! You could only go barefoot if you were walking on the edge of the water so that the water cooled it off.<br /></span></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n7XdYWRVylxNBLl16gM74MfLdc5qzmG1RCMoEeHLTb59sxuUQMsVMBK_SWA_reSD0_x1tLdPcRfAh_Z6_wvQYEcStwEW0uhs_OYFV8K9lImJalHj7AVFVgqiB0l-TpI67w2sC30HAkch/s1600-h/Playa+8.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n7XdYWRVylxNBLl16gM74MfLdc5qzmG1RCMoEeHLTb59sxuUQMsVMBK_SWA_reSD0_x1tLdPcRfAh_Z6_wvQYEcStwEW0uhs_OYFV8K9lImJalHj7AVFVgqiB0l-TpI67w2sC30HAkch/s400/Playa+8.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353592627061615538" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">I know it looks peaceful, but don't let this picture fool you. Victoria was having a WILD and crazy time. </span></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oTus2nTJJkF-52whwDJSSdVC66V1fukRnNXSsjV7OhY69GIgazNSYikOu9HpVo8Bpy7PJQKrEUPeNjAkQha7C4BGMwnu-xLYJPun6bRI_YgTgOsNBTjoeTMWvzbx3HiHlTssHRE-8E_q/s1600-h/Playa+39.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oTus2nTJJkF-52whwDJSSdVC66V1fukRnNXSsjV7OhY69GIgazNSYikOu9HpVo8Bpy7PJQKrEUPeNjAkQha7C4BGMwnu-xLYJPun6bRI_YgTgOsNBTjoeTMWvzbx3HiHlTssHRE-8E_q/s400/Playa+39.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353592624445905346" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Seidy with her pink sombrero which kept flying off her tiny little head. Adorable!</span></span></span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCLDjJVVG5UVktSfGtIiDo2kyHyz9snFjzd4s5Rg8YiBi0Iu7COy40RzmFkswe45XU9uHU6qtOpufAryu4zcJXBlspGMX0S5_luuQ6d0sIiT2r27prx0g2dE52DbEDRHtAO-1Hyccaxp_/s1600-h/Playa+10.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCLDjJVVG5UVktSfGtIiDo2kyHyz9snFjzd4s5Rg8YiBi0Iu7COy40RzmFkswe45XU9uHU6qtOpufAryu4zcJXBlspGMX0S5_luuQ6d0sIiT2r27prx0g2dE52DbEDRHtAO-1Hyccaxp_/s400/Playa+10.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353592620074603602" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">This week we are preparing for the next team which gets here on Sunday! There is a LOT to get done and only a short time left before they arrive, so we are working hard. Once Sunday comes, I will be staying at a different house where I won't have internet access. So, if I don't post or respond to messages for a while, it is just because I haven't had a chance to bring my laptop to Judy's house. I will be sure to post again as soon as I have the chance.<br /><br />Say a prayer for this next team as we prepare!<br /><br />Dios te bendiga!<br /></span></span></span></span>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-82591876997151024522009-06-30T01:25:00.004-04:002009-06-30T01:41:09.473-04:00PINATA!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jorgito, the son of Judy's housekeeper Isabel, turned 9 on July 25th. Here are a few of the FUN pictures from his birthday.<br /><br />FELIZ CUMPLEANOS, JORGITO!</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jorge with his brand new bycicle!</span></span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40v53HEtdjzTdkXufdw1L5LrHhON6BvjgTN1EqU-1QhhbleFFhgO9fUFAbs_XEesw3eBfanfk-Q8RFVWryQFsfHqLleoR0PuFBEas-EdJ6zMkFgtjw4KfZUZRZ-wI_wjJoY_ZxEOs_5kB/s1600-h/Bike+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40v53HEtdjzTdkXufdw1L5LrHhON6BvjgTN1EqU-1QhhbleFFhgO9fUFAbs_XEesw3eBfanfk-Q8RFVWryQFsfHqLleoR0PuFBEas-EdJ6zMkFgtjw4KfZUZRZ-wI_wjJoY_ZxEOs_5kB/s400/Bike+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352990145106987538" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">The life cycle of a pinata: </span></span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Alive and well. Meet Clifford, our big red pinata!<br /></span> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEE0X2xUTI_k-5oo1TccyTJXYY1KCvp6EwmIaaX_ofHQhJvMUh5ic-5Jzbb7F3ZRuPyqQwqitJ2KxESWU7YMN3392qSyIWa35Ne2c9qP_URwwXh-i3anpFhdW2L6Pp5xoYYO7sJ0v9ixK/s1600-h/Cumple+7.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEE0X2xUTI_k-5oo1TccyTJXYY1KCvp6EwmIaaX_ofHQhJvMUh5ic-5Jzbb7F3ZRuPyqQwqitJ2KxESWU7YMN3392qSyIWa35Ne2c9qP_URwwXh-i3anpFhdW2L6Pp5xoYYO7sJ0v9ixK/s400/Cumple+7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352990149570050194" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />2. Running from all bat swinging children.<br /></span> <a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2W_qfRaRQyNKkytHtBi2vs3ulVyb0djVoKQlA8157AwbIvfvfRmDKGtX-FwRakxoiWSbBKsyxWeU8_HcNVEPYgytM1-0uoXbaHrGyl3wWMGLMKye2NuyASEYVahmbkKLQDUPN9GKQJgG/s1600-h/Cumple+14.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 380px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2W_qfRaRQyNKkytHtBi2vs3ulVyb0djVoKQlA8157AwbIvfvfRmDKGtX-FwRakxoiWSbBKsyxWeU8_HcNVEPYgytM1-0uoXbaHrGyl3wWMGLMKye2NuyASEYVahmbkKLQDUPN9GKQJgG/s400/Cumple+14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352988103873266818" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />3. Attacked by said bat-swingers:<br /><br /></span><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw30ObzFB0pAdYpWt0SraM6HoLjZ9r4Yc2_G79VoMMPQBYke1At6f3ZevNLDUhnvmAhlCNUi1ud3m7Lo5jqN18UjhpcJB_suqLBVaOH-upNjqsrPgrvb7kPRxtiXTXlLJpPHr3Vx183frF/s1600-h/Cumple+39.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 366px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw30ObzFB0pAdYpWt0SraM6HoLjZ9r4Yc2_G79VoMMPQBYke1At6f3ZevNLDUhnvmAhlCNUi1ud3m7Lo5jqN18UjhpcJB_suqLBVaOH-upNjqsrPgrvb7kPRxtiXTXlLJpPHr3Vx183frF/s400/Cumple+39.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352988107494120434" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />4. Se murio. Pobre Clifford! (He died. Poor Clifford!):<br /><br /></span><a style="font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFF7bQu2Fp-X5RtLVQIv831231nA-he3iFfAqpiTi6__kKuo_PBTKCjQbMzc1D3Tb5eHXD7520teb7Kh2In1vtbN7U7HDHPkR9OmS0aGGby0Q0QLQDGdXjK6BwkDLSjrGooDnCC_amSDU/s1600-h/Cumple+41.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 324px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFF7bQu2Fp-X5RtLVQIv831231nA-he3iFfAqpiTi6__kKuo_PBTKCjQbMzc1D3Tb5eHXD7520teb7Kh2In1vtbN7U7HDHPkR9OmS0aGGby0Q0QLQDGdXjK6BwkDLSjrGooDnCC_amSDU/s400/Cumple+41.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352988114906592098" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Clifford was a good pinata who lived a full life (of about 36 hours in Judy's house) and left lots of candy for everyone. :)<br /><br />As you can see, we had a LOT of fun at Jorge's birthday party and everyone had plenty of candy and laughs!<br /><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;">---<br /><br />Coming soon -- pictures from my trip to the beach this past weekend! Stay tuned!<br /><br /><br /></div>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-64063101751418107082009-06-21T11:54:00.002-04:002009-06-21T12:03:06.006-04:00Panajachel<span style="font-family: lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yesterday we spent time in Panajachel. Unfortunately it rained like CRAZY, so we were mostly cooped up under a shelter in a restaurant trying to stay dry. We still got some CUTE pics though!<br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande;">___<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Seidi and Victoria looking at the rain. </span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveV5vs3NFAxDEOmTakw_KSlTmOu28JWW5sw0OXZ0ksEfhAjb7YFhZEdYtZpSyxIvv7kdxOrODHyp4ZMAOGRB1WKlxMSWEeYXYtn1hO5_8S5Jly_JhP4IZre5nXsfhxe9pmD7hTlM2W697/s1600-h/Pana+11.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveV5vs3NFAxDEOmTakw_KSlTmOu28JWW5sw0OXZ0ksEfhAjb7YFhZEdYtZpSyxIvv7kdxOrODHyp4ZMAOGRB1WKlxMSWEeYXYtn1hO5_8S5Jly_JhP4IZre5nXsfhxe9pmD7hTlM2W697/s400/Pana+11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349810515819439154" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gracie (who very much resembles Dora the Explorer).</span></span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLduZhNRfpd3TyFUSS4EcxxmKstsVm_HYNDrVAch0hNehC9smF8UJn4u9GC9SojATsiBthizUjALKli81ehSJ9KdXfE0NNXRXAUNPxvm8B-0s1xwKqVnUx3L6LJ1imj6Ych7MRTzEXQtj/s1600-h/Grace+4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLduZhNRfpd3TyFUSS4EcxxmKstsVm_HYNDrVAch0hNehC9smF8UJn4u9GC9SojATsiBthizUjALKli81ehSJ9KdXfE0NNXRXAUNPxvm8B-0s1xwKqVnUx3L6LJ1imj6Ych7MRTzEXQtj/s400/Grace+4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349810506137736594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK74B__tXQSpQzhO3Sn9O3ruqTJwN-uwRC4tSZY4_tJUOG1puFw_Tj6uvBqM-5labVJ2SJ36J1WVCcDxw9ntA91-gWI23b3G6jrgyoJNu8tVJAlc1bPHGjsjf1tr2zlMQ5zX7pG8emKtYh/s1600-h/Grace+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK74B__tXQSpQzhO3Sn9O3ruqTJwN-uwRC4tSZY4_tJUOG1puFw_Tj6uvBqM-5labVJ2SJ36J1WVCcDxw9ntA91-gWI23b3G6jrgyoJNu8tVJAlc1bPHGjsjf1tr2zlMQ5zX7pG8emKtYh/s400/Grace+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349810502901171058" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Waterfall coming down the mountain in Panajachel.</span></span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcvbbTxl2z6C_UJ2GcxSMCTMIn5F3FLAJThhfZosO-kM-cB9WE4l00gzTRZ-9SHgjPUX3_PDbSav8IDfLLmcfK5DgFKSBRzDaARBkdYGMlLAffJIWWOK88_uBQ3kDVE6O05BPX8yPLjJk/s1600-h/Waterfall+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcvbbTxl2z6C_UJ2GcxSMCTMIn5F3FLAJThhfZosO-kM-cB9WE4l00gzTRZ-9SHgjPUX3_PDbSav8IDfLLmcfK5DgFKSBRzDaARBkdYGMlLAffJIWWOK88_uBQ3kDVE6O05BPX8yPLjJk/s400/Waterfall+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349810495408375890" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tuc Tuc! These little death traps are EVERYWHERE! haha.</span></span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpVfzXl3CFx9sJZjGuGZc2tsYOTdeyO55iMxAiUfmAKenbAxzVVbbgafz94ElPbbJlgzmHNXEJDUAeqhL9Mt6OKsUBOXhk9TrgMgeEx5crDK9HEVKQD780OKTDQPmmkogBcRsCLw-3kHS/s1600-h/Pana+13+-+Tuc+Tuc.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpVfzXl3CFx9sJZjGuGZc2tsYOTdeyO55iMxAiUfmAKenbAxzVVbbgafz94ElPbbJlgzmHNXEJDUAeqhL9Mt6OKsUBOXhk9TrgMgeEx5crDK9HEVKQD780OKTDQPmmkogBcRsCLw-3kHS/s400/Pana+13+-+Tuc+Tuc.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349810487040787746" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Happy Father's Day!<br />I will share more pictures soon. This week is mostly preparation for the next team which arrives July 4th and 5th. They are mostly medical students from Pikeville College who will stay two weeks (until about July 18). Once that team is done and wrapped up...I will be on my way back home! I get back on July 25 with pictures, stories, and hopefully some new recipes to share!<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></div>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-74678611634433388662009-06-21T00:11:00.002-04:002009-06-21T00:20:20.931-04:00Seidi<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Meet Seidi!</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">She is the precious little handful that we are growing to love more and more every minute. She is really amazed by the fact that I live in Los Estados Unidos, and she likes to point to basically everything that belongs to me and say, "esados unidos?"<br />It's adorable, but she is seven and the fact that she has SO much trouble saying simple words like "fish" in Spanish makes me realize how little time has been dedicated to her education and growth. Say a prayer for our nena! </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3TBz8SoNe_Bvy0STAHAKsELFAOelSfICzgNMtkaIYf2HodV2forlopkFoKEhHYERX5gxSwSHMaTsvMD15zyfJV2Pku264Hg0OitmZdT_M0NAoWhNvyruraoJw-Ik-nBu4nw0v_hyphenhyphenLzLh/s1600-h/Seidi+3.JPG"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3TBz8SoNe_Bvy0STAHAKsELFAOelSfICzgNMtkaIYf2HodV2forlopkFoKEhHYERX5gxSwSHMaTsvMD15zyfJV2Pku264Hg0OitmZdT_M0NAoWhNvyruraoJw-Ik-nBu4nw0v_hyphenhyphenLzLh/s400/Seidi+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349629087773754450" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnhGWLu4l0bNfJTp8oJrqERI2LjBhveeM_LLr69IDe6-iJ_zRjXN0Ap2Y6daxPWrLLz8Bj7WyNGwC-fHBVvol3SEiiKh5KKoVBybvVE9bQWTYPsiAtkDkEsqsSBTmIThZq9zBcKaoUusX/s1600-h/Seidi+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBnhGWLu4l0bNfJTp8oJrqERI2LjBhveeM_LLr69IDe6-iJ_zRjXN0Ap2Y6daxPWrLLz8Bj7WyNGwC-fHBVvol3SEiiKh5KKoVBybvVE9bQWTYPsiAtkDkEsqsSBTmIThZq9zBcKaoUusX/s400/Seidi+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349629082469136706" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqR6vmgbW1WgWF5zbmWf7cELP1wYTK4KXK_TGImcngKwsgndwRfMhqRoE1hP6tI5HMtveYEu6sFSpDfz3BIdlBbmX12lsfK_vZjMAmZKpxzBL8heQ5n8XoAa99qeCWtKed6xvWkvQmuq9o/s1600-h/Seidi+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqR6vmgbW1WgWF5zbmWf7cELP1wYTK4KXK_TGImcngKwsgndwRfMhqRoE1hP6tI5HMtveYEu6sFSpDfz3BIdlBbmX12lsfK_vZjMAmZKpxzBL8heQ5n8XoAa99qeCWtKed6xvWkvQmuq9o/s400/Seidi+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349629077635401330" border="0" /></a>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2881505642864489524.post-59930087634218081392009-06-20T22:11:00.003-04:002009-06-21T00:09:52.384-04:00Que bonito<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Here are a few shots of Antigua and the beautiful flowers I have found around the country! There is a lot of poverty and many unmet needs, but Guatemala remains a historically rich and naturally beautiful country!<br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">---<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0); font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">The hallway of the convent ruins at La Merced. </span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSzzScXsUEcfQuai2-znvbvnHEUzr6C8YPzv8h5hO1369q1FRJbo7mkOKXQH7bJPd4jU-gY15M_3dwDORrhLqWQHp6IA4mNPthoRdYq3EuFSakYE9H5JJ65OhH9qc1-lNeZZqPAdI64id/s1600-h/La+Merced+7.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSzzScXsUEcfQuai2-znvbvnHEUzr6C8YPzv8h5hO1369q1FRJbo7mkOKXQH7bJPd4jU-gY15M_3dwDORrhLqWQHp6IA4mNPthoRdYq3EuFSakYE9H5JJ65OhH9qc1-lNeZZqPAdI64id/s400/La+Merced+7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349624799162350898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">Beautiful flowers... </span><br /><br /></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLWpYlky7kDIKvlOF4zJhGVHgqrdl4wL8pT6Lu-dTQfilfd-PSUl-6r5C-SF2d_qykxhFDyFyCDxGAZy6Ij2VvV9A7BoW-nzcbjNsW3tW9rNOBmPnOIndYytqWi_na5LwkJt0hjA8VYsj/s1600-h/Flores+19.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLWpYlky7kDIKvlOF4zJhGVHgqrdl4wL8pT6Lu-dTQfilfd-PSUl-6r5C-SF2d_qykxhFDyFyCDxGAZy6Ij2VvV9A7BoW-nzcbjNsW3tW9rNOBmPnOIndYytqWi_na5LwkJt0hjA8VYsj/s400/Flores+19.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349624795447756818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRngHrPe4Xo1k-2hU4NBJvqVZjLqHSvl81lMnbAAVDVoFcXdZIy_eoKKrkkMa1lJq_UBfyBd3x-NiXmOAaBRNpLQxhxpRB1_GR9ODfJO8B-jH1ZlAiRvmf9WkDcSYOsKNNIp5TLrnU5kU/s1600-h/Flores+10.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRngHrPe4Xo1k-2hU4NBJvqVZjLqHSvl81lMnbAAVDVoFcXdZIy_eoKKrkkMa1lJq_UBfyBd3x-NiXmOAaBRNpLQxhxpRB1_GR9ODfJO8B-jH1ZlAiRvmf9WkDcSYOsKNNIp5TLrnU5kU/s400/Flores+10.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349624791958335042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-f3M7hEsoI94tRL_Ru3uwO3OM5jealQTOWcl7uXk1o_dez2V3mDPLiuIpWIKPQkiO__W8abTlREAglqWIwEdi0IOkrUcho3FqQxaUYauqJsMVthR9eOgImlkCuUAVCXiBfe4JokyOyod/s1600-h/Flores+8.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk-f3M7hEsoI94tRL_Ru3uwO3OM5jealQTOWcl7uXk1o_dez2V3mDPLiuIpWIKPQkiO__W8abTlREAglqWIwEdi0IOkrUcho3FqQxaUYauqJsMVthR9eOgImlkCuUAVCXiBfe4JokyOyod/s400/Flores+8.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349624781654159170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsqCRauznyCJpTXylBTOeqGIIS4EK3b-gJvXFGtbnXY3ips-GV4w0v3pXkk7CQfelEXh8jcKYXuwKe_dviHKHtw09N-LbEyQS-MrBlyjDchzH-AeXYzWAcYGlKfNm_xoSvTUB2u75f-RR/s1600-h/Flores+6.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsqCRauznyCJpTXylBTOeqGIIS4EK3b-gJvXFGtbnXY3ips-GV4w0v3pXkk7CQfelEXh8jcKYXuwKe_dviHKHtw09N-LbEyQS-MrBlyjDchzH-AeXYzWAcYGlKfNm_xoSvTUB2u75f-RR/s400/Flores+6.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349624777379292210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJlAM590IkDZP_EePbtxG7adYvjdaDi0nv0xWSgRX6UENIhBJ3dsCKKUTXOHfZda1VfoXAxFwdDZbsAAKK72g578fW4XsVPA67VgcIVsBcETkalnPK9Pr37LzdvSerLXaL6HXkt8MRSJD/s1600-h/Flores+3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJlAM590IkDZP_EePbtxG7adYvjdaDi0nv0xWSgRX6UENIhBJ3dsCKKUTXOHfZda1VfoXAxFwdDZbsAAKK72g578fW4XsVPA67VgcIVsBcETkalnPK9Pr37LzdvSerLXaL6HXkt8MRSJD/s400/Flores+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349598634048587170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnw1MM5BPVgiIgKtZ-l1RIkBzYb7JfQMpLTMXzUQkt_0FFBxtnw8AbqGgmIf6S37svJ5Uay4BQTHSfD5cVJBK5f8Xd0XajwMTQXDRVDOFbl8bQ6OcZW-pNZx_rUF41hDOAdSo_BD60C_B5/s1600-h/Capuchinas+23.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnw1MM5BPVgiIgKtZ-l1RIkBzYb7JfQMpLTMXzUQkt_0FFBxtnw8AbqGgmIf6S37svJ5Uay4BQTHSfD5cVJBK5f8Xd0XajwMTQXDRVDOFbl8bQ6OcZW-pNZx_rUF41hDOAdSo_BD60C_B5/s400/Capuchinas+23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349598631838720162" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Looking through a window at the ruins of Capuchinas. </span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCk-H1t7RXjukkdai0HleiocIsJrRddE_Ee9YhjD4szQxTWP0CGeb8qz5gweWpQPiy0eZkkx9FJ4hyphenhyphenkX1A25ssc0P0dmH-wO3ZCxZXnGQdc-etGyXcZshmzu2nwx_x1Ut-0LKm4I9PotKR/s1600-h/Capuchinas+17.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCk-H1t7RXjukkdai0HleiocIsJrRddE_Ee9YhjD4szQxTWP0CGeb8qz5gweWpQPiy0eZkkx9FJ4hyphenhyphenkX1A25ssc0P0dmH-wO3ZCxZXnGQdc-etGyXcZshmzu2nwx_x1Ut-0LKm4I9PotKR/s400/Capuchinas+17.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349598621502146530" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">The beautiful courtyard at the Capuchinas ruins. </span></span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3F3I-tgXRdwWaNlMapP0eOXP-OWN_AED5Rbk9TJNO8Yl6zG-jbVxr4alcXg5gCl-FRw34BhCeca4-AxYDvE71-sQSNqT5jlumhRogFiUJGie5IWLE6U6Z7uJrFXXhJd6H3flOsJxh34tI/s1600-h/Capuchinas+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3F3I-tgXRdwWaNlMapP0eOXP-OWN_AED5Rbk9TJNO8Yl6zG-jbVxr4alcXg5gCl-FRw34BhCeca4-AxYDvE71-sQSNqT5jlumhRogFiUJGie5IWLE6U6Z7uJrFXXhJd6H3flOsJxh34tI/s400/Capuchinas+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349598617518891954" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">The ruins of another convent in Antigua.</span></span></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0Nsls-7wWYYbnRBAuRSBCKeWDwAK3NbwJulcoiixAM2kiMOOnGkYO9AWLw1uZ0XNHBU317NNrhWB4HO8FC6RAbXLAiJnsxO-RqLN1if_WfQnoD0t9IiA52M-Omiqv3lC0oj9YGpuvaiT/s1600-h/Antigua+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0Nsls-7wWYYbnRBAuRSBCKeWDwAK3NbwJulcoiixAM2kiMOOnGkYO9AWLw1uZ0XNHBU317NNrhWB4HO8FC6RAbXLAiJnsxO-RqLN1if_WfQnoD0t9IiA52M-Omiqv3lC0oj9YGpuvaiT/s400/Antigua+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349598611503222066" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">We spent a lot of time touring Antigua on Thursday and then spent today at Panajachel! It rained a lot, so the pictures didn't turn out very well, but I am sure there will be more beautiful pictures to come.<br /><br />Also, I will try to post some pictures of Seidi. She is a little girl from an orphanage in Cuilapa who should be headed to the states in August for eye surgery. When we went to pick her up yesterday she wouldn't speak and she cried through half of dinner. Today, she was hanging off my shirt, dancing with me, and repeating everything we said! It is amazing to see the change that has come about after less than 24 hours in an environment where she is safe and has copious amounts of attention! The orphanage in Cuilapa does the very best it can, but because Seidi has been abused, I think she needed more care and attention in order to open up quickly. Say a prayer for her as she goes back to the orphanage in a week and will probably have to see her mom. Pray also for her safety and her operation once she comes to Kentucky in August.<br /><br />Thanks to everyone for your prayers when I was sick! I am feeling 100% better now and cannot tell you how much I appreciated the prayers!<br /><br />Dios les bendiga!<br /></span></span></span>Kathy Smallwoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139972636062449194noreply@blogger.com0