tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77982757088410188472024-03-13T03:36:14.265-06:00Paper and ParchmentCarolyn Vhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03780443388339294502noreply@blogger.comBlogger660125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-32208785339812950142017-03-20T03:12:00.000-06:002017-03-20T03:12:01.361-06:00Growing Up with Conference<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">I foolishly said yes
to an invitation to participate in a blog tour for a new book. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZkVCY11rGHZ6NX_mqhTBFXc-PdeyNVDCPJU04_GyLpSoJZi8QQsCitGV4V9JiJsVXLQBcadsCaflexnrL-hIQjDhVeg5i4_ChqUwH21srzsyu1k4F_eAeUVslO9nqsLknkLJ8eAp/s1600/Growing+Up+with+Conference.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZkVCY11rGHZ6NX_mqhTBFXc-PdeyNVDCPJU04_GyLpSoJZi8QQsCitGV4V9JiJsVXLQBcadsCaflexnrL-hIQjDhVeg5i4_ChqUwH21srzsyu1k4F_eAeUVslO9nqsLknkLJ8eAp/s320/Growing+Up+with+Conference.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">It was foolish, because Friend-husband and I
are now serving a full-time mission for the LDS Church. We are MLS missionaries, which stands for
Member Leader Support. It was crazy of
me to say yes, knowing full well that I would not have time, but I was drooling
over the book title and description. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">The
book is called Growing Up With Conference and has lots of ideas for families to
use to help kids enjoy conference. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">It sounded awesome to
me and it probably sounds awesome to you.
Well now it’s time for me to write the blog and I haven’t even had time
to open the book. My book is a digital copy, but I think it’s available in
print form as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">For the record we are
enjoying our mission and have met some awesome people. We are teaching some wonderful families, and
someday we will probably want to share this book with them. Meanwhile, if you could use some fun ideas to
make General Conference fun and interesting for your kids, no matter what age
they are…go buy this book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Here is the
description that grabbed me:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">“This is an LDS-type
book filled with practical ways to make General<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="il">Conference</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> FUN for families year-round. The
toddlers, kids, and teens in our families have tried every idea, activity,
lesson, recipe and craft. They have proven to be motivating, effective and well
worth the time and effort! Our goal was to encourage our own kids to prepare
for, listen to, and act upon the words spoken at General C</span><span id="m_-2338773014555305355yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1484198707693_151526">onference...
And then to share these ideas with others!</span>”<o:p></o:p></div>
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You can grab your copy <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Conference-Practical-Year-round-ebook/dp/B01LFKQR8W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490000884&sr=8-1&keywords=Growing+Up+with+Conference">here</a>.</div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Conference is coming. Conference is coming. Conference is coming.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Linda Garner<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-41602549277016078112016-12-26T07:37:00.002-07:002016-12-26T07:37:50.708-07:00Reflections on Christmas: The Easter Connection<div class="MsoNormal">
The gifts have been unwrapped and the decorations will soon
be put away. We have reflected for a
time on the birth of Jesus and in a small way we have reflected on the
marvelous life of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In reality, the search for Jesus will take us far beyond the
manger in Bethlehem. If we would truly follow the star we must go to
Nazareth, to Galilea, to Jerusalem, if only in our hearts. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We must find not only the infant Jesus, but Jesus the
man. We must find the fisher of men, the teacher, the leader, the
healer, the friend. We will find him by the sea of Galilea. We will
find him on the Mount of Olives. We will find him on the dusty
roads of Palestine. We will find him with the leper, the adulterer, the
crippled, the sick. Ultimately, if we would find Jesus, we
must follow the star to the Garden of Gethsamane, to Golgatha, and to the
Garden Tomb. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Our worship must take us past the manger to kneel at the
cross, for here he finished his work. The gift was
complete. This is the gift that matters most; the gift of all
gifts; the gift of the atonement of Jesus Christ. Without Easter there could
not be a Christmas. This is the gift of which the angels exhultantly
sang; good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. Joy to the
World, the Lord is Come! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Jesus forever changed
the world. He has forever changed me.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrarophDWgDPnWFkQ-RDgO3JsEE1Dwa5cBxqXL2DrD5Nsob5NFxELAyzvg1BS77MvyN11Gk7nQX_QoMWX613GOmq6WtTfLlnDOeUW-Qi-S_geyQofhqlKJNPpdE275iUNDdwHUhexo/s1600/garden+tomb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrarophDWgDPnWFkQ-RDgO3JsEE1Dwa5cBxqXL2DrD5Nsob5NFxELAyzvg1BS77MvyN11Gk7nQX_QoMWX613GOmq6WtTfLlnDOeUW-Qi-S_geyQofhqlKJNPpdE275iUNDdwHUhexo/s400/garden+tomb.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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“<i><span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255);">These things I have spoken unto you, that in
me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good
cheer; I have overcome the world</span></i><span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255);">.</span>”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: #FDFEFF; color: #001320; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The glorious message of Christmas
is the Easter Message. It is the message
of the empty tomb. Like Mary Magdalene,
I have stood in the empty tomb, and I know now just as surely as Mary knew
then, that Jesus has overcome the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: #FDFEFF; color: #001320; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">May we always feel the peace
that passeth all understanding in the sweet knowledge
that Christ has overcome the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-40982802923661285202016-12-25T11:00:00.000-07:002016-12-26T08:05:31.241-07:00Reflections on Christmas: The Olive Press<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75zfdFQKRTgV-5Bn1R1WTDiGzZCx0OtZ1yd9jPUEXBj2qJtj8ot00vaQ8thmPICzQKVNafnCRi69uAExitWKQKjfmETjcO4Xa_-ON4799MN-w04WYKEY1RP0lUcwO7iLktyla_yKt/s1600/olives+in+Nazareth+village.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75zfdFQKRTgV-5Bn1R1WTDiGzZCx0OtZ1yd9jPUEXBj2qJtj8ot00vaQ8thmPICzQKVNafnCRi69uAExitWKQKjfmETjcO4Xa_-ON4799MN-w04WYKEY1RP0lUcwO7iLktyla_yKt/s320/olives+in+Nazareth+village.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We saw olive trees everywhere in Israel. They are interesting trees, with uniquely shaped trunks. They live for hundreds and even thousands of years. Olive oil is a nearly perfect food, and is highly prized for its healing properties. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUIj5RxlnG2VvRsFKeFLvEdO4YgUKcEDPJ0IaCfViwEzXq4Ycg9_lM-pjtt25wFDJeC2QHSTqMpkcH-LGtP24pHXpg0CHHDLzPMf9ooK9DpyXd7IzMsYvM6bFXrGaUZLXjhKz5OEv/s1600/Linda+and+Olive+pickers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUIj5RxlnG2VvRsFKeFLvEdO4YgUKcEDPJ0IaCfViwEzXq4Ycg9_lM-pjtt25wFDJeC2QHSTqMpkcH-LGtP24pHXpg0CHHDLzPMf9ooK9DpyXd7IzMsYvM6bFXrGaUZLXjhKz5OEv/s320/Linda+and+Olive+pickers.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the past, olives were picked by hand and dropped on cloth on the ground, then gathered for pressing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The first pressing was to be used in the temple, the second pressing was for consumption, and the third and final pressing was fuel for heating, cooking and light.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgX5TA2-0e1gfY9x2wyty-R4t8ZvjQcn_D-CQyK-gbTnH9Csb0CNsL8Dyjk_BJgHVhDbuB_UYrGg_Pn2T8FdNirWITFWE4AAnrsCQzga_0UxzxwKrKZSIga0Q-IMbJoAr4n8nPtVS/s1600/olive+press+nazareth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>
<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/AVvXsEj3ubwsBoc6tVR0uE7neGw59dBcAtVCF1FFf-ZNjIuLZcG9wH20ZfLYWHSITDkNlfnHzVDuMw13vEhPw30IgvD9dKsF2Ry96ByRMqDXdipDm5eqcCxkjROYu1W5iyaukuTUaLTYQ5D2/s1600/in+the+garden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ubwsBoc6tVR0uE7neGw59dBcAtVCF1FFf-ZNjIuLZcG9wH20ZfLYWHSITDkNlfnHzVDuMw13vEhPw30IgvD9dKsF2Ry96ByRMqDXdipDm5eqcCxkjROYu1W5iyaukuTUaLTYQ5D2/s320/in+the+garden.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friend-husband and I in the Garden of Gethsemane.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Noto Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Elder Todd Christopherson said, <i>"Let us consider the
cost of God’s precious love. Jesus revealed that to atone for our sins and
redeem us from death, both physical and spiritual, His suffering caused
Himself, “even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to
bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that [He]
might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink.</i></span><i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Noto Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv1JUmOgFwlSi36EZyFAVxmKGDeVBTalTwfF6Wn5qSuTCzYkKbG535inXeeEpAfE76jO3Cm8Aa0JK3WsjX9VWNfS6Bbm_2HOvVDcQhuMKXDhNJGyAfzgn2AuXadaH1Xcn2MefbGVK/s1600/olive+press+nazareth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv1JUmOgFwlSi36EZyFAVxmKGDeVBTalTwfF6Wn5qSuTCzYkKbG535inXeeEpAfE76jO3Cm8Aa0JK3WsjX9VWNfS6Bbm_2HOvVDcQhuMKXDhNJGyAfzgn2AuXadaH1Xcn2MefbGVK/s320/olive+press+nazareth.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">"His
agony in Gethsemane and on the cross was greater than any mortal could bear.</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "Noto Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #147ea7;"> </span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Nevertheless, because of His love for His Father
and for us, He endured, and as a consequence, He can offer us both immortality
and eternal life.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Noto Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">'It is poignantly
symbolic that “blood [came] from every pore”</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Noto Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Noto Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">as
Jesus suffered in Gethsemane, the place of the olive press. </span></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0k3lq3ou22WIJoaWh2vM8NglY32pePmKNERlnnQ49qg2fDDBstivNQW7J63jzzq-wn27GRPOgVt_UQbnEfpJBBUnY28Z2Cl2-fysdc_eN-Wt-LaVI7nNPCYKvHNSeFmOMTT976Bu/s1600/nazareth+olive+pressw.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/AVvXsEjB0k3lq3ou22WIJoaWh2vM8NglY32pePmKNERlnnQ49qg2fDDBstivNQW7J63jzzq-wn27GRPOgVt_UQbnEfpJBBUnY28Z2Cl2-fysdc_eN-Wt-LaVI7nNPCYKvHNSeFmOMTT976Bu/s320/nazareth+olive+pressw.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Noto Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Noto Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">"</span></span></i><i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Noto Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">To produce olive
oil in the Savior’s time, olives were first crushed by rolling a large stone
over them. The resulting “mash” was placed in soft, loosely woven baskets,
which were piled one upon another. Their weight expressed the first and finest
oil. </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Noto Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">"Then added stress was applied by placing a large beam or log on top of the
stacked baskets, producing more oil. </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Noto Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></i><br /><i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Noto Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Noto Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">"Finally, to draw out the very last drops,
the beam was weighted with stones on one end to create the maximum, crushing
pressure.</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Noto Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #147ea7;"> </span></span></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Noto Sans","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">"And
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48PL2rtENkx45tztKQLpwLu8ol8VdzNuqzPG2K53km_sYvtbtRDRmwPdDJZHwzhdQ6gdXIf6eHXzI62WM7ckj8vdoMM1MV4AxTXUS3mrBFUPwyVKLC7YxEyPZzMPJvp3Qh_ScSiP_/s1600/not+dead+olive+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48PL2rtENkx45tztKQLpwLu8ol8VdzNuqzPG2K53km_sYvtbtRDRmwPdDJZHwzhdQ6gdXIf6eHXzI62WM7ckj8vdoMM1MV4AxTXUS3mrBFUPwyVKLC7YxEyPZzMPJvp3Qh_ScSiP_/s320/not+dead+olive+tree.JPG" width="288" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This ancient dead olive tree was moved to the BYU Jerusalem Center because of its interesting and beautiful trunk. Some time later the "dead" trunk began to grow new branches. You might say the tree was resurrected.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. John 5:21.</span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0k3lq3ou22WIJoaWh2vM8NglY32pePmKNERlnnQ49qg2fDDBstivNQW7J63jzzq-wn27GRPOgVt_UQbnEfpJBBUnY28Z2Cl2-fysdc_eN-Wt-LaVI7nNPCYKvHNSeFmOMTT976Bu/s1600/nazareth+olive+pressw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: large; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></span></a><br />Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-77669041655913349242016-12-24T10:14:00.000-07:002016-12-24T10:14:12.856-07:00Reflections on Christmas: The Sea of Galilee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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in the midst of an unforgiving desert. I
will never forget the beauty and power of the things I saw and heard there. Like the life-giving sea, Jesus gives living water to
each of us in the deserts of our lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Some of my favorite scripture stories happened near the Sea
of Galilee: Jesus calling His Disciples, Jesus healing the sick, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus walking on
the Water, Jesus rescuing Peter who also walked on water, Jesus calming the sea. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I have always loved the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. A large number of people had gathered to hear
Jesus. It was nearly time for passover
and there was no place to get food. The
disciples seemed stressed. An unnamed boy
had brought a little food. It seems he
was the only one. Five barley loaves and
two small fishes, may have been enough to satisfy a hungry boy, but certainly
could not feed this army of people. Or
could they? <o:p></o:p></div>
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We can only guess at the size of the loaves. Perhaps they were the size of a biscuit. The size is irrelevant in comparison to the
number of people who were fed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jesus offered a prayer and the disciples distributed the food. 5,000 people ate and were filled and 12 baskets of
fragments remained. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I love that the Lord can take what we have and make it
enough. He can do it with food. He can do it with money. He can even do it with time. No matter how limited our resources may be,
the God of miracles can make it more.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There is so much more I love about Galilee, but I will save
it for another day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Reluctant Goodbye at Galilee<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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One last
look at the Galilee<o:p></o:p></div>
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That ancient
life-giving scriptural sea<o:p></o:p></div>
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The scenes
of stories held dear to me<o:p></o:p></div>
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Where
Jesus’s footsteps feel near to me<o:p></o:p></div>
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Revealed
doctrines grow more clear to me<o:p></o:p></div>
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As Son-light
sparkles and shines for me<o:p></o:p></div>
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On the sacred<span style="color: red;"> </span>sea of Galilee.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-61273789289524503682016-12-23T14:51:00.000-07:002016-12-23T14:52:09.215-07:00Remembering Christmas: No Other Name<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;"></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBxuMi56eFuImhGDGj1czkqobiruxQrv3v8C3fv3uLwnurm7pK9xqlt4l2pMnpckcqSYBXDMqZVgjgSR86NLSR0o4eqVLCqVrt9jbzOHZwXvhxb4n1Y2Dokkq9MSCOauFpt_MfmG-/s1600/into+the+stable.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBxuMi56eFuImhGDGj1czkqobiruxQrv3v8C3fv3uLwnurm7pK9xqlt4l2pMnpckcqSYBXDMqZVgjgSR86NLSR0o4eqVLCqVrt9jbzOHZwXvhxb4n1Y2Dokkq9MSCOauFpt_MfmG-/s320/into+the+stable.JPG" width="320" /></a>The name "Jesus" was specified by the angel Gabriel. It means Savior. His other names are no less descriptive. Christ means annointed one. Messiah means deliverer. Immanuel means God with us. <br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;">The scriptures teach "there is no other name given, whereby salvation can come to the children of men." Like Nephi, we can barely comprehend the </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">condescension of God.</span><span style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This helpless baby nestled in the staw was Jehovah, the God of Israel, the Great I Am, the Creator of heaven and earth, the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, the Bright and Morning Star....and he became like us, that we might become like him. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj884TmloQgG9FSc2TFzUxR46WFqfGVh_npOVG99MAsUkrXQbMEYmmXal5jRStNS1otSo2KcsfVwasZdC_tcemX-aVV3NaiI3-azMJwHkEFSU6RwWo9nQMIEZg2FvryhBxsCo-IjPGt/s1600/church+of+the+nativity.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj884TmloQgG9FSc2TFzUxR46WFqfGVh_npOVG99MAsUkrXQbMEYmmXal5jRStNS1otSo2KcsfVwasZdC_tcemX-aVV3NaiI3-azMJwHkEFSU6RwWo9nQMIEZg2FvryhBxsCo-IjPGt/s320/church+of+the+nativity.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Did Mary and Joseph know that Jesus must be born in Bethlehem, the house of bread?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">How appropriate that the "Bread of Life" </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">would begin his life in the city named the house of bread. How did they feel about the humble place of his birth? Would they have chosen a stable? a manger? What did Jesus mean to teach us by coming in this way? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This is the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The Catholic Church holds Christmas Mass here each year on Christmas Eve. The acoustics are awesome. We took opportunity to sing Christmas carols together in this beautiful place. </span>Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-4267269003768034672016-12-22T11:30:00.000-07:002016-12-22T11:30:33.167-07:00Reflections on Christmas: What Kind of Man would God Choose to be the Father of his Son<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. </i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KwqHTrbIQVKbZnxKBElNcSwPuFXncnNA9Q-NpfjB_G85X1OLqUY5JzWV1KpNhiIhDS5PY8qSOPiMEtT0nB17pWb6PV7qkiVAlboouw0Qs-PlADbSBkWPxWhxuPUDxfOE15ihZ31a/s1600/nazareth+home+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KwqHTrbIQVKbZnxKBElNcSwPuFXncnNA9Q-NpfjB_G85X1OLqUY5JzWV1KpNhiIhDS5PY8qSOPiMEtT0nB17pWb6PV7qkiVAlboouw0Qs-PlADbSBkWPxWhxuPUDxfOE15ihZ31a/s320/nazareth+home+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recreation of a Nazareth Village like the one where Joseph lived.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to maker her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i>But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the lord appeared unto him in a dream saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceive in her is of the Holy Ghost.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i>And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS ; for he shall save his people from their sins....</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife."</i></span><br />
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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/AVvXsEg4UfDdX78SD9r0PpchhjL2Q0DXSfaFr8VgswDd1bfoFw_jW-344IVu8aZk8h6Msd-D0xA7BIVw4v2h3EkhwFyzTr6Zhm4Kr58hsjqj5LW-52aR7r_1ZGNZXDFblxckYHHnGHrFEXmN/s1600/liz+lemon+swinel+mary.joseph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UfDdX78SD9r0PpchhjL2Q0DXSfaFr8VgswDd1bfoFw_jW-344IVu8aZk8h6Msd-D0xA7BIVw4v2h3EkhwFyzTr6Zhm4Kr58hsjqj5LW-52aR7r_1ZGNZXDFblxckYHHnGHrFEXmN/s1600/liz+lemon+swinel+mary.joseph.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz Lemon Swindle's beautiful painting.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Joseph was no less valiant than Mary. Imagine his
feelings as he perceived that his love had been betrayed. Imagine his
heartbreak, his anguish at his shattered dreams. Yet, at the angel's word
he too showed complete and immediate obedience. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> Don¹t you just marvel at
the strength of his spirit, his trust, his faith. We know so little of
Joseph, but we imagine him gentle and kind, strong and protective. We know that
he would have been equal to Mary in righteousness and spirituality. What
kind of man would God have chosen to raise his son? Joseph would
stand beside Mary. He would teach and guide Jesus. He would act as
father. </span><br />
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When Joseph went to
Bethlehem <o:p></o:p></div>
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I think he took great
care<br />
To place his tools and close his shop and leave no shavings there.<br />
He urged the donkey forward then, with Mary on its back,<br />
And carried bread and goat cheese in a little linen sack.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I think there at the busy inn that he was meek and mild<br />
And awed to be the guardian of Mary’s sacred child.<br />
Perhaps all through the chilly hours he smoothed the swaddling bands,<br />
And Jesus felt the quiet strength of Joseph’s gentle hands.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And close beside the manger bed, he dimmed the lantern’s light<br />
And held the little Jesus close upon that holy night.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Children's Songbook, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1989 p.38</div>
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Word by Marilyn Curtis White</div>
Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-34485507350480348022016-12-21T11:00:00.000-07:002016-12-21T11:00:02.746-07:00Reflections on Christmas: Mary<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/AVvXsEgVKsTtlLuDEexxaHBsmuhZ6yvQgl_bXHZUhYAY-5e__Rj6kCres4mgbr2SuCgELtpWi8UrTm4jik2m_B2oUoLitusF2k3razOFj4rdcKk2fuZBM9KAHtVYtmbqyWiNar_3ijeleOKY/s1600/nazareth+village.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKsTtlLuDEexxaHBsmuhZ6yvQgl_bXHZUhYAY-5e__Rj6kCres4mgbr2SuCgELtpWi8UrTm4jik2m_B2oUoLitusF2k3razOFj4rdcKk2fuZBM9KAHtVYtmbqyWiNar_3ijeleOKY/s320/nazareth+village.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Depiction of a Nazareth of home in a recreated Nazareth Village</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
"...the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth.<br />
<br />
To a virgin espoused to a man named Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary...<br />
<br />
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, mary: for thou has found favour with God.<br />
<br />
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in they womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS." (Luke 1:26-31)<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
What kind of woman would God choose to
be the mother of his son? <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Nephi calls her a virgin most
beautiful and fair. <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Alma</st1:place></st1:city>
calls her a precious and chosen vessel of the Lord</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Historians
tell us that Mary was very young when she was told of her sacred mission,
perhaps as young as 13, and probably not older than 16. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Can you imagine
the thoughts that must have </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">
filled her young mind? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">It would be she who would prepare Jesus for
his triumphant mission. Her baby would be the son of God! This was
neither the first nor last time that the Lord would choose someone very young
for his most important work. David was just a boy when he was annointed
King of Israel. The Savior would come through his blood line. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span>
<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/AVvXsEg4ZU1MLtvOI5UjQI1LTeL38NjyFVw10R551QxPqLz8g5NXum6y6df4I-P5FgAZFZn25CdYb2beQY6uFWtgpSfZrtrve71lsGsEGUxeKn-vhJFrgo-FUWd9yDYgK8P91scxNdguzsZ1/s1600/liz+lemon+swinel+mary.joseph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZU1MLtvOI5UjQI1LTeL38NjyFVw10R551QxPqLz8g5NXum6y6df4I-P5FgAZFZn25CdYb2beQY6uFWtgpSfZrtrve71lsGsEGUxeKn-vhJFrgo-FUWd9yDYgK8P91scxNdguzsZ1/s1600/liz+lemon+swinel+mary.joseph.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love Liz Lemon Swindle's younger Mary.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Mormon was just 10 when he was entrusted with the plates, and
16 when he took charge of the Nephite armies. Joseph Smith was 14 when he
saw the father and the son, and began his mission to restore the Gospel of
Jesus Christ to the earth<span style="color: red;">.</span> We begin
to see that you are never too young to be of great service to the Lord. <br />
<br />
We love the words that Mary spoke as she accepted her sacred calling.
"Behold the handmaiden of the Lord. Be it unto me according to thy
word." If only we could be so obedient to the will of the Lord.
<br />
<br />
The name, Mary, means bitter...perhaps a reminder that a sword would one day
pierce her heart. </span>Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-69006011980549598992016-12-20T10:02:00.000-07:002016-12-20T10:02:05.084-07:00Reflections on Christmas: Wise Men Still Seek Him<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6aLghV_Jkym9pECKJce07X_EqNH1ghB2A6ykahKwv-V7iFNGaq-qzWKu5FybZZM_LoMjB71DOB9VSARst6-SIVM1I40mh2Eg4z4A7zdllXX645S-WJC2YXoS5AEsiSd42sdKnB_Z/s1600/camel+riding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6aLghV_Jkym9pECKJce07X_EqNH1ghB2A6ykahKwv-V7iFNGaq-qzWKu5FybZZM_LoMjB71DOB9VSARst6-SIVM1I40mh2Eg4z4A7zdllXX645S-WJC2YXoS5AEsiSd42sdKnB_Z/s400/camel+riding.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">In my nativity set, I have camels, presumably to carry the wise men to Bethehem. We occasionally saw camels in Israel, but it was in Jordan that I had the chance to ride a camel. It was great fun and I have new respect for the Wise Men.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">We did not hear about Wise Men while in Bethlehem though the scriptures testify that they visited the baby Jesus. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;">The wise men did not
really kneel at the manger as we often imagine. They came much later, perhaps as much as two
years later. We know this because Herod on learning that he had been tricked by the wise men ordered the death of all babies two years and younger.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">Even though we know this, we celebrate the coming of the Wise Men when we celebrate Christmas. We display them in our nativity sets and we include them in our singing of carols and in our Christmas pageants </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nVWNi-d2JTpc55mBIRiatCZkfyhJGkmr5H8Pgx75Ys4hi_OGSg_hhlQIsffgu-bAmDahNFK_e-4MxA1s0ebpIFSzQoYU7JbAZNmvEfUNF_DP_iuVYbXO4ea9fLEXXvRi2x-GlQSv/s1600/cropped+Children+natitivity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nVWNi-d2JTpc55mBIRiatCZkfyhJGkmr5H8Pgx75Ys4hi_OGSg_hhlQIsffgu-bAmDahNFK_e-4MxA1s0ebpIFSzQoYU7JbAZNmvEfUNF_DP_iuVYbXO4ea9fLEXXvRi2x-GlQSv/s640/cropped+Children+natitivity.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span>
The wise men, or Magi, came from afar, and unlike
the common, humble shepherds were men of wealth, influence, and
power, perhaps even kings. And so we see that the Savior did not
come to just one nation or class of people.<br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">
The Savior’s mission was to all people, rich and poor, learned and ignorant,
humble and influential, </span><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">Jew</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> and gentile. All men, no matter what
their race or station can come to the Savior and become whole. We are
reminded that when he comes again every knee will bow and every tongue confess
that Jesus is the Christ. </span></span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">
We feel a sense of wonder as we imagine the Wise Men opening their treasures
for the small Jesus. Their gifts were so well chosen. Gold, a
gift reserved for royalty, a gift representing a crown, a gift befitting a
king. Frankincense, a type of incense used by the priests in the temple.
This was given as a symbol of his priesthood, his divine power, his Priestly
nature. Frankincense was used in the temple for sacrificial offerings,
and was given to the baby Jesus... Jesus, who would one day teach us much
about sacrifice...Jesus, who had come to sacrifice himself for us, that we
might live again. The third gift, myrhh, was a type of perfume used for
burial, a gentle reminder that Jesus would one day die for us. </span></span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">
Don't you love these images: Learned men searching for Jesus, the source
of truth and knowledge; Influential men traveling through the darkness, to find
the light of the world--following the star to seek the bright and morning star;
perhaps even Kings, bowing before the King of Kings. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">Wise men still seek Him.</span></span>
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]-->Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-25000852499166569822016-12-19T09:26:00.000-07:002016-12-19T09:26:01.419-07:00Reflections on Christmas: Shepherds<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5r2sDGKpQx1rKR_FYNpcSr-hGCkA48gS2iMAn0-Nf630d3TAvuzcrLlQvCbvhOavDN0xH2NPyMiwhupsssNZ7Fiwr5cuUKm06I1wA7bcdRG6Y8zYm0x3D_iToDZ6mwd72HRut1f5/s1600/shepherds+fields.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5r2sDGKpQx1rKR_FYNpcSr-hGCkA48gS2iMAn0-Nf630d3TAvuzcrLlQvCbvhOavDN0xH2NPyMiwhupsssNZ7Fiwr5cuUKm06I1wA7bcdRG6Y8zYm0x3D_iToDZ6mwd72HRut1f5/s320/shepherds+fields.jpg" width="320" /></a>Oh how I wanted to see the Shepherd's Fields.<br />
<br />
The idea of shepherds has so much significance to me. I am touched by the thought that humble shepherds were the first to hear that Jesus had been born. It delights me to know that God loves ordinary people doing ordinary work. I am one of those ordinary people, and I love knowing that I matter to him.<br />
<br />
Despite this symbolism, I believe that these shepherds were far from ordinary, for they tended temple sheep. These sheep were sacrificial lambs who would be used in temple sacrifice, just as Jesus was the sacrificial lamb who would sacrifice His life for the sins of His people.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOdp00RVAUShf8M3WrV-g8daZoi9JwTtGb_kIiQhyphenhyphen5YLMXbqP0huTBrs7gIo3v1ugVWDlUwmQnnRYoKfvrl1jpdOq57RWeCZzUUZ4KQtwdgCdY6FEAhgArRbZwSNOolMCxKsgda4r/s1600/shepherds+fields+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyOdp00RVAUShf8M3WrV-g8daZoi9JwTtGb_kIiQhyphenhyphen5YLMXbqP0huTBrs7gIo3v1ugVWDlUwmQnnRYoKfvrl1jpdOq57RWeCZzUUZ4KQtwdgCdY6FEAhgArRbZwSNOolMCxKsgda4r/s320/shepherds+fields+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The symbolism is flawless. Jesus is the Lamb of God <i>and</i><b> </b>the Good Shepherd. The angels sent these humble shepherds to worship the Lamb of God. Perhaps they brought a lamb or two as a gift for the new born shepherd-king.<br />
<br />
As it turns out the Shepherds Fields are now covered with houses in modern Bethlehem. We happened to see a shepherd in Jerusalem near the Mount of Olives.<br />
<br />
We were never close to any shepherds in Israel. It is my hope to draw ever closer to the one true shepherd of my heart--Jesus the Christ.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">
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<!--[endif]--></span>Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-19073335411688531222016-12-18T08:52:00.000-07:002016-12-18T08:59:12.152-07:00Reflections on Christmas: Bethlehem<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17E0CildZ3VpWJnqUYdRVfaUKQmBaSHyhwxSD4-CtQGfsCR0Ny_bC8thZ-1DilyfgrFpSqPSs_Od914hgIuDBfsZNz3YqphhsUvyrWqAOookL-eQ4Kp_sFdfojErAHpGeeN33QPXq/s1600/in+the+stable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17E0CildZ3VpWJnqUYdRVfaUKQmBaSHyhwxSD4-CtQGfsCR0Ny_bC8thZ-1DilyfgrFpSqPSs_Od914hgIuDBfsZNz3YqphhsUvyrWqAOookL-eQ4Kp_sFdfojErAHpGeeN33QPXq/s320/in+the+stable.jpg" width="320" /></a>I was warned that Bethlehem would be different from the Bethlehem
of my childhood stories. I grew up
imagining a wooden stable like the ones I had seen on the farm where I grew
up. The stable in my mind was very like
the barn on my dad’s farm. Only smaller.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually I learned that the stable was more of a
cave or grotto. Even though I know this,
I display a small wooden stable each Christmas with my small Mary and Joseph,
hand painted by my talented daughter-in-law.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Was I warned that the stable would be small and
crowded? Or that the religious
atmosphere might be somewhat foreign to me? I don’t remember. Perhaps I was.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQbGiX4q39Uzlb8-sHXq6F5OP18teRYq4svNBS38UgKxMztlDx7TRdX4hT8ZTwfxtgjCA4fHBF8FPMZX-kAO2rrPcm3uU9Ldt6bMrL11c3zbyQ9sCQV4j8yCKSc3hA_aLByCIdxIf/s1600/DSC00804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQbGiX4q39Uzlb8-sHXq6F5OP18teRYq4svNBS38UgKxMztlDx7TRdX4hT8ZTwfxtgjCA4fHBF8FPMZX-kAO2rrPcm3uU9Ldt6bMrL11c3zbyQ9sCQV4j8yCKSc3hA_aLByCIdxIf/s200/DSC00804.JPG" width="200" /></a>We had been in Israel several days before we visited
Bethlehem, and I had already learned that where ever a sacred site had been
identified someone had built a church over the site or at least in close proximity.
Because of that the church built over
the stable-cave was not a complete surprise.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTX3WqLslGZ1QfMcGnS1WJf5RUx7NnRY9shwtXdYjO1Z8lcg9v7N2dRZu44e5aqyfvCBiFi4NWpqFeekJKNEJCrQ00XQtGeqBdcS85EI-GH_9p3MTSr9k_jZSNc6JgYRwjfPmGcsO/s1600/candles+in+stable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTX3WqLslGZ1QfMcGnS1WJf5RUx7NnRY9shwtXdYjO1Z8lcg9v7N2dRZu44e5aqyfvCBiFi4NWpqFeekJKNEJCrQ00XQtGeqBdcS85EI-GH_9p3MTSr9k_jZSNc6JgYRwjfPmGcsO/s200/candles+in+stable.jpg" width="200" /></a>The church was being remodeled and so there was scaffolding
and other signs of construction. There were candles and many electric lights and chandeliers,
none of which seemed to match. If there was significance to the randomness of the lights, no one mentioned it. Perhaps the lights were meant to honor the holy infant who was to be the Light of the World.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30e6M2pdi3zwJrKt3U6g42KHWRrgz_w_1xmqT_pIZW3omupEO1QiWOzoVsOe9eSAaOYOAulyg-XnzNacKeCdRVYHrNuQVbUWCmuPeu3nqBdMZg9xRIERQp4Hj3S9wDc7FT__tqUHE/s1600/DSC00806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30e6M2pdi3zwJrKt3U6g42KHWRrgz_w_1xmqT_pIZW3omupEO1QiWOzoVsOe9eSAaOYOAulyg-XnzNacKeCdRVYHrNuQVbUWCmuPeu3nqBdMZg9xRIERQp4Hj3S9wDc7FT__tqUHE/s200/DSC00806.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was crowded and there was a line to see the place where
Jesus was born. We were told that this
was a short line. We felt a bit rushed
because of the people behind us and the small space inside the cave.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We hastily glanced around us, touched the gold star on the
floor where they said the baby had been born, and wished we could see the
manger, which is now in Rome. We
wondered if there had been room for animals and shepherds in this tiny place.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wrote this poem shortly after our visit to Bethlehem.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Search of the Stable<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Is this cave
the stable in Luke’s story,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The place
where you were born?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I touched
the star where they said it happened</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrjoYMrBI9VaVuXeLzBlj_FL-ENV7rwzG3X0i2LahGOrC6_bv6aXad9Jk4H7ZaDxHT3GlzOfCgrz91RAj84is68SnyQe5xbESuCFeu5-arYOcJZRP5D8bQMxbtwMhVRIJ7B1FS5il/s1600/touching+the+star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqrjoYMrBI9VaVuXeLzBlj_FL-ENV7rwzG3X0i2LahGOrC6_bv6aXad9Jk4H7ZaDxHT3GlzOfCgrz91RAj84is68SnyQe5xbESuCFeu5-arYOcJZRP5D8bQMxbtwMhVRIJ7B1FS5il/s320/touching+the+star.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And snapped
a photo in your honor<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Of the place
they say you slept.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The manger
is in Rome not here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is not
the way I pictured it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I have a
different picture of this place <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the
manger of my heart <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
and the
stable of my mind.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I like my
picture better,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
But I am
glad to be here anyway<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And wish you
a happy unbirthday <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In October
instead of April, or December<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-56276657305900323792016-10-16T11:30:00.000-06:002016-10-16T11:30:21.625-06:00Nazareth Part 2<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaijA0kAcVtiedSrs4P3d15iapQnAaL91BUS7OJyhpArd0IuTUOUpgcbcz397HHI_F93Ib2Q6KTpn6A0Kr7Ff569r3vxlEZysv3Al8ZaxFyUOcyKaOHsCChGLoHBb8ym5iStNJ_5_f/s1600/nazareth+door.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaijA0kAcVtiedSrs4P3d15iapQnAaL91BUS7OJyhpArd0IuTUOUpgcbcz397HHI_F93Ib2Q6KTpn6A0Kr7Ff569r3vxlEZysv3Al8ZaxFyUOcyKaOHsCChGLoHBb8ym5iStNJ_5_f/s640/nazareth+door.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inner door is for people to enter. The larger door is for animals.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga54mYVwmlEWy_KkCx_r9fOTejACZ6Bmlat8gUCOWt_zZDUZwVOH0-MbYArWtg9vLKUqnjTImhNEMsg3KKc4fIgBYRTyZyV8EUlQB4ep6W4aCw6fJr4pCNRuBppkmIrd7d_N_x0Dil/s1600/nazareth+synagogue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga54mYVwmlEWy_KkCx_r9fOTejACZ6Bmlat8gUCOWt_zZDUZwVOH0-MbYArWtg9vLKUqnjTImhNEMsg3KKc4fIgBYRTyZyV8EUlQB4ep6W4aCw6fJr4pCNRuBppkmIrd7d_N_x0Dil/s640/nazareth+synagogue.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A depiction of the Synagogue in Nazareth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-dsvdtueVsplL50G_lIQcXjKEFeiy9dANoj6WGPXT0KnS6LfQ25xQ65xH76TZ2GQl-B96QetgAMRGCPUtpI84ZW5sTkuKmaODnL8sqEhSbVXatFhh1u1IN_HSfOd8gSwjEuJFO1A/s1600/nazareth+scrolls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-dsvdtueVsplL50G_lIQcXjKEFeiy9dANoj6WGPXT0KnS6LfQ25xQ65xH76TZ2GQl-B96QetgAMRGCPUtpI84ZW5sTkuKmaODnL8sqEhSbVXatFhh1u1IN_HSfOd8gSwjEuJFO1A/s640/nazareth+scrolls.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Scrolls like those that would have been used in a synagogue.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSeBwo36QVrviHi0cNRPLCeG1JLbIZcohEEwXfy5s9Io3bz1GVE-oqt45F_khFVScPEnyTR4QFecTwxTEP-3q89LHmos4bQ16q5cFwtw1j7yEYUrBkVZ-WzHeBT-vGTrpJBY6Eb34/s1600/nazareth+synagogue+windows.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTSeBwo36QVrviHi0cNRPLCeG1JLbIZcohEEwXfy5s9Io3bz1GVE-oqt45F_khFVScPEnyTR4QFecTwxTEP-3q89LHmos4bQ16q5cFwtw1j7yEYUrBkVZ-WzHeBT-vGTrpJBY6Eb34/s640/nazareth+synagogue+windows.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Synagogue Windows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oZA_YWETEIjaO_YjHAqGad15LBEq-1ozvuXcWi6MJgjMKj10C1_8CCxNc5A2CHbOhR_i4fYyeG2iXKzlSKfDuL4qh4brVFhg-eLz57_NEUh1vC2dvCmVWsn5bs3FqjdYAMceFMiQ/s1600/nazareth+tools.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oZA_YWETEIjaO_YjHAqGad15LBEq-1ozvuXcWi6MJgjMKj10C1_8CCxNc5A2CHbOhR_i4fYyeG2iXKzlSKfDuL4qh4brVFhg-eLz57_NEUh1vC2dvCmVWsn5bs3FqjdYAMceFMiQ/s640/nazareth+tools.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tools that a carpenter may have used in Nazareth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZseYlyNzdADVEN66btnWI3CxdG3uBKHiRdm86bwLf8oy-HG7fB6lt5nJgYephz3sd7O1YJkqLL2oZDqz69JdfHpxnICzYk3nwqHrrOpcGLkoPMUAYwD-MI5OlL8xvKqp6LHH8OxCs/s1600/nazareth+tools+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZseYlyNzdADVEN66btnWI3CxdG3uBKHiRdm86bwLf8oy-HG7fB6lt5nJgYephz3sd7O1YJkqLL2oZDqz69JdfHpxnICzYk3nwqHrrOpcGLkoPMUAYwD-MI5OlL8xvKqp6LHH8OxCs/s640/nazareth+tools+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more tools</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmQILF4dWBDL49bD8DrKRid6oFD0pPVJwU0t3gkwdLyJUPHZ_TfhnZUg_2cthsImXGeQ5H_M60rLYAST4q63bFL6SNFL4-ppCmgOphgQ7tkxvhO9ZaPlkrJCVUUlUzFkxU8-VuzBu/s1600/shepherd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmQILF4dWBDL49bD8DrKRid6oFD0pPVJwU0t3gkwdLyJUPHZ_TfhnZUg_2cthsImXGeQ5H_M60rLYAST4q63bFL6SNFL4-ppCmgOphgQ7tkxvhO9ZaPlkrJCVUUlUzFkxU8-VuzBu/s640/shepherd.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A typical shepherd of the day.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-37737983298080032042016-10-16T11:29:00.003-06:002016-10-16T11:29:30.277-06:00Galilee<div style="direction: ltr; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 5.28pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0in; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQarGVKb09eWvh6hcByyvg7zUB4Ik3LUqPiYVT6BWHrAhreyADgvvxl-jJvmg9monZT_tZbySbX5VvE5DkWIkxp0ORR-l0jXCDHOh9AbDSP6Oc9a7bmsPYcNLdt6-FtKGfnHNvVSqc/s1600/Galilee+Sunrise+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQarGVKb09eWvh6hcByyvg7zUB4Ik3LUqPiYVT6BWHrAhreyADgvvxl-jJvmg9monZT_tZbySbX5VvE5DkWIkxp0ORR-l0jXCDHOh9AbDSP6Oc9a7bmsPYcNLdt6-FtKGfnHNvVSqc/s640/Galilee+Sunrise+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 22pt;">Our hotel was next to the Sea of Galilee with a beautiful view both
morning and night. During the day we were able to travel to many spots
with historical and scriptural significance. The scriptural stories that
I learned in my youth took on new significance as I stood on sacred ground near
the spots where those stories took place. I had a testimony before
I went to Israel, but I am changed somehow. I have a better understanding of the culture. I have a better understanding of Jesus and His
gospel. I appreciate Him more. I want to know Him better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 22pt;">Our first stop was Mount </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 22pt;">Arbel</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 22pt;"> where we had a gorgeous
view of the Galilee. The Galilee refers to the entire region surrounding
the sea of Galilee. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: calibri;"><span style="font-size: 29.3333px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: calibri;"><span style="font-size: 29.3333px;">It was a bit of a hike.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJz0FEfxDGOo1Bx_7ZXm0PstQk5uT_aMPuWLqDarTphJA8LGcJn6Co0CJ_5zifIaX579LQ5HbVxtHvvANdkv-ZWTCOtclTSQCLZDJONxeh27JhQ0i8idEAosvFnMRq0fFTZSBRf5mq/s1600/clinbing+arbel+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJz0FEfxDGOo1Bx_7ZXm0PstQk5uT_aMPuWLqDarTphJA8LGcJn6Co0CJ_5zifIaX579LQ5HbVxtHvvANdkv-ZWTCOtclTSQCLZDJONxeh27JhQ0i8idEAosvFnMRq0fFTZSBRf5mq/s640/clinbing+arbel+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 22pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtIe6fpcppE5s24lP69qCVJ4mpxRmpb1UQ_M9EMa-5isNOzLfMN_xjAUHayZosEHa8V9URpAdWe-K9Wp7_4OYdaTKGvjnlvbJlHKQ2VgHfrTTRtbckihUw6qy87DNPl-Y3WOdpUTT/s1600/view+from+mt+arbel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtIe6fpcppE5s24lP69qCVJ4mpxRmpb1UQ_M9EMa-5isNOzLfMN_xjAUHayZosEHa8V9URpAdWe-K9Wp7_4OYdaTKGvjnlvbJlHKQ2VgHfrTTRtbckihUw6qy87DNPl-Y3WOdpUTT/s640/view+from+mt+arbel.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-G01fReYiy_hc24-RcQe7Eq9149RlOnMP46oBYWx4Tvtff3lNKDpd2JrFiuvtQmDcrZToqLbdEsIVLv-jyw2_XdroGGmeI1ANC_09RPiLW0L1EBltHGkm94nsK8cjyVWc4EOB_xX/s1600/view+2+from+mt+arbel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-G01fReYiy_hc24-RcQe7Eq9149RlOnMP46oBYWx4Tvtff3lNKDpd2JrFiuvtQmDcrZToqLbdEsIVLv-jyw2_XdroGGmeI1ANC_09RPiLW0L1EBltHGkm94nsK8cjyVWc4EOB_xX/s640/view+2+from+mt+arbel.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 22pt;">Mount </span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 22pt;">Arabel</span><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 22pt;"> was historically a pretty
bloody place. There are caves in the cliff where more than once Jews hid
themselves from conquering rulers. It never ended well. Most who
sought refuge in the caves were brutally killed. Other jumped from the
mount to avoid becoming slaves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 22pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdr_WEAt_vRM97FveXDNeALh375mEokczlBsmSJ9JnGRTyLUG6ZQG6_UFpYeK_yjMrE7vLZaU4iEtC8Qbd9U-iTbWWTL2jMn0cuwh2GwILRUKQDmYHx0VwsOfQh471RiiI1KZr6fV/s1600/caves+at+mt+arbel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdr_WEAt_vRM97FveXDNeALh375mEokczlBsmSJ9JnGRTyLUG6ZQG6_UFpYeK_yjMrE7vLZaU4iEtC8Qbd9U-iTbWWTL2jMn0cuwh2GwILRUKQDmYHx0VwsOfQh471RiiI1KZr6fV/s640/caves+at+mt+arbel.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 22pt;">Look at this stunning mosaic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 22pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9WohLZXOEPwRAJvRVk4r8_c74KzbAYc7NlTfEuuGUTUvz3ta8hQ5w3vPG9tQdxZ50nFJROG5j1UwHoK2xANm4NFt2u8JbXd_FoQuwTArmaYEk4RGip0RwBcRgR2eHGVVchu0E_Tt/s1600/masic+at+mt+arbel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9WohLZXOEPwRAJvRVk4r8_c74KzbAYc7NlTfEuuGUTUvz3ta8hQ5w3vPG9tQdxZ50nFJROG5j1UwHoK2xANm4NFt2u8JbXd_FoQuwTArmaYEk4RGip0RwBcRgR2eHGVVchu0E_Tt/s640/masic+at+mt+arbel.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-16919728940130341032016-10-16T11:00:00.000-06:002016-10-16T11:00:02.551-06:00Nazareth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jesus grew up in Nazareth. He probably learned to be a carpenter from Joseph. He knew the village and surrounding hillside. He played with other children and learned the culture of the Jews. <br />
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He also learned about His mission and destiny. Who were His teachers? <br />
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Eventually He preached here and announced in the synagogue that He was the Messiah, but the people of Nazareth rejected Him. A prophet is not without honor except in his own country.<br />
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This is also the place that Nephi saw in vision when the angel revealed Mary the mother of Jesus to him. This is the place where Gabriel told Mary she would be the mother of the Son of God. This is the place where Gabriel visited Joseph and told him to take Mary to be his wife and the name her son Jesus.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNseKCR1oMF7TAkL9Xv_-E5crgJIfTfrOoaXuAOEBsK-Os1RLleqJWObGU9M-t6shomtecW1FzFyCqufiI0d6Sk8mQVQfM1B16lTh7KKWXvAesHxcoAx8Tw5Gd1fKLar_IvPgttNH/s1600/Nazareth+villeg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNseKCR1oMF7TAkL9Xv_-E5crgJIfTfrOoaXuAOEBsK-Os1RLleqJWObGU9M-t6shomtecW1FzFyCqufiI0d6Sk8mQVQfM1B16lTh7KKWXvAesHxcoAx8Tw5Gd1fKLar_IvPgttNH/s320/Nazareth+villeg.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNseKCR1oMF7TAkL9Xv_-E5crgJIfTfrOoaXuAOEBsK-Os1RLleqJWObGU9M-t6shomtecW1FzFyCqufiI0d6Sk8mQVQfM1B16lTh7KKWXvAesHxcoAx8Tw5Gd1fKLar_IvPgttNH/s1600/Nazareth+villeg.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><br />
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We visited a reconstructed village in Nazareth which depicted Jesus's childhood home. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6q-x6xS9LLz5SdLWCFcTxc6yrlsXBWNpNJVhBi8TBfijtOwxT8vRrfdBMTGgxoqt4fWGRpAQHdLjx3PZP50xGO2L1EhdYwsGgDYfFtZ1ULL3_83FATqNBRc_eW7XL6R4uYp0afvf/s1600/olive+press+nazareth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveGdFsSXr4Q4bx6gjuV07GmOhL912hzrZFFdZdXnzoQ2RomY6FaGuhJ6ymPvBCZ7m8xSQuRpZcmHZz223uX7FENsbMnl916Re8L2Ga0h25UMkEKeMyGP-e4NlIXFlW_dkz74x6b0M/s1600/olive+press+2+nazareth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveGdFsSXr4Q4bx6gjuV07GmOhL912hzrZFFdZdXnzoQ2RomY6FaGuhJ6ymPvBCZ7m8xSQuRpZcmHZz223uX7FENsbMnl916Re8L2Ga0h25UMkEKeMyGP-e4NlIXFlW_dkz74x6b0M/s320/olive+press+2+nazareth.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6q-x6xS9LLz5SdLWCFcTxc6yrlsXBWNpNJVhBi8TBfijtOwxT8vRrfdBMTGgxoqt4fWGRpAQHdLjx3PZP50xGO2L1EhdYwsGgDYfFtZ1ULL3_83FATqNBRc_eW7XL6R4uYp0afvf/s1600/olive+press+nazareth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp6q-x6xS9LLz5SdLWCFcTxc6yrlsXBWNpNJVhBi8TBfijtOwxT8vRrfdBMTGgxoqt4fWGRpAQHdLjx3PZP50xGO2L1EhdYwsGgDYfFtZ1ULL3_83FATqNBRc_eW7XL6R4uYp0afvf/s320/olive+press+nazareth.JPG" width="320" /></a>We saw our first olive press here. The olives are hung in bags and weighted to extract the first oil. This is the prized virgin olive oil</div>
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In this type of press the olives are pitted and then crushed. This releases more oil. Oil is 50 % or more of the weight of the olives.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4H7GCYy-UVzw9h3Vd5QHqEKLubBYMO-JK7riyTba2ueqr7f4qv-lzfRnX6iQGc2C440fFEoiEAjec0DxiVlzYnGUhjCxn_yLSQNqLLPSn_RIGkESt84Jm1HMw0QUJDIqu4qdWaaZ/s1600/picking+olives+Nazareth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin4H7GCYy-UVzw9h3Vd5QHqEKLubBYMO-JK7riyTba2ueqr7f4qv-lzfRnX6iQGc2C440fFEoiEAjec0DxiVlzYnGUhjCxn_yLSQNqLLPSn_RIGkESt84Jm1HMw0QUJDIqu4qdWaaZ/s320/picking+olives+Nazareth.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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An olive garden, early tools from the period, traditional weaving and a shepherd, are some of the things we saw here. Local Christians volunteer to be actors at this sight to make the experience more real.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9uID1nbe9syskS5e2fG6l0ZFuqV1aC7PUchdrt8YXPzbfxzBiCazDCjvcuEXpj19sKuMI17q3ZJ5lg0E8sqnZrVW-JKp8IAyPavwWdEFlw_XG9oLMw-4JrV5YZGfG733jg1T7ddU/s1600/olives+in+Nazareth+village.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht9uID1nbe9syskS5e2fG6l0ZFuqV1aC7PUchdrt8YXPzbfxzBiCazDCjvcuEXpj19sKuMI17q3ZJ5lg0E8sqnZrVW-JKp8IAyPavwWdEFlw_XG9oLMw-4JrV5YZGfG733jg1T7ddU/s320/olives+in+Nazareth+village.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is how the olives look on the tree.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizziRn8vf2idEWqvj_j_LRa54KW6snfWIAflOpU_5zEJbsSuKIGixcjeJvEDYEKiWNoWWTQ3bGOL-QHlDj3-czaA4F21UXcdUK6mtgg5OAZUhxXCOIGZb0tn_79uqnyz3fLFDK-0eB/s1600/Nazareth+spinning+the+yarn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizziRn8vf2idEWqvj_j_LRa54KW6snfWIAflOpU_5zEJbsSuKIGixcjeJvEDYEKiWNoWWTQ3bGOL-QHlDj3-czaA4F21UXcdUK6mtgg5OAZUhxXCOIGZb0tn_79uqnyz3fLFDK-0eB/s320/Nazareth+spinning+the+yarn.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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The woman who was weaving was animated and joyful. Someone mentioned to her that she could get rich selling her rugs and mats. She did a little dance and said, "I am already rich, because I am the daughter of the King of Kings."<br />
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For some reason I was a little surprised to find Christians in Israel who openly displayed their love for Jesus Christ. I asked how many Christians live in Israel. Our guide estimated that there are around 160,000 or less than 5% of the population.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsophCdtxMAqTztV3x-iCq0yJRFayMfDC8HRsmrgyFsIvi3Tcpz7UO24GAFQaQYn5iMxkjQKmPGwkzYguLriX9p9_PgJwR5cIfkgLpbfbHBYDeSkI4J6Q4xD-2NGPkIImyLsB1Q-f/s1600/nazareth+donkey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsophCdtxMAqTztV3x-iCq0yJRFayMfDC8HRsmrgyFsIvi3Tcpz7UO24GAFQaQYn5iMxkjQKmPGwkzYguLriX9p9_PgJwR5cIfkgLpbfbHBYDeSkI4J6Q4xD-2NGPkIImyLsB1Q-f/s400/nazareth+donkey.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A noisy donkey. Donkeys were a common way of transporting people and goods in Nazareth. Especially for the poor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOupCwcHgXTrzIc2zqP9Zap0PYAnDCFqKn8r0w02mTlbU0EcJ2PEKy0OzYtS5P_RrNgZqADw9Qzvkx6rVlwfR-gih196znweHVtYuhHCrAEvjcFaao-AH1v0-bVjnlCk2HJOjS96B/s1600/wine+press+in+Nazareth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOupCwcHgXTrzIc2zqP9Zap0PYAnDCFqKn8r0w02mTlbU0EcJ2PEKy0OzYtS5P_RrNgZqADw9Qzvkx6rVlwfR-gih196znweHVtYuhHCrAEvjcFaao-AH1v0-bVjnlCk2HJOjS96B/s320/wine+press+in+Nazareth.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wine press. Many families made their own olive oil and their own wine.. They used their feet to mash the grapes so that they would not crush the seeds which would make the wine bitter. There was a channel cut in the ground to carry the wine to a vat where it could be put into bottles.<br />
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Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-16860778009205134742016-02-04T10:20:00.001-07:002016-02-04T10:29:15.074-07:00Why China? Part 5: Pandas<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgTs_sw4NA8cvHb9hLQfQTIysKyIbX6kMvs53IY3DpvMxJpaPAFFtN1lVkIrHX11gYYq3WGVyke9vIlZIpYqCPr5leS0Ry91TWxVqgg3LqaZ6iJ5YGO9DH0Xzd9UQYJCn6i4Mh8ly/s1600/beijing+pandas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgTs_sw4NA8cvHb9hLQfQTIysKyIbX6kMvs53IY3DpvMxJpaPAFFtN1lVkIrHX11gYYq3WGVyke9vIlZIpYqCPr5leS0Ry91TWxVqgg3LqaZ6iJ5YGO9DH0Xzd9UQYJCn6i4Mh8ly/s320/beijing+pandas.jpg" width="320" /></a>Pandas are an endangered species, native to China. There are only about 2000 in the world and
only about 49 live outside of China. About 239
Pandas are in captivity in China and the rest live in natural habitat. </div>
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The 49 or so Panda living outside of China are in 18
different zoos in 13 different countries.
China once gave two pandas to the United States as a gift. Their new address was the Washington D.C.
zoo. China gave 23 Pandas to 9 different
countries between 1958 and 1982 as an act of diplomacy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In 1984, the Chinese stopped giving Pandas as gifts and now
they only loan Pandas for ten years. The
loan comes with a price tag of $10,000 to $1,000,000 per year. Some
of that money goes to conservation of Panda habitat and research. Any offspring born to Pandas on loan also
belong to <o:p></o:p></div>
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China.<br />
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The name Panda means Big Bear Cat. Pandas are scientifically classified as
meat-eaters because of their digestive system, but live almost entirely on
bamboo. Adult Pandas eat an astonishing 20 to 30
pounds of bamboo each day. It takes a lot of time to get all that bamboo down. They spend about 12 hours of every day eating. That's right, 12 hours out of every 24 hours is spent in the dining room.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pandas sometimes eat small birds and rodents.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H1wlz4qOb_Tt4TntNotXsMOlI8f2p5k237t_wIC1dF-8rrYTziyS7QqQ_wDVyfvRBU7Y4vQ45OcLUE0pZMSlSDBmpmNCk2nSuYcz7xYeHPV-Y5quiPeZBFfq06V7wa703TvTbzu2/s1600/beijing+panda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9H1wlz4qOb_Tt4TntNotXsMOlI8f2p5k237t_wIC1dF-8rrYTziyS7QqQ_wDVyfvRBU7Y4vQ45OcLUE0pZMSlSDBmpmNCk2nSuYcz7xYeHPV-Y5quiPeZBFfq06V7wa703TvTbzu2/s320/beijing+panda.jpg" width="320" /></a>An adult male can weigh as much as 350 pounds. Females are smaller and can weigh anywhere
from 150 to 275 pounds. Baby Pandas are tiny, weighing less than 5
ounces . Imagine a rounded cube of butter and you've got the idea, except that the butter is pink. Panda cubs are born blind, pink, and with no teeth.</div>
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In a few week the cub's skin turns gray in spots, the spots that will eventually become black. The color pattern is set after about a month. The first fur is very soft and coarsens over time.</div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Panda cubs crawl at around 3 months and start snacking on
bamboo when they are 6 months old. They
depend mostly on their Mother’s milk for the first year. On their first birthday, panda cubs weigh
about 100 pounds. They will live with
their mother for up to two years. In the
wild, a mother Panda gives birth about once every two years. </span>Panda dads don’t stick around to help raise the kids.</div>
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Pandas don’t reproduce much in captivity. Apparently Pandas
are shy about mating in public. Panda<o:p></o:p></div>
keepers have tried Viagra and Panda porn, but the most success has come from
artificial insemination. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4m7vGO7nx3Pm3t10773QuJ4SAZXyO_YS7MeenoOcpX-W9aRDhc0HVqFCuastL3DF18ZmJX4BBlwk4iu9vHFkJQ0Wb4fwNeagYpKEc5zWhulbc4Mz_lHWHw_pYEUFgNhsMVKiJee10/s1600/beijing+panda+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4m7vGO7nx3Pm3t10773QuJ4SAZXyO_YS7MeenoOcpX-W9aRDhc0HVqFCuastL3DF18ZmJX4BBlwk4iu9vHFkJQ0Wb4fwNeagYpKEc5zWhulbc4Mz_lHWHw_pYEUFgNhsMVKiJee10/s320/beijing+panda+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Six Pandas live in the Beijing Zoo. We were hoping to see at least one of
them. Our guide told us that on a good
day we might see two or three. To our
delight we saw all six of the handsome creatures. For some of us it was a first.</div>
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Six out of six. I guess it was a good day. </div>
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Linda Garner<o:p></o:p></div>
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Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-74816042120821141812016-01-28T08:42:00.002-07:002016-02-04T10:21:03.649-07:00Why China? Part 4: Before I Came to China<div class="MsoNormal">
Before I came </div>
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to China, </div>
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I thought that </div>
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all Chinese people</div>
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looked alike.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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In China, </div>
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I saw that </div>
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Chinese faces </div>
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are as different </div>
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as
snowflakes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I swam </div>
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in an ocean </div>
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of Chinese faces </div>
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and saw the music </div>
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in
their smiles </div>
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and the warmth </div>
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in their eyes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Some faces </div>
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reminded me of </div>
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friends at home </div>
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who are not
Chinese.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I even saw one </div>
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that reminded me </div>
of you.<br />
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<br /></div>
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Linda Garner</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-50061126776222212842016-01-21T06:54:00.000-07:002016-02-04T10:21:33.929-07:00Why China? Part 3: More about the Great Wall<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeP6MC_doCh0tfHvzcd2LN9XTYK2e9TVITuJb6NyShk7G5Kvp1_pvs9N9fc0yufFaW7uBo04eT2h8gevC_INtxSZxvdx18xzL4VmKxGsnMn5J8V9v71uCUv5xa21fi3BT22Pry6sPE/s1600/beijing+great+wall+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeP6MC_doCh0tfHvzcd2LN9XTYK2e9TVITuJb6NyShk7G5Kvp1_pvs9N9fc0yufFaW7uBo04eT2h8gevC_INtxSZxvdx18xzL4VmKxGsnMn5J8V9v71uCUv5xa21fi3BT22Pry6sPE/s640/beijing+great+wall+2.jpg" width="420" /></a>One of the highlights to our Beijing experience was climbing the Great Wall of China. <br />
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The Chinese used walls to protect and isolate their people and their royalty. There are walls surrounding some towns and cities. There are walls surrounding the Forbidden City. <br />
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The Great Wall was built to protect China from invading armies. It is more than 4,000 miles long. Longer than the width of the continental United States. </div>
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The Wall is as wide as 30 feet in places, plenty wide enough to drive a car across. It is 16 feet tall where it has not eroded. To get to the top of the wall we climbed stairs that extended about a mile. </div>
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The most curious thing about the stairs is that they are uneven. <br />
Some stairs felt normal, others were short, and some were very tall. I had to crawl over some of the taller stairs, lacking the stability on the snow and ice to negotiate such a tall step.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAF8oRr9ZsU-Xm4N9J58NDBt_Uu5yFGrCxMImqf3fy3u_IWvH81obCzQ8YjRyevNbKCLi2RzKqYpUGpXJZ5IlYqbXuar0zOhO2R9ZY4H5rxuhlEbLo1rJA_RqK9mTiI1IB2RLrBvRU/s1600/beijing+Trish+on+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAF8oRr9ZsU-Xm4N9J58NDBt_Uu5yFGrCxMImqf3fy3u_IWvH81obCzQ8YjRyevNbKCLi2RzKqYpUGpXJZ5IlYqbXuar0zOhO2R9ZY4H5rxuhlEbLo1rJA_RqK9mTiI1IB2RLrBvRU/s200/beijing+Trish+on+wall.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The walls were built to keep intruders out. The uneven stairs helped to slow the enemy down. </div>
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There was a railing on each side of the stairs. One railing was crowded with the hands of many travelers. The other side of the stairs was very icy and seemed a little treacherous. I seldom was able to grasp the railing. Closer to the top there was no railing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGcXFg3WqKzIvbipmNqc6u5ss2LAky0HYuoAgVtp7EJxR3e_YI10VZHHjjLTmZ1wbP1NA1IslypW4ABbLEXJa_SsvTY3Ce3x7xmvUCsX9Gs38Prhpg_FhMqICrlsJ3AiEuzwHEJJQ/s1600/beijing+great+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGcXFg3WqKzIvbipmNqc6u5ss2LAky0HYuoAgVtp7EJxR3e_YI10VZHHjjLTmZ1wbP1NA1IslypW4ABbLEXJa_SsvTY3Ce3x7xmvUCsX9Gs38Prhpg_FhMqICrlsJ3AiEuzwHEJJQ/s640/beijing+great+wall.jpg" width="640" /></a>Their was a guard house part way up the stairs and a tower at the top. At the first guard house, I realized that I needed to shed some of my layers as I was getting too warm. The sun had begun to warm us, and I was also generating some of my own heat from the exertion. I left my heavy coat soon after, hanging on the railing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ixDzi9Ff98aiXGFgRZ2FRc_ftH7pcL5bgcXfIGwh4FB9E-J_c7lW_UqgblNaHkKVO1GJbu5IjRvwrD99n61Q0hiRn5b-UUOTOl_ELPOfmxAa6wvMPP7B9Q_QHx7Pq2KkaS_wee9i/s1600/beijing+padlocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ixDzi9Ff98aiXGFgRZ2FRc_ftH7pcL5bgcXfIGwh4FB9E-J_c7lW_UqgblNaHkKVO1GJbu5IjRvwrD99n61Q0hiRn5b-UUOTOl_ELPOfmxAa6wvMPP7B9Q_QHx7Pq2KkaS_wee9i/s320/beijing+padlocks.jpg" width="320" /></a>We didn't see graffiti near the wall, but padlocks hung along the side of the stairs just under the railing. On the padlocks were carved initials and names of some who wished to leave their mark.</div>
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We learned that the wall was begun in the Quin (pronounced Chin) dynasty and was added to during the Ming Dynasty at a cost of hundreds of thousands of lives. Those who died while building the wall were buried within the wall. The early builders use compacted dirt. During the Ming Dynasty bricks were also used.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1z7x5TsB2bI925gmwLGemazdOIBYH2IgjTgw8Bn1Cj3kdzbSS6CFgzOTgjkWl5gtGid0g_q4mGJCLUI9ShhDAH5yt1QtJD_-Je_L3s1TLzwp_dYFCrkzqvHFw_DsNO30ovskX97W/s1600/beijing+hero+rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1z7x5TsB2bI925gmwLGemazdOIBYH2IgjTgw8Bn1Cj3kdzbSS6CFgzOTgjkWl5gtGid0g_q4mGJCLUI9ShhDAH5yt1QtJD_-Je_L3s1TLzwp_dYFCrkzqvHFw_DsNO30ovskX97W/s400/beijing+hero+rock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The climb was challenging for me but doable. Reaching the top was a victory. The view was spectacular. We were blessed to have a clear day. I savored the victory and enjoyed the satisfaction of completion. </div>
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This is the hero rock. If you have made it this far you are a hero. I may not be a hero but I felt like one when I reached this rock. Every once in a while, I like to do hard things. </div>
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Linda Garner</div>
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Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-6842950483372694012016-01-12T11:07:00.000-07:002016-02-04T10:22:12.426-07:00Why China? Part 2: The Climb<div>
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The Great Wall</div>
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It was built to keep intruders out. One mile up and one mile down. “There are two climbs here,” Our tour guide
told us. “One side is hard,” he said,
“the other…harder. You choose.”</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I looked at the uneven stairs stretching toward the sky, and
chose hard, knowing that it would be enough.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkolrEUCYl2MoXS7OI9bWNY3bTyUQLuSp_GhmYmygpqwCv7vDq9OXjUbpCa-mxV13-mmwq8J6baEh6SlYswmk6egoIRYjdIVqaa7r2Vb2Mqon2eCLnVQjIdPNn2N1vY8pBuLBbIHlv/s1600/beijing+victory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkolrEUCYl2MoXS7OI9bWNY3bTyUQLuSp_GhmYmygpqwCv7vDq9OXjUbpCa-mxV13-mmwq8J6baEh6SlYswmk6egoIRYjdIVqaa7r2Vb2Mqon2eCLnVQjIdPNn2N1vY8pBuLBbIHlv/s400/beijing+victory.jpg" width="400" /></a>My feet were careful on the sometimes icy steps. I wore layers against the November
chill. There were many hands clinging to
the rail. I couldn’t always reach.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It was meant to be a hard climb. It was meant to slow down the enemy. The un-evenness had purpose.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am not the enemy, but the un-evenness challenged me as if
I were. My short legs were not made for
tall steps. Sometimes I had to crawl.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It was warmer near the top.
My layers became a burden. I left
my heavy coat along the way to be gathered on my downward hike.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We celebrated at the top.
The view was breathtaking. I felt
victorious. It was hard, and I made
it. I can do hard things.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Linda Garner </div>
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Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-6091309245985486372016-01-06T12:37:00.002-07:002016-01-06T12:45:07.950-07:00Why China?<div class="MsoNormal">
Why China? Everyone asked that when we told them we were going to China. </div>
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Our son, Nathan, and his wife, Patricia gave
their son, Tyler, an early graduation present, a trip to China. China was Tyler’s destination of choice. He has been studying Chinese and has an
interest in that culture. We decided to
tag along. Spoiler Alert: We had so much fun in China, that we have decided to go to Israel in October.<br />
<br />
Now that Christmas is over, I will post some of our pictures, thoughts, and memories of our trip to China.This is the first installment.<br />
<br />
<h3>
<b>Beijing: The Adventure Begins</b></h3>
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We have free wi-fi in our luxurious room, but there is no
Google, no facebook, and no blogger available in China. The Chinese government doesn’t allow social media. We didn't know about this before we came. Friend-husband sends texts to our family from
the hotel and that is our only contact with the outside world. Our son and his wife facetime their kids at
home. We do not have apple devices so we
do not facetime. We didn’t think to
install Skype on this computer. We could
download it here, but the wi-fi is slow.
I don’t know if we will get around to it while we are here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRlyRc75qvjZH-ZnfMUtDUjKyXCqhZrNxPmiEMxsECNmF4mTQSLS0e2PFTRqLwsZ5h8N13XuQ7nOrdUyzi3GuOVKxSaJl2G0x-jxSDLCWeiHxaeTmGInTfF6E1a1GOMFsv-PjiMnA/s1600/Beijing+Tianeman+Square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRlyRc75qvjZH-ZnfMUtDUjKyXCqhZrNxPmiEMxsECNmF4mTQSLS0e2PFTRqLwsZ5h8N13XuQ7nOrdUyzi3GuOVKxSaJl2G0x-jxSDLCWeiHxaeTmGInTfF6E1a1GOMFsv-PjiMnA/s320/Beijing+Tianeman+Square.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The weather has been cold as expected. It is 18 degrees here in Beijing. We wear as
many layers as we can manage. Our
faces are the coldest, since they are exposed to the wind. The scarf that I threw in my suitcase at the
last minute is my new best friend. </div>
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Many
of the Chinese people wear surgical masks on their faces. Some of them are exactly like the you
would see on your surgeon in the hospital, and others are made of bright
fabric, patterned or plain. We see the
value in keeping your faces covered.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The air quality is also poor in Beijing. This is probably another reason they wear the masks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5MuWHBr0ubZ0YeC0ZDD3hCtbawzir5sK0s9XcZY8F0F693Sm_tHSqb99Raya17bswQs8WriqQxADPaU2V0K7doQmec2nsXWyyNwcjF2IBh42gtYgwh5Cb3EskHvB2fYCY_w69hFp/s1600/beijing+hero+rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5MuWHBr0ubZ0YeC0ZDD3hCtbawzir5sK0s9XcZY8F0F693Sm_tHSqb99Raya17bswQs8WriqQxADPaU2V0K7doQmec2nsXWyyNwcjF2IBh42gtYgwh5Cb3EskHvB2fYCY_w69hFp/s320/beijing+hero+rock.jpg" width="320" /></a>We saw many beautiful things in Beijing. The Forbidden City which is part of Tiananmen
Square, the Summer Palace and the amazing Great Wall of China, were the
highlights. It was unbelievably cold at
the Summer Palace and we walked quickly, while absorbing the beauty of this place, and the
setting around it. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
It would be hard to describe my feelings as we entered Tiananmen square. I have a vivid memory of the students who were brutally killed while peacefully demonstrating in that place. I felt as if I was touching a piece of their history and connecting with them as I stood in the place where they died.</div>
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Our companions are delightful. All ten of us are from the United
States. Our family is half of the
group. Joel and Jeanette, originally from
Puerto Rico, live near Philadelphia.
Luis and Marcia Rodrigues, originally from Columbia, live in New York,
Ashleigh, originally from Pennsylvania, lives in Renton, Washington. They are fun and friendly and don’t seem to
mind that we don’t drink tea or alcohol.
In fact very little tea or alcohol has been ordered. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Our guides are perfect.
They speak good English and are careful to attend to our needs and
answer our questions. We have whisper
devices that we use when we are sight-seeing.
The guide is able to speak to us while we follow behind. The devices have a decent range if we wander
a bit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The happy rooms are what we call the restrooms. As Ahwen, our tour manager explained to us, "if you need one you are happy when you find it even if it is not up to your
standards." Few of the public restrooms
have western toilets. Most have Asian
toilets which are on the floor and not very convenient for ladies. They do flush however. Toilet paper is seldom available so we carry
our own with us. There is usually only
cold water, no paper towels, and no soap.
We are extra happy if we find warm water and soap. We carry hand sanitizer with us. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The hotels have lovely bathrooms with western toilets and
showers or tubs. Some have both. Some of the restaurants have western toilets
but not all. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMnQ3gAXRovM76ulK3McrpQ8XUY0V4fg7vtN6DO-s0YAb8URqhWLurPyNFfKwvzxPs66mXevaek9DUrJspRonsp-kS8_ZrzlypVQR2xODB3-nUzpAs0jHKjqUxyK44DhyphenhyphenXr1DMx4c/s1600/beijing+lazy+susan+meal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguMnQ3gAXRovM76ulK3McrpQ8XUY0V4fg7vtN6DO-s0YAb8URqhWLurPyNFfKwvzxPs66mXevaek9DUrJspRonsp-kS8_ZrzlypVQR2xODB3-nUzpAs0jHKjqUxyK44DhyphenhyphenXr1DMx4c/s320/beijing+lazy+susan+meal.jpg" width="320" /></a>The food is not like the Chinese food we eat in the US. There are many vegetable dishes, even at
breakfast. This is great for me. I love vegetables and they are great for my blood
sugar. There is also rice and noodles served at every meal. I don't eat rice or noodles, but there are plenty of other choices.</div>
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Breakfast is a buffet in the hotels and includes a wide variety of
food.<o:p></o:p><br />
We go back many times and we
wonder if this looks strange to the Chinese people who are watching us. We do it anyway. We are brave enough to try
many unfamiliar things and we sometimes leave it alone after the first
bite. Other times we go back for a
second helping. Dragon fruit,
watermelon, and cantaloupe are usually offered and everyone has become a fan of
dragon fruit.</div>
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No one was brave enough to try the preserved eggs which are
almost black in color. An internet
search told us that these eggs are preserved in a mixture of things like ash
and ammonia. In some countries the
ammonia is obtained from human urine. That
was all we needed to know to cross these off our list of things to try.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our lunches are often served family style around a round
table for ten. There is a large lazy
Susan in the center of the table and we rotate it until everyone is
reached. We serve ourselves and the
dishes keep coming. Lunch is usually 8
or 9 courses. The Dumpling Dinner was 18
courses. There is meat in some of the
dishes, but more as a condiment than the main ingredient. We have eaten eel, jelly fish, pork, chicken,
and beef, and duck. There is often a peanut dish as either an appetizer or one
of the courses.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84odexllv6kDEfnZsP6tykkgFE49uMbX05bBgxwEZ4rrL5_Ii5xlSTaANC3DHs3d4axHMU1c9HZU99RHLIXVI4vXN6BZkE3PcBbCxsfiy7NE36TxHcIdt7qfNYPP-eHtJ9g9Jr5_X/s1600/beijing+duck+dumplings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg84odexllv6kDEfnZsP6tykkgFE49uMbX05bBgxwEZ4rrL5_Ii5xlSTaANC3DHs3d4axHMU1c9HZU99RHLIXVI4vXN6BZkE3PcBbCxsfiy7NE36TxHcIdt7qfNYPP-eHtJ9g9Jr5_X/s320/beijing+duck+dumplings.jpg" width="320" /></a>The dumplings were some kind of meat or vegetable wrapped in
dough and then steamed. Sometimes the
dumplings were made in fun shapes. The
duck shaped dumplings were very cute.
There were sauces for dipping, but I liked them just as well without the
sauce.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our tour guides seldom eat with us, but check on us
frequently to see if the food is good or if we need more of anything. Usually there is a limit of one glass of any
beverage including water. One restaurant
had run out of water and so Ahwen went to the store to buy water for us. </div>
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Five of us only drink water and so this was
very kind of him. We are not to drink
the water from the tap. We are told it
would make us sick. The local people
also drink bottled water for the most part but may occasionally drink tap water
in their own homes.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
More next week.<br />
<br />
Linda Garner</div>
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Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-14486266415593190022015-11-19T21:59:00.001-07:002015-11-19T21:59:10.676-07:00Banished by Christy Monson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTGvpZS4ZdD2i5LeeRwJrXv851u3eNlO74kMRu_BmKnoIO9foHupnwLdgPyvH93CNvvH2VeRaP0UzGdyj15cgYy5rKwcBabXIF2-7oburbDBC8dDZnym5IEYfT-empmmzJxT_lut0S/s1600/Banished+cover+front+only%25281%2529.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/AVvXsEhTGvpZS4ZdD2i5LeeRwJrXv851u3eNlO74kMRu_BmKnoIO9foHupnwLdgPyvH93CNvvH2VeRaP0UzGdyj15cgYy5rKwcBabXIF2-7oburbDBC8dDZnym5IEYfT-empmmzJxT_lut0S/s400/Banished+cover+front+only%25281%2529.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Banished Author Interview </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>by Christy Monson</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
I was born in Medford, Oregon, but I now live in Ogden, Utah. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
I love writing. It's my way to relax, escape from the stresses of daily
life, and put the things I'm passionate about down on paper.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
While I was working as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I had two Native
American boys come for counseling. I suggested that they write a story about
their culture. They began their narratives and told me that if they had to
write a story, I should write one also. Long after the boys finished their
counseling and their anecdotes, I was still working on mine. Dre (the main
character) and I have been companions ever since. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
I finished this manuscript about seven years ago and couldn't decide what to
do with it. After it won 2nd Place in the Utah Arts Council Writing Contest,
Children's Division I put it on the shelf because I was asked to complete
several self help books on women's issues, children who have difficult life
events, and family communication.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
At the League of Utah Writer's Conference one September a couple of years
ago, someone handed out applications for the Marilyn Brown Writing Contest at
Utah Valley University. On a whim, I sent Banished in. It won first place, so I
decided I had left it on the shelf long enough. It is available now on Amazon.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<b>Back Cover: </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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Dre has waited twelve summers to become a man, but the chief banishes
his uncle, his mother, and even Dre himself. Thrust into the desert, he
struggles to protect himself and his mother from his drug-addicted uncle—and
certain death in the barren land.<o:p></o:p></div>
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With only a golden eagle to guide him, Dre battles to find a source of
food and water. Abuse from his uncle and trouble with a neighboring clan could
destroy his chance for survival and keep him from finding his place in the
world. Dre must learn what real manhood
is if he hopes to survive in the harsh environment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Praise for Banished:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">"Monson well deserves the title of
<i>storyteller</i>, for she has truly
captured the music echoing from Hopi tradition and culture." Marilyn Brown
Award</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Utah Valley University Marilyn Brown
Award, 1st Place Winner</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">Utah Arts Council, 2nd Place Winner</span><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b>About the Author:</b> </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Christy Monson loves a good story—especially historical
fiction. She established a successful counseling practice in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Her books, <i>Love, Hugs, and Hope: When</i>
Scary <i>Things Happen</i> and <i>Becoming Free: A Woman's Guide To Internal
Strength</i> are published by Familius. <i>Texting
Through Time, A Trek with Brigham Young</i>, and <i>Texting Through Time, John Taylor and the Mystery Puzzle</i> are
published by Cedar Fort.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Links to buy Banished:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Click <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Banished-Christy-Monson-ebook/dp/B01607L67W/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1445222658&sr=1-2&keywords=banished%20Paperback%20Edition:">here </a>to buy Banished. Available on Kindle or in paperback.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Free download November 20-22.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Congrats to Christy, my writing buddy.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Linda Garner</span></div>
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Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-86034056178270746222015-10-06T10:50:00.000-06:002015-10-06T10:50:08.494-06:00Celebrating Connections<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: #F4F5F7; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i> “You know what music is?” “Gods little reminder that there’s something
else besides us in this universe, a harmonic connection between all living
beings, everywhere, even the stars.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: #F4F5F7; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That quote came from the movie
August Rush. I love the thought of
harmonic connections. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(244, 245, 247); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt;">I love the thought of connecting to the
universe in musical ways. I find delight in the rhythm of the
planets and the seasons, the harmony of nature, the melody of sun and stars and
moons. I enjoy connecting with wind rain, and sky.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f4f5f7; font-size: 21.3333px; line-height: 24.5333px;">I embrace the thought that there is a harmonic connection between all living beings everywhere.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background: #F4F5F7; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I love connections. I celebrate them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: #F4F5F7; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We are connected you and I. We are connected by the rhythm and motion of
the universe. We are connected by our humanness. We are connected by our sameness as well as
our differences. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: #F4F5F7; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We are connected by our desire to
make the world a better place, to reach out and touch hearts. We are connected by our sorrows and our joys.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: #F4F5F7; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We speak the language of the
heart. We celebrate the chance to make a
difference. We share our thoughts, our hopes, and our humanness. We reach out. We share our triumphs and our disappointments. We share quietly. We share boldly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: #F4F5F7; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Join the Celebration. It’s a celebration of life, of love, of joy, and of…connections. Take a risk. Connect.
Become part of something bigger than yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: #F4F5F7; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Take your place. You belong.
Join in. Join the Song. We’ve been expecting you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: #F4F5F7; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Welcome to a place Where Love is
Deep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: #F4F5F7; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Linda Garner</span></div>
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Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-35416881796348176052015-09-18T10:09:00.002-06:002015-09-18T10:09:35.244-06:00Join the Celebration!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgax8QJUM_avgoEPPaI3G8_cKnPtCWZWxQTHBlOHadi0zlhoykG1ppszogl6p34WrqfhIz0bsqHZhFq3DJtFWa0xY6pJRhE8N0g9AbVatfG-Pn-D8AQo7sCiWmIeWXc1LdhcL6oPXhQ/s1600/download.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/AVvXsEgax8QJUM_avgoEPPaI3G8_cKnPtCWZWxQTHBlOHadi0zlhoykG1ppszogl6p34WrqfhIz0bsqHZhFq3DJtFWa0xY6pJRhE8N0g9AbVatfG-Pn-D8AQo7sCiWmIeWXc1LdhcL6oPXhQ/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div>
I've been a little out of touch for the past six months due to my love of music and my love of children. I work with an amazing group of young musicians, my own students and the students of other teachers. These teachers are incredible and together we're doing something extraordinary. <div>
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The whole bunch of us have very busy preparing for an amazing set of concerts. The harp concert was last week. Sorry if you missed it. tonight (Sept 18) there will be a Five Piano Concert in the Conference Center Theater at 7:00. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWYR_TttC7L-sxhV7SrWGSqLfQYLwlyDqM4UExoMq2ATvOnfFCSYQsfWAcxeZn-mVCZgAtiPbwbsuojdd7dWUmLP0bV7fuZW8pSkCNTxsPKbMr9h7Ngze2VwZsNvFh4YAEqvpkU5I/s1600/20150612_5150+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWYR_TttC7L-sxhV7SrWGSqLfQYLwlyDqM4UExoMq2ATvOnfFCSYQsfWAcxeZn-mVCZgAtiPbwbsuojdd7dWUmLP0bV7fuZW8pSkCNTxsPKbMr9h7Ngze2VwZsNvFh4YAEqvpkU5I/s320/20150612_5150+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a>Tickets can be purchased through the Conference Center Ticket Office to print at home. If you print the tickets are only $8. At the door, tickets are $15.</div>
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We have students of all ages in our five piano concert. The youngest are 4 years old and the oldest are 18, with all ages in between. The music ranges from folk songs like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to Bach, Bartok and Chopin.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6q-_emXrTITnDX5WodwXHUyzpkoPtFBjgAn8t1pd0ra6VHVXYxpVymMYrM53g_s1Wgp3IpVMxpSxpv1Co2ibFpPRqZLGzme_tkM6fD7IwXyN4X_uPh85o5TJCt13Ji0EcpGrpDYO/s1600/IMG_2139+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6q-_emXrTITnDX5WodwXHUyzpkoPtFBjgAn8t1pd0ra6VHVXYxpVymMYrM53g_s1Wgp3IpVMxpSxpv1Co2ibFpPRqZLGzme_tkM6fD7IwXyN4X_uPh85o5TJCt13Ji0EcpGrpDYO/s200/IMG_2139+%25281%2529.JPG" width="173" /></a></div>
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Tomorrow (Sept 19) will be a most unsual concert with over 1300 participants on 9 different instruments. This concert begins at 7:00 in the Conference Center auditorium and will be a night to remember.</div>
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Your $8 ticket gets you into both events. You don't want to miss this beautiful once-every-five-years Celebration. This one is Celebration IX and the theme is Where Love is Deep.</div>
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To buy tickets click <a href="https://www.lds.org/church/events/temple-square-events/temple-square-events-ticket-office?lang=eng">here</a>. To listen to an interview with Nkoyo Iyamba, about the concerts click <a href="https://audioboom.com/boos/3588445-hundreds-of-child-musicians-gather-for-largest-suzuki-concert-in-the-americas">here</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmyBKMIKpHvprZYcvz-_dDGLzd3Y4djsG2zA7W-NZYCTpjZf8R7vveIHZ7FJSH7ZZ5yZcGCdJ3ne4luSMvy50KaAf9571Gpz18Z_m3lz4CPcfH5nybBUyL8n5heHgK1XnROuqQ_gw/s1600/harps+on+kent+stage.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/AVvXsEjkmyBKMIKpHvprZYcvz-_dDGLzd3Y4djsG2zA7W-NZYCTpjZf8R7vveIHZ7FJSH7ZZ5yZcGCdJ3ne4luSMvy50KaAf9571Gpz18Z_m3lz4CPcfH5nybBUyL8n5heHgK1XnROuqQ_gw/s320/harps+on+kent+stage.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />I'd love to see you tonight! Come join the Celebration. You'll never forget it. </div>
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Linda Garner</div>
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Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-12410888446224065422015-04-27T07:22:00.000-06:002015-04-27T07:22:05.533-06:00Crooked House Blog Tour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiny-aN7ObgsE0-mK-I-2hEKOko4jX96ZxgNJA9Zap3amecSm02gdW6SWyHqql09nme7GHAuOfbz3vTAF3uGHi7D6hdhv2KakmUdlc8hBiDMMpnf7ztCsVkBiFZpBBNLj89OK0OLIMk/s1600/A+Cover+for+A+Crooked+House.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/AVvXsEiny-aN7ObgsE0-mK-I-2hEKOko4jX96ZxgNJA9Zap3amecSm02gdW6SWyHqql09nme7GHAuOfbz3vTAF3uGHi7D6hdhv2KakmUdlc8hBiDMMpnf7ztCsVkBiFZpBBNLj89OK0OLIMk/s1600/A+Cover+for+A+Crooked+House.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Someone
is trying to kill Liz Johnson and it’s up to quirky private investigator, Erica
Coleman, to find out who. </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Erica
is no stranger to murder and mystery, which is why her best friend’s daughter,
Megan, turns to her when unaccountable and potentially fatal “accidents”
threaten her roommate’s life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Once Erica arrives at the ramshackle old
mansion known as Crooked House, matters go from disturbing to deadly as it
becomes clear someone is trying to kill Liz.
</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">As Erica begins to unearth secrets, she
discovers a twisted web of love, money, greed, and deception. Although the
police and friends sometimes find </span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Erica’s OCD annoying, its those very traits that
help her sift through evidence and see clues that others miss. Erica must draw
upon her all her investigative prowess to keep Liz safe and unmask the killer
before he can accomplish his deadly objective. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> With a
dash of romance and surprising twists, this thrilling mystery will keep you on
the edge of your seat until the very last page. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As with all Erica Coleman
mysteries, ten delicious recipes are included.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Excerpt from </span><i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Crooked House</span></i><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I’m scared.”</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxcvwn8A_aWn9-KdvMEknHXqqfwzwdN411y3dfJCO1-u0oPZxHv2kUiHau-a5yabSFUHIkahDqdRkqWFgIK4XDSeIsTnai5ZitMxHD-Tf8ToBu7GsXQ2j7tMfeAWHu7__K1i5x551/s1600/A+Cover+for+A+Death+in+the+Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Erica’s heart turned over when she heard
the quaver in her young friend’s voice on the phone</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 27pt;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then Megan asked, “Can you come?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> “Of course.” Erica’s reply was automatic. She
would do anything she could to help. Although she often received
emotionally-laden phone calls in her job as a private investigator, there was a
difference when the call came from the teen-aged daughter of her best friend.
The very fact that Megan—who was usually so calm and composed—sounded frightened
out of her wits, put Erica on high alert. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“I think someone’s trying to kill my
roommate, Liz,” Megan said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“What makes you think that?” Erica asked. “Has someone threatened her?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, but Liz has had a couple of serious
accidents lately—at least she <i>says </i>they’re
accidents, but either one of them could have killed her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Erica made an effort to reel in her
skepticism. “Tell me about them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">“First, someone tampered with her car.
The brakes went out and Liz ended up driving across someone’s yard and hitting
a tree. Fortunately, she was okay. The second one happened downtown. Liz was on
the sidewalk waiting for the bus when someone shoved her. She fell into the
road. A truck was coming and if a guy hadn’t pulled her back, Liz could have
been killed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Still, they could have been accidents,
Erica thought, at least until the third one occurred—this time at Crooked House.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">About the Author<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Marlene Bateman
was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and graduated from the University of Utah
with a BA in English. She is married to Kelly R. Sullivan. Her hobbies include gardening, camping,
reading, and enjoying her four cats and three dogs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Marlene’s first
novel was the best-selling <i>Light on Fire
Island</i>. Her next novel was <i>Motive for
Murder—</i>the first in a mystery series that features Erica Coleman, a quirky
private eye with OCD. The next book in
that line, (they do <i>not</i> have to be
read in order) is <i>A Death in the Family.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9aHQaQHRKSUyCdgSIpOfAy0Uj_sQ0CKlWUZQdxiqsbzRPlfI8UNVE0u4lJ0_1VV8nJeS9VRJR96vszuDuh9282O5eb6Rp6J9Y56KBd_z7X5iRVNIxZnYB8gGqOF6l90oI2ReNdiQ/s1600/A+Cover+for+Motive+for+Murder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">Marlene has also
written a number of LDS non-fiction books under the name Marlene Bateman Sullivan.
Those books include: <i>Gaze Into Heaven; Near-death Experiences in
Early Church History, </i>which is a fascinating collection of over 50
documented near-death experiences from the lives of early latter-day Saints, <i>Heroes of Faith</i>, and <i>Latter-day Saint Heroes and Heroines. </i> Marlene also wrote three books about
documented accounts in early LDS church history when a person either saw or
heard an angel; <i>Visit’s From Beyond the
Veil, And There Were Angels Among Them, </i>and <i>By the Ministering of Angels.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-51201878029443731572015-02-20T07:43:00.001-07:002015-02-20T07:43:36.148-07:00Come See Me Tomorrow at the Sandy Expo. It's Free.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmh1GhW0f_MLQuwYkH65TWk535oKrkhNoNTLk8D2__8DMA6_eSdcGKUYyyC9z2LqZ8Xh2-tNqEgczXLl0pHePOJY0kb9-ad7bNUgxq9GfvmmMmE8IFaFBAdE9xOA-56AL1HlpfA7GR/s1600/Safe+kids+fair+flyer+final+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmh1GhW0f_MLQuwYkH65TWk535oKrkhNoNTLk8D2__8DMA6_eSdcGKUYyyC9z2LqZ8Xh2-tNqEgczXLl0pHePOJY0kb9-ad7bNUgxq9GfvmmMmE8IFaFBAdE9xOA-56AL1HlpfA7GR/s1600/Safe+kids+fair+flyer+final+(1).jpg" height="446" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-35690288485303035542015-02-17T08:45:00.005-07:002015-02-20T07:41:11.833-07:00I'm Not Like You<div class="MsoNormal">
I could see the hurt behind her eyes the minute the words
were out of my mouth, but I could not recall them. I wanted to, but I could not find the
words. They were stuck in my throat.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’m not like you,” I had said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Even if I could have taken them back, I don’t think she
would have believed me. The damage was
already done.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I had meant the words.
I suppose that’s why I couldn’t unsay them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I don’t think I’ll be the same kind of parent that you
were,” I had also said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We were having a discussion on parenting. I was home from college for the weekend. I was studying Child Development and Family
Relations as part of my Early Childhood Education major. I loved what I was learning. <o:p></o:p></div>
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“It’s not that you did anything wrong…” I tried to soften the blow. “It’s just that we’re two different people.” <br />
<br />
She gave me that look. The look that said “You think you know
everything.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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I suppose I did think that.
My Mom wasn’t perfect and I knew it.
I saw her flaws and I wanted to be different. I didn’t want to repeat her mistakes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You’ll be surprised,” she said. “You’ll
be surprised to find out how much you are like me.” It’s all the ammunition she had.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She was right about that, though I didn’t see it at first.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After the parenting classes, the real parenting began, and I
was surprised at how often I opened my mouth and heard my mother’s voice come
out. I found myself repeating her words, her methods. I tweaked her methods some, but less than I
had planned.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I get older, I often see her in my mirror and I notice
that I mirror her in other ways. She
passed her love of writing on to me and her love for music. Like her, I love to make a difference, hate
injustice, and often bite off more than I can chew.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I no longer question her parenting methods because I know
that she did the best she could and loved me more than anyone else ever
could. Those are the first two laws of
parenting.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today is her birthday, and though I can no longer visit her,
I can remember her with gratitude and hope that she is happy with the woman I
have become. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope she smiles when she sees that I am like her after all.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mom.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
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Linda Garner<o:p></o:p></div>
Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7798275708841018847.post-17404358414065796102015-02-10T11:33:00.001-07:002015-02-10T11:33:40.438-07:00Is Work a Dirty Word in you House?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsHcV9J0CW8wXjHC9hLB7Qj-WiwBFjgsJwzPGxQs4nFK3AoWyCM-RC0eFkuJbIpPjvdZATAAHYHl8tnAQqdmZC5SQbbWDiWwXSCnmZjDE5GatG8W4XrVJZ2WpWDWGcAcGpySs69_K/s1600/piano+pout.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/AVvXsEjNsHcV9J0CW8wXjHC9hLB7Qj-WiwBFjgsJwzPGxQs4nFK3AoWyCM-RC0eFkuJbIpPjvdZATAAHYHl8tnAQqdmZC5SQbbWDiWwXSCnmZjDE5GatG8W4XrVJZ2WpWDWGcAcGpySs69_K/s1600/piano+pout.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN">Are you fun to do chores with? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Are you too
stern? </span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Too
Critical? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Is work a dirty
word in your house?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
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Your attitude about chores will influence your child. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If you can enjoy the process and appreciate your child’s
efforts, your child will absorb your positive attitude. If you are impatient and critical your child
will absorb your negativity. If you
resent the time spent teaching your child how to do chores, your child may
become resistant.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Being positive about work may not solve all your problems,
but it will go a long way to creating an atmosphere where working together
feels good.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Children don’t learn from criticism. No one enjoys being criticized. Criticism makes people feel bad. Encouragement feels so much better.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Of course you will need to make corrections, but choose your
words carefully. Careless words are hard to recall and can damage tender
feelings.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="EN">Sincere praise
can go a long way to making work more enjoyable. Can praise be overdone? Maybe, but I doubt it. Not if it’s meaningful. When I notice that a
child is not really doing their part, I swallow my criticism and look for
something to praise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">I’m not perfect
at this, but when I do it right, it makes all the difference.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">It sounds like this: I noticed that you worked really hard on the
sink. I noticed that you swept the floor
without being reminded. I noticed that
you cleaned up after yourself. “I noticed” is a powerful way to start this
game, which is really a form of validation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">We need our
children to help around the house. They
need to feel validated. They need to
feel needed. You can validate by
noticing and appreciating their efforts, even when their efforts are less than perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Don’t
underestimate the value of teaching children to work. Begin early and be persistent. Kids who know how to work have an advantage
over kids who don’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Linda Garner<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Linda Garnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07695128008758559476noreply@blogger.com0