tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56194704380472920222024-03-20T01:38:52.370-07:00Megan Besing: My Writing AdventureMegan BesingMegan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-63990587263221902682019-02-09T14:42:00.001-08:002019-02-11T07:06:40.782-08:00Is Your Dream Vacation…Ireland?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBVOsdd7ZPCUbfLTm225BsrojVXTLND8eVd-UU9uOgPta71T_p3_tybWGZ6Dd9SIedDbpBSzGyJAGN0uyp9_CiT06RFnjPqYvai1rJCLLJAOwhMDHBzQRQ7tnmPKcJGUetQsMIBe-PuoK/s1600/DSC04779-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">If you could visit anywhere, where would you go?</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Have you ever thought about that question?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">For years, our answer has always been: IRELAND!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I wanted to see a castle. (How about you?) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">My husband wanted
to see a game of Gaelic Football. (More to that story on a later post.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">We “planned” on going to Ireland for our 10<sup>th</sup>
wedding anniversary. However, just like so many others’ dream vacation, on the
eve of our 10<sup>th</sup> anniversary, we did the very adult thing with
our saved money and bought a house instead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(Has your dream vacation ever gotten put on hold?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">A few years later, (Yes, I’m older than I look.) we
were talking with our friends about Ireland…and we half-jokingly decided we would
all go together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">How the four of us could all celebrate our 15<sup>th</sup>
year of wedding anniversaries. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">(We all got married in the same year. :) )</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">But because we were so excited about the idea, and a
few other reasons, the hopeful daydreaming moved to actually planning…and we all
ended up going to Ireland last May.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-dxBVt6o7t6GvqrmyU8qovxnb_KOkRMyTFyjpgfC6r7UVPSd7JlBmYqXQIIQOF_ZECjFQCr_bY-ICJ621Ypyj5PB_EqBZWQsVhdaECEfnQuLZ0JyKtM8KcykPu2kdmXLBZsDDVY7XEdn/s1600/DSC05268-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-dxBVt6o7t6GvqrmyU8qovxnb_KOkRMyTFyjpgfC6r7UVPSd7JlBmYqXQIIQOF_ZECjFQCr_bY-ICJ621Ypyj5PB_EqBZWQsVhdaECEfnQuLZ0JyKtM8KcykPu2kdmXLBZsDDVY7XEdn/s640/DSC05268-1.jpg" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
Some of my favorite places weren't the "typical" tourist attractions, </div>
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like this off the path waterfall find.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "quot"; font-size: 16px; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">And yes, it was FABULOUS!!! </span></div>
<b></b><i></i><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.33px; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.33px; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Over the next few blogs, I’ll be digging into where we
went, what we saw, and despite what a travel guide advised me against—we managed
to drive around the entire country in less than 10 days. And LOVED IT.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOIQg42crVPEWG710EVp1WjkXdt_o-39oHoYvS_mGaLboz5WDcEKgWokjC6XRDZchGiAzQR51y_svdweInqEhrDvA7jtEntushUyndH5GEhZJ7lJ66JfmDqaiAhK9Nqv_hKgyYJDtKOH5/s1600/DSC05896-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7kzPNuwj1MD7az4tK8fZrZN_Rwg6xrAmCY7Q-TDolCk6GB0XidKi9u9JwYKZdDgZeFTu-mlVlJ8A50rwVrVwD_FrChS_L-NLyOPO0xVR8Qx8ZAtcOZvCRYIjCgajed5tujLPCYDXX0oK/s640/DSC05744-1.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.33px; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> (Did I mention
they drive on the opposite side of the road than us? </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.33px; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">And not all roads are big
enough for passing cars…</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.33px; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Seriously, some were barely large enough for our small rental. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.33px; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">But
some of those nerve-racking “paths” led us to the best scenery!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMN5BUV5fdmKnCBboTUzT1aiOOoBl0PUa-JRcPxxdjZhKvw8-5QpTc9dSdl2JSOk8c0sVwMzzrVBqqcW6oZbta-M-vW3GXPoaEoxUli5_kpWiTjnbY-d6HdyOzSEec5_aL95G477cyomv4/s1600/20180518_074914-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; margin-right: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7kzPNuwj1MD7az4tK8fZrZN_Rwg6xrAmCY7Q-TDolCk6GB0XidKi9u9JwYKZdDgZeFTu-mlVlJ8A50rwVrVwD_FrChS_L-NLyOPO0xVR8Qx8ZAtcOZvCRYIjCgajed5tujLPCYDXX0oK/s1600/DSC05744-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Stay tuned for more pictures. (I came home with TONS
of photos. It’s so beautiful over there.) And maybe, you can learn how you can
plan your own dream 10-day Ireland vacation without a guide too. (Or if someone
wants to hire us as guides…we’d love to go back. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">😊</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.33px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">)</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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<h3 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"> Have any questions about Ireland, please let me know so I can share our adventure!</span></h3>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Where would your dream vacation be?<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Maybe we'll go there next. ;) </span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">With love and prayers,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Megan Besing</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mail-Order-Brides-Collection-Historical-Marriage-ebook/dp/B074TXDL65/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1507430175&sr=8-1&keywords=Megan+Besing" target="_blank">The Mail-Order Brides Collection</a></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<u><span style="color: #000120; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"></span></u><br /></div>
<a href="https://www.meganbesing.com/" target="_blank">https://www.meganbesing.com/</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlvTL0aI536Tue-lI0lMgnIOJokzaNwHQJ4yeS8jpqIhQf3ICkgh865Vc-sqWm-RH0P9QQN_0gwhMiouXCnwZrgyX7TyLuDTswo9KPifUxVhPr29jvW83wc8zfOlYhdQDmjvF3LAs6RZ-/s1600/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="525" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlvTL0aI536Tue-lI0lMgnIOJokzaNwHQJ4yeS8jpqIhQf3ICkgh865Vc-sqWm-RH0P9QQN_0gwhMiouXCnwZrgyX7TyLuDTswo9KPifUxVhPr29jvW83wc8zfOlYhdQDmjvF3LAs6RZ-/s200/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="133" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="846" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXjAI-En-9fMbIZVXUDGooZbq6OdPGvd1OgjctPF36-rFxO8Z9tvIXvAo01ikQyh_tRO-L_jMjHa_jVuT_eCN_uAvLJTQZkijeope9TJSwMu-f4gP3f1xkrmLUPMWkTHve3iedXtukMM1/s400/Logo80-Megan+BesingTRUST.jpg" width="400" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlvTL0aI536Tue-lI0lMgnIOJokzaNwHQJ4yeS8jpqIhQf3ICkgh865Vc-sqWm-RH0P9QQN_0gwhMiouXCnwZrgyX7TyLuDTswo9KPifUxVhPr29jvW83wc8zfOlYhdQDmjvF3LAs6RZ-/s1600/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<br />Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-33643276968608258442018-04-12T11:07:00.001-07:002018-04-12T11:07:06.693-07:00Real Life: Death and Taxes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNmEY9J7MEgpl5zvgS7LZhRopztgCKtj-G0HsbHvE7L2FEdBsjNSUlRfxBbiKSLsh2SMKI3Jmsowc8DiU3g1EP8rm_mzJ_s_lw5G22iay2q-987cfih8boeA9c2d-4iF-KVNJ9JQplEEp/s1600/DSC04723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><br /></div>
<h2 style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">“Two things in life are
certain,” </span></h2>
<h2 style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Segoe UI",sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Benjamin Franklin noted, “death and taxes.”<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNmEY9J7MEgpl5zvgS7LZhRopztgCKtj-G0HsbHvE7L2FEdBsjNSUlRfxBbiKSLsh2SMKI3Jmsowc8DiU3g1EP8rm_mzJ_s_lw5G22iay2q-987cfih8boeA9c2d-4iF-KVNJ9JQplEEp/s1600/DSC04723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNmEY9J7MEgpl5zvgS7LZhRopztgCKtj-G0HsbHvE7L2FEdBsjNSUlRfxBbiKSLsh2SMKI3Jmsowc8DiU3g1EP8rm_mzJ_s_lw5G22iay2q-987cfih8boeA9c2d-4iF-KVNJ9JQplEEp/s200/DSC04723.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></span></h2>
<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Unfortunately, lately, in my neck of the woods, </span></h2>
<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Mr. Franklin’s words have rung quite true.</span></h2>
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</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">We laid one of my husband’s uncles unexpectedly
to rest last week, and with the passing of my grandmother on Monday, the sting
of death seemed only to fester. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Two funerals in two weeks…I’m hoping week three
brings a different kind of rest. Yet, with the news about my other grandparent’s
health issues escalating…well, no matter the day, a love one’s death rarely feels
like it comes at the right time. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Does it?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX6007CKPYvdZxpWwXrWUfiNUG5IbinlXRwMfVODsESUfY4fydJpKHimQzRRUd4OupwlZvweoQqxLuo2QF3gYUyFikrCQYFejfpXByllcEWra1dr-2k-Yc_VG_6HnSl1B8wXkxFgqJvxz/s1600/DSC04687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX6007CKPYvdZxpWwXrWUfiNUG5IbinlXRwMfVODsESUfY4fydJpKHimQzRRUd4OupwlZvweoQqxLuo2QF3gYUyFikrCQYFejfpXByllcEWra1dr-2k-Yc_VG_6HnSl1B8wXkxFgqJvxz/s1600/DSC04687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX6007CKPYvdZxpWwXrWUfiNUG5IbinlXRwMfVODsESUfY4fydJpKHimQzRRUd4OupwlZvweoQqxLuo2QF3gYUyFikrCQYFejfpXByllcEWra1dr-2k-Yc_VG_6HnSl1B8wXkxFgqJvxz/s320/DSC04687.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">However, one day, </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">death will hold no more
claim.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">No more victory.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">No more sting.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Death and taxes may be certain, </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">but we can
also count on </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">God’s promises.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">And He’s promised to return.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;">Is anyone else ready for that day? </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX6007CKPYvdZxpWwXrWUfiNUG5IbinlXRwMfVODsESUfY4fydJpKHimQzRRUd4OupwlZvweoQqxLuo2QF3gYUyFikrCQYFejfpXByllcEWra1dr-2k-Yc_VG_6HnSl1B8wXkxFgqJvxz/s1600/DSC04687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 16px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX6007CKPYvdZxpWwXrWUfiNUG5IbinlXRwMfVODsESUfY4fydJpKHimQzRRUd4OupwlZvweoQqxLuo2QF3gYUyFikrCQYFejfpXByllcEWra1dr-2k-Yc_VG_6HnSl1B8wXkxFgqJvxz/s1600/DSC04687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "&quot",serif; margin: 0px;">The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span id="en-NET-28760" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; word-spacing: 0px;">But
thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!</span>—1
Corinthians 15:56-57 </span></b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Please let me know what good things are going on in your life as we draw nearer to tax day. :) </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">with love and prayers,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Megan Besing</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.meganbesing.com/">www.meganbesing.com</a></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
A<span style="font-size: x-small;">uthor of: </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlvTL0aI536Tue-lI0lMgnIOJokzaNwHQJ4yeS8jpqIhQf3ICkgh865Vc-sqWm-RH0P9QQN_0gwhMiouXCnwZrgyX7TyLuDTswo9KPifUxVhPr29jvW83wc8zfOlYhdQDmjvF3LAs6RZ-/s1600/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="525" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlvTL0aI536Tue-lI0lMgnIOJokzaNwHQJ4yeS8jpqIhQf3ICkgh865Vc-sqWm-RH0P9QQN_0gwhMiouXCnwZrgyX7TyLuDTswo9KPifUxVhPr29jvW83wc8zfOlYhdQDmjvF3LAs6RZ-/s200/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="133" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1683224442/ref=sxts_sxwds-puwylo_rv_1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3534076942&pd_rd_wg=JwTl2&pf_rd_r=CKX7S8FMZ47GSFEC227M&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-top-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=1683224442&pd_rd_w=iTgxE&pf_rd_i=Megan+Besing&pd_rd_r=197c1b00-6201-4c9a-aa08-607492d5c45b&ie=UTF8&qid=1523556135&sr=1" target="_blank">Amazon</a></b></span></span></div>
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<br />Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-18360987915758102452018-03-02T20:17:00.000-08:002018-03-02T20:17:40.717-08:00You're invited!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikG_ovtUq0nPm1hVfmJ8HDwFI3SIDzpl4zlS9FmyaCJLOa2MN7qfD_EvN9qn7omg5SBrXn207owAtx1aVFkVFhOk8I8FjcgGOm_dmoSN668fhhzaNohN3sPYbUzHe0dY4onuavHs8F8HD/s1600/Facebook+Party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikG_ovtUq0nPm1hVfmJ8HDwFI3SIDzpl4zlS9FmyaCJLOa2MN7qfD_EvN9qn7omg5SBrXn207owAtx1aVFkVFhOk8I8FjcgGOm_dmoSN668fhhzaNohN3sPYbUzHe0dY4onuavHs8F8HD/s320/Facebook+Party.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We're having a Facebook Party Celebration March 3rd starting at 10 AM CST.<br />
<br />
There will be games, trivia, and prizes. Come and get to know the 9 authors of The Mail-Order Brides Collection. Can't make it during the event, that's okay. Comments will remain open for a chance at the prizes until 5pm.<br />
<br />
Come join us over on<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/212943589268516/" target="_blank">FACEBOOK.</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Hope to see you soon!<br />
https://www.facebook.com/events/212943589268516/permalink/216437075585834/<br />
with love and prayers,<br />
<a href="https://www.meganbesing.com/" target="_blank">Megan Besing</a>Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-46201953280260191102018-02-17T08:06:00.000-08:002018-02-17T08:06:35.752-08:00Guest Post: Author Kathleen Y’Barbo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5774jpsQVlFxQixo5DQC5Igt2q5JIw6jOUpx-mRyDngbX0OB66fi7pc1CD8HbwthF0yLI3fc3vTiHnmMoloX07GxiapXcY6ABUn1IZrsoj7dBuKb68Z1z-cKP5INC86hpsTi5etbZpNdi/s1600/Mail-Order+Brides+Blog+HopTour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="928" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5774jpsQVlFxQixo5DQC5Igt2q5JIw6jOUpx-mRyDngbX0OB66fi7pc1CD8HbwthF0yLI3fc3vTiHnmMoloX07GxiapXcY6ABUn1IZrsoj7dBuKb68Z1z-cKP5INC86hpsTi5etbZpNdi/s320/Mail-Order+Brides+Blog+HopTour.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div align="center" style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; margin: 0px;">Making Mistakes: Takeaway from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Mail Order Mistake </i></span>By Kathleen Y’Barbo</div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Have you
heard the joke about the guy who thought he made a mistake? </div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
Well, turns out he
was wrong. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We laugh at
that joke, but the truth of it is sobering. We’ve all made mistakes, whether we
acknowledge that fact or not. Maybe you put your trust in the wrong person. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Or perhaps you made a choice that you were
certain would fix all your problems only to have the situation end in disaster.
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>What then?
Do you wonder where God was and how He allowed that to happen? To those of us
who believe He controls everything, such a mistake can cause us to ask hard
questions of Him.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When May
Conrad moved in with her kindly neighbor after fire destroyed her home, she
certainly didn’t expect to be throw into the center of a Pinkerton
investigation and be considered a prime suspect in a string of mail fraud
crimes involving mail order brides. After all, she felt God was taking care of
her. But was He? May certainly doesn’t think so when an infuriating Pinkerton
detective insists her next choice is between helping him capture that kindly
neighbor or be tossed into jail. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Can you
think of a time when you were forced into a situation where none of the options
were good? Maybe you had an idea of what your life was going to be like, and
then God came in and did something totally different. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Something unexpected. Something uncomfortable.
I know I’ve been there. And while you’re in the middle of that something
unexpected and uncomfortable, you might be wondering where God is and why He’s
allowing this to happen. You may even wonder if God has turned away and
forgotten about you.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Good news!
He hasn’t forgotten. In fact, He is absolutely and certainly using this
unexpected and uncomfortable thing. What’s He using it for? Sometimes looking
back that answer is obvious. Other times there may never be an answer this side
of heaven as to why He has allowed something into your life. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Through it
all, there is one thing that never changes and is always true: God never makes
mistakes. He’s never wrong. And he never leaves you when you do. If you get
nothing else from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Mail Order Mistake,
</i>please do not miss that. </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I know May
didn’t. I hope you won’t.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mail-Order-Brides-Collection-Historical-Marriage-ebook/dp/B074TXDL65/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1518882012&sr=8-1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" target="_blank">Amazon</a></td></tr>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Mail-Order
Mistake </i>by Kathleen Y’Barbo</div>
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1855, Texas<br />
Pinkerton detective Jeremiah Bingham is investigating a mail-order bride scam
bankrupting potential grooms. When unsuspecting orphan May Conrad answers his
false ad, she becomes the prime suspect in the case.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Bestselling author <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kathleen Y’Barbo</b>
is a multiple Carol Award and RITA nominee with than</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIePl3WEji7qNLXWJDektCScqVcXQlip5CGZ7yzWkg3_ujCvMYCtDiozwoBODvq0cWSH9hkwRNq-jaBXLudXrT66CLMO4YOqkUYGrBZszwdyBTqQR_xG7GKajECNMmJHGdEe8yfdYtrCbA/s1600/Author+photo-beach.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIePl3WEji7qNLXWJDektCScqVcXQlip5CGZ7yzWkg3_ujCvMYCtDiozwoBODvq0cWSH9hkwRNq-jaBXLudXrT66CLMO4YOqkUYGrBZszwdyBTqQR_xG7GKajECNMmJHGdEe8yfdYtrCbA/s1600/Author+photo-beach.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> ninety novels, novellas,
and nonfiction books to her credit, and over two million copies of these books in
print in the US and abroad. A tenth-generation Texan and certified paralegal,
she is the winner of the Inspirational Romance of the Year by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Romantic Times</i> magazine and a number of
Reader’s Choice awards as well as a nominee for an RT Career Achievement Award.
She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Novelists Inc.
Kathleen loves interacting with her fans and with book clubs. To connect with
her through social media or send her an email, check out the links on her
website at </span><a href="http://www.kathleenybarbo.com/"><span style="color: #1f449a; margin: 0px;">www.kathleenybarbo.com</span></a><span style="margin: 0px;">. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And don’t miss signing up for her newsletter
so you’ll be the first to know about new books. She’s got five coming out in
2017!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Thanks for the reminder, Kathleen, that God doesn't make mistakes. :)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="margin: 0px;">with love and prayers,</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.meganbesing.com/" target="_blank">Megan Besing</a></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-1140691435985140952018-02-15T08:46:00.000-08:002018-02-15T08:46:24.738-08:00Guest Post: Noelle Marchand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5774jpsQVlFxQixo5DQC5Igt2q5JIw6jOUpx-mRyDngbX0OB66fi7pc1CD8HbwthF0yLI3fc3vTiHnmMoloX07GxiapXcY6ABUn1IZrsoj7dBuKb68Z1z-cKP5INC86hpsTi5etbZpNdi/s1600/Mail-Order+Brides+Blog+HopTour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="928" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5774jpsQVlFxQixo5DQC5Igt2q5JIw6jOUpx-mRyDngbX0OB66fi7pc1CD8HbwthF0yLI3fc3vTiHnmMoloX07GxiapXcY6ABUn1IZrsoj7dBuKb68Z1z-cKP5INC86hpsTi5etbZpNdi/s320/Mail-Order+Brides+Blog+HopTour.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; margin: 0px;">Imagine the sound
of a single cello playing a melody—deep, rich, vibrant. Now, imagine two
violins and a viola joining in. Suddenly, what was once simple becomes complex
with each instrument bringing out a new quality in the others. This is exactly
what secondary characters do for main characters.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I always try to create well-rounded
characters to interact with hero and heroine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; margin: 0px;">However, in
writing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Outlaw’s Inconvenient Bride</i>,
I gained a better understanding of the importance of secondary characters
within a novel. Never before had I tasked these characters with so much
responsibility. With a huge portion of the story taking place in an outlaw
gang’s secluded hideout, the six outlaws who lived there needed to provide
external conflict, help set the tone of the story, and make the time period
seem believable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; margin: 0px;">It was also
paramount, due to the short nature of a novella, that these characters be
immediately distinct from each other. I ensured this by researching accounts of
real outlaws who lived during the old west. Inspired, my imagination went into
overdrive. I created six characters complete with a list of their past crimes,
endowed with a weapon of choice, unique character traits, motives for mayhem,
and outlaw monikers. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mail-Order-Brides-Collection-Historical-Marriage/dp/1683224442/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1518712690&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; margin: 0px;">Meet all six members of the Renegade gang in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Outlaw’s Inconvenient Bride.</i> </span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; margin: 0px;">After a gang of outlaws uses a mail-order
bride advertisement to trick an innocent woman into servitude, an undercover
lawman must claim the bride—even if it puts his mission in jeopardy. </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.noellemarchand.com/books" target="_blank">Noelle Marchand</a> is an award-winning author
and a proud Texas-native. She enjoys spending time with family, dancing, and
going on daytrips. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; margin: 0px;">Thanks for stopping by, Noelle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; margin: 0px;">with love and prayers,</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.meganbesing.com/" target="_blank"> Megan Besing</a></span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-34594575932875032372018-02-13T02:00:00.000-08:002018-02-13T02:00:15.635-08:00Guest Post: Liz Tolsma<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5774jpsQVlFxQixo5DQC5Igt2q5JIw6jOUpx-mRyDngbX0OB66fi7pc1CD8HbwthF0yLI3fc3vTiHnmMoloX07GxiapXcY6ABUn1IZrsoj7dBuKb68Z1z-cKP5INC86hpsTi5etbZpNdi/s1600/Mail-Order+Brides+Blog+HopTour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="928" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5774jpsQVlFxQixo5DQC5Igt2q5JIw6jOUpx-mRyDngbX0OB66fi7pc1CD8HbwthF0yLI3fc3vTiHnmMoloX07GxiapXcY6ABUn1IZrsoj7dBuKb68Z1z-cKP5INC86hpsTi5etbZpNdi/s320/Mail-Order+Brides+Blog+HopTour.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My story, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Fairy-Tale
Bride, </i>is set just after the Civil War in the make-believe town of Cuento,
Texas. Nora, the main character, is a Southern war widow who has lost her
husband, her home, and her land. She is impoverished and has no means to
support herself. The only respectable option she has is to become a mail-order
bride. </span></div>
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<tr style="margin-bottom: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></i><u style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></u><sub style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11.06px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></sub><sup style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 11.06px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></sup><strike style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: line-through; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></strike><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_12?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=megan+besing&sprefix=Megan+Besing%2Cstripbooks%2C209&crid=1W3FFJ5DWFCX3" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I researched the story I wanted to write for this
collection, I found it was very common for war widows, especially those from
the South, to enter into such marriages of convenience. Most of them had lost
everything during the conflict. Some of the surviving Confederate soldiers left
the Southeast to begin new lives in the cotton fields of Texas. This air of
familiarity helped with their transition back into civilian life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
The Texas cotton industry boomed around this time. With
their former homes and crops razed and slaves gone, many men turned to Texas as
a place to start fresh. The land was fertile, crops were good, and they were
able to tap into the now-freed slaves as a work force familiar with growing
cotton. Texas quickly became one of the leading producers of cotton in the
nation. With the new plantation owners thriving, it was natural for the
Southern war widows to go to Texas to enter into new marriages and to start new
families.</div>
</span>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While I considered not having the sharecroppers appear in
the story because of the oftentimes unsavory aspects of the institution, in the
end, I decided to show them because sharecropping was a way of life in the
South after the war. The hero and his friend would not have been able to
sustain their large plantations without this means of getting workers. Neither
of the characters is unkind to the sharecroppers, and I don’t dwell on it
because the characters wouldn’t have. It was part of daily life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I researched this book, I learned so much about what life
was like for some Southerners following the Civil War. When you read it, I hope
you learn a little something too. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<u><span style="color: #000120; font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></u>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnsruyWC1sNrK1xwVzYN6KhCO37cJAhB5_2yyI8S3X-xj2p0VSj2csGO3rnVa9AX5JXL7Mg-ogZ9iHgGwWZi30OP7EIy1zVLAxGd07smos46olCdj1uD4C2BqjXlbcdVSiQEIkG81JsfV/s1600/Liz+Tolsma+headshot+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnsruyWC1sNrK1xwVzYN6KhCO37cJAhB5_2yyI8S3X-xj2p0VSj2csGO3rnVa9AX5JXL7Mg-ogZ9iHgGwWZi30OP7EIy1zVLAxGd07smos46olCdj1uD4C2BqjXlbcdVSiQEIkG81JsfV/s320/Liz+Tolsma+headshot+%25282%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Passionate might best describe<b> Liz Tolsma</b>. She loves
writing, research, and editing. Her passion shone through in her first novel
which was a double award finalist. On any given day, you might find her pulling
weeds in her perennial garden, walking her hyperactive dog, or curled up with a
good book. Nothing means more to her than her family. She’s married her
high-school sweetheart twenty-eight years ago. Get her talking about
international adoption, and you might never get her to stop. She and her husband
adopted three children, including a son who is a U.S. Marine, and two
daughters.</span></div>
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What do you like best about Historical books?</div>
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with love and prayers,<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MeganBesingWriter/" target="_blank">Megan Besing</a>Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-88964664671294147992018-02-11T00:30:00.000-08:002018-02-11T00:30:19.809-08:00Guest Post: Author Jennifer Uhlarik<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxBcxWH6lK7ZiRynu6zTUl_3xqz4T61xoX-iMKz_PdYGWDV5xLBnFkCUOEd3-XuY0W0JMTYagXtNULzYemW4wivIhHNvj8fvu_mtzuuYpR5xJwLtJGfe9uK-VEVg56r5B6Ckt4FVkjgKw/s1600/Mail-Order+Brides+Blog+HopTour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="928" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxBcxWH6lK7ZiRynu6zTUl_3xqz4T61xoX-iMKz_PdYGWDV5xLBnFkCUOEd3-XuY0W0JMTYagXtNULzYemW4wivIhHNvj8fvu_mtzuuYpR5xJwLtJGfe9uK-VEVg56r5B6Ckt4FVkjgKw/s400/Mail-Order+Brides+Blog+HopTour.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
Hi all! Jennifer Uhlarik here. I’m so excited to share with
you the story behind the story on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
Brigand and The Bride, </i>my selection from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Mail-Order Brides Collection. </i>So…where did the idea for this
story come from? As I pondered the idea of a mail-order bride story, I knew it
needed to be different than a previous mail-order bride story I’d done (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wedded to Honor</i> from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Convenient Bride Collection</i>). I
began thinking of different scenarios and quickly struck on the idea of a woman
marrying a stranger to escape her outlaw family. Probably not the most original
of ideas—but then, every story’s been told a million times already. It’s the
fun twists you add that makes a story unique. So as I pondered the heroine that
was taking shape in my mind, I saw a scene begin to unfold.</div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
The heroine hurries through town, anxious about being caught
by her brother. Rather than heading straight to the church, she stops in the
seamstress’ shop to pick up a suit for her mail-order groom—something they’d pre-arranged
through their letters. Suit in hand, she goes to the church, lays out the
clothes and grooming supplies for him, then waits in the sanctuary. A bit
later, the hero rushes in, shaves and cuts his hair, dons the suit, and steps
out of the room, where the pastor’s wife shoves him down the aisle, scolding
him for his lateness. </div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
The scene played so vividly in my mind’s eye that I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">knew</i> I had to write it and find out how
the rest turned out. From the couple’s first awkward face-to-face meeting to the
“quickie” wedding that ensues, I was giggling and grinning ear-to-ear. I sure
hope you’ll read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Brigand and The
Bride</i> to find out why!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvyXXPxSAylxzp36CPe5NxV5xPaBfvwgMsIVkwxjpQof44qd5c_0zQh-gYMsidX0NY25kzxqQfPUkwH8aiUrz13scrBP59cAFSTmA5LQoG__SmoDuS2GNQVLnbpn3j_qjjqq1VmcMx1Yl/s1600/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvyXXPxSAylxzp36CPe5NxV5xPaBfvwgMsIVkwxjpQof44qd5c_0zQh-gYMsidX0NY25kzxqQfPUkwH8aiUrz13scrBP59cAFSTmA5LQoG__SmoDuS2GNQVLnbpn3j_qjjqq1VmcMx1Yl/s320/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" width="213" /></a><i><span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;">The Brigand and the Bride</span></i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; margin: 0px;"> by Jennifer Uhlarik</span><span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><br />
<span style="background: white; margin: 0px;">1876, Arizona </span><br />
<span style="background: white; margin: 0px;">Jolie Hilliard weds a stranger to flee her
outlaw family but discovers her groom is an escaped prisoner. Will she ever
find happiness on the right side of the law?</span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; margin: 0px;">Purchase
from your local bookseller or online at:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mail-Order-Brides-Collection-Historical-Marriage/dp/1683224442/ref=pd_ybh_a_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WT6X9D0B6ETRDGH42MHS" target="_blank">Amazon </a></span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-mail-order-brides-collection-megan-besing/1126627885?ean=9781683224440#/" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Mail-Order-Brides-Collection/Megan-Besing/9781683224440?id=6797742722867#ReviewHeader" target="_blank">Books-A-Million </a></span><span style="margin: 0px;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.christianbook.com/brides-collection-historical-stories-marriage-precedes/megan-besing/9781683224440/pd/224442?product_redirect=1&Ntt=224442&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank">Christian Book Distributors</a>: </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vKiHq7q1ow38Uhssy23KVPORTwhdK0ZGDykQOzEY_cr7wzte_2muf6AJh_kFg1mHXgEcTsvkvqOVLoHLoCFdOH5eOK0eYrXm2lAoOJCkxaZwjmBP0vReES0vw6AYuBZKaYK0kTEGiLUc/s1600/juhlarik-HR-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vKiHq7q1ow38Uhssy23KVPORTwhdK0ZGDykQOzEY_cr7wzte_2muf6AJh_kFg1mHXgEcTsvkvqOVLoHLoCFdOH5eOK0eYrXm2lAoOJCkxaZwjmBP0vReES0vw6AYuBZKaYK0kTEGiLUc/s320/juhlarik-HR-3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vKiHq7q1ow38Uhssy23KVPORTwhdK0ZGDykQOzEY_cr7wzte_2muf6AJh_kFg1mHXgEcTsvkvqOVLoHLoCFdOH5eOK0eYrXm2lAoOJCkxaZwjmBP0vReES0vw6AYuBZKaYK0kTEGiLUc/s1600/juhlarik-HR-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><b><span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/JenniferUhlarikAuthor/" target="_blank">Jennifer Uhlarik</a></span></b><span style="color: #333333; margin: 0px;"> discovered the western genre as a pre-teen, when she
swiped the only “horse” book she found on her older brother’s bookshelf. A new
love was born. Across the next ten years, she devoured Louis L’Amour westerns
and fell in love with the genre. In college at the University of Tampa, she
began penning her own story of the Old West. Armed with a B.A. in writing, she
has won and finaled in numerous writing competitions. In addition to writing,
she has held jobs as a private business owner, a schoolteacher, a marketing
director, and her favorite—a full-time homemaker. Jennifer is active in
American Christian Fiction Writers and lifetime member of the Florida Writers
Association. She lives near Tampa, Florida, with her husband, college-aged son,
and four fur children.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: #001000;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black;">What about you? What would be going through your mind </span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black;">on your mail-order wedding day?</span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<b>with love and prayers,</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<b><a href="https://www.meganbesing.com/" target="_blank">Megan Besing</a></b></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-34098616207256383502018-02-09T00:30:00.000-08:002018-02-09T00:30:50.875-08:00All. The. Lies....
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5774jpsQVlFxQixo5DQC5Igt2q5JIw6jOUpx-mRyDngbX0OB66fi7pc1CD8HbwthF0yLI3fc3vTiHnmMoloX07GxiapXcY6ABUn1IZrsoj7dBuKb68Z1z-cKP5INC86hpsTi5etbZpNdi/s1600/Mail-Order+Brides+Blog+HopTour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="928" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5774jpsQVlFxQixo5DQC5Igt2q5JIw6jOUpx-mRyDngbX0OB66fi7pc1CD8HbwthF0yLI3fc3vTiHnmMoloX07GxiapXcY6ABUn1IZrsoj7dBuKb68Z1z-cKP5INC86hpsTi5etbZpNdi/s320/Mail-Order+Brides+Blog+HopTour.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h2 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">As we all know, lies are a part of everyday life—</span></h2>
<h2 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">and
every good book. </span></h2>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Whether it’s one we tell ourselves for years or one someone
else makes up, lies consume our time. In my story, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Perfect for the Preacher</i>, lies, gossip, and assumptions nearly
become main characters themselves.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Despite his age, Pastor Amos Lowry believes he’s the
man to fill the pulpit at Hilltop Chapel. He’s certain he’s qualified and longs
to be hired. Wouldn’t a congregation with such generosity be a preacher’s ideal
church? At least that’s what he tells himself.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Those on the council assume Pastor Lowry is too young
and immature, and they believe marriage for Amos could be the answer to all
their problems. Except no one asked for a mail-order bride with a sketchy past
to apply as Amos’s wife. After all, won’t an ex-saloon girl ruin Hilltop
Chapel’s reputation?</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Sophie Ross was told she could be a pastor’s wife. Except
when gossip mixes with the</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">dreadful experiences from her past, Sophie
fights the doubt in her head. If a man of God can’t love and accept her, what
kind of future does that leave?</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Behind every deception, whether in real life or story
form, is the truth waiting to save the day and set us free. I hope you discover
and enjoy the truths buried in the lies of Amos and Sophie’s happily-ever-after.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">What
starts off as an unlikely match might just become a marriage built on
unconditional love and a ministry for a renewed congregation. Lies may win a
battle, but like the characters of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Perfect
for the Preacher</i>, let’s not allow evil to claim victory of our lives.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlvTL0aI536Tue-lI0lMgnIOJokzaNwHQJ4yeS8jpqIhQf3ICkgh865Vc-sqWm-RH0P9QQN_0gwhMiouXCnwZrgyX7TyLuDTswo9KPifUxVhPr29jvW83wc8zfOlYhdQDmjvF3LAs6RZ-/s1600/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlvTL0aI536Tue-lI0lMgnIOJokzaNwHQJ4yeS8jpqIhQf3ICkgh865Vc-sqWm-RH0P9QQN_0gwhMiouXCnwZrgyX7TyLuDTswo9KPifUxVhPr29jvW83wc8zfOlYhdQDmjvF3LAs6RZ-/s320/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Perfect
for the Preacher</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"> by Megan Besing</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">1897, Indiana</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Fresh from seminary, Amos Lowry believes marriage will
prove to his skeptical congregation that he’s mature. If only his mail-order
bride wasn’t an ex-saloon girl, and worse, pregnant.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Purchase from your local bookseller or online at:</span></div>
</span><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mail-Order-Brides-Collection-Historical-Marriage/dp/1683224442/ref=pd_ybh_a_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WT6X9D0B6ETRDGH42MHS" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-mail-order-brides-collection-megan-besing/1126627885?ean=9781683224440#/" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Mail-Order-Brides-Collection/Megan-Besing/9781683224440?id=6797742722867#ReviewHeader" target="_blank">Books-A-Million</a></div>
</span>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><a href="https://www.christianbook.com/brides-collection-historical-stories-marriage-precedes/megan-besing/9781683224440/pd/224442?product_redirect=1&Ntt=224442&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank">Christian Book Distributors</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3seSSuORfj9bu4bWrmnw2NcHmqdpoaX780v40v2Jg5F2KSaot1BEg02diXXvHELWvPNbQWmw918lsEthh8tlVx0mBEsXlEdj5BFjg9nGxicKKo_ox9enwEwNk199o_x7NeZgfaauqhbjV/s1600/Megan+Besing-Author+Photo-cropped-+dpi+300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3seSSuORfj9bu4bWrmnw2NcHmqdpoaX780v40v2Jg5F2KSaot1BEg02diXXvHELWvPNbQWmw918lsEthh8tlVx0mBEsXlEdj5BFjg9nGxicKKo_ox9enwEwNk199o_x7NeZgfaauqhbjV/s320/Megan+Besing-Author+Photo-cropped-+dpi+300.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Megan Besing adores reading, writing, and reviewing
stories with happily-ever-afters. Her own writings have received many awards,
including being a multi-category finalist in ACFW’s Genesis and a winner of
MCRW’s Melody of Love contest. Her debut <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Perfect
for the Preacher</i> released February 1, 2018 in Barbour’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mail-Order Brides Novella Collection</i>.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">She lives in Indiana with her husband and their
children where she dreams of the beach and drinks way too many Vanilla Cokes.
Connect with Megan on </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MeganBesingWriter/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Facebook</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">
and at </span><a href="https://www.meganbesing.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">www.meganbesing.com.</span></span></a></div>
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Is everyone else as excited as I am about my Debut?</div>
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So...what kind of lies have you told yourself today?</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
with love and prayers,</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: #0563c1;"></span><a href="https://www.meganbesing.com/" target="_blank">Megan Besing</a>Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-6372805832598588852018-02-07T01:30:00.000-08:002018-02-07T01:30:27.033-08:00Guest Post: Author Sherri Shackelford<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5774jpsQVlFxQixo5DQC5Igt2q5JIw6jOUpx-mRyDngbX0OB66fi7pc1CD8HbwthF0yLI3fc3vTiHnmMoloX07GxiapXcY6ABUn1IZrsoj7dBuKb68Z1z-cKP5INC86hpsTi5etbZpNdi/s1600/Mail-Order+Brides+Blog+HopTour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="928" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5774jpsQVlFxQixo5DQC5Igt2q5JIw6jOUpx-mRyDngbX0OB66fi7pc1CD8HbwthF0yLI3fc3vTiHnmMoloX07GxiapXcY6ABUn1IZrsoj7dBuKb68Z1z-cKP5INC86hpsTi5etbZpNdi/s320/Mail-Order+Brides+Blog+HopTour.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The most important thing to remember when creating a
villain, is that villains don’t know they’re villains. In my story, Mail-Order
Proxy, the heroine is interviewing a notorious outlaw for her local newspaper.
And why does this outlaw agree to the interview? He craves fame and attention, of
course, but he also wants people to understand him. He want’s people to know his
motivation. </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Generally, most villains are sociopaths. They lack a
conscious. While most sociopaths do not become predators, most predators are
sociopaths. They may not feel guilty for hurting someone, but they are aware of
the consequences of their actions. They are aware of how they are perceived in
society. </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlvTL0aI536Tue-lI0lMgnIOJokzaNwHQJ4yeS8jpqIhQf3ICkgh865Vc-sqWm-RH0P9QQN_0gwhMiouXCnwZrgyX7TyLuDTswo9KPifUxVhPr29jvW83wc8zfOlYhdQDmjvF3LAs6RZ-/s1600/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlvTL0aI536Tue-lI0lMgnIOJokzaNwHQJ4yeS8jpqIhQf3ICkgh865Vc-sqWm-RH0P9QQN_0gwhMiouXCnwZrgyX7TyLuDTswo9KPifUxVhPr29jvW83wc8zfOlYhdQDmjvF3LAs6RZ-/s320/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mail-Order-Brides-Collection-Historical-Marriage/dp/1683224442/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517718395&sr=8-1&keywords=Megan+Besing" target="_blank">Available Now</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As an author, when I’m creating a villain, I use a regular
person as inspiration, and embellish their flaws and weaknesses.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Villains shouldn’t simply be twirling their mustaches while lashing
the heroine to the railroad tracks. The outlaw in my story does some bad
things, but he feels completely justified in doing these things: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Why should the banks have all the money when
he’s just a poor, working stiff trying to get ahead?</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There should always be a reason for the villain’s actions.
In Mail-Order Proxy, the outlaw is perfectly cordial to the heroine until she
stands in the way of what he wants. That’s when she sees the darker side of his
personality. Most folks aren’t entirely good or entirely evil. A well-written
villain has human foibles and weaknesses. </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s also important to remember that villains are often very
charming and engaging individuals. The outlaw in my novella, “Mail-Order
Proxy”, has convinced the heroine of his sincerity. Part of her growth is
learning to discern the difference between a charming villain and a
cantankerous hero. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As the old proverb
states, ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The lion is most handsome when looking
for food</i>.’ </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hope you enjoy my story, “Mail-Order Proxy!”</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdM95BSKL7J24bocEAJCWrSWkQzPa4ghZ9E92UamhnaEx6FvSa84mAKnbaKIil7tSY68jxSDCaG8BRgyT3PS4-smljit7oDy191uU8gD-ZvNowDmhfpKvRwhjRyGQ7dFen4n7WYVB6BGJq/s1600/publicity+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="422" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdM95BSKL7J24bocEAJCWrSWkQzPa4ghZ9E92UamhnaEx6FvSa84mAKnbaKIil7tSY68jxSDCaG8BRgyT3PS4-smljit7oDy191uU8gD-ZvNowDmhfpKvRwhjRyGQ7dFen4n7WYVB6BGJq/s200/publicity+photo.JPG" width="190" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">Sherri Shackelford is an award-winning author
of inspirational, Christian romance novels for Harlequin/HarperCollins
Publishers. </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">A wife and mother of three, Sherri’s hobbies
include collecting mismatched socks, discovering new ways to avoid
cleaning, and standing in the middle of the room while thinking, “Why did I
just come in here?” A reformed pessimist and recent hopeful romantic, Sherri
has a passion for writing. She doesn't live on the prairie, but she can see the
plains from her house. Her books are fun and fast-paced, with plenty of heart
and soul. Look for her exciting new romantic suspense novel this fall!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">All stories have 'villains'. Are there any characteristics that make you more sympathetic towards a villain?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0px;">with love and prayers,</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MeganBesingWriter/" target="_blank">Megan Besing</a>Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-42624208245334039282018-02-05T02:00:00.000-08:002018-02-05T02:00:12.990-08:00Guest Post: Author Ann Shorey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5774jpsQVlFxQixo5DQC5Igt2q5JIw6jOUpx-mRyDngbX0OB66fi7pc1CD8HbwthF0yLI3fc3vTiHnmMoloX07GxiapXcY6ABUn1IZrsoj7dBuKb68Z1z-cKP5INC86hpsTi5etbZpNdi/s1600/Mail-Order+Brides+Blog+HopTour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="928" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5774jpsQVlFxQixo5DQC5Igt2q5JIw6jOUpx-mRyDngbX0OB66fi7pc1CD8HbwthF0yLI3fc3vTiHnmMoloX07GxiapXcY6ABUn1IZrsoj7dBuKb68Z1z-cKP5INC86hpsTi5etbZpNdi/s320/Mail-Order+Brides+Blog+HopTour.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">WHY WASHINGTON
TERRITORY?</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
Some of my readers know that I’ve
often used my family’s history as a source for inspiration in writing my
novels. For instance, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Edge of Light</i>
uses many details from the life of one of my great-great aunts. In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Promise of Morning, </i>I went to my
great-great grandparents’ lives for the storyline. The rest of my novels all
contain tiny bits of family lore as well.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The
takeaway here for new writers goes beyond “write what you know” to “write what
you can find out.” What I know isn’t always a whole lot, but with an inquiring
mind and a willingness to dig a little, I’ve learned that there is a world of
story material out there, waiting to be pressed into a manuscript.</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So,
moving forward to my most recent publication, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mail Order Brides Collection</i>
from Barbour Publishing— here’s a bit of background for my contribution,
“Miss-Delivered Mail.” </div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As
far as I know there are no mail-order brides in my family history, so that part
is fiction. But in “Miss-Delivered Mail,” the main character finds herself in
Washington Territory in the 1880’s, where she meets the Halliday family. I
chose this setting because the “Hallidays” in this novella are my
great-grandparents. They are not the main characters, but they play an
important role in the story. In real life, they homesteaded in eastern
Washington in the 1880’s, settling there in the Coulee breaks long before the
Grand Coulee Dam was ever imagined. Many of the descriptions of their lives and
surroundings come straight from my grandfather’s memoirs. </div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So,
now that you’re armed with insider information, I wish you happy reading! I
hope you’ll enjoy “Miss-Delivered Mail,” as well as the other eight excellent novellas
in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mail Order Brides Collection</i>. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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<u><span style="color: #000120;"><br /></span></u></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlvTL0aI536Tue-lI0lMgnIOJokzaNwHQJ4yeS8jpqIhQf3ICkgh865Vc-sqWm-RH0P9QQN_0gwhMiouXCnwZrgyX7TyLuDTswo9KPifUxVhPr29jvW83wc8zfOlYhdQDmjvF3LAs6RZ-/s1600/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlvTL0aI536Tue-lI0lMgnIOJokzaNwHQJ4yeS8jpqIhQf3ICkgh865Vc-sqWm-RH0P9QQN_0gwhMiouXCnwZrgyX7TyLuDTswo9KPifUxVhPr29jvW83wc8zfOlYhdQDmjvF3LAs6RZ-/s320/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" width="213" /></a>“Miss-Delivered Bride” by Ann
Shorey<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
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Helena Erickson impulsively
decides to take advantage of her brother’s deception and travels to Washington
Territory in response to a proposal of marriage intended for someone else.</div>
</span>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mail Order Brides
Collection </i>can be purchased from your local bookstore, or online at the
following sites:</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mail-Order-Brides-Collection-Historical-Marriage-ebook/dp/B074TXDL65/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1515607854&sr=1-3&keywords=The+Mail+Order+Brides+Collection" target="_blank">Amazon</a></span></div>
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<u><span style="color: #000120;"><br /></span></u></div>
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<span style="color: #000025;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-mail-order-brides-collection-megan-besing/1126627885?ean=9781683224440#/" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.christianbook.com/brides-collection-historical-stories-marriage-precedes/megan-besing/9781683224440/pd/224442?product_redirect=1&Ntt=224442&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank">Christian Book</a></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: blue;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4K02sUMzwELjuYfVRFJ8VdcwF4SaUnY_D1L-10txemIVyYoBbv81q92L7y2sMWPYgDkpY4YD1NJuo4PnSZqSlaHA9BPjeKNHPmk6vaT8PM_wNyTkf3QQ6J9tnHfCldV37no4KkvOs0xjY/s1600/Publicity+photos+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="293" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4K02sUMzwELjuYfVRFJ8VdcwF4SaUnY_D1L-10txemIVyYoBbv81q92L7y2sMWPYgDkpY4YD1NJuo4PnSZqSlaHA9BPjeKNHPmk6vaT8PM_wNyTkf3QQ6J9tnHfCldV37no4KkvOs0xjY/s320/Publicity+photos+2.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
ANN SHOREY is the author of the
At Home in Beldon Grove and Sisters at Heart series. She also has novellas
included in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sincerely Yours</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Oregon Trail Romance </i>collections.
Ann and her husband make their home in southwestern Oregon.</div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
She may be contacted through her
website, <a href="http://www.annshorey.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.annshorey.com</span></a>, or find her
on Facebook at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/AnnShorey"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.facebook.com/AnnShorey</span></a></div>
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Washington, another state I need to visit. What's your favorite thing about your state?</div>
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with love and prayers,</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="color: blue;"></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MeganBesingWriter/" target="_blank">Megan Besing</a>Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-34217374110959184952018-02-03T20:11:00.001-08:002018-02-03T20:11:19.434-08:00Guest Post: Author Michelle Shocklee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5774jpsQVlFxQixo5DQC5Igt2q5JIw6jOUpx-mRyDngbX0OB66fi7pc1CD8HbwthF0yLI3fc3vTiHnmMoloX07GxiapXcY6ABUn1IZrsoj7dBuKb68Z1z-cKP5INC86hpsTi5etbZpNdi/s1600/Mail-Order+Brides+Blog+HopTour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="928" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5774jpsQVlFxQixo5DQC5Igt2q5JIw6jOUpx-mRyDngbX0OB66fi7pc1CD8HbwthF0yLI3fc3vTiHnmMoloX07GxiapXcY6ABUn1IZrsoj7dBuKb68Z1z-cKP5INC86hpsTi5etbZpNdi/s320/Mail-Order+Brides+Blog+HopTour.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></h2>
<h2 style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Traveling West on the Santa Fe Trail</span></h2>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">By Michelle Shocklee</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To Heal Thy
Heart, </i>my novella in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Mail-Order
Brides Collection,</i> Phoebe Wagner travels from her home in Kansas City to
the rugged New Mexico Territory to meet the stranger she intends to marry. But
in 1866, train travel was not yet available in that part of the country, so
Phoebe—or any mail-order bride of that day—would have been left with little
choice. She must board a dusty, uncomfortable stagecoach for the 700-plus mile
journey that would take nearly two weeks, assuming they didn’t encounter problems
with the coach, the horses, or the weather. Luke, her intended groom, would
have paid approximately $250 for her fare, and the route she would have taken
is the famous Santa Fe Trail. </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">From 1821, the Santa Fe Trail served as a trade route
between the United States and Mexico. Settlers used it as well, often facing
terrifying situations including attacks from various Indian tribes, brutal
weather conditions, and swollen rivers. But like Luke and Phoebe, those early
settlers were willing to take the risks in order to be part of something new
and fresh and exciting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Growing up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I often heard
stories about the Santa Fe Trail. My family took many drives up the trail, now
a highway, passing the same tree-covered hills and grassy fields as those brave
pioneers. Even as a child my imagination ran wild, and I’d wonder about the
people who traveled in wagons whose wheel ruts are still visible in some places.
Who were they and what drove them to leave their homes and loved ones to come
to a wild, untamed land?</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Although Phoebe and Luke’s story is fiction, I would
not doubt that many mail-order brides took to the Santa Fe Trail in search of
true love. Did they find it?</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlvTL0aI536Tue-lI0lMgnIOJokzaNwHQJ4yeS8jpqIhQf3ICkgh865Vc-sqWm-RH0P9QQN_0gwhMiouXCnwZrgyX7TyLuDTswo9KPifUxVhPr29jvW83wc8zfOlYhdQDmjvF3LAs6RZ-/s1600/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlvTL0aI536Tue-lI0lMgnIOJokzaNwHQJ4yeS8jpqIhQf3ICkgh865Vc-sqWm-RH0P9QQN_0gwhMiouXCnwZrgyX7TyLuDTswo9KPifUxVhPr29jvW83wc8zfOlYhdQDmjvF3LAs6RZ-/s320/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">To Heal Thy Heart</span></i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"> by Michelle Shocklee</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><br />
<span style="background: white; margin: 0px;">1866, New Mexico</span><br />
<span style="background: white; margin: 0px;">When Phoebe Wagner answers a mail-order bride ad
that states Confederate widows need not apply, she worries what Dr. Luke
Preston will do when he learns her fiancé died wearing gray.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="background: white; margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Purchase
from your local bookseller or online at:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mail-Order-Brides-Collection-Historical-Marriage/dp/1683224442/ref=pd_ybh_a_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WT6X9D0B6ETRDGH42MHS" target="_blank">Amazon</a>:</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-mail-order-brides-collection-megan-besing/1126627885?ean=9781683224440#/" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>: </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Mail-Order-Brides-Collection/Megan-Besing/9781683224440?id=6797742722867#ReviewHeader" target="_blank">Books-A-Million:</a> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.christianbook.com/brides-collection-historical-stories-marriage-precedes/megan-besing/9781683224440/pd/224442?product_redirect=1&Ntt=224442&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank">Christian Book Distributors:</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGGVy_HL51eqmZ5XZw6qrRBm5F_NxpVUus2VjN_Eic64_EuzZYCiM95loBqHbnBsU8LqCMtlIEYXvL_s0ZMBlLEH196Sz1rKgOcs2CVBtJ4rPz-zn3XZJGq8ec7cQ3_qOfaNRzSuMc8gB/s1600/Michelle-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGGVy_HL51eqmZ5XZw6qrRBm5F_NxpVUus2VjN_Eic64_EuzZYCiM95loBqHbnBsU8LqCMtlIEYXvL_s0ZMBlLEH196Sz1rKgOcs2CVBtJ4rPz-zn3XZJGq8ec7cQ3_qOfaNRzSuMc8gB/s1600/Michelle-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGGVy_HL51eqmZ5XZw6qrRBm5F_NxpVUus2VjN_Eic64_EuzZYCiM95loBqHbnBsU8LqCMtlIEYXvL_s0ZMBlLEH196Sz1rKgOcs2CVBtJ4rPz-zn3XZJGq8ec7cQ3_qOfaNRzSuMc8gB/s320/Michelle-7.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGGVy_HL51eqmZ5XZw6qrRBm5F_NxpVUus2VjN_Eic64_EuzZYCiM95loBqHbnBsU8LqCMtlIEYXvL_s0ZMBlLEH196Sz1rKgOcs2CVBtJ4rPz-zn3XZJGq8ec7cQ3_qOfaNRzSuMc8gB/s1600/Michelle-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Michelle Shocklee is the author of </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Planters-Daughter-Michelle-Shocklee-ebook/dp/B01NCXI7UK/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Planter’s Daughter</span></span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">
and </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Widow-Rose-Hill-Michelle-Shocklee/dp/1946016403/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8"><span style="color: #0563c1;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The Widow of Rose Hill</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">,</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">
the first two books in the historical romance series <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Women of Rose Hill</b>. She has stories in numerous Chicken Soup
for the Soul books and writes an inspirational blog. With both her sons grown,
she and her husband of thirty-plus years enjoy poking around historical sites,
museums, and antique stores near their home in Tennessee. Connect with her at </span><a href="http://www.michelleshocklee.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">www.MichelleShocklee.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"> </span></div>
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I've yet to make it to the old <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.33px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Santa Fe Trail. Has anyone else been there?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 17.33px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">with love and prayers,</span></div>
</span></span>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><b></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MeganBesingWriter" target="_blank">Megan Besing</a>Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-52652269108896404452018-02-02T00:30:00.000-08:002018-02-02T00:30:24.634-08:00Guest Post: Author Donna Schlachter<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQcbBJqTXtrYR2KgJnOEA5PhUmIB_y0TzJOxWuZQs3H8AYbfbic7Ro0y7tkfvJJbIKLWRydhGojJ7U5D6EjBlZ0zrIS97JeQi9yUmVd3zwC2KJqx_BNu3iIDMsnNB0VM6HtfgHCTTXEgy/s1600/Mail-Order+Brides+Blog+HopTour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="928" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQcbBJqTXtrYR2KgJnOEA5PhUmIB_y0TzJOxWuZQs3H8AYbfbic7Ro0y7tkfvJJbIKLWRydhGojJ7U5D6EjBlZ0zrIS97JeQi9yUmVd3zwC2KJqx_BNu3iIDMsnNB0VM6HtfgHCTTXEgy/s400/Mail-Order+Brides+Blog+HopTour.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQcbBJqTXtrYR2KgJnOEA5PhUmIB_y0TzJOxWuZQs3H8AYbfbic7Ro0y7tkfvJJbIKLWRydhGojJ7U5D6EjBlZ0zrIS97JeQi9yUmVd3zwC2KJqx_BNu3iIDMsnNB0VM6HtfgHCTTXEgy/s1600/Mail-Order+Brides+Blog+HopTour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><h2>
</h2>
</a>The Story Behind the Story of the Heroine and the Hero in </h2>
<h2 style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<i>A Train Ride to Heartbreak </i></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">By Donna Schlachter</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Coming up with likeable yet flawed characters is always a
struggle. I find my first draft is usually full of perfect people who always
get it right, or else they are so flawed, nobody likes them. Then I have to go
back in and tell myself that nobody is this good and they need at least one
little thing they need to fix, or there’s no story. Or I have to temper all
their issues with at least one redeeming feature.</span></div>
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<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxpgFgGBd2_nK-vAR9kO_kmv5ByX0owB3OPFjqyFLAQ7cqJz_2Y_FxMTDqiuEudHAXg47vpYUNHEPCLC6vd9P2GwEXeULzmAhE8HmcK_4z8SsrnIiP5F0XKyI1rhTOCPh7phkBtJTN8mZ/s1600/Schlachter+DSCF1330_Donna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">For <b>Mary Johannson</b>, she had so many good traits—hard worker,
thinks of others before herself, obedient, loving—yet the scars on her neck and
arm from a fire she survived as a child constantly remind her that nobody could
possibly love her. The years in the orphanage fed that lie, as she was passed
over time and again for adoption. The opportunity to marry, sight unseen, seems
the answer to her problems. And even better, a covenant marriage for twelve
years or so, nothing expected except to raise this stranger’s children. Then
she would be free to go wherever she wanted. Not that she had anywhere to go.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">For <b>John Stewart</b>, he’s another good person that bad things
happened to. His wife died, leaving him with two young daughters to raise. He
has so many good traits, too—loving father, loving husband, industrious,
loyal—so why did God abandon him? Why didn’t the Almighty choose to answer his
prayers? And if not his, why not answer his wife’s? She loved God right to the
end. Convinced he will never love again, yet he knows he needs help with his
children. A covenant marriage seems perfect. No love. No intimacy. Just duty.
Kind of like his relationship with God.</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">These characters both believe a lie—Mary’s that nobody could
see past her scars, and John’s that he has had the one love of his life. We all
believe a lie about ourselves. It might have to do with our past, with our
present, or even with the bleak outlook for our future. What I hope readers
will take away about this story is that God is bigger than our past, bigger
than our mistakes, and has great plans for us.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1895, Train to California</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLABlPxcrGHoiW5BK9RgkjBef4qY9T2bzxwU0ct07EBa6L2D3tMRHCA6BhbmMO7TgEZxbWCaZ-aH9dKUokJSjblpwY-RkIz74YeTsKMPBToefSDOKI0dQXCJ4SAc6YUwUYp0T1PPEWmcb/s1600/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLABlPxcrGHoiW5BK9RgkjBef4qY9T2bzxwU0ct07EBa6L2D3tMRHCA6BhbmMO7TgEZxbWCaZ-aH9dKUokJSjblpwY-RkIz74YeTsKMPBToefSDOKI0dQXCJ4SAc6YUwUYp0T1PPEWmcb/s320/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2Cur1I4" target="_blank">Buy Link</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">John Stewart needs a wife. Mary
Johannson needs a home. On her way west, Mary falls in love with another. Now
both must choose between commitment and true love.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">October 1895</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLABlPxcrGHoiW5BK9RgkjBef4qY9T2bzxwU0ct07EBa6L2D3tMRHCA6BhbmMO7TgEZxbWCaZ-aH9dKUokJSjblpwY-RkIz74YeTsKMPBToefSDOKI0dQXCJ4SAc6YUwUYp0T1PPEWmcb/s1600/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mary Johannson</b>
has scars on her body that can’t compare with the scars on her heart. She is
alone in the world, with no family, no prospects, and no home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John Stewart</b> is
at his wit’s end. His wife of three years died in childbirth, leaving him with
a toddler and an infant, both girls. Theirs was the love of fairy tales, and
while he has no illusions about finding another like her, his children need a
mother. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Though separated by thousands of miles, they commit to a
mail-order marriage. But on their journey to Heartbreak, they meet another and
realize the life they’d planned would be a lie. Can they find their way back
from the precipice and into the love of God and each other, or are they
destined to keep their word and deny their heart?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxpgFgGBd2_nK-vAR9kO_kmv5ByX0owB3OPFjqyFLAQ7cqJz_2Y_FxMTDqiuEudHAXg47vpYUNHEPCLC6vd9P2GwEXeULzmAhE8HmcK_4z8SsrnIiP5F0XKyI1rhTOCPh7phkBtJTN8mZ/s1600/Schlachter+DSCF1330_Donna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: #0066cc; float: left; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1493" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxpgFgGBd2_nK-vAR9kO_kmv5ByX0owB3OPFjqyFLAQ7cqJz_2Y_FxMTDqiuEudHAXg47vpYUNHEPCLC6vd9P2GwEXeULzmAhE8HmcK_4z8SsrnIiP5F0XKyI1rhTOCPh7phkBtJTN8mZ/s320/Schlachter+DSCF1330_Donna.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DonnaSchlachterAuthor/?ref=hl" target="_blank">Donna </a>lives in Denver with husband Patrick, her first-line
editor and biggest fan. She writes historical suspense under her own name, and
contemporary suspense under her alter ego of Leeann Betts. She is a hybrid
author who has published a number of books under her pen name and under her own
name. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Sisters In
Crime; facilitates a local critique group, and teaches writing classes and
courses. Donna is also a ghostwriter and editor of fiction and non-fiction, and
judges in a number of writing contests. She loves history and research, and
travels extensively for both. <span style="margin: 0px;">Donna
is proud to be represented by Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary Management.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>So what do you think? What makes a good hero or heroine? </b></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">with love and prayers,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.meganbesing.com/" target="_blank">Megan Besing</a></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span>Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-69884479919026060522018-02-01T00:30:00.000-08:002018-02-01T00:30:06.717-08:00It's Celebration Day!<h3>
Things have been quiet on the blog, but I've been busy everywhere else counting down until TODAY...</h3>
<h2>
Because February 1, 2018 is RELEASE DAY!</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYukZFc4x-pmbZN_zKcfpMzyB4FIRHPMK9lyVbHKyU97tJhFHvIfO7D346s3HNCuWqZ13ebCXDAKC5tIDfUQlJYiz5PC5U963I1LpZwycQWW6JIAt5f7Ry3rvZ6DDF07xomX9_cBXgROn/s1600/Image4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="923" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYukZFc4x-pmbZN_zKcfpMzyB4FIRHPMK9lyVbHKyU97tJhFHvIfO7D346s3HNCuWqZ13ebCXDAKC5tIDfUQlJYiz5PC5U963I1LpZwycQWW6JIAt5f7Ry3rvZ6DDF07xomX9_cBXgROn/s320/Image4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLABlPxcrGHoiW5BK9RgkjBef4qY9T2bzxwU0ct07EBa6L2D3tMRHCA6BhbmMO7TgEZxbWCaZ-aH9dKUokJSjblpwY-RkIz74YeTsKMPBToefSDOKI0dQXCJ4SAc6YUwUYp0T1PPEWmcb/s1600/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLABlPxcrGHoiW5BK9RgkjBef4qY9T2bzxwU0ct07EBa6L2D3tMRHCA6BhbmMO7TgEZxbWCaZ-aH9dKUokJSjblpwY-RkIz74YeTsKMPBToefSDOKI0dQXCJ4SAc6YUwUYp0T1PPEWmcb/s1600/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="525" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLABlPxcrGHoiW5BK9RgkjBef4qY9T2bzxwU0ct07EBa6L2D3tMRHCA6BhbmMO7TgEZxbWCaZ-aH9dKUokJSjblpwY-RkIz74YeTsKMPBToefSDOKI0dQXCJ4SAc6YUwUYp0T1PPEWmcb/s400/9781683224440+Book+Cover+debute+web.jpg" width="266" /></a><br />
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<br />
My debut story,<i> Perfect for the Preacher</i>, is included in Barbour's <b><i>The Mail-Order Brides Collection.</i></b><br />
<b></b><i></i><br />
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It's available now at your local bookseller or online at:</div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mail-Order-Brides-Collection-Historical-Marriage/dp/1683224442/ref=pd_ybh_a_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WT6X9D0B6ETRDGH42MHS" target="_blank">Amazon </a></span><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-mail-order-brides-collection-megan-besing/1126627885?ean=9781683224440#/" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Mail-Order-Brides-Collection/Megan-Besing/9781683224440?id=6797742722867#ReviewHeader" target="_blank">Books-A-Million </a></span><span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></span></div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.christianbook.com/brides-collection-historical-stories-marriage-precedes/megan-besing/9781683224440/pd/224442?product_redirect=1&Ntt=224442&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank">Christian Book Distributors</a> </span></div>
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Over the next couple weeks, my blog will be apart of this collection's 'blog hop tour', where the authors (including me!) will be sharing inside info about our stories.</div>
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My Newsletter will be going out soon. Make sure you get in on the giveaways while you can. Each email holder will be put in for a chance at a prize. You can sign-up <a href="https://www.meganbesing.com/newsletter" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><br />
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<b>The Mail-Order troupe was such fun to create a story in. What are some of your favorite kinds of books to read? </b></div>
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with love and prayers,</div>
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<b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MeganBesingWriter" target="_blank">Megan Besing</a><strike><br /></strike></b></div>
<strike></strike><br />Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-61519114360648193002017-07-13T11:06:00.000-07:002017-07-13T11:06:29.853-07:00Guest Blogger Link: Shame on Shanty<div style="text-align: center;">
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I had the awesome opportunity to be a guest blogger over at</div>
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<i><b>Shame on Shanty:</b></i> </div>
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"a safe place to discuss shame, insecurity, and all those other mixed-up feelings." </div>
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To see my full (heartfelt, raw, this-is-me) post, click on the link below.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWfc9Np76KPhdslR1wKrcCffzgHzzjbd7bbAfRFd_BNITN2PPiwtmM1kWn8pmcVSW7uzXVbmYJrYvqWy_b4TY42rzFctI97I6B6sejF-VLOWLxeuva4fCBSc-7rMaZYCUx2OO83QKzsPx/s1600/cdf80b680132a7535f13ae61c5e9f856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWfc9Np76KPhdslR1wKrcCffzgHzzjbd7bbAfRFd_BNITN2PPiwtmM1kWn8pmcVSW7uzXVbmYJrYvqWy_b4TY42rzFctI97I6B6sejF-VLOWLxeuva4fCBSc-7rMaZYCUx2OO83QKzsPx/s400/cdf80b680132a7535f13ae61c5e9f856.jpg" title="https://shameonshanty.com/pregnancy-test-negative/" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://shameonshanty.com/pregnancy-test-negative/" target="_blank">https://shameonshanty.com/pregnancy-test-negative/</a></div>
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What makes you feel ashamed or insecure?</div>
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with love and prayers,</div>
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Megan Besing</div>
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<span id="goog_672750142"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_672750143"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPIrBqaZoZU1yjfNOODZzZovBnB1NbOUUqIyXdKix_3JvjJSUUPWRy-OpKLKhY9hr8_XbIUBSaBygKIeFD1sh2l_F0Wzet5GXF7rUait1A0FVJuQ8hoSA2eFkXDkOLMrrWuC4m1R2S3ji/s1600/Logo80-Megan+BesingTRUST.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="https://www.meganbesing.com/" border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="846" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPIrBqaZoZU1yjfNOODZzZovBnB1NbOUUqIyXdKix_3JvjJSUUPWRy-OpKLKhY9hr8_XbIUBSaBygKIeFD1sh2l_F0Wzet5GXF7rUait1A0FVJuQ8hoSA2eFkXDkOLMrrWuC4m1R2S3ji/s320/Logo80-Megan+BesingTRUST.jpg" title="https://www.meganbesing.com/" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-28839152504248789192016-08-24T04:00:00.000-07:002016-08-24T04:00:12.658-07:00Worthy Wednesday: Waiting.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span data-dobid="hdw"><b><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Wait&rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&oq=Wait&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j0l5.752j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8" target="_blank">wait</a></b></span></div>
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stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens.</div>
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<div class="lr_dct_sf_h" style="padding-top: 10px;">
<i>noun</i></div>
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<strong>1</strong>.</div>
<div style="margin-left: 20px;">
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<span style="font-weight: lighter;">a period of</span><b> waiting.</b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Waiting
to become a mother is…hard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Waiting
for them to sleep through the entire night is…hard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Waiting
for an adoption to be finalized is…hard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Waiting
to hear their first words is…hard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Waiting
for them to walk is…hard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Waiting
for them to be potty trained is…hard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Waiting
for them to make it through the day without asking 1.325 million questions
is…hard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Waiting
for them to hit their 1<sup>st</sup> ball from the pitching machine is…hard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Waiting
for the them to complete a chore without complaining is…hard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Waiting
for them to heal when they’re hurt is…hard<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Waiting
to see how their first day of school went
is…HARD.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tviX5ioObJsF7jZBPp7jIhvpa6KAmU2d1Dc48-4bFl75cJH6d8ME4zqL5-3RAYA6XaIdKCL49L7JjSoTrRMl0z787IcIcup6XeO0EH5ZrepR8-Ty-IP-xvPdU21l_AfnieaPQe2_WwfZ/s1600/_DSC8871back2school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tviX5ioObJsF7jZBPp7jIhvpa6KAmU2d1Dc48-4bFl75cJH6d8ME4zqL5-3RAYA6XaIdKCL49L7JjSoTrRMl0z787IcIcup6XeO0EH5ZrepR8-Ty-IP-xvPdU21l_AfnieaPQe2_WwfZ/s320/_DSC8871back2school.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Motherhood
is hard</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Life is hard.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>But it's worth it!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Enjoy
every season.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Even
the season of…waiting.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There
is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.</span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ecclesiastes
3:1 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What season of life do you find yourself in?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">with love and prayers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times new roman, serif;">Megan Besing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times new roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.meganbesing.com/">www.meganbesing.com</a></span><br />
<br />
P.S.<br />
This Mom was <b>So Not</b> ready for school to start again!<br />
I'm already <i>waiting</i> on summertime to arrive. :)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<b>Wait.</b></div>
<table class="vk_tbl vk_gy" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; color: #878787; text-align: justify;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="lr_dct_nyms_ttl" style="font-style: italic; padding: 0px 3px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top; white-space: nowrap;">synonyms:</td><td style="padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black;"><a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIOTAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+delay&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIOTAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">delay</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIOjAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+holdup&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIOjAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">holdup</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIOzAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+interval&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIOzAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">interval</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIPDAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+interlude&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIPDAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">interlude</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIPTAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+intermission&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIPTAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">intermission</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIPjAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+pause&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIPjAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">pause</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIPzAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+break&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIPzAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">break</a>,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIQDAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+stay&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIQDAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">stay</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIQTAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+cessation&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIQTAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">cessation</a>,<a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIQjAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+suspension&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIQjAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">suspension</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIQzAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+stoppage&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIQzAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">stoppage</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIRDAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+halt&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIRDAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">halt</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIRTAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+interruption&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIRTAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">interruption</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIRjAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+lull&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIRjAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">lull</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIRzAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+respite&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoIRzAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">respite</a>,</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoISDAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+recess&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoISDAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">recess</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoISTAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+moratorium&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoISTAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">moratorium</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoISjAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+hiatus&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoISjAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">hiatus</a>, <a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoISzAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+gap&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoISzAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">gap</a>,<a data-ved="0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoITDAA" href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1OPRB_enUS519US520&q=define+rest&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_z9X_1NfOAhVCVyYKHbxACy0Q_SoITDAA" style="cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">rest</a>...</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Are you waiting on anything today? Can I help you pray about it?</span></div>
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Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-70860679464954871022015-11-11T12:11:00.000-08:002015-11-11T12:11:06.937-08:00Letters from Home. Me and my Veteran.<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfp3ML6GGwUNpsB2Tt7-diLhyphenhyphenM2kyfs3rT3scFwtLGzd4LgdSzQs7wU_wNUOExoWV6UB7n4682hO4XI2Zt9vWQATdT5KDZLnIayr47aHGJi1G8FaNF74laXgUg7PynU2gNFwyLnYdjCHm/s1600/DSC05613-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfp3ML6GGwUNpsB2Tt7-diLhyphenhyphenM2kyfs3rT3scFwtLGzd4LgdSzQs7wU_wNUOExoWV6UB7n4682hO4XI2Zt9vWQATdT5KDZLnIayr47aHGJi1G8FaNF74laXgUg7PynU2gNFwyLnYdjCHm/s320/DSC05613-web.jpg" width="212" /></a>My husband’s not one to be caught jamming out at a stop
light. Those proud moments belong to me. But in the rare opportunity that <a href="https://youtu.be/X75sVw0xH2c?t=5s" target="_blank"><i>Letters from</i> </a><i><a href="https://youtu.be/X75sVw0xH2c?t=5s" target="_blank">Home</a> </i>by John Michael Montgomery happens to come on the radio, he’ll
sing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My heart will race and I’ll stare out the window, biting my
cheek in hopes I can prevent mascara from running down my face. See, those words bring memories. How can a song go beyond simple words and feel more like an anthem?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Probably because for several years: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>It Was Our Anthem.</b></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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My husband spent many years in the active army and a few in the
reserves. Like most military families, we hopped from station to station,
spending more of our time apart than together.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Letters from war and letters from home were a staple in our
early marriage. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYnH_y67XDng6uCsugfMAj56d0-tFNRFo8hcpUyJ2UkvCOp5LJBO1o31CNovX5t1mSwoWCYE6oy1pSAW1MRYbgSuFHfrrqAMe16jJVpRVLq6z0TWzq9INoNcfDY1BiFourIgKlW6vjxLw/s1600/DSC05614-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYnH_y67XDng6uCsugfMAj56d0-tFNRFo8hcpUyJ2UkvCOp5LJBO1o31CNovX5t1mSwoWCYE6oy1pSAW1MRYbgSuFHfrrqAMe16jJVpRVLq6z0TWzq9INoNcfDY1BiFourIgKlW6vjxLw/s320/DSC05614-web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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Not remembering much of our military family life, our
daughter asked last night why Daddy deserved to have a day off for Veteran’s Day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Honey, Daddy deserves so much more than one day for having
to go to war for so long and so often.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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She nodded, but I could tell she still didn’t understand. Not
really. Because to her the word ‘war’ wasn’t anything her young mind could wrap
around. And for that I am so thankful. <o:p></o:p></div>
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How many children around the world live in daily fear of combat,
death, bombs?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>Yes, my husband has missed so much:</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Births.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Adoption Placements.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Christmases.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanksgivings.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRmp5mFwKWcgXzempb_Vkmr5WHORDzjbtPsPxu_sZfximncY4fyypkOpUsC0s5VdqMcyglgKEf8xyom_fzYySetsUxH4sgXxW3f2-XxbqaUSDKObSyQxiZmKZjFTNFm11eK-nkXmvoNMU/s1600/DSC05616-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRmp5mFwKWcgXzempb_Vkmr5WHORDzjbtPsPxu_sZfximncY4fyypkOpUsC0s5VdqMcyglgKEf8xyom_fzYySetsUxH4sgXxW3f2-XxbqaUSDKObSyQxiZmKZjFTNFm11eK-nkXmvoNMU/s320/DSC05616-web.jpg" width="320" /></a>Birthdays.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anniversaries.<o:p></o:p></div>
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First of so many baby stages.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Last moments with loved ones.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Seasons.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Home cooked meals.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Cool weather.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Hugs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kisses.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sleep.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Showers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Time…….</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
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All of which can never be repaid by any sum of hazardous-duty-pay.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However…<o:p></o:p></div>
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Without his sacrifice. My brother’s. My cousin’s. My
cousin-in-law’s. My Papaw’s. My Grandpa’s. His Grandpa’s. Uncle’s. Our friend’s.
Without the dedication of all our military personal (and their families!!!), where
would we be as a Nation? What protections and freedoms would our children even
have if not for them?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Our Veterans.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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During each of my husband’s deployments, I’d choose a verse.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One to memorize.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One to hang everywhere.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One to repeat as I tried to hold everything together on the
homefront all the while trying to encourage my soldier oceans away through the
variety of stages of wartime.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggM9rZ3e1Xf19P7BvTbPEwt94CIrJIQ2iAdTr8quhidMmc6OF008gQ6l7yCWaNaIheInBeaKfRJrG-82SSZuUXz0_ZekdVWKGPQLjeQ_z3wBqRNq-ptmtAKQmZKC-RDMmET23gVS_O6yS3/s1600/_DSC5031-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggM9rZ3e1Xf19P7BvTbPEwt94CIrJIQ2iAdTr8quhidMmc6OF008gQ6l7yCWaNaIheInBeaKfRJrG-82SSZuUXz0_ZekdVWKGPQLjeQ_z3wBqRNq-ptmtAKQmZKC-RDMmET23gVS_O6yS3/s320/_DSC5031-web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
On his last tour, I chose:<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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To be honest, some of those words are brutal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sure, <i>pray continually</i>
wasn’t too hard to accomplish, since I was constantly asking God to protect my
loved one. But the <i>be joyful</i> part of
the verse was a bit more daunting, and the final part about <i>giving thanks in all circumstances</i>…that
did not come naturally.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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After the heat of the moment, I saw things to be thankful
for that came as a result of deployments.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I realized that TIME is a precious, precious gift.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I learned to dig deeper, harder, more into the Word. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I watched how God used hazardous-duty-pay and turned it into
debt free adoption.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I learned how to wait.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That hugs, phone calls, letters matter so much more than
material things. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I learned how not to take my spouse for granted.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Do I wish for long months away from him ever again—NO!
But we don’t always get a say in what happens in our lives. I hope and pray during life's storms and seasons of war that we’ll be able to lean on the One who holds tomorrow, and
truly be able to find something to be grateful for.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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Today, I’m thankful for all the veterans. They deserve so
much more than a day. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>What are you thankful for today?</b></div>
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with love and prayers,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Megan Besing</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.meganbesing.com/">www.meganbesing.com</a></div>
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart</div>
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and lean not on your own understanding;</div>
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Proverbs 3:5 </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-79428034378193715122015-10-17T05:03:00.000-07:002015-10-18T06:54:15.209-07:00Special Saturday: Called2Speak<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What we have here is a
failure to….”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Ever heard that <i>Cool
Hand Luke</i> movie quote? Can you finish the line?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I have the </span><span style="line-height: 32px;">privilege</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> of
being a part of a blog hop #Called2Speak, one in which we’re
suppose to talk about topics that are precious to us. Ones we feel led to speak
about in celebration of </span><span style="line-height: 32px;">author</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><a href="http://nadinebrandes.com/" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;" target="_blank">Nadine Brandes'</a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> newest release: </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><a href="http://nadinebrandes.com/series/out-of-time-series/" target="_blank">A Time to Speak. </a></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZP6wGQYQ9ZZhtIgTHrWHLWgZpuJiCMGEe8g2pEWIMjEj_M5BScs0fESqo9Qr9UQzcl1G-mqqq8qfIjZAjCzxQzcBVm7HiDVPrrNSgizotVpYm5fi9deI2P0h9gh1MmWdf0YiQxx4_Xe6W/s1600/Hashtag-Called2Speak-1-300x226-Mine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZP6wGQYQ9ZZhtIgTHrWHLWgZpuJiCMGEe8g2pEWIMjEj_M5BScs0fESqo9Qr9UQzcl1G-mqqq8qfIjZAjCzxQzcBVm7HiDVPrrNSgizotVpYm5fi9deI2P0h9gh1MmWdf0YiQxx4_Xe6W/s1600/Hashtag-Called2Speak-1-300x226-Mine.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">This seemed an
easy task. I have many soapboxes lying around. Ones I stand on every now again.
Many <span style="background-color: white;">passions</span> near and dear to my heart, my life, my family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><b>But the word FAILURE
kept repeating itself.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">To be honest, it baffled me at first. Failure isn’t a word I like to speak about, because hello, I prefer to hide all those such things, thank you very much. They’re
ugly, yucky, and let’s face it, they don’t bring good memories. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><b>Except we all have
failures…</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Sooo, <strike>inhales a deep breathe </strike> today, I will speak out against one of mine. B<strike>ecause if I didn't choose just one this post would go on forever.</strike> To continue that <i>Cool Hand Luke</i> movie quote from above...</span></div>
<h3 style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I have "...a failure to communicate."</span></h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzwlb4iG37d2r-nI15x58abaPz_PYmgStlgP30VNnqq1Xu91P5tqi90GheRq7vGbrb6tzMUu5xFUKl71BZuITvjd0Qp3UC7zRloqbuEYTog7aiY7Gg_sguL_gwdDucW4tGK67AEcoBxYE/s1600/DSC05058-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTzwlb4iG37d2r-nI15x58abaPz_PYmgStlgP30VNnqq1Xu91P5tqi90GheRq7vGbrb6tzMUu5xFUKl71BZuITvjd0Qp3UC7zRloqbuEYTog7aiY7Gg_sguL_gwdDucW4tGK67AEcoBxYE/s200/DSC05058-web.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of my handy-dandy prayer journals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I keep these
handy-dandy prayer notebooks. (Anyone Else?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I write scripture
there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Keep track of my different
readings there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">A place where I
record my requests and thoughts to God. PRAYERS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">If someone comes </span><span style="line-height: 32px;">across</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> my notebooks <strike>because I don't know where I put them al</strike>l and reads my daily entries, one request they'll eventually find, in some shape of form, is
the request:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><i>Lord, show me
when/how/where to share You with/to someone.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And just like the movie
quote: “If you build it they will come.” (Field of Dreams)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">If you pray
it—opportunities will come. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Truly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Sometimes I don’t
realize an opportunity until after it has past.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Sometimes words immediately spew
from my mouth during said given opportunities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Sometimes my heart
starts thumping rapidly, my breathing is tight, and I know--really, truly know, that God seems to be saying,
“Here is that moment you prayed for this morning. Right here. Right now. Talk
to the cashier--yes, her, about why that comment she mentioned can’t be true. Point her to ME.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And sometimes I listen.
Sometimes I obey. Sometimes I share my Savior with the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">BUT.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Sometimes I don’t. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I don’t open my mouth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I don’t listen to the
nudge on my heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I don’t share the Good News.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I choose to ignore the
opportunity that I <i>purposely</i> prayed for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">And for whatever excuse
I give myself at the time, I keep my lamp hidden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I <b>hate</b> those moments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Because in those
moments: </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;">I FAIL.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent">
And lately it seemed God has been providing me opportunity
after opportunity to loudly stand up for Him. And you know what?</div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I. Was. Not. Loud.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I've failed more times than I wish to
relive. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Romans 3:23 says we all fail. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">We ALL HAVE FAILED. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-align: center;">And that sucks!</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">But you know what doesn’t? </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Forgiveness. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Mercy. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">New Life. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysfBtdm69XqvH-hpSppGbKzUDDVlr_Ld8HQSQuHOGZzNQ4UTi-kSQYO4iSx3EtIuymQJYd0zIUuOFqB14BHCyZwcy2TVyhnv8Mz4WmR5fVu-Kla1G6ARwdqSgP1ED-0OKZMdbDyqqh-du/s1600/DSC05064web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysfBtdm69XqvH-hpSppGbKzUDDVlr_Ld8HQSQuHOGZzNQ4UTi-kSQYO4iSx3EtIuymQJYd0zIUuOFqB14BHCyZwcy2TVyhnv8Mz4WmR5fVu-Kla1G6ARwdqSgP1ED-0OKZMdbDyqqh-du/s400/DSC05064web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">After I repent of my failure(s). My
pride. My missed priorities, it’s funny how quickly “I’m back in the game.” (<i>10
Things I Hate About You</i>.) </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">And another day, another moment, another opportunity
comes knocking—<strike>literally someone knocked on my door this past week</strike>. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">And
you know what? I chose correctly: </span><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I was loud for my Savior. </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Don’t be afraid, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“Never give up. Never Surrender.”(<i>Galaxy Quest</i>) of your failures, past sins, or missed opportunities. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">God never expected us to be perfect. Romans 5:8 says He loved us while we were still sinners. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Give God your failures, a</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">nd "Just keep swimming." (</span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Finding Nemo</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 200%;">Failures will come. It's what you do afterwards that matters.</b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><a href="http://ctt.ec/5NQ41" target="_blank">(tweet this)</a></div>
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I'm #called2speak about #failures. Check out what Parvin's called to speak about in <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><i>A Time to Speak </i>by Nadine Brandes.</span></div>
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<a href="http://nadinebrandes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ATimetoSpeak5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://nadinebrandes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/ATimetoSpeak5.jpg" height="200" width="129" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin-left: 1.25in; text-align: center;">
<em style="line-height: 200%;"><b><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #0f2105; font-family: Didot; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-language: #0400; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">What happens when you live longer than you wanted
to? </span></b></em></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #0f2105; font-family: Didot; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-language: #0400; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Parvin Blackwater wanted to die, but now she’s being
called to be a leader. The only problem is, no one wants to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: Didot; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-language: #0400; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">The Council uses Jude’s Clock-matching invention to
force “new-and-improved” Clocks on the public. Those who can’t afford one are
packed into boxcars like cattle and used for the Council’s purposes.<o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: Didot; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-language: #0400; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;">Parvin and Hawke find themselves on a cargo ship of
Radicals headed out to sea. What will the Council do to them? And why are
people suddenly dying before their Clocks have zeroed-out?</span></em><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Didot; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-language: #0400;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<em><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #333333; font-family: Didot; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-language: #0400; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Didot;">Doesn't that sound intriguing? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Didot;">What's even awesomer: A chance to win said intriguing book: </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/7c244e3116/" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Didot; letter-spacing: -0.5pt;">http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/7c244e3116/</a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Didot; letter-spacing: -0.5pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Didot; letter-spacing: -.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: #0400;"><a class="rcptr"
href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/7c244e3116/"
rel="nofollow" data-raflid="7c244e3116"
data-theme="classic" data-template=""
id="rcwidget_ke9df2ya">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Didot; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: #0400; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><script
src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Didot; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: #0400; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Didot; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: #0400; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">You can learn more about Nadine and Parvin <a href="http://nadinebrandes.com/" target="_blank">here</a>, including when the facebook party is. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Didot; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: #0400; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Didot; font-size: 12.0pt; letter-spacing: -.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: #0400; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">If you enjoyed my #Called2Speak post, check out the others on the blog hop.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0f2105; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5em;">9.28.15 – </span><a href="https://newauthors.wordpress.com/2015/09/28/called-2-speak-profession-and-vocation/" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Gretchen Engel</a></div>
<h6 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: none; color: #444444; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
9.30.15 – <a href="http://nadinebrandes.com/blog" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Nadine Brandes</a></h6>
<h6 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: none; color: #444444; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
10.01.15 – <a href="http://www.jasoncjoyner.com/blog" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Jason Joyner</a></h6>
<h6 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: none; color: #444444; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
10.05.15 – <a href="https://newauthors.wordpress.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Gretchen Engel (part 2)</a></h6>
<h6 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: none; color: #444444; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
10.06.15 – <a href="http://triciamingerink.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Tricia Mingerink</a></h6>
<h6 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: none; color: #444444; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
10.08.15 – <a href="https://thescriblerians.wordpress.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Gretchen Engel</a> (Scriblerians)</h6>
<h6 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: none; color: #444444; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
10.09.15 – <a href="http://www.eahendryx.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Emilie Hendryx</a></h6>
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10.11.15 – <a href="http://www.janeenippolito.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Janeen Ippolito</a></h6>
<h6 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: none; color: #444444; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
10.12.15 – <a href="http://zacharytotah.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Zachary D Totah</a></h6>
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10.14.15 – <a href="http://brittanymarievalentine.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Brittany Valentine</a></h6>
<h6 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: none; color: #444444; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
10.15.15 – <a href="https://speculatethat.wordpress.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Andrew Swearingen</a></h6>
<h6 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: none; color: #444444; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
10.17.15 – <a href="http://www.meganbesing.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Megan Besing</a></h6>
<h6 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: none; color: #444444; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
10.19.15 – <a href="http://angelroman.org/" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Angel Roman</a></h6>
<h6 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: none; color: #444444; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
10.20.15 – <a href="http://www.charlesfranklinauthor.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Charles Franklin</a></h6>
<h6 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: none; color: #444444; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
10.21.15 – <a href="http://www.lisagodfrees.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lisa Godfrees</a></h6>
<h6 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: none; color: #444444; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="http://shantellemaryh.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">10.23.15 – Shantelle Hannu</a></h6>
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10.27.15 – <a href="http://www.nataliewalters.wordpress.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Natalie Walters</a></h6>
<h6 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: none; color: #444444; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
10.29.15 – <a href="http://theartistlibrarian.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Artist Librarian</a></h6>
<h6 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: none; color: #444444; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
11.02.15 – <a href="http://rosalievalentine.wordpress.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Rosalie Valentine</a></h6>
<h6 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: none; color: #444444; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
11.17.15 – <a href="http://mandyfender.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #bf4d28; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Amanda Fender</a></h6>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What are you #Called2Speak about?</span></h6>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: none; color: #444444; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;">with love and prayers,</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: none; color: #444444; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
Megan Besing<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">www.meganbesing.com</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Trust in the Lord with all your heart </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)</span></div>
</div>
Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-24526298048675961442015-09-23T11:17:00.001-07:002015-09-23T11:35:00.514-07:00Worthy Wednesday: Expectantly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpB7q5q1n4h-4YY-qv6rmwoUJV1dWoZ17MtZDAX972VagwSNlcL2_AqaZMICVN8qr2I5oHYS_fhIARgrifbKCsyVfMot3Zrgn-8_3HgjfcIw1WFpsZp29JJ4A8Pk6MvFZUrOPUa4DIShNR/s1600/Psalm+5.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpB7q5q1n4h-4YY-qv6rmwoUJV1dWoZ17MtZDAX972VagwSNlcL2_AqaZMICVN8qr2I5oHYS_fhIARgrifbKCsyVfMot3Zrgn-8_3HgjfcIw1WFpsZp29JJ4A8Pk6MvFZUrOPUa4DIShNR/s400/Psalm+5.3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The day began like any other morning…until I looked outside.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>The lake.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The fog.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>The sunrise.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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True Beauty. A breathtaking scene that only God could create.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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A whimsy mist clung to the lake’s surface and yet a portion
of it floated as if its sole purpose was to taste the sunshine rising behind
the trees.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I grabbed my camera,
stepped into my rubber boots, and rushed to capture the moment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But truth be told,
the photos didn’t give the live view justice. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Psalm 5:3 the New
International Version says:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>In the morning, Lord,
you hear my voice;<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b> in the morning I lay my requests before you<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b> and wait expectantly.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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EXPECTANTLY.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Every morning, I
expect the sun to rise.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Every evening, I
expect the sun to set.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Ps 5:3, James 1:6, and Mk 11:24 tell us when we
pray we should expect an answer. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">A beautiful song by <a href="https://www.jeremycamp.com/" target="_blank">Jeremy Camp</a>. (<a href="https://youtu.be/fqYd3dXY2M8?t=10s" target="_blank">Listen here</a>) says:</span> </h1>
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“In the morning, when
I rise<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the morning, when
I rise</div>
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<b>Give me Jesus</b>”</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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My prayer is that
every morning I’ll run to Jesus like I ran to the lake, </div>
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that I will earnestly seek, pray, and
wait—expectantly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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What are you praying
for today? <o:p></o:p></div>
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with love and prayers,</div>
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Megan Besing</div>
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<a href="http://www.meganbesing.com/">www.meganbesing.com</a> </div>
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Trust in in the Lord with all your heart</div>
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and lean not on your own understanding; </div>
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Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)</div>
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If you enjoyed this post, or if you have any haters in your life...<a href="http://meganbesing.blogspot.com/2014/04/through-our-weaknesses-and-dealing-with.html" target="_blank">this</a> may be for you.</div>
Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-77026109491470813152015-09-19T00:30:00.000-07:002015-09-19T00:30:00.473-07:00Special Saturday: International Talk Like A Pirate Day, with a chance to win a KINDLE FIRE!<br />
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<img alt="TalkLike a PirateDay Shareable" height="459" src="http://serenachase.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/TalkLike-a-PirateDay-Shareable.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<br />Seriously, it's a real day! (So I've been told.)<br />If you haven't heard of <a href="http://serenachase.com/about-serena-2/">Serena Chase</a> and her awesome <a href="http://serenachase.com/books-2/">books</a>, </h3>
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here's your chance to win a Kindle Fire with all of the series--talk about a steal!</h3>
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<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1c2eb39e35/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="1c2eb39e35" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_ya0uwemj">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 24px;"><br />Additionally, the first three books in the Eyes of E'veria series will be on sale for Kindle<br />for only $2.99 each!<br /><br />*<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_830748143" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">midnight to midnight</span></span>*<br />*<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_830748144" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">September 19</span></span> ONLY*</strong></div>
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Good Luck!</div>
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with love and prayers,</div>
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<a href="http://www.meganbesing.com/" target="_blank">Megan Besing</a></div>
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart</div>
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and lean not on your own understanding;</div>
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Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)</div>
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Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-80317819780461386922015-09-09T13:47:00.001-07:002015-09-09T13:52:24.480-07:00Worthy Wednesday: Harvest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQcZQ90c9mAaezustwaI9TE3TbbeF6ZA3dH69n5Eoi39PZL721o98CnT_s4dsnmdJMqHxzyP5LxR2bG7eJMidSfHNE3EvGj5jdosLgWQzxJNQdpq9DAY0acBnMrpzVX-AFwJYPWR5BjHU/s1600/DSC02992harvest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQcZQ90c9mAaezustwaI9TE3TbbeF6ZA3dH69n5Eoi39PZL721o98CnT_s4dsnmdJMqHxzyP5LxR2bG7eJMidSfHNE3EvGj5jdosLgWQzxJNQdpq9DAY0acBnMrpzVX-AFwJYPWR5BjHU/s400/DSC02992harvest.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>It all starts tonight.</b></div>
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Or rather, restarts. </div>
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Our church's wednesday night youth program begins once again </div>
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and will run throughout the school year.</div>
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Kids are bussed in. </div>
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There's songs, snacks, smiles, </div>
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and hopefully...</div>
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<b>a whole lot of learning about Jesus going on.</b></div>
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We play some basketball.</div>
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Give hugs.</div>
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Watch little eyes fill with tears as they share how Mommy and Daddy aren't living together anymore.</div>
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Encourage prayers, even when it's about a scratch on their second cousin's left elbow that more than likely healed about a year ago.</div>
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Do a few cartwheels.</div>
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Help them locate each scripture.</div>
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Repeat the same verse over and over in hopes that they may know it and apply it.</div>
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Open the Bible and teach the Truth.</div>
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Tell them that Jesus loves them.</div>
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To be honest when I get home...I'm tired.</div>
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And sometimes I think about stopping, because (enter any excuse here).</div>
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Somehow by the next week, I'm ready for more.</div>
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Why?</div>
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<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+9&version=NIV" target="_blank"><b>Then he said to his disciples, </b></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+9&version=NIV" target="_blank"><b>“The <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">harvest</span> is plentiful but the workers are few." </b></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+9&version=NIV" target="_blank"><b>Matthew 9:37 NIV</b></a></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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Where we live in Indiana, cornfields are a common sight. </div>
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And soybeans fields.</div>
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And wheatfields.</div>
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Crops in general are everywhere!</div>
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Come harvest time, it's amazing how much <b>one </b>farmer and <b>one</b> combine can get done in a day.</div>
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I'm just one.</div>
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You're just one.</div>
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But together we're two.</div>
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<b>Just think about what we can get done together.</b></div>
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My 'field' is in a small church, in a small town, with a small group of kids. </div>
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And it will continue to be the place I 'work'--even when I'm tired. Even when I'm busy. Even when...until the Lord tells me where to go next. Because I have some Good News, and the world needs to hear it.</div>
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What field(s) is He calling you to harvest?<br />
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with love and prayers,<br />
<a href="http://www.meganbesing.com/" target="_blank">Megan Besing</a><br />
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;<br />
Proverbs 3:5 NIV<br />
<a href="http://www.meganbesing.com/">www.meganbesing.com</a> </div>
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<br />Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-54075059970909889882015-08-19T12:29:00.001-07:002015-08-19T12:32:43.880-07:00Worthy Wednesday: Rescue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.meganbesing.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3q3ebU4wIgDOCzksY3_nxiN2FTAntH-710JWQE6bLf3H3g6bfkgQpSqNDKcmqqCUVYgjBQYAl8ZFQYZlkBusfpFgd72bsYJo9kByq47CxN6osay87Kr64YKLY-8IpiW91OlZ81u5nePao/s640/DSC02095-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.meganbesing.com/" target="_blank">This Scripture photo can be shared and printed free here.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Through the waves and currents of life, </h3>
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our Life Guard is always on duty.</h3>
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<br />Have you called out to Him today?</h3>
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with love and prayers,</div>
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Megan Besing</div>
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5 NIV</div>
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<a href="http://www.meganbesing.com/">www.meganbesing.com </a></div>
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<br />Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-48087163699186574872015-07-08T10:27:00.001-07:002015-07-08T10:27:35.359-07:00Worthy Wednesday: Brevity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whether it is in <b>days</b>, <b>weeks</b>, or even <b>years</b>, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m usually
looking ahead, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">waiting for a circled date on my calendar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This in and of its self isn’t a bad thing, after all, time doesn’t
move backwards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>But…</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We must be careful. Sometimes we’re so busy worrying,
wondering, daydreaming about what the tomorrows may bring that we forget to
live in the present—the now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the 90<sup>th</sup> Psalm, Moses’ prayer exposes the
truth: that our life is limited, but God, thankfully, sits above time. He’s
blessed us with moments here on earth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let’s make the most of this gift.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because our<b> life</b>, our time: it’s <b>fleeting</b>.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are you doing with it?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Lord, may we live each day to bring You glory.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with love and prayers,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Megan Besing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.meganbesing.com/">www.meganbesing.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trust in the Lord with all your heart, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and lean not on your own understanding; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Proverbs 3:5 NIV</span></div>
Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-76782762593889874222015-06-03T13:56:00.000-07:002015-06-03T14:17:38.129-07:00Worthy Wednesday: Eternal<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTWQiZT4vr7kob0u0HQmp1ZrXlQh-Pv9pBDmvZ5b8vq0KzCou-8qErSRGjMlTapXYpT-Creo43rHERg0W-jyz9VKf1EjhRgY6mn0VXGaohTEeBxzKmo9UBMuSOU5Yoa1cVVD1z507lqaH/s1600/_DSC5117-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTWQiZT4vr7kob0u0HQmp1ZrXlQh-Pv9pBDmvZ5b8vq0KzCou-8qErSRGjMlTapXYpT-Creo43rHERg0W-jyz9VKf1EjhRgY6mn0VXGaohTEeBxzKmo9UBMuSOU5Yoa1cVVD1z507lqaH/s400/_DSC5117-web.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<br />Past.<br />Present.<br />Future.</h3>
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<h1 class="head-entry" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; float: left; font-size: 36px; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px; padding-right: 20px; text-align: left;">
<span class="me" data-syllable="e·ter·nal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 50px;">eternal</span></h1>
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<span class="me" data-syllable="e·ter·nal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 50px;"><br /></span></div>
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<section class="def-pbk" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="def-set" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; padding-bottom: 17px;">
<span class="def-number" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; float: left; padding-right: 5px; text-align: left;">1.</span><br />
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without beginning or end; lasting forever; always existing</div>
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<span class="def-number" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; float: left; padding-right: 5px; text-align: left;">2.</span><br />
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perpetual; ceaseless; endless:</div>
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<span class="def-number" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; float: left; padding-right: 5px; text-align: left;">3.</span><br />
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enduring; immutable:</div>
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<span class="def-number" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; display: block; float: left; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; padding-right: 5px; text-align: left;">4.</span><br />
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<span class="dbox-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-style: italic;">Metaphysics. </span>existing outside all relations of time; not subject to change.</div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/eternal</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-size: large;">God is eternal.</span></span></div>
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"Being eternal, God is not bound by time. Having always existed, He sees the past and the future as clearly as He sees the present. With that perspective, He has a perfect understanding of what is best for our lives. Therefore, we should trust Him with all areas of our lives." </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Fundamental of the Faith. Lesson 3. Moody Publishers. Grace Community Church. 2009)</span></div>
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In life...</div>
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Trusting is hard.</div>
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Faith isn't always simple.</div>
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And worry becomes a constant temptation.</div>
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BUT...</div>
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God sees today and tomorrow as if it's history already written, where as I can barely remember what I ate for breakfast yesterday.</div>
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So letting God have control of my future shouldn't be difficult, no, it would be wise, especially since He already holds it.</div>
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"...Many things about tomorrow </div>
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I don't seem to understand; </div>
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But I know who holds tomorrow, </div>
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And I know who holds my hand."</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Hymn. 1950. Ira F. Stanphill</span></div>
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Are you trusting the eternal One with your: </div>
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday.<br />Today.<br />Tomorrow.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;">with love and prayers,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Megan Besing</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">www.meganbesing.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5 NIV</span></div>
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</section></div>
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Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-294283007807465272015-05-20T12:12:00.004-07:002015-05-20T12:34:48.467-07:00Worthy Wednesday: Talk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_hkujL02OrmozUdAWQdgyhX0HJdQWhvVNvYlX2Yoxxm6eRTQPAdFu7uWdbqT2UxIlUMb2iYHBtp2uChT3qcESaCA_oE4cLpsE2aNx7sBUFRwDhS4quix-nAnGVwJlSgNXLE4-5FJS4h6/s1600/_DSC8580-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_hkujL02OrmozUdAWQdgyhX0HJdQWhvVNvYlX2Yoxxm6eRTQPAdFu7uWdbqT2UxIlUMb2iYHBtp2uChT3qcESaCA_oE4cLpsE2aNx7sBUFRwDhS4quix-nAnGVwJlSgNXLE4-5FJS4h6/s400/_DSC8580-web.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Today, I made a list. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">With
school coming to its end for the year, I won’t be seeing the kids I babysit again until the fall, and I wanted them to have what we learned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">To
review. To repeat. To remember.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Except,
when the list was finished, it was short. Too short, not even a whole typed
page long.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Scripture.</i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
list I made was of scripture. The ones I helped the kids memorized throughout the
time we shared together. And honestly, I was a little bummed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><i>Really,
this is all we memorized? </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Now,
granted we’re talking preschoolers here, and I’m oh-so-very proud of all they
learned!But compared to the vastness that is the Bible… I should have sat down
and given them more of me—more of the Word, and less: TV, snacks, playtime,
etc. Not because in and of themselves those things are bad. (because on some
days, they were a babysitter’s best friends) BUT what really matters is the kids' hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
Who and what’s inside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“These commandments
that I give you today are to be on your hearts.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"></span><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span id="en-NIV-5094" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Impress them on your children. Talk about them
when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and
when you get up…Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Deuteronomy 6: 6-7 & 9 (NIV)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Reminds me a little of a Dr. Seuss book. Talk about them here and there. Talk about
them ANYWHERE!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Talk
about what? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Leading
up to these verses, God had just given the </span>Israelites<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> the Ten Commandments, and followed them up with this:</span></span><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“</span></sup></b><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Love</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Lord</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> your God with all your heart</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> and
with all your soul and with all your strength.</span>”</div>
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The list I made today may be small. But it's a small step towards talking about God <i>anywhere</i>.</div>
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What have you impressed on the hearts of those around you today?</div>
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with love and prayers,</div>
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Megan Besing</div>
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<a href="http://www.meganbesing.com/">www.meganbesing.com</a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Trust in the</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="small-caps" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps; line-height: 24px;">Lord</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-16461A" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16461A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">with all your heart</span><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Prov-3-5" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; position: relative;">and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5 NIV</span></span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5619470438047292022.post-67299596909974943782015-04-29T12:35:00.000-07:002015-04-29T12:35:08.469-07:00Worthy Wednesday: Pattern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sybAdpsaFLptsBeLJb3DtuaFBakJ1YX9Rys9-6utaXJA6pb5s_RYAwjR-xVohFPB472VHHRvkGUjft9Q421NGL4raCa9_5XCZTW8Xv6KVUGISmtQODEw4KeXqfG8nyoFXtyfY6iPcjeq/s1600/Image2web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sybAdpsaFLptsBeLJb3DtuaFBakJ1YX9Rys9-6utaXJA6pb5s_RYAwjR-xVohFPB472VHHRvkGUjft9Q421NGL4raCa9_5XCZTW8Xv6KVUGISmtQODEw4KeXqfG8nyoFXtyfY6iPcjeq/s1600/Image2web.jpg" height="280" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>PATTERN</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.25px;">: the regular and repeated way in which something happens or is done</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; line-height: 19.25px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pattern</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1f1f1; line-height: 19.25px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Gal-5-19" id="en-NIV-29182" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Cravings of impurity and debauchery. I</span><span class="text Gal-5-20" id="en-NIV-29183" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">dolatry, hatred, and discord. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Gal-5-20" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Jealousy, fits of rage, </span><span class="text Gal-5-21" id="en-NIV-29184" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>and drunkenness... </span></div>
<span class="text Gal-5-21" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text Gal-5-21" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Things the world does over and over. The mess our flesh drives toward again and again.</span><br />
<span class="text Gal-5-21" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text Gal-5-21" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Except.</span><br />
<span class="text Gal-5-21" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">That is not our pattern to follow.</span><br />
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<b><span class="text Gal-5-21" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">L</span><span class="text Gal-5-22" id="en-NIV-29185" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">ove,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29185AJ" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29185AJ" title="See cross-reference AJ">AJ</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> joy, peace,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29185AK" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29185AK" title="See cross-reference AK">AK</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> patience, kindness, goodness, </span></b></div>
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<b><span class="text Gal-5-22" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">faithfulness,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Gal-5-23" id="en-NIV-29186" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">gentleness and self-control.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-29186AL" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29186AL" title="See cross-reference AL">AL</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> </span></b></div>
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<b><span class="text Gal-5-23" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></b></div>
<span class="text Gal-5-23" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Galatians 5:23 says, "Against such things there is no law."</span><br />
<span class="text Gal-5-23" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text Gal-5-23" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Lord, mold my life according to these.</span><br />
<span class="text Gal-5-23" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text Gal-5-23" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text Gal-5-23" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">with love and prayers,<br />Megan Besing</span><br />
<span class="text Gal-5-23" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><a href="http://www.meganbesing.com/">www.meganbesing.com</a></span><br />
<span class="text Gal-5-23" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Trust in the Lord with all your heart </span><br />
<span class="text Gal-5-23" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">and lean not on your own understanding; </span><br />
<span class="text Gal-5-23" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Proverbs 3:5 NIV</span><br />
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<span class="text Gal-5-23" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">.</span><br />
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<span class="text Gal-5-23" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text Gal-5-23" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>Megan Besinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10288955001899322372noreply@blogger.com0