tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-224566302024-03-23T14:25:20.994-05:00Partners in Prayer for our ProdigalsTime was, when a tiny soul,
Clothed with flesh and bone
Entered my life and carved
Its image upon my heart.
What lies ahead? Asks my heart.Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.comBlogger478125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-38304727653258992722017-10-14T12:00:00.000-05:002017-10-14T12:00:46.169-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WSeK0p3cGg8/WeABNv5g6pI/AAAAAAAACGA/ShJHlkAbyXM-s57uL-B68cOrYD9fJO_xQCLcBGAs/s320/respite_1_orig.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.partnersinprayerforourprodigals.com/spa-for-the-soul.html" target="_blank">Spa For the Soul </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A long, long time ago, back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth, I was sitting in my therapist's office and he was, once again, trying to explain to me the necessity of taking care of myself instead of fighting harder for my prodigal's sobriety than he was. After chasing my prodigal, unlike the Father in <a href="http://www.partnersinprayerforourprodigals.com/the-prodigal-story.html" target="_blank">Luke 15: 11-32</a>, I had spent a decade of trying every possible way to <i>save </i>our prodigal from himself. I was frenzied with anxiety, struggling to function in my own life, and ignoring <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1:17" target="_blank">every good and perfect thing</a> that God was sending my way. Like unopened Amazon deliveries, I was not home to enjoy the blessings of our other children, our life, and our blessings. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
All of my efforts simply wore me out, weakened my faith, and led me to the therapist's office, asking how I could change my prodigal's life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was there, Dave asked me to consider letting go, letting God, fully surrendering my prodigal to God, and trust God to save him and turn his feet back <i>home</i>. After several unsuccessful sessions, Dave finally used an analogy, that although I am not a football fan, I know enough about football to recognize truth. Dave said, "Diane, it's like a quarterback in a football game. The quarterback is an essential player, significant enough to want to go out to each game healthy and prepared. You are like an injured quarterback that keeps going out to the game, day after day. Now tell me, Diane, have you ever seen a Coach send an injured quarterback out to the field to finish the game? No, when a quarterback is injured, he is taken off the field until such a time he is 100% again. In fact, the quarterback and every player is responsible for the care of their bodies. In your case, you have not taken care of your body, mind, or soul for such a long time in an impossible effort to change someone else. It is admirable, but not effective; in fact it is harming you, and everyone you love, with out a whisper of hope that it will work." </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Stunned, I wanted to leave the room. Didn't he know how hard I was working, how much I needed our prodigal to come home for his banquet? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But his analogy made perfect sense. He <i>had</i> my mind. It was my heart and my shattered soul that would need some spa-ing! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As I began stepping back in to my life, I revisited the characteristics of God. I studied each of His names, I needed to reconnect with the One who could save my prodigal. I began to trust Him and began to put the pieces of my shattered faith and soul back together. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;">"...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As every mother knows, it is a mother's heart that is the last to come to the table of surrender. Willful surrender did not come easy for me, but the more I spent time on my faith muscle, the more courage I gained to trust God, to give my cherished child to God once again. He had been dedicated as a baby, he grew up in a family of faith, and I knew he was God's gift, on loan to his parents, for just a short time. I learned that </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U8KLsnSvDMY/WeAN9hDZuJI/AAAAAAAACGQ/efa_3zOMD38c6voo1VYySe9B8VsLAcWAQCLcBGAs/s1600/14141881_1241350095883982_8927624299215094952_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U8KLsnSvDMY/WeAN9hDZuJI/AAAAAAAACGQ/efa_3zOMD38c6voo1VYySe9B8VsLAcWAQCLcBGAs/s320/14141881_1241350095883982_8927624299215094952_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Research suggests it takes 66 days to create a new habit. While my default response to our son's prodigal journey and reckless, wayward living remained the same (panic, jump in, try to fix, and then pray) for a little longer, the longer I intentionally practiced spa-ing for my soul, the more determined I was to be effective and do what would work. I stopped trying to move the mountain of despair and began being still. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RWJcDvwj_Bw/WeAPm74sMVI/AAAAAAAACGY/Xn4dSMG-C4YVoU0-oIwiprF1YaGq3b8jQCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-10-12%2Bat%2B7.57.33%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1306" height="206" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RWJcDvwj_Bw/WeAPm74sMVI/AAAAAAAACGY/Xn4dSMG-C4YVoU0-oIwiprF1YaGq3b8jQCLcBGAs/s320/Screen%2BShot%2B2017-10-12%2Bat%2B7.57.33%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Will you meet me at the Spa for The Soul today....stop crashing into that mountain, Be Still and know...that God has you and your prodigal in the palm of His hands. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-53762009817162636372017-10-10T09:20:00.000-05:002017-10-10T09:23:18.646-05:00When you are the one who is lost....<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
I first discovered Christine Wyrtzen in the 1980's. She was singing at our Church in MN; I was there and listened to the most beautiful, comforting, Jesus filled voice for little more than an hour. While Christine comes from a gifted, musical family, she also writes with the same elegance and grace I heard her sing. I encourage you to follow Christine on all social media, you can find her on Facebook by clicking <a href="https://www.facebook.com/christine.wyrtzen" target="_blank">here</a> and her website, <a href="http://daughtersofpromise.org/" target="_blank">Daughters of Promise</a>. Sign up for her daily devotionals and be blessed! </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
This is Christine's post from 10/10/17, it is for any of us who, while we await the return of our prodigal, get lost in the struggle of the journey.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
I shared a meal recently with someone who just needed to talk. She admitted that her heart had shut down. One storm after another had overtaken her but for a while she believed things were manageable. There was more right than wrong so she stayed optimistic. She believed in her natural problem solving skills. Eventually though, things fell apart with most every family member. She wept as she admitted that she had lost her voice, lost her hope, and lost her fight.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
What’s mis<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">sing from this picture is a mention of God. Prayer, faith, and strategy, are absent. It’s not that she doesn’t know God. She does, but her prayers are way too sporadic. Passivity means that she has abdicated the outcome to stronger forces she doesn’t have the will to fight anymore.</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px;">
When the enemy comes in like a flood, I don’t have to stand back and wring my hands over the invasion. When sickness overtakes a family member, I can do more than watch. When bad news is announced, I can do more than listen. When sin dominates another part of the house, I can do more than worry. When a family member succumbs to depression, I can do more than offer platitudes. When the bank account is depleted, I can do more than expect destitution. God will raise up a standard and He will use me to be His temple of faith and praise.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
If you’re lying down because you feel hopeless, get up. If you’ve lost your voice, get it back. If you’ve stopped praying, fall to your knees. The language you need is the language of the scriptures. If you have a mouth that can read the Word of God out loud, you’re not wordless. No parent need cry themselves to sleep with hopeless tears when God gives them scriptures to address every single thing that assaults their household. God’s child is meant to walk the house and pray scripture out loud. Faith is revived as God’s promises are spoken. They are the battle cry that declares war on God’s adversary.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
What happens when the enemy hears scriptural pronouncements of faith, when God’s Word assaults his ears? He is reminded of his limits and flees. Know this ~ he will try to re-group, only to be met again by the the child of God who knows that the secret is persevering. Let that be you. Have a word ready for his next act of aggression. His Word will drive out the despair like the slow drip of a life-giving IV and it will revive you. God’s glory comes to rest but not without my full engagement and cooperative effort. There’s a reason scripture trembles in our hands. It’s wonder – not fear. No one need live in the pit of nothingness.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Lord, I’m praying for the one whose hands are limp and whose tongue is silent. Nudge them to pick up their sword. Help them conceive a strategic plan to take back what the enemy has plundered. Lead them to scriptures for every area of defeat. Give them a voice to speak them out loud. Let the enemy know that You are raising up a standard against him with a resurrected son and daughter. Amen</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gkYeLqEo2QQ/WdwZZxFFzpI/AAAAAAAACFo/KDxt7Ii9gNUkYu9jP7K_4G8qmEuhKkH6QCLcBGAs/s1600/22291365_880650108759606_7358023805305514283_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gkYeLqEo2QQ/WdwZZxFFzpI/AAAAAAAACFo/KDxt7Ii9gNUkYu9jP7K_4G8qmEuhKkH6QCLcBGAs/s320/22291365_880650108759606_7358023805305514283_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #494c4d; font-family: "georgia" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 17.28px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #494c4d; font-family: "georgia" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 17.28px;">'Christine Wyrtzen is a recording artist; author, speaker, and host of a nationally syndicated radio program. She has been known for 39 years as a musician and writer with 19 albums and 5 books to her credit. She has been nominated for a Dove Award and long admired for her ability to communicate with a poetic bent.'</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #494c4d; font-family: "georgia" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 17.28px;"><br /></span>
Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-35749375332727016272015-04-09T14:19:00.000-05:002017-10-18T13:51:43.213-05:00When YOU become the prodigal...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-41trE_5DGqk/VSbF7jBYrgI/AAAAAAAACCM/iMW4fRy-L6g/s1600/th-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-41trE_5DGqk/VSbF7jBYrgI/AAAAAAAACCM/iMW4fRy-L6g/s1600/th-4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The journey of loving a prodigal can be painful and isolating.<br />
<br />
I have made many mistakes. I have wrestled with<br />
God as I resisted surrendering my prodigal's journey to God alone. I have chased my prodigal on his journey and in the process have inadvertently created collateral damage.<br />
<br />
In my despair, I finally surrender my prodigal to God.<br />
<br />
And then, I take him back. Sound familiar?<br />
<br />
Truth: We, alone, are not the savior of our prodigal.<br />
<br />
Truth: As long as we fight harder for his/her life than he/she does...we do no good, inadvertently enable, participate in the squander of our prodigals life, and most likely, become absolutely<br />
hopeless. I know, I've done it.<br />
Truth: There is no shame in chasing our prodigal; we must only learn and return ourselves. It is when we stop and "return our HOPE in the Lord" that our "strength will be renewed. [We] will soar on wings like eagles; [we] will run and not grow weary, [we] will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31)<br />
Truth: Our tears are not in vain! But it IS TIME for a RESPITE as we wait on the Lord.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9MLKoBq0o58/VSbKetMBSrI/AAAAAAAACCg/hk-o_r0AehQ/s1600/th-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9MLKoBq0o58/VSbKetMBSrI/AAAAAAAACCg/hk-o_r0AehQ/s1600/th-9.jpg" width="133" /> </a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mv4z7gBoOb4/VSbKKrewpQI/AAAAAAAACCY/g-5KTzWECT8/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-04-09%2Bat%2B12.59.28%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mv4z7gBoOb4/VSbKKrewpQI/AAAAAAAACCY/g-5KTzWECT8/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2015-04-09%2Bat%2B12.59.28%2BPM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"> Click Respite to visit Partners In Prayer for Our Prodigals' </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;">Spa for the Soul </span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.partnersinprayerforourprodigals.com/spa-for-the-soul.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0LCnrmYFy1k/VSbL9NzcRNI/AAAAAAAACCs/Z7fY4uMyMGU/s1600/1487446_692257484126582_1646909166_n-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; list-style-position: outside !important; margin: 5px 0px !important; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2.3em !important; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="list-style: disc outside !important; margin: 3px 0px 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px !important; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-weight: bold;">R</span></span>esolve to stop chasing your prodigal</li>
<li style="list-style: disc outside !important; margin: 3px 0px 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px !important; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #cc6600;">E</span></span>ngage healthy, biblical principles as you await your prodigal’s return</li>
<li style="list-style: disc outside !important; margin: 3px 0px 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px !important; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-weight: bold;">S</span></span>urrender your prodigal’s journey to God</li>
<li style="list-style: disc outside !important; margin: 3px 0px 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px !important; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-weight: bold;">P</span></span>ray: Stand in the gap on behalf of your prodigal</li>
<li style="list-style: disc outside !important; margin: 3px 0px 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px !important; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-weight: bold;">I</span></span>nvite others on your journey-do not isolate-gather and offer support</li>
<li style="list-style: disc outside !important; margin: 3px 0px 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px !important; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-weight: bold;">T</span></span>rust God’s promise and power</li>
<li style="list-style: disc outside !important; margin: 3px 0px 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 5px !important; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #cc6600; font-weight: bold;">E</span></span>quip yourself, emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally—for you have a banquet to prepare—what a banquet it will be! </li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">YOU ARE NOT ALONE on this journey. Join us on Facebook, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PartnersInPrayerForOurProdigals?fref=nf" target="_blank">The Prodigal Hope Network.</a> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Commit to engage in one healthy behavior, just for you, each day. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Take time to pray and spend time in the Word so you will, once again, trust God's promises and power. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Daily, surrender your prodigal's journey to God...and then get out of the way. Let God complete the good work in your prodigal's life. </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">Go to your watchtower...be the ONE who stands in the gap on behalf of your prodigal...so God will not destroy your 'land' (Ez. 22:30)</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span></div>
</div>
Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-2672593412283886972013-04-15T06:57:00.001-05:002013-04-15T06:57:18.290-05:00<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<strong><b>"Transformed By Tough Times" by Steve Reed </b></strong></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<strong><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3J5AZzGtp4E/UWvl0ZorNVI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/KYkE4oV-rRc/s1600/3927618_orig-1.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3J5AZzGtp4E/UWvl0ZorNVI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/KYkE4oV-rRc/s1600/3927618_orig-1.png" /></a>A book about tough times usually implies that the
author has had some personal experiences that connect to that topic.
Where did the book start for you? </strong><br /><span></span><br /><span></span>
In college, I was a kicker and punter at Oklahoma State University
under a demanding head coach, Jimmy Johnson. (Football fans might
recognize him as the coach for two college national championships in the
80’s and a couple of Super Bowls in the 90’s for the Dallas Cowboys).
Just playing for Coach Johnson was tough enough, but my sophomore year, I
got my knee bent backwards in a Junior Varsity game in Lincoln,
Nebraska. When surgery and rehab efforts didn’t get me back to playing
football, I eventually had to hang up the cleats. Looking back now, that
experience made me more aware of how other people dealt with adversity
and caused me to pay more attention to how I could respond when faced
with tough times.<br /><span></span><br /><span></span> <strong>Your
book transitions pretty quickly from your football days to life as a
church planter and how that actually prompted you to write this book.
How did that all happen? </strong><br /><span></span><br /><span></span>
When football didn’t work out, I found myself drawn to ministry in a
great church near the OSU campus. Charlie Baker, the pastor of that
church, invited me and other college students to partner with him in
creating a weekly worship service for students. In doing that ministry I
fell in love with the church and decided to go to seminary and be a
pastor myself. After getting married and going through seminary
training, we eventually moved to Kansas City to start churches. For
nearly 20 years we were involved in the roller coaster rides of starting
five different churches in our region. Most days, I absolutely loved
it. But in one of those church starts we had a train wreck that knocked
me for a loop and out of a church that I loved perhaps more than I loved
my wife and family.<br /><span></span><br /><span></span> <strong>So after that you went on an even deeper quest for figuring out what was happening to you? </strong><br /><span></span><br /><span></span>
Right. With a new intensity I began to systematically search the
scriptures to find some help for my pain. And I collected information
and stories from others wiser than me and from many who had suffered
greatly and come through with amazing faith and character.<br /><span></span><br /><span></span> <strong>You write about a day in Costa Rica that changed your life. What happened? </strong><br /><span></span><br /><span></span>
After the break up from the church, I wound up going to Costa Rica on a
mission trip with my parents. My parents, by the way, were missionaries
when I was a kid and 30 years prior we had actually lived in Costa
Rica. For me, going back was a fun, blast to the past. But more than
that, the people there were cathartic for me. I was an emotional mess
much of the time. And one day I must have cried with three or four
people who needed to know Christ, but who were in pain. God used my pain
and my weeping with others to both minister to them and to me. That day
I discovered something about God’s ministry of tears and how sometimes
He does more through our weaknesses and frailties than He does with our
strengths. <br /><span></span><br /><span></span> <strong>So this is where your international ministry began? </strong><br /><span></span><br /><span></span>
Yes. While in Costa Rica, a Guatemalan man by the name of Cesar
Gonzalez invited me to come to his country and dream about ministries
and churches for people in Guatemala who don’t like church. To hear the
whole story you’d have to pack a lunch! But let me briefly say that
Cesar would have been a mafia hit man if God hadn’t gotten a hold of
him! With a little encouragement from some pastor friends in Kansas
City, I took him up on his invitation, and for two weeks Cesar and I
drove around the country looking at dozens of different situations and
groups of people. Little did I know then, that 13 years later we would
be working in over 55 locations covering Guatemala, Honduras, and El
Salvador. I mention this because I have learned a lot from believers
from other cultures and have put much of that into the book. Many of us
in North America aren’t aware that both Guatemala and El Salvador have
been through recent civil wars. Many people there have shared first hand
stories of unimaginable grief and heartache. As I have walked alongside
them, my faith has been challenged and I have an increasing desire to
not just mindlessly <em>go </em>through my tough times, but to actually think deeply and <em>grow</em>
through my tough circumstances. As I’ve done a little bit of that, I
think it’s time that I pass some of this on to others who can benefit
like I have.<br /><span></span><br /><span></span> <strong>Where can people find your book?</strong><br /><span></span><br /><span></span> For now it’s only available from the trunk of my car! Or, more conveniently, it can be ordered from the website <a href="http://www.transformedbytoughtimes.com/" title="">www.TransformedbyToughTimes.com</a>.
Soon it should become available on Amazon and we hope to have a Kindle
version available in the near future as well. By the way, before
Christmas we finished taping the audio book and I can’t wait to unveil
that in the next couple of months too. <br /><span></span><br /><span></span> <strong>You also have a companion Bible study available as well right? </strong><br /><span></span><br /><span></span> Yes! Thank you for mentioning that. I think I am about as excited about the study guide as I am the book. On the website, <a href="http://www.transformedbytoughtimes.com/" title="">www.TransformedbyToughTimes.com</a>
is a 24-session small groups Bible study guide that can be downloaded
for free. It matches up to chapters in the book and then goes deeper
with pertinent Bible stories and information related to the topic.
Incidentally, when someone wants me to coach them through their own
tough times, this is essentially the material I use. In early tests, we
are getting positive feedback from groups going through the book and the
Bible study together. Do check it out! </div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="color: red;">NEWS<br /><br />AVAILABLE ON KINDLE ... as of today </span></div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="color: red;">TRANSFORMED BY TOUGH TIMES is now available
on <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/chrisspeakser-20/detail/B00C6A9R10" target="_blank">Kindle</a>. </span> </div>
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
Steve Reed has some specials going on during the book tour on his website at <a href="http://www.transformedbytoughtimes.com/store/">http://www.transformedbytoughtimes.com/store/</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nVyf7NA7f2o/UWvmvovrM5I/AAAAAAAAB8g/yDCOzazlrg4/s1600/9594720_orig.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nVyf7NA7f2o/UWvmvovrM5I/AAAAAAAAB8g/yDCOzazlrg4/s1600/9594720_orig.png" /></a></div>
<br />
Steve Reed is the Chief Encouragement Officer and Cross Cultural
Catalyst for Daybreak International, a missions organization he founded
that is dedicated to planting churches for the marginalized and
forgotten peoples of the world. Currently, his two major projects focus
on cowboys in Central America, and Kekchi Indians in the jungles of
Guatemala. Those who know Steve best speak of his relentless
encouragement and undying loyalty to people who face tough times. When
not traveling in Central America, Steve comes home to Kansas City. He is
married to Nola, and they have three young adult sons, a beloved
daughter-in-law, and a grand baby on the way! <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" height="200" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQEASABIAAD/2wBDAAIBAQEBAQIBAQECAgICAgQDAgICAgUEBAMEBgUGBgYFBgYGBwkIBgcJBwYGCAsICQoKCgoKBggLDAsKDAkKCgr/2wBDAQICAgICAgUDAwUKBwYHCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgr/wAARCAE4AL0DASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAHgAAAgIDAQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAgHCQQFBgIBAwr/xABfEAAABQIFAQIEEAoIAwUECwABAgMEBQYHAAgJERIhEzEUIjdBChUZODlRWGFxd5GWsbO10xcjMlVXdoGVtNEWGBokM0JS1EhikiU0Q1NmJicoNkRHVnJ0goWhpLLE/8QAGwEAAgMBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQFBgf/xABAEQABAwICBAgMBgICAwAAAAABAAIRAwQhMQUSQVETYXFykbLR8BQVIjM1U4GSobGz0jI0UlRzwULhBvEjYmP/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AL/MRNmIz1ZPspqzdpmPzI0fRrl2Tm2Yzk0mk4VJ/rKiAioJf+bjt7+PuefMOtlOyf3JzHNWBHbmjaPfSbFsp+Qq4IkPYlN/yioJN/e3xXbkNyIwFbU8wu7duDZ11dOu2SM5XFc1SzTfOVXLpMq3g6HbFMVBBMpykKQgAGxfa2AM1WrU4UU6YExJnIDtXUtLS18FddXTiGA6oDY1nGJzOAAESYJxAAzTdDrjaTYf8d1vv3ip93g9XG0nPd3W9/eSv3WPyR01bcimAq21pfkIdf8A2bZfdY9epp22/RtS/wA22X3WFF7vb0HtU50D+mr7zPtXv1cbSc93db395K/dYPVxtJz3d1vf3kr91jx6mnbb9G1L/Ntl91g9TTtt+jal/m2y+6wRe729B7UToH9NX3mfavfq42k57u63v7yV+6werjaTnu7re/vJX7rHj1NO236NqX+bbL7rB6mnbb9G1L/Ntl91gi93t6D2onQP6avvM+1e/VxtJz3d1vf3kr91g9XG0nPd3W9/eSv3WPHqaltf0aUv822X3WD1NS2v6NKX+bbL7rBF7vb0HtROgf01feZ9q9+rjaTnu7re/vJX7rB6uNpOe7ut7+8lfusePU1La/o0pf5tsvusHqaltf0aUv8ANtl91gi93t6D2onQP6avvM+1e/VxtJz3d1vf3kr91g9XG0nPd3W9/eSv3WPHqaltf0aUv822X3WD1NS2v6NKX+bbL7rBF7vb0HtROgf01feZ9q9+rjaTnu7re/vJX7rB6uNpOe7ut7+8lfusePU1La/o0pf5tsvusHqaltv0a0v822X3WCL3e3oPaidA/pq+8z7V79XG0nPd3W9/eSv3WD1cbSc93db395K/dY8epp22/RtS/wA22X3WD1NO236NqX+bbL7rBF7vb0HtROgf01feZ9q9+rjaTnu7re/vJX7rB6uNpOe7ut7+8lfusePU07bfo2pf5tsvusHqadtv0bUv822X3WCL3e3oPaidA/pq+8z7V79XG0nPd3W9/eSv3WPbfW/0oHKxUEc9tvuZjbF5Shyh8opgAftHH4+pqW2/RrS/zbZfdY/N1pl2udtjtXNsaVUTUKJTkPTbLYwD5h/FYIvd7eg9qNbQA/xq+8z7Ux1tr0WtvDTjSsLX17FT8U+JzZSUQ/Tct1y/8qiYiUff67h58dSG23TFQ03ZyY0ldQm3bSyhlIi3d8Xj6Kn6NbKCDFpMN0AXRetkt9kROXxDlLsAhv022ALV7Z1aSrqTby4m6mIG/wAmJ0KrqgIcILTB3ez2KjSFnStXMfRdrU6g1mk4HMggjeCCNxzS6a4XsT1+A32/93rr6xPGJpoIJDbWmFRLub+i0Z1H/wDBI4y9cL2J6/HxeuvrE8Y+mf5MaY/VaN/gkcQH5083+1oPoFv8ruo1NDWlaUrbulX9cVxPNYuIi2pnEhIPVQIkgkUNxMYR+jvERAA6jhUYDUHzI5mpB4rkaynhNU6ycnQGtK6l/S1kucveCaZQ5m29oBEwbhyAo9MaTXjqGqInKVDxMKuqmyk6xQSlOz32UKRuuqmQ3th2pCm2HvEoe1hmMpFPUhS2WOgYSg00SxKVIsDMzICAlUA6BDmPuHeJjGMYR84iOMjqta4vjbtdqhoBJESZ3TkN+C5UAM1lFVr726jja79P0fmAysUohTUw6Oi9qekZ5RwWP2TOYplEzGMbYTFKXcQANzB1xgXhzx3jt3n8pTJ/EW1gXMVVRGbhvNuXa4OE25wVFceBfFExOwU267D03w1Owb77Yrlz9yd04bVqtbKWSpmNmapRpAgw8ZLvBQbLn5PwMB1AEBKAE5iHXvAA8+IXprWdu0tqEy9u4mCcRgP9pthxyT2X2rSpLcWYqm4dHxTR9JQUA6kWjN8cxUlzIpCpwMJOobgUQ3Dz4hnJXnEutmrytVJf2ToGEi3zJ0+QgY5q5XUScmbtynAVTG2EAMobj4vcACPfiObz3U1X3lm6rZ1hlftm0iFaZfklHbWrjnVRbC3OCpyF7TxjATkIB5xAMe9HLiGnM+4DuHpxM8R9sOzLhG7qVL9rG6wbquMERjhvCYaAyVr8v+ovnbv7aKTvvQ2VKkp2DhXqjaRio2q10ZIxk0iKnFIiiQlU2KfoXfkIgOwD3CxmT3ODbjOda41xaBZO2CzN54HMQ8gAdsxcAUDcREOhyiUQMU4d4b7gAgIBWvk4zy19k6yXyLOlbSmdhUtbumrKs5B3tGxjkWyACVZMhTKGMUn4wC9AMBR2ERKIYffTVyhRuU2yCyZbgtKokqudpy8jMRYbMlAMkUEgb79TJ8fG5jtyEwjsAbBjPoy7uLh7BrlwiXyBgdkZHH2hD2hoK0OTDPJeTMnmOuBZKuLawMOzoIy6Lp9HO11FF1yuzIJgAH6AUSkOcf2Y19bagV8LlX7qDL5kbsJHVg7o9QU6nqOpJcWjBBUDCQyZOIgJtjlMUDb7mEhtiiBeWOE0zQD1QDMwHn/pB/8A7nONdc/LJnIyGX9qzNHk8YtazpSp3Sj2pqPXIJnJCioZUxQIAgZQCnOcSKJCKhQMICQwd8WXF46zY+SRrO1iAC6ATEYdO1MtbrQmHpq+Wc51l4qOqKoyrNW9yYyZBhDUq0mAOzkSmFLZ14QYwFKiAHOIiBh27MQ7+mITv9qD5+8sxqZRu5lit+yVq6SFjDotauXcG7YBJuCglLsQPxheu4h34nTIxnxtvndo9+/p2Gcws9CGSLPQD1QDmQFTlwUTUDYFUzCUwb7FMAlEDFAdt4A1tf8A5gsQH/rtb/8As1xddVHDR/hFGqTAEZY4xJwzx4kmDy4IU0W3uzqPSF4IOj7s5YqKiaZeqqDLVLD1Uo7BomQgm4gQeJuZjbFLuXjuPUemNJkkzyXhzNZgbgWfre28BDsqDOq3cvY52uoqu5B2dAhQKfxQKIJKGHqIgPEMNRsHft58IPpVj/8AGhmV/WtTf94vcX1eGt7miwVCQ4mZj9OWACQhzSYTwXBryl7YUPK3FraVTZRMKwVeSDpQeiaSZRMYQ9semwB5xEA8+IqyJZy6bzqWlc19GRhYySjpZZnLQ/a8jNg5CZA4+fY6IkHf/UBwD8nCuavmaekKruPTmSRWuzQtPqyLZ9c2abIKLGat+QHTbgRIomMYC/jRKAD4wo79N8RhajNTlpyp6hDeq8tVW87T1yxasKjYHj3DYkSt0TKpsuQoiBFAKryDfxVlQxnr6VFK+DQRqA6rscZO0DcMJ5SmKcs407+oLmZvblItYlee29D05PQzRym3nW8u9XQXbmVOBElU+z3BQvIQKYvQwbgIbhvt1mTzNXQ2b2zEfc+klkknoEKhUEQCm6ka9Aoc0jAPUSj+UQ3cYggPtgEVay6xTafNWrpKAP8AfIwxDlHp/wB9S2EMLhMWvuPpquqKzx5fIpeRt/UlNRRbkUqmoYStzKoJGMoG4jxIY5hMmoP+EqYSj4imwTr3lxa6QO2mGgnimRI4hGKGtDmcaZ7NDnPu5ZLN3bfLjR9v4GRYXAMiUspIO1yKtTeEdmt4pOhgKTYwe2I7Dhmw7sV6Zkbs0HfPP7lUurbScJIQ0wCyzRwUNjB/eAAyZy/5VCGASmKPUpgEMWFE6ED4Ma7Ks6tVq+VIBEckA/2ouEAKuvW2IQM0GUI3ENxuxKbj/wDpYYcXLIqc1t0NzD3F7/gwnetv657KD8bEp9lhhwssXk3Q+Av0Yuo+fqco6oXUv/R1nzHfUeok1w/Ynr8fF46+sTxj6Z/kxpj9Vo3+CRxka4fsT1+Pi8dfWJ4x9M/yY0x+q0b/AASOEPzp5o+aZ9At/ld1Gqf8wlg7e5mLTyln7mMDrRskmAgsgYCrNVijumukYQHichuoD3D1AQEBEMKnaWzOqHkeihtXaJtRt2aHaqHGEQmJIY56xSEwj2ZRMIAUNx34cjlAd+PEB2w8WDBWs6daoKgJa4YSM43HYfauSHECEr1HONUy51yafeXCgLf25pBhMIOJ2PjJM8hISTUpgE7cFNjFJy22EQ4jsPf3hjlL75Zsz1Z6ntDZmqWoFkvRtKt2bJZ6aaQTWOiJVwcHBEw8h4+EDsHQR4dPNhzMGIPsGVGBrnuOIMk7R7IjkQHRkuKzFwVYVPYKsqVt/CpyE3KUw9YxjRVyVEiiyyJky7nP0KActxEfaxAOnll6zEZbcmVTWcuPQzRGoEnsivT7ZtMIrJvAXbF7MpjlHimPagICJvMO+GzwYsqWrKlwKxJkAj2FAcQISS6euQq4NH5Yq4yy5xbaR3pRPy5HjQjaVSc8+SBSGOUyY7pKJnTKYpu/cQ27hx1uSmxubnJ7WjuwE94LWloyrHVpapAk0kn0MBhE3YqNziAnTEe8CCIFMPIobGEpWsEduuOVu9em1lhKIcXFvBXMfT8M3UKkZ5IK7doqcdiIpkDc6ypx6ESIBjnEdilEemKKdhb27WFpI1MJ4tx3hMF9R0ATKV3IHlkzQWazZXWuzeKg2MdC16su7ZrtZtBwdNXw06qZDEIO4bpqD17ty46Gsqv1U6HuhVsRbiydF1hSryaWXpKUmKlK2WYoGAolTVKBiicpTchAu24AO3IQ22kan8x95Lgpklrb5RqpJEKdW8jWkm1g1HBfMcjRQVHJAEOoAsmkb2yhjobV5gYyvq4l7SVPScjS9YwTFB89p+VOkp27JYxiJvGyyJjJuEBOQ6YmKIGIcvE5CCJd407Wkyi2lTe5uJM75zzEFWOp1BJIGGeIMfFQ/pw5GK1yuuKuureOpI59WddOwXkW0MQQaMSdqosKZREA5GMoqYR2AClAClDfvHndVbLDmRzLTVuDWIodlJI0lJOJJ84eTSLX8aJkOzTKBx3HcEzCI9wbhhxw7sGLXaPoGz8GEhvxzn4lVa7tbWX4M1nK7BFw6ZigsdIp1W4nAwpmENxLuHQdh6bh0wjWUfL1nYy53bvZd5/ZOMduK4I4fUyxLVDbid8L1VRJNYQN4ifBYTGHr/hiUOohh7MGLK9q2u9jySC2YjjEJBxAISnabWTm5Vmwra8maKJauLj1nPKKPnYuknQFaBscOJy7gXmqY4iXzAmmHcUMd7n+yqMM0OWOetzA060WqBEgPqXNumjxfJ/klE47AUpyiZM2/TiYfaDE6YMRbY0G2vAZtII48dvKmXuLpSFXGy+5/LvacRMqtdWvYq1awlGDRGSGqWxk3sWgYVCqHOJuixOCaQh/mDY2/fs2lmKFlXOWmmrY3opFoV2nSLaKqGHWUTcoHEiBUVCCJdynIYC/IPt4kHBgo2VOi/Wkk6objuHsQXEhVt0xpWXzsVnypivbTRicpa+BqtGSYmezqZV2CCnVdIEjjucSDsHIOqhSk36gOLIy/khj7gANh7xw7Syo2QcKeTjP/SHOLs1XXrb+ueyg/GxKfZYYcLLF5N0PgL9GE91t/XPZQfjYlPssMOFli8m6HwF+jDo+fqco6oXVv/R1nzHfUeok1w/Ynr8fF46+sTxj6Z/kxpj9Vo3+CRxka4fsT1+Pi8dfWJ4x9M/yY0x+q0b/AASOEPzp5o+aZ9At/ld1GptcGDGtq6racoSmX9Z1hNtoyKimaruSkHqwJotkEyiY6hzD0KUpQERHGomFxwCTAWywYgmyub57dWyVeZjH1FFi6ept9LEhYp44FKSUbxxD9qo9IoAFaKKmIY5ERDkmmZMVBAxjFLyNA6n9E3CNaqr4yztVMqFvDOpwlG1dLAi2O4fKMlXZBFkY3bA2EEFU/CO4TlASlMkYqo0G6oAAk5/9LULO5JMNywPLExyxPQmkwYXWktSuwdf1qlGUYo5e0qpLSccnXx3CKMYupHNlHD9wgJzgosxbAn2Sz0CggVZQiZTHER24m5urRAWtSt9WkvlzrB9SN2JlWKts9jDpGl5tz2ZTtlAjFAIZFs5Ad0lFFQOBRKdRNMpgHCN3btEl2HftTbY3j3aoYZ/7+OBwzwTFZh7+2yyv2ZqC/N4qhLG05TUed3IOALyOYA2AiSZO86qhxKQhA6mMYA8+IHye2Nudfmq2efXOpTwo1dIJGWtjbx2ftG1vIlUPxYAQfFNKrJiBnDkQ5k5diTiUpgMvOem/snmNzduWTihms3ZPKsBKiuMjKVKjGsJmsQR7VlGHVORQHBmxTAYEClHmuoUphDcu7avM/dBUzYe3V1bh23qqAqi6JWyNI2qdskzVE9fLF5i1BADgUgpk/GKqqGImin4yhid2MwrUq9clx8luXGd/sOA454ltda17W1aGCXvziJAiQ3eJGLjugb10lT5kpi1tUSlPXNsjWhmiK4nhJ+kKZczbSRbCACUDFaFOs2XKIiQ5FCAUdgMQ5gNsXkrIxdz725qHWa+qrZStEUzE0OrS9IRFSolRl5bwh6i6dP3LcpjC0SAW6KaKKg9qO6pzlT3KXHB5g9W+irJW2oa5EdaGWmmtU1U5YTDxq4MqyhYtm7Fu7ljuWySwKNvFOdFQClTWBM+xy7BvMgZ1rHNcri+cKadysVQwMlXse8lIhRu5kmwHEqCrdqcAVN4TsUUCCUp1AUIPEOWLBVpVKhGv+GDH9zuVDre5pUQ4Uvxy2c+IgDf3CmAO4MGNBbSqZmtaCiKuqKkVoF5JME3K0M6dJrKs+YcgTOdLcgnABDlxESgO4AIgG48nKZlqTLmSjcr1LRy0zUZ4VWZqQzVchUYCPKJSJKODG71VlDkKmiUBOJeShuJAATay9oAJ2rAGPcSAMs/YpLwYim7OcrL9ZisD2/rOtRGbaxRZWWjY1oo6Uio4yhUivHfZgINkTKGApBOIGUHcCFPxHbgJzVZye0tmUrPLDVVdHjZmho5stKvHZSAi5eLHIUka1SA4uHTsQVSEqaaRufLYgmEpgCD7iiww5wGMZ7Vcy0uqglrCcJy2YY/EJlcGIcuXnvyvWnt9VlzaruYQ0ZRL47Co/S1iu7VbPiNxcqswIkQRUcJIlMdVInIyQFHmBdhxx1/c0tLXMmaPyx5f8yw0bcS4rIsxTMojTISZQZNewcu2y5DdGiqrVQwFMoBRJ3h4wAUydcUm7RO6RyD4op2tw+DqkDfBjDE7Ngx5EymDEP1Xm/sla+vCWbfz85NS0cswbVA4iYRxIJwhnihUmnpiuiQU2x1jHLxKYeYlMBxKBPGxmI5xbBPbtq2WiaxM/mGs8SCkFo9moszZSx26jgseq5KHZlc9ikocUgETEAA5gTkXeXDU8pxUOArROqYzy2KVNwHuHBiM6ezMUlWeYmZy7UHGLyjulYhJ5WUwksQrWJWXEQbMxEfGVcHAhzmIUNkiAUTiAnKUf0RzNUUN4ULJOacqBCXdPFm7VdSMAzVXskzHOp2pDiBSABQ/KAoiJyBt16PhacTPF7UuBq5Rsn2JM9bf1z2UH42JT7LDDhZYvJuh8BfownmtoO+ZzKCO3/1ryn2WGHDyxeTdD4C/Riqj5+pyjqhdO/8AR1nzXfUeok1w/Ynr8fF46+sTxj6Z/kxpj9Vo3+CRx++uH7E9fj4vXX1iWIryt5hnFlbXW6pOi7fPaxrasIFk2pOk2LxNsDjsY9BRw5cuVAErVoiQSioqIGHc5CEIc5ylGDntZdkn9I+am1j6mhGNaMeEd1GqwLC+57oqtqkWtzTcTRErIU2tWgOqvlY6KUlCxbds2VXQOaOT5C7OdyREiYnIqkicQVOmYSk26CCuPm2pZVnIXlsnSa8W4dESfrUFVTp85jSnHbtTIOmaHhCZREOYpm5gUBMCZttsb3M/mStllOs5KXqurIKJsY/giyj2aYqPJV8qPBuwaJB4yzhZQQIRMvURHcdgARCyo5lSkZMBc6k2pTrtDQHE4CMc8FVLmsdZ2JivrrZabOWgnY9vmRqglUStFquEhnU6Rj2bZpKSPgqZ+zYKSChBICZzgqrsCZSAcTCDOZwsqN+s7dIydQ2eomQoeBtfbKYjbHU3LoDHPZWoHTIWnhp0TbGZIINAM1blV4HFRc6hgIQhBNNGn7lwuLS7iqs32aRm3Jd+7KyLmdjiKgonS0Slv4BAIG/0oEHkqYOii5zm67AOGY5t9tuZPlDGChYCpTcahMO2bhJI+Jn4bF17rSppVWNotEs2icTAB5cBqg7RJ2qvC4OTaSjsh0Zlzyt5eagGOaRlOMbgvKjZ+DzU1CN3rZV9CsirmII7p+EGOUODcQ5kT7Q6wnL0lZ03mOuzqD05fudytTKFL0DQblrZCIkypggE69XBB1IyYpGMWPKi2IXgmIioKRh4B2o9kV6t2223Inyhg3bbgPInTu6hjSbGngAYy+GSxeNK0kkAk62JmfKifgI5MFXHp/ZZbr5K6Zj6xzYWLqe4D6qZRxUruRi4301cUbUi6ygviel6ZjCdNUxSqpP0Sqq7GFI/EhUxHpp+xFW3x1DT5u8x1gq3WopG1JIa21Koo9sqZdR4p4clIoJG4tDuCCicE1VATMnuVY4CBkSvtu2/1E6d3XAAtgDYDE+UMDbCm2m2mDgCD7Rv3pv0rXqVn1SPKcCCROR3bt3IkozeZfLu1VTVDw07Q7xen63uDHI3jjaMZKOzRlJsEHLhjAJJIABjtDuATRXUKXiYXKoiBUjABddfC60PUF6peIzR0kSDgaSt+LqMpV8g4cGXUlCu2pEIpq1L/f5ErUvZKrFMqVuZwCCJNjqLGekTtx7zl+XHzkhvv2hend43diTrSSS05xx5d55VUy+Ia1rm5TkYzjl2Ycke1VMh9V5lLc6YsPI5kaDqhpVlHW9V2RXaJuZt+Rs1OdL+6Bvu4AhU0QIceap0xMYpQN1Xuj6huGvebLtVGWyml6prVBebm7sjTiyzhr4BLR6Zjt5uVXKCJnR3aLMdwKUyRWogk3KRNNMbMCnRKG3al+XAB0A7jl+XCdaFzGt1zhGO3Ajs3KTL9rKj38GPKJMbMQREZxjvVbGn5YeXYUFO3JvgzcVjmAri5cjNz1GyyChGUHKNnajdm5kNgAVGzRJMqrcyo8AIcvgyfaGKfHi50C6ttmeuPUSNvHVS1LYe2QGstDhAg6lKuqmSZOXbuoDiBBMqVIR8HKYTCRETLgGxzEAbKu0QD/xC/wDVj72iP/mF/wCrEBYNFJrAcu88s48qs8a1DcOqubOtsmAMsBxQNWNxzSIZbcttIXnyeWuyZIxadQUTEsY6obxVPIMeSU5MHUCQWYInULuous8UOd0qXqkkAoiIKLCCeBYuHrWCzS38ulSFrGIV7FyitBWUoYkZ4HH0/ANm6To8koUhSkSbvHSoKmUL4y/YpokERDYr/doj/wCYX/qx87RDfftC/wDVifgTPJg5dkDoz5VX4xqS+RId/ZBPTEHLDBVyWJqWt6K0tXtM2MtpVdV5hJGm5Sp6pF5Tzls5ZVi6SVUcu3arkhSeEpHHs0EiidQ3ZIlTLxADlxbPUDRWTTIjDVLYdtP3ArWlKGUkZWp2UYKhqfVeFKq+M3SOmdMkm4VU4KKKFVXKUp1F/wAUiVA1kvaI/wDmF/abB2iP/mF/6sRFjqwQ7ECBxcfL3EKbtJlwcNXAu1jjnxHDIYxy4yq6bdludTec+gWuTSn2lSJQtqpiHubLRBnZ6WUfuXaTtiZzJODGM7dJuFHrhVVPmuoChgEhBW2LYdDoyKUaglMO0l3ZUCA6XQQFIiigFDkYpBMYSFEdxAomEQAdtx78ZAHQL0Kcoe0G+PRTFMG5TAIe8OL6FDgZxmTKy3Nz4SW4RAjjOJOPT0KuzW29c9lB+NiU+yww4WWLybofAX6MJ7rb+ueyg/GxKfZYYcLLF5N0PgL9GI0fP1OUdULbf+jrPmO+o9RJrh+xPX4+L119YniG8pdvLjJLWizFWop9vOyVJ0X6VS9NLPiNVJGLfsmJlBbKqfiyOUlmqKhSqCUihRUIJyCJTYmTXD9ievx8Xjr6xPGNpnEAbZUxv/8AZWN/gkcQcwPvCD+kfAqbahp6DaR6xw6WNClafv8A3sdNTMrb5PKweSe/Ehqll4uLYpD7ai5XK6glD20kVB9oMVU6y9EalK+c+wEJSGYUj66NWITa9H03SrtGKhqfcJdiQEmKj0wCo5MkoqBnS4gooOxUypBsTF2oEIXuKAYpP9FSV3Vdrcy2Xa5lCSh2U1TzCWkod4mIgKDlB9Hqpn6e0Yob+2G4Y7OibcVb9od5WBgEYTBiRt7wvJf8guzQ0S8s8nFslpIdEiYOyRuz2yErNC3818biU6/qmmcytygYxlxW1BulJCsmjQ39Il1gRTjyEWEplFOZgAwlASkDqYQABHHXUC+9EZ3Mk6whqSzGVsdxQlYjStTFfXRiGZW0wBSmBoQy6xCrnMBycRTEwGEwAAiPTGXnC1ecvF6sx+X+obP0bIUxQdKXAaXGuqzbxpwUd1Ou4TO+UKmJv7wKSZDgQ4bAcVjbd2NrG6x2We3aV7qhgLcNqzdVvmmY15TsFWNIdu1Whkxb9oqInNs1ek7IxkjDuYhwIbYeoY9O4XGoCKDZOzVyxjH5rwzH2nClrrp5A260ThOHyWFaymfRMV5Wsq5oe81xjKQk07iZZlJ3HimTpq6bGAFinQXVKfiXkUQUABIYpgMUwgIDji7t3g1/bG0xW9Z3KzP160jLdO4ttV7trcKOdlZKyBCnaFDsDn7bmU5dxT5ATfY22MuitQfKtQeqrevN0NfVfO0dcagp1nDv5KnDFkEnr9sgUjRVEohskkZMyZVA6dmUnvjiL8geanK3SeUm7uRXN8erISm7luYiTjayouMTfOIp+xMUQKo2OYvaJm4E6l3HoYNg3AwTFOp+I0mx5OGrjjntzHIqnVqMhguHBxLxJfhIHk7MA48a7FfMhryoVLayjwzN3LVk70xyL+2zNvV7VQ0s3VMBSKDxEQbhuO49rwEpQEw7AAjjap3a9EFKZtlMjH9Yq5RLoJtTOf6Nq1ozIU6JW3hQqFciPYHL2O5gEDjvsId4CGJKidWTINbe88BcyhqKrmZYWJsOWhLLM5NuVm9nJJwPB3JLrkBQkfwRKBExEhzbqqG4B4pMZVoNWzIYXMhl6za1hTlcUxUNsqRmaLq+PcgefcvogWaqUY5M+BNEXSxTHMU/IgG2WHfcCAIwPDDHwcRB/wAduJHwieNWt8HJA8LdMj/LZgDjvmSOIJPV9XLVDbOFGy+eu5BTpnMQ5fTwOhiiICH5Hthhhr2VD6Iry92/m7n3QzE163iKaZtXdSGjblRT9xFNnO3YLuW7ZU6yKZ9+hzEAvf16DsnuaimcptP1WwPlNvLV9ZR7xFdaZcVdSBYhRquKu5E0yFUP2hRKIiJumwgAefpYtnQ1cchV77R3lhoOXmJta4tu4iGg6dbWpLDvEZVgAGRdP5krgFHrUiocwaqEMUCgYoAIGHe64AaaZpUQQc/J4x0bc9yy2j3ubWFxckFuUPwOBPHOzLeo4iW3omGcsmlmCi7iXiVp1eK9M26f9KWZZFZlx5eEEYCYHRiCUQMAgnuICAgHUMarLRWHoi7N9bpS7OX+9105inCuTt20s6rJiwTfLE3A6bbwo6YuDFEBAezAQAQEN9wEAkyN1XNOySzV05qkVPI3ga3Yp6gyRBrTx7BH0lXfEZqNg4Puf4tmbmJxJsA8tjiQTBxGMaBz05CsxGXWzNvs49U3Pt/UFi6okJOLSttEpumE8i5fA8AA3OUzVwUxQTBTYBAOQgYeY8aAK+rjQb7uWeEbdmI3rWTa8IALpxwMeXE/hgzHk4EnVIJwzXNtcx2vm7o+o62JmAu6VvSdctKOnmK06kR+2nXJiEQYg0MALqKGMcgbkIJfGDr13xhVvm41vLd5lW2UKq84tcI3BcybSOCDRr5isRF2549kgq4TMKCR/HLyA5w4cg5bYYSjPRAVqaOqe71+4q0qhqirO+UHUUHSUlElWTPBtI9uwWMZ0AiRu+FJExymDfioYAATF3HFfed2Sy5VDmYqSt8q9bVJN0fUT88s2/pfHKISLFddQyizVYyhzi44nERBbkImKYANuYBMN9tTfVqltWi1oj9O2B8vj7Fkvq9OjQD6Fy55nEa0YScfbHs9qdm7NK+iXLI20k7v3IvvXLKn4lgd46dt7pw7k50SiBRFJJFYyi47mKAFTKYwiIAAb41N2D+iVrH2Zd39ufc+70dTUcwB9LKFq1ku7jWwhy7Z00SOZduQAARMJyBxABE22w7RFdnPla1WxeTaHtzFupOpcvgOHVTxstHGRaLOAkmztJJNTqCpDAiJTGAPF3Dv7sMDWWpfp00bcu+Gdqzc5d6euTe2hHsCa3dURaCURDqvEUk1TrOSqD4QikKYCmQOWxRMUADluWo067AJotMk/wCO4xvwkYytLatq8uAuHiAP897ZJyxg4QMdqjF5fbXyj710Dl3d5nriEq+58G0mKJiv6cMhLIMnKaiiKoq8uzR5FSOPFQxRDj1ANwx1dtHPojy8FIKVtbzMFXj9kSopKBRIe5sSg4dSTBVRJ02QQWWIouchklOhAHkBBMXcOuOhtrqZ6cE1XVhs5160boMLo2Jts2potDQUI3WjKgcNG6yLZwDw6gCiURWMcwGABDcA2HjufxlR1qbBWRtPapjXtrGc5PR1/ahqytEX1KA7NBsJNR2cHcU5OYAK8SM4AA2DcxOZB25b4i8XGr5NBsjPyduOXFAHSpUnWmt/5Lt0HEQ7Z5MThnJOHEuDtPdL0QpeugZa5tBZgLmmiIaXdxTk8vWzCNWWftSGO5aN0XZ01HKyQEPyTSKYwCUQ7wEMWk+hycxN8czeQ2YuLmAuvNVjNo3MkWSErOuu2WI2I0YnIkBtg8UDKHEA9sw4rZsbnxyEUNby6lr8wN164uxQ1QVZUUxEUBVNr26p3j52oZRnKtJPtiKxTvxtl9yiAn5HT48h3fT0KsAhptzwH33/AAtSu+479fAo/GPSbZs3E0w2CIIEd/kuloN8aRptbVL5a6QXTiIjLD4yt1ra+udyg/GxKfZYYcPLF5N0PgL9GE91tfXO5QfjYlPssMOFli8m6HwF+jHkKPn6nKOqF9Qv/R1nzHfUeok1wvYnr8fF66+sTxj6Z/kxpj9Vo3+CRxka4fsT1+Pi8dfWJ4x9M/yY0x+q0b/BI4iPzp5o+aZ9At/ld1GptDG4jttiC83GnBkzz1S8HO5p7OFql1TjZw3hlRnHzPwdNcxDql2bLJgbkZMg7m3EOPTbccTmfv8A2Y8GMBQ3HG1j303azDB4lw6tKlWYWVGgg7DiEmH9nv0hw6f1SSfPOZ/3ePKvofTSCRTFVXKWkUhQ3MY1azIAHwj4Z0xM1TZuqbqOoXdCWcl2Ltw0cGavKmeInVjkHJREp26PZ7C8XKP5RCCBCD0McB6Yh++VbQ9PvW34aZ2VkjSBCli051zxbLm5AGwN0dkkzGMYoAQ3Ie4O/rjoUH6QrP1RUcPaVzqtlomk0uNFvujsXIy+jFoPwCh0pq0NLtTp7doRW50mBi7924eHb49xOitoUzoAaGstTjkB7hSuVKDv/wDzcbil64ho6ULENqGYxhG5z+mSPpSmU7LiUwj2iYE/KEC7gUNxENhx0dIzdrr7UirUNuZiJkVU9kn7YzAgETMYNwSWT4hwNx9vuEB69Bxe/wAMZnVdyyYVbLXRj8BQZ0CfktSl6H00gV0wVSymJHIPcclazIgP7QeY9f2e7SG9ySn885n/AHeNVCXKp23NRhTMJX0rSEkwcAV+2YKmOgiUR3DdqsIkVKId22wCA+KO4YYOjs0UNFt2ba58owBq7MUjSqY43FkqJh4l7chvGaiYdg3HdPkPHkA9MU1naRoAE1HQeMqdGz0RWnVpMkf+o7FCX9nu0hvckk+ecz/vMH9nt0ht9/6pJPnnM/7zDmkUKoUDFEBAfaHfHsveHw4zeG3nrHdJV/ivRnqW+6OxJf8A2e3SF9yWn1/9ZzP+7wf2ezSF7/6pSfzzmf8Ad4dPBheG3nrHdJR4r0b6lvujsSWf2e3SF9yUn885n/d4B9D26Qoht/VKT+ecz/u8OngweG3nrHdJR4r0b6lvujsSWf2e3SGAd/6pafzzmf8Ad4P7PZpCb7/1Sk/nnM/7vDp4MHht56x3SUeK9G+pb7o7Eln9nt0hvclJ/POZ/wB3g/s9ukLtt/VKT+ecz/u8OngweG3nrHdJR4r0b6lvujsSWf2e3SFD/hKT+ecz/u8MNlVyf5eMktuHFo8s1vgpun3UutKLx4STl3ydKkTIdTm5UUOG5Ukw2Adg49A6jiTcGIVLm4qt1XvJHGSraNjZ279elTa07wAPkq69bb1zuUHf9LEp9lhhwssXk3Q+Av0YT3W39c9lB+NiU+yww4WWLybofAX6Mc+j5+pyjqhegv8A0dZ8x31HqJNcP2J6/HxeOvrE8Y+mf5MaY/VaN/gkcZGuH7E9fj4vHX1ieMfTP8mNMfqtG/wSOEPzp5o+akfQLf5XdRqbJQQAdxHuDCLagOdd1Vt4XOR+0FWHi2kVE+md5KtaL8Dxsebbs4tBUB/FuHG+xzh4yaYjtsYdwZXO1mRicpOWKr7+yKRVVoKJMaMaiP8A3l6cQTbpfAKpi7+8A4oksJcOQrehKtRrWpHAS1WVYtLVPUxQFQ6hyl3MVQO8yYnUMBQDqAiGwD3Y9HoaxF7cS7ILyulbw2VqXjPIJ6ssGeOPlb103Y22NtmDWn13wRTB3w2KkiQpjAk2TD/DAADcxx367b9TYc+ctQhcaPTp+qWAPI55zK/bqEIJeOwCQdzAIlMU4FMAl67gG/TFd+lfZOraxzZxlbtGjcsFS8esudZFYFEiJnKKaSZRAeqhjm5DyDfoYdugYtri4gCNRIjsQwkECH2/JHbv28+NWnmULW9DaW4TyrJoOrXurMvrY4lKDmoqe2VjqqWZ0tMTDi5b9AHUapwE6Dc5kBatyriBBLtxUExQ2ER4ByMHTEfVKLLKtm8g6zh6SlQVqSJQb3WYMGQptVHRiAILIJcdinE4CtsU2xtxAOO4hhxL1WNtleh00hKrZGRmmZUFGkwQh0uZSqFEyXIohzA2whwHfbfcO7H3NVTlHzlrVIuq6EcTDQqyaiRmy4kOyUL+SuJgHkAEDcREN9+7Yd8U295QbqMLSdYEO/qOIbONTuLau4vqawEEFvFvnl2qtPOFVj+rMxVV3Fow8JJM14FJnBvpIDk8HZ9mUwmTT5AYrhI/PcBKICAm6bhvjdZPcwU1IU25t2armEk1QegeYiajTTSTM0VLwUFqopuJiiO/JNTopuAdB2HGmvHappS9cvHNOP036IOfCGbpNAxO1IcOQAJTBuAiA7CHv4iKtrWydOTvp7FsSoMFCAsmq9P2SfZHDcScjdREogIdNxASgOPXC0t7iyFKdgg8gXlRd3FvemsRtMqzy0l43WWi/sZlQr+VVdUhVrYV7Tz71URO3OX/ABIVY5uphIAgKBx3ESiBB6gGGgIO4hsGKhc5EVVeYfKhR1YWNvU/kJChIls7dTksuY71tJgtuimJwKUCmMUpjb7biRIm+LHci+YtPNPlhpW8DjiWSeMvBp1Av/hSCA9muXbzAJy8g94wY8Bd2/g74JxXvLesK7NYKYcGDuDphJ7j6iOYmj9S5vk6l6WoOjaTdyESjTclXaUmk5rRJwUguhjHqJRZkXRMYxCtlQEyhy8eQCbYOZcXNK2DS/aY9q0Zp2MGFIoDWXyw1/WjCkSW/uPEN5iWnImCqGZplJKOk5GJKsd2zRWIufdXigcxQMUpTd3IDbgGppjXJyn1bb+IuTF20ugjHVK6ZtKRNJUmkzLPu1iLHUbtFl3BEDi3Kift1DKFRTESgChhMAYpOkrEZvCcFObgwotZa0GVGjbK05mMGla8kaHn0AOvUrCBQBvFK+FnZqNlwVcEOoumqmfmk2KsYpAA+3AxTG53OzrAxVkahmbYZe7aSlTz9LVxTUDVdQSEKcafjFJNyiUWyjgi5FPCuwV5EACGIBhKBh36YTtJWTWk64OWXHl8iiCncwYTSL1gLcQUw6pOrbdVhU02+unWFKUxE0DSJl11wgxTOoU5FHO5jikoAiqXimIlMIgmUMe6o1w8oEFa+HuxDUrcCfj5Oh/6Wv28LTqIrwkV4eaPBV52zhMiYi6KZLiQxx3Ly/J2Ng8aWME64w7/ANogpyMGMOnZktRQDGfLHuGgPmaTgGjsCgqjzIBuB+BjF5BvsOxhDcB2EQ64zMbgZEpKuvW39c9lB+NiU+yww4WWLybofAX6MJ7rb+ueyg/GxKfZYYcLLF5N0PgL9GM1Hz9TlHVC69/6Os+Y76j1EmuH7E9fj4vHX1ieMfTP8mNMfqtG/wAEjjI1w/Ynr8fF46+sTxj6Z/kxpj9Vo3+CRwh+dPNHzTPoFv8AK7qNUD+iU7rL07YOgrSpvDpIVHUyzx/w85GqQATcPPsosBtv+XFYFkFnMFSx6XWAolk3APyuSDuRVIu5SFKb4dziHf3bh0w/Hootk8Alq5VITdmmnJEOG/TvSHf6N/hDFZFsq/m6cqrwuDfGJ2ZiJggcAOmoUpQLxMQ25RAffDHutAO4ANcF4fTdPh7ct41a3pDV/EWtuQ4pyabCUtYxvIHACP8Ad+wU2TMId2xhOfcw9wAGLRm5QRT5HHjsHURHFItprkQq9Spu2UYDV1HpFbFUj1xT47E4m8QQEogIibu9vFmVPXvjb95fYmNga3Sb1GTwUsk2klAQVdHT2BTiO4AbkIgPQfexX/yCydUuW125OwPEs+g7wUrY0HZty40wTpGOWEXK4JGEoF3HfcQ23Ev0j8uOBuHGknwUWkSJqlEgkKQ4blKXffbbz9evXGohpNShZZOnaikv7yKKYLcEDCQDG2HhyENjCHTqHdvjzUtZRpWRjJTCJ+RjABCgYTdBHvDbpjh06LmPEYrtPrMewzglwzCU4vGOyKRgEQA7UA/EolKO5TCHftv3bYVi8cErKU2Lx2qZZZg6MmJ1DiYwJqAJg7/MBgH5cOHeFzEPoxJ0/euDiCixdkUQDzgO25h9/wBrCtXdqum4SLlk0YQiqhmBlCA9WFTkZMwGDxQ2AAAN+o749jo+q5tMSMl5G+pNdUIBzXvLAo6NlWrGl1XoqNHNTAcjcUw/FiRsPIQN5wETh0823v4mrQRrh16V3StG4cGFvHVGjJMUhN0J2wGTU29rcUyjhIcvucCApB7WNDXPqDwQk0mDmJdKcSNUDpJmKZHYA2T5F22HuES9cM16HXq9C4tw7s1XGtzEZlBuiioYeq5RWMYqm3+UO/b28eb0w17ruo8jBen0VDbKm2cgrVhDcNsL3cfTYy/3WzDR2Yi4FQ1zKLxVUNajYUi7rV0pT6Ms3TImk9IwMIpkUAqZR2KIFMICJijuO7CY+cw322H5MedrUaVZoFQAgY4rqpFcmOjnT1uSBW2Z2pJObqWMrGq5OmouMqxwtCxZJZZcoO0Wx0yFTeC2WEpz7CAH6huIAbEwT+l5ldqLLNb7K47Zz6URaxRBahJtvNCSVilkgMUFSuOGxxEpzFMU5DEMG25R2DDFht3gGPgiBQ3+jFDLC0p0ywMEHA8eWfQnJSlXW0Z8qd6YxrH3Bqi4Dw6NJOKcdOxq4e1eM1n3hxhUEUhKU4LgUwCkCYCUhCGAxCgXGTcPR5yr3Krh3Xs5UlwUHMs/hZGoWbCt10mk1IxfZ+Cv3aHESLOdkigY4gHLqOwGHfDWAYB9v9oY+4Q0fZHHgxs2bskSUvVEaZ2W2gLrxN5IH+kXpxDVtU9VM+3nBOj4fPJESfcicOqfEgdmTfxB67jhZMxejtdhtMW6pfKi7pgKXtjSj1rQylaOUXa7KXdyIvFnMik6j3JJFqXxezTT7BUhuWxw33CyDAIgAbjiNXRllVZq6scmG7sHQiSFjxScgjGN0pZyks6KgQHKqKYkIdTiHIxSiI8QEdxANx2DGRj4BgEdth/aGPuN43JKuvW39c9lB+NiU+yww4WWLybofAX6MJ7rb+ueyg/GxKfZYYcLLF5N0PgL9GM1Hz9TlHVC69/6Os+Y76j1EmuH7E9fj4vHX1ieMfTP8mNMfqtG/wAEjjI1w/Ynr8fF46+sTxj6Z/kxpj9Vo3+CRwh+dPNHzTPoFv8AK7qNUO+iTLKyVd5N4W68M3OdaiKlKo6MmG4kauiCkcw+8BwT3+HFINASkGnViTGWOuzVB+mUyiRe0TN45fyi7gJdw84D+zH9Ut9rTUxfe0tR2crFsRWOqSHXYOSnTAwEBQogU+w+cptjB75cfy/ZqcvNZZdb0zFC1CwUZS0HJHZvmjgRDdRIQEqhDj0MRRPgoX2wN58eu0TU16BaM2/IryF2A2vqv/C/5jtCn60Uw+PPOHEbKNHgi8VEBQdlA4/jB7yG2NvhybZ1hIoU5CIvWC4bprmNugO4G7Xb2vaAMVa0rXqjKdUcqiJCrLCoUTdA8br393nwz1t7+vmVLwSyEwsmVMHKIgmuIBuCoG8w9Pygx6BtQVWALz9a2NGocFaTaS8spWQxVv5grySEZEhmAi4N2qRhDiIDuA8iAG47D3bDhj1bIW6OwSavGCqxkgDmv4QYDKD5xHbzDir3K1ncd28ufDVHJrGkW4LC3WbrOBDYigcBOUevjFAdw8w4snZXngKjhkJyAnG7tk6TBRu4bqgcpyj3dQ7h9sO8O7Hl9KU6tvVGoIB3LvaLNOvTOviQoozP5cJKNomRqC3cqq8UbLCs3hhQ5rKFOAAYhDB+UYNtwAQ7t8Vw32bVjBvnRqzj14YirN0mJpNE6ZjfijCIAXYRH4MWl1fdVBNM/wDfADbrvvitbV6ziPjJp2ChFElU14w8lNLCPNRI24lQR6/kbiInHziG3mxbYaQuAODOPHuRd6NoudwjcDuVfVzKhhRkTJRqir1cSn2VUJwTDco9xepjf/m2+DFwHoZezUlSGVqr7xTDYxVKvqgqLNQ5dhOg0T4bh/y8zmDp/pxURYyzNU33udHURTTJV9JzcglHRbBsAmMosqYA3MYOhSlKBjGHvApRHpj+mjLJYqm8tVi6XshSaKZWdOxSTYVEycQXV23VV29sxxMb9uJ6WqalvBzcfgFKzDTW1GZNz5SurrZOoVqNlEaRkCtJU8auEY6M1BcEXHZm7M4piIApsbYeIiG/dvimeyl1M0OYCncrcY+zSVM9uUheuURqZSoqBXD+hrtZg/MdJfcqRJDcN1Cgc4kSEyZPFKUCjdb5u7HziHv/AC48Zd2Trqo12uQBmMccQdhGOHHmuxKqQkdTrUbGxtslZepGNOqSbiso6duW8pBJJq7loyQO3j27kiqR0WaayRQUPxIBlQ6JGKIDhiNSytM2tyNJWIr22kdLt6jm2tPvbit7ddv4YWIU4HkvAORSrgAgICAcQUBMTAYPysPPxD3/AJcHENttsVN0dW1HsfWJDhHJhE599pQTKqNy4ZhqQtMvf2Z0usqkjIpUtZ5KTpafdSdSvDTDzt0QM3eR8gUqfhqXJdUQRETKFIBQMIGEC7mnNRbPjJWEuzOUnf2Fn46m0qYWpm7NSW3Ugk1HrrkeUhk0TIGRMsmUgkTXUSFMhxAqojzKIWs8Q9/5cHEA9v5cVt0XXa0BtaM/wiBjOwGMJ2ycBiMUSqf72asOcKLVZKUJfqXpxZXL3E1dTNOVLZ9u5lKmn1pBwiDBdFuUfBe3ImUORBAggAHIBOWwSlWmoVqCx+dZhbCeiYiiGSb6kPAKNnocQQqNk+QQGUFN0CKq53KS6qiaZUTFKkKP44DAJjA+sdlytTF5iJLNKzhHBazlaUb049kBkFRTPHormXTTBETdmBgUMYeYByHfYR2x3PAPf+XEWaPvSSXVyMdk5Cc8dvF7ZRIShaKhZxPKVPJVCL/ty3hrEExke07QUwl1uH+J148dttum3d0w32PgAAd2PuOrb0TQotpzMCJSVdetv657KD8bEp9lhhwssXk3Q+Av0YT3W39c9lB+NiU+yww4WWLybofAX6MV0fP1OUdULr3/AKOs+Y76j1EmuH7E9fj4vHX1ieMfTP8AJjTH6rRv8EjjI1w/Ynr8fF46+sTxj6Z/kxpj9Vo3+CRwh+dPNHzTPoFv8ruo1Na5NxXDp/lwl2rNpbU3nZopW5NAR6be4UWwBNuYogUsugTcSoKb9OZdx4H79hEo9BDZz3hwK4KAj/lxyVcXlpehEFBelUWOQNxKQvT5cdO2rVresH0sx3hcC4oUrmkWPyX8wFf2QubaiakINWNeNJKBcmbS0aZMSqobCO3NIwcg2HcOpdthAe7H509d+cjoQ0ZKM2p1GzsFyguzLvsYvA/Uuw94EHri5bUBNlQzSkCUri2h42p2aQpx1ZQxwTfpl7uzU6cXCQh0FNQB6dwlHrisu6WX1KjpdZ7EVS1m48gCCrdykKax0x35AXflv0DcA3332+HHrLerQu26w8h27Z0rg1PCbTyHt4Ru/bC4+j8xJI+UZOlIhkQqTtI5jAdTcAA4D5z4dnT6zOU3QlqKlnKlmEmB5WpVAbNyHNxMkkXjzABEQ6mMbqHtYQCcoGJj93bV4yXbGERbuSgUom228UxR2Epw36lEN9w6bhiWK3gKWQomEpuiRNGlMkoMs6lHaKQKiUAExUBEwgoTc3IQAANt02HEbu0q1QGBwg7ZyTt7y1ZLwxwI2QmGzgaq6MdAuqOsi+VVqByPAskRIDFZBy2MYOQbGOIAIAHXbffzYS9lR14L4T6Lio3MrLS9RPypNU3Sh1XDw++2xSdTHETdAAA7i+0GJEtrZBjWkskdWrUYmJR4JJmK2N4SuQPyjlLsHHkIiPjde7Fkmn2GU7K+4LU9K27PMVU4QBFxVs0cDuiJ7bdk3KAcWyf/ACk6j/mMOIcHaaOpSPLd8FPh7y/Oq0ajd5z9ik/SP0q4bKBTLe7914wi1fPWpiNkDgAlhkVADmUu3/jHAAAxuolAOIf5sPKQNhAA9vHDW+vvSleEILVFRAxwDYDBuHy47khimEBKO+PMXVetc1jUq5n4cQXatqFO3pBjMvnxlfpgEdg3wYwqjjHkzAPYiOllWC7poqii+QDc7c5iCUqhd/OURAwe+GMxJAV6x5qtqTp2Hk5+aqBo3ZQrVVzLOFHBeLNFMgnOdTYfEAClER38wDjhbZZv7HXcy8PM1FFzcmeh2ce8fml31PPGhlmjYhjqOEkV0yqKpCQomIcpRBQOpd98V3WX0TsydPtJWAr6DoBmm1tPU9NzM1D1M9cOLmyr4x1WD+UIoiXwfsFQSU3MZY4HIGw8egMtVdExuQzRTf2ur6BOk+hbQKwkq1pdmvIgtMvGxm5zJgmQTnKo7X3E/ECgBxMIFAOnHp3t68F9SnqNDScZzEcQ45+GCcBMzZy/Vrr82qpu9FtalK7p6rWKbuAeOUTtjukj78dk1gKcDDsPiiG/vY6Zedh2zo7FxKN01k0BWOkouUpiph3nEBHcC+/3YqOjNJ/NZePL3YuoF4Ru8j2mX5hTT+kpWoSQ0lTMl4QZ2WQaqrsXYN1TAdMDnTIm5IKQAB9vFxMF1NLrMnX2am4lcwMXSjWFr+1kjT9QVNUs+Es/dP1IMrBsuz3Zprx26vIHCYKnQUIAnKmBzcSxZpC+LAeAOz2yM8sp48EQFYkM3EeMASbfxUAXNsuXol/r7/yf+bu9/H6MX7OSbEex7pNdFUvJNZFQDEOHtgIDsIYrDitMjOpcOIqFPMHbWjAau8tMFbZjEUhctds4cKx0igr2xnSjExUhMRMygFFNRIfFSPyAxjA6OnTZi8GX7KRTFqr7MKSa1JGGdi7QopiRuyKQ7lRRPxEk00xVEhiiqZNMhDKCYQKG+NNtd3FarqvpFoiZPLye1BCnHBgwY6SSrr1t/XPZQfjYlPssMOFli8m6HwF+jCe62/rnsoPxsSn2WGHCyxeTdD4C/RjLR8/U5R1Quvf+jrPmO+o9RJrh+xPX4+Lx19YnjH0z/JjTH6rRv8EjjI1w/Ynr8fF46+sTxj6Z/kxpj9Vo3+CRwh+dPNHzTPoFv8ruo1TnmPzEWJys0IN3cxl24Oi6aTdoszzNQOwQQBdUR7NPmPnNsOwe8OFrqjV20W6vSMnL6gtqhEwbCYlTkAfoxwPonBkykdPimY+RZpOG699aOTXbrpgcipDPjAYpij0MAgIgID0EBxVrqzavspka1D7pZU7RabWUt9TlGzSDWKdT1kkVnZyHZN1xFU6ayZTDzVN1ApemwebcdgJaZC45AKt4tElpv5+aglqbysZraUrR/ENCOpVpTr4ro7RE5+BTn4iGwCbpjl6u058p8/fj+rMrmFhE6/VpoagJSJ0RF8MX2woi77Pnv2XaBw5e30xD+WerLY5QNYHNjdCibDKpQdO5cqMm1aJtXSqIOHRzJEVUTZskuzKoscxh2LuHIe8fPhdMuN/beZG851V5wLuT117h3kvdIyNP2imG7r05oykWk6+KvE07NqLGItHybRyXZ0xSUN2CQiBCmEd8XC5rtycqzRpuzClW8GW/R7ttc+WtLdTUWthC1TCyQsJWEk3HBy0dFEAFI5ee4GARANvNviWar0cMoVm7h0hbSvcwNNw1RV8+Xa0bFPI4U3EwuiQFFSIAJ/HMQpgMIB3AIY4XPdp25xcwGnvdWUzyU5kwoK672s4OSp65VLtFYhsdJFymq6B9IvERX7dYyfZkAB8cBAphDfoj9Y6k1uHF5Mm+tXmfvRNTlWzdZVK5udaijagI7YUqgwSCNaHjohdcTsDuUikVU7VbZYwGOUQDpiXhlz+pQ8Go7labV+mtlUy1yNLMbu5iISAWrGpEIClUZJuKJpSSWARSaI7m8dU2w7F8+2Jgr6xOSXIrbgLsZlbuRVMwCb5FmabqB0DZsDhTcE0+XXxjcTbB7w4oa8IujcrL3YzUrpjNNV0jWExneXjKSibz124Wo+FRRMZ2ycOEDGEzYCCJSrKEV2BLmBQDvxZ1rYXejcwOkdbV7Vdz7aVxUad5qDZ3CVtpNJycIWVMvu6QSHmcwIiJhEpFfGFMxeQdcRdc135uU20abcgmRpbV70VqPTAkNn8tOTiHQTVOQdv/ANsTblm1AMlWcadk6aytZmKPrt/CtE3Uq0pqVBwdqic4kKc4B3AJg2D38UCaser/AC2RzUOullVtHptZS31N0bNotYp1PWSRWeHIdm3XEVTprJlMPNU3UCl6bB742SaclEUBQGvVmSgraW8gaWi1LHUM6LD01EIsWiSiyRFFBIiiUpS7mMIiO24+ffFJJOasAAVnmDBiJ88uaBnkwym1xmce0ypMhSMMLpGLTW7PwlYyhEkiGPsPAoqKF5G2HYu+wCO2K6j20qZe7ICShSxsHtYNg9rCA3EzearFh8lVV5zrxw9i1oxGgCTsJE0+3lTuI90sq28HRXE6vZukxSWPzMmYglMBeImDfHVr62lh6TpKflbn2YuXBytKzNNxszCvacQI7VCaTOZo8QRK4MJkTdmfxBHtg3IHZiYdgwjSlqDD5bhOIjDHsKcFOmAAHmwbB7WEp9WDpil5a5lTXWsvXtNw1v7dQdSOaUlqQKhPN/DZBwz/ABweFmIBTcUDgUxUwST5nUOIDsXcSGqqo+vVZ21FB5XqymfwpU9ITaijR7FrHZs26gI80zpPDN3BQOYqqhyKiBURLwBQ5hIWQ0lZn/L4Gc4+aIKb7YPawbB7WPIHAOggYf2Y+gYBHYAH9oY3SkvuDBgw0KuvW39c9lB+NiU+yww4WWLybofAX6MJ7rb+ueyg/GxKfZYYcLLF5N0PgL9GMtHz9TlHVC69/wCjrPmO+o9RJrh+xPX4+Lx19YnjH0z/ACY0x+q0b/BI4yNcP2J6/HxeOvrE8Y+mf5MaY/VaN/gkcIfnTzR80z6Bb/K7qNWl12spuYrOLkoY22yvUpFzVVRNyIGoUo+YmUmCCiDFcyynJVQQAA7vf2Edu7CT3Iyr57s0VyZu8lx9AnKLWdTTDkq03Ou7rJOnDhTgBCmVOU/UeBClDu6FxcTdFinKW3n41aljTpHEI7SNCkc9iMgBkDgLcFP8gqb8OXm5b+bH88L+6V6Mn+WnMddvTSsm8yRT9g3VONrxW6dzCVcK1i5klQTYD4ZIFUKw8FTVVNskBwWBx42wlDGtcdMnWFudUGzKWdTULvpbOm7S1XK5cY+OpBpbiuUpNxHuo0AKkoQCCKqY8CgIGEADfoAjhesruXqdtNfSoLG1ffiormw1T5O5HMYWJqPs1Cw1xl0ynLJJJp//AE1A5dyqm/Gbm6h3YmrNZmXzBXgva0z8aYDNe2tATcXGsr3Z0EBbTUe8iGLchF0jQUgQDJAxcgcDHbkKdYQ23EoBiBMiN7aKyvZm7k0xpnW7/rmZjLg0hPVC+v8A0vLjS/pKR+sQFmxoh+U7VcUHhUXQnDjz8IBMAKUo4EKMbJ1Tc7VZubaLJBfbVAvXOwlbUFIVDdaCrWPBJnGzMamd43aN/CQKR2kYyRd1Nx2EQ679AnOjMvOSrNLUGnnf59p2W5txG3Wr+tGtyKTiYU4R7hswAyLYjoVwATF3T7QAPsHI47bhhWM5+aeotSDOBZ7LVqoXGTsNV1kqckIK5txKgaJzBX8smoV1yFnGkSIiKhiES4pmOUom5biAbYcvXn1G86moTGUHlF047YyEnaK9TmRiqbrSPdslG90vB0myzhsii8RIvH+BuUVyGOJydoJREBEuwCIUgUFlkhskuT+zWUnNPkmtxcyGubnafRsdEv3hZNnT0VJGEqD9EWonIVUiBRLwOPigbY23mjql8iF0biZUs2uXnJxa6no9Sj9QMslS9Oy0mlDRxI2OFMSJJqLiUoJgUpClABERDu32x+9aZlM3XoYbTrHKc1y+SlSo1qi5e0zfMsszj0YSpZNh2osfSw5HQuDsjNxMJzHBNbbuJ3D+mbZPNXna0gKBy039zlFu9eq8haau3EQCdEtYlxTlHFbbvlB7AE0HRGxhVUEwmIqp1ApNgDAhSRdjKvntzF3NeXfu3oE5RapqirVxcuZqTusku5kzEIUgn5gf8ZxIQpREodALhldL7LHqFRWo3ePOznby+0hb1CuLeU/Aw8RSVYJyiJDx48Nug8ygKZSj1DbzBvitukszlmbK5l8gNntNGsW2bSqLH09XLB1DU6RSm1ZQz5I6pB3fkMVDZI6x9uR9wQENwEwYsm03dUaQz56qV8rfWqvkjVFoKYtxTjumYxtGESTYSqg9nIACp0E11BBUDEHmIk8XcoAGBCsRxpLkW5oe71CS1sblUwzmoCdYKMpeKfpc0XKBw2MQwe+HnDYQEAEBAQAcbvHkxwKO3Xf3iiOIuAcIKEpcNorZKoWiJ+25AuA6gZ6nlYMsRI3Kk3LaMYqrJKnSZpKKiRvuZFMOQAJgABABABHHZV5plZWbj13KXGqeEmzycvJUw/eqI1CumQVoDl6XCBQ6FAvIeYB/if5sMIA7huGDGZtjaNbApiOTvvKclQ3XWRyzVd3Lra8KslVETUlfU5Gwk5LQFTuGSpWjFYyyAI9mOyQ8jGA+24KFESmASiIY4dhpIZO4OnLb05ScPVMF+C3w4tMyEFWj5m7Ok9cA5eIuFkjlMuksr4xyDsA7iXoURDDNCoADsID+wN8fQMU38hDEnWls90uYCeTjn54okqK7+5O7P5kpxtUNyFajK5aUvMQCXpLVb2PJ4JJJFSciJEFCgKoFKHBQQ5JjuJRxsLH5XrYZfZ+oajt8pOC4qdKMTkwl6jdPiAVgzIzQ7Iq5zAl+KIHMS7czbmNuOJFx8AwCIhsPT3sT4GmH68Y70l9wYMGLkKuvW39c9lB+NiU+yww4WWLybofAX6MJ7rb+ueyg/GxKfZYYcLLF5N0PgL9GMtHz9TlHVC69/wCjrPmO+o9RJrh+xPX4+Lx19YnjH0z/ACY0x+q0b/BI4yNcP2J6/HxeOvrE8Y+mf5MaY/VaN/gkcIfnTzR80z6Bb/K7qNWk1386l88huR1C9mXqp6fhp9zcCEhTSdTxwOWTZs7WORVRQgiGwFAAMJvMADhKoQdNfK/nBsXnEzu3rjawuFmGSnZSo7tUrWyKFtHK0a3FoVRZo4ECKJikZJJPflsuUTdB2xaTnjpXK3WGWyo4jODE0w8ozwFZRclUtmaqSbgqKgpqIFeAKfhRfGFIfygOAbYor0w9LiDu3metnnCWzB0tcXJVQKT8aeo++1atHklT7F61XRBJ5FnTFkzOpIAKgEASlOBSKdTY1rjqZtaHNJf7IPnPRZ6cGUerVaju81jIBy+mKULLUfVSIMyLIsodiXYnhYHH8dxKIn9rr16nKDnVzr0hUyCS1ysvlz67qWnvSVa11jbfIpVTQMs67Mgv5xEgAZNhHuB7J6TvKcQDbcMafNHXtw5uv6+tJmmYVmwzIVPTbeMtbNUwwcntbbJ2Yn/Zk7GSq4irDPBbdmDt6kICUwiBdihthAsnWZGN0ydUymLwZVlahrplU6zS3l76+uqkZxGEqV5LJenSzCRamSTWSAUQWRWWMY5iHMdQpgHAhXvZAaArq4YXXp/PbdjLxdWsafqEjGYcWzpJFBaCUFsYV0ZDtU+YLm/LDl1AofsxUG90r9KJhnqgquo7WitAxy+QkqkqwoxS9ipJ9okdqBXPYOiiCaJzuuR+RRL4g7CO+GOzwZE42A1XIypbRagF6rf2qzFQdSVrcerqEuCnGwyMo2QORikR0kmDbgqIdmALGUOcDCUhg3wjWl1bNO2eQmps3GWDItSl7quhYwHd24nMFbc0pEItySKyEeFKdgTm5XOUTeGAc+xRTIAbbbYEJZc2cfSshk+QqyJou78udG+E1GRl0Z+pFX9JyUYiRUGzJqJzCBnpSAVQxwAN09x677BtZy498rU5f7b5I7b5tKArGGvCSEqN07ptwo5lqOdLiVoEG5db9o1BMNhVaE8TruAdettWnPY2+VkMgl4aGzDWDyn3bpulqUqG6lvqCid6jkmdSOEiqJsl44wfiG5Ccm/FMpVSmHs+Y74V/UKujbAMoVr7QZnci9mbF3muvU1K1nRE1Y+36cQeLpVVbs1geunA9u0fkVFQTJAAkKCZOQ7gOBCsPo23109Fix+Wu0TB1bev6ipOBnG9S24o+liOK3uEoLg5kzwAqlIqINSOe0cb7D2RDebbHEeh49LvM3puahN+YS89NO3UJN0PDuoesWkQ5Ri3qzh0dydqkssQoHWRA/BQob8TFHzbb9BmS1C8v2mXf7KjZlgZLM1HMoyq0pS5zpNKtLixwlKB0xaOW6pRKdYVuzVES+Mij/yDjd+h+c1uchxe+5unnmquhS9wQt7BNqojK6iqrdzj10Es7OsVqu8WVEpgQTOVMEikKKYlEu4gAYEK1I2/EePft0xTfnWuRSaebrMI3z/ZhLw0RPwaKRstcTRcpJs2DtsLUwoqtSsyCm4cGcAmCgKDtuJwEdw8S5HH5rM2jhQirhsmcyZuSZjkARKPthv3D8GMN9aOvGBodEGcRIOEZAjfIxzTBhVVEzv6plL21gqKk61p2nqoprJ4rcyrgq+jDvXzt80fLJgkcCrJAkqs3IjzAwDwMY48RMPTaVXq55yFb401CR0JRdNxzqkaLm4+DqYE2idXISrZFWQM2druCqAZE6pkkUm6axgOn+NDYeloJ2rZQwnOgQwmJwETEAREvtfBj4Zk0MZM5myYij/hCJA8Tpt09r9mMni28GVw7Z8Pb32okblXPrzVQ8g7o5aItzWDOKhZOtJlKeLN1g/hIpdEGiIgD50xMCqSQGHfmUBEoiG3eOIWy06gOZC0ORi1dOMrqK07Ey916mp+qr53Ei3dQRUS1bE8JZiyE501F2iwnBBJVwYBAUjh/wDduCXZtHQADlsmpx7uZAHb5cBmjU6Pgxm5BT224CQOO3wd2HV0ZXfdvrsq6usN3N2yN2yMzCJwVUNbavmeMlk7YVhWKlKWlNUdtJ+oT1TUFCvXzWqJVi8UQZRbVAVSC0M8RImuAGEx9lg4AIbb8rP6g+bi3+aGq7tP4ReiCVjQ1qxuDMTbVxIxls0nySxnTk0cJwMInOIJch2BMRAVREdsXEqN0FigVVEpgKYDFAxQEAEO4euPh2bRQTio2TMKgABxEgDyAO4B9vEXaMvHRNwcI2bgRv28UdMFAIX5Q7ts/imz5lJpvUVm5DovEjlMVcolAQUAS+KIGAdwEOnXp0xk4+EIRIgJpkApShsUoBsAB7WPuOyMklXXrb+ueyg/GxKfZYYcLLF5N0PgL9GE91t/XPZQfjYlPssMOFli8m6HwF+jGaj5+pyjqhde/wDR1nzHfUeok1w/Ynr8fF46+sTxj6Z/kxpj9Vo3+CRxka4fsT1+Pi8dfWJ4x9M/yY0x+q0b/BI4Q/Onmj5pn0C3+V3Uas/WJrjInbzJTK1RqG0KyqSg0JVsDOHfxjt0k4lxKr4EQStAFQvJQBLz/JLy64p+04ctFsY+yd1tUHOjBs7JZOq7XhpJexFPAE7FVO1TMqwSBcqRhfI+DyHBYgdmAmMoI7cC74uM1arsVHZjKQtWdL51qWsG6CpGCH9P6vpJOaZkIcx+TXwZQhg5q7bAfbxeI9Q33xT1cixWhPmbv1brMNnF1W7b1rPmTklcwSseEtFJ187OkCUesgk2UInFg3IRIDFRKUFeG4huIiOtcdcTk9vrqW6jVAx8FZHMzVF/146bd/hjy3VkdrT8Kaku3MiyTGRcFTBYjkpSkMRMROmADyANtxj22eXC314sxNwslFvcyUwpaK2tNTd6a8s6EAKcNG1pFL8HtLprKGAzhumkHggPkzGA6YcylHvw/wBSFeXuzrZIc0eX62WqBQ2aSTeWbXZ0dQlvLboQz2MUOoKaImXKQgr8iAVIAMYepd+8dx39l9HrJ1nR0nqEylZZqzaU8lS93Yaev4yWcP3yytSs41JCdiDqGWA7ZYTH4D2ZuzTENyh13wIVX2c/PhnCNkGb5TrsZd2FK2fzDvYeqLHM2NXEeo0XTzN4mAR7dIifIUxV2/xzEOG/5I4s5k7a2m9D/ZM5DLBePWMuJEQ1wo9ZlaaTjbZ+HDRjhs5F49cN0mgq7iqLoOQKmKHURKPQduxoLLtbHUIqWt9NSJo1SByy5YJY1FVLald4q4eVe8SSF5GPEJUoldsioKlABS7U/aAPjiO+2K5bGZyKQ0qKgzxxtt7fustVwFqOo8LSWtuBLBUMg2eF3UcgVR0VZNwJ01xX2PuBSrFD/L0EKwe2OU6S0xMy99NUKwlk411apPJ+SVj5MZAjQ9TVEkYsk5UXQ5HXbncFTBQ5+HEBPsG4htitHNHk5z1ax1WRd5bqVo/XvdcuLCsbE2XXetFo5K3DhQXIrllTGTTQFBVYyZWy3FcwbDxHfDRZadeKYzt6bLDJXmZuvGVje7MVX8na8BYNGzBSl4uUbg1aSyzVsgRNdFNRUQ4FEpz77cvPj3k4uBqlWttDXVppPWSt9aqh8ud1i2SgHdQWQYPQfqNE00WvBQSCqXtA2KBTicfFETH8+BCkzRJojSWyk3ltVkmu7aWHhs8VJNn7Sozt4V64VRfCg6cn/v6QmZKbxyhfGKYxdhEoDy6BttCvIbD6cWslmayzQFxHlUtWlt6dlCzD2MK0Ocz1wdyJOzIc4bFE4lAd+vHuDuxCWRCockuT3WWzF3v1f83FMPr6UFVcUSjq+cIuIVvIC5h1EXqhI9ruhsCKiCYgcDbCHIuwiI4eHTG1Hc3Ob7U+vhZy+1ppC3FMUtb6n5GmqAmUmK7todc4gZ4Z4gkVRUjgnFQpDmECAYAAAHfcQrGMaslb0crMO6eTqmOM/Ypdq9ZFfpis3T235nJy5ELt5xAAxszAIh09vFbyWlhmimM8id/anpe0zemV5mso+XRglBbHfwMy1OkkddAGPN26IdQyivhDhUFDiAEFEhQAcd3Xr0NXg2a0mDxcaYT92ovPay+dIpV5aGu42oYdc5yoyEW6KqmcSnMQdhDzblHYR7w2ENwEBxtoKrqWqdZ03pypGD9Rit2T0jJ6mqKCn+g4EMPA3Qeg7D0wrmlzk2vHk+yrPbA3Qt5bCOkmiHgrado1VdQ9SCCahAeyQmQRN2ogYhAABOYCF25h0AI1029PHNflYzZPb53SgLYx8VUFtSwNQMKDd+CoJvm70yqCzdmkwQTBIUuJPxh1Fi+MY6qhjDtSy6uoo61PF34s/J6UYKTLtazmTCyt15Cy1dBcFKoGEo6YA0a2ylVyvFW4iCotTEREHJA235p8g2677YnG2OZq1V10XS0C/fMStCRgnGfjVI/kZ+0I6bplBcC8lOzUADEDxiHAxBADFEMRZmbyk3Su/nxy9ZlaVkYdOnrWq1AapEXr1QjpUHrMqKXg5CpmKfYweNyMTYO7fuxAuY3ScvXfC71zqkdGo11Ttd39oWrisH8iuU6sPEszt3yKpSoDssfmIEIBhAwCO5yYpdX0lTe7ydYTAgRhqzMyduGSME/DGu6LkzNCRtWxjgZA6hGIISCRxcmT/wAQE9jDzEvnAN9vPtjS3Qv1amz9DVVcKuKwaoR9Fwi8rUhGygLuGjVJMyhjGRT3U3EpR2Dbcw9Awg9O6KlU0DXBa/t3SVAQ8nEZtW1b0m8YOlUTxNFF8ZWMQ4obIHMcTCLcgdkbpyOOwbam2OjbmRt1VlZOJl3SNULvoetWkbVL6rV2hqgRmkFgTbyrVGP7ZbZRRMTHO8VBLswMiUBAC4i690jEcB7ZkfKe+aAArIrZXGpO71uoK6lByIu4So4hvJRLoyRkxVbrplUTMJTABiiJTBuUQAQHoON5jkMvtDS1sbEUXbeej41o9gKUjo121h1VDtEVEGyaRiImV8cyYCUQKJvGENhHrjr8demXGmC7OMUlXXrb+ueyg/GxKfZYYcLLF5N0PgL9GE91t/XPZQfjYlPssMOFli8m6HwF+jFFHz9TlHVC69/6Os+Y76j1EmuH7E9fj4vHX1ieMfTP8mNMfqtG/wAEjjI1w/Ynr8fF46+sTxj6Z/kxpj9Vo3+CRwh+dPNHzTPoFv8AK7qNUQ+ibGzZ5p90uzeNk1kVb7UaRVFUgGIcovhASmAeggIdBAe/FW2rprQ3kySajV1MrdnMouXBWmqQm0W0Seas21cOhIoybrj2ihVCAYeapuvEOm2LlNcnJ7mIzs5MWFqsr0RCPqsi7jwNQN2tQyngbVRJkuZU4GU2HvHiGwdRAR2wn91cleqTfK4Mpde8WiNkSqepZpcFpWenZBZ07dnAhSAZRU4CY4gQpS7j5igHmxrXHXdZL5ez1idcDM7WMqWlaEpWNy+0PJyzhNJvFxjAhkiKKrH24ppF3MIiYdvfHEE2MyqUzZFHMFmDys6ldr60rWqaxrCqKwpCjrrKSDNC3DsRcvlGjFuBRRnilApEnRhFEhjEKJtuuJtsNpcZ7M0F8cy9d6jNF0VbyLvpZmLodBO1dQ+H+BEaiCfNMjgo8R7MpR8bcN+gBiDM7XocbNXF5u6Ac6Zb2HtvbMLTRND3Qn6ankYOWnEBcHTlHC6KKQEcqrtuyOfl4qhygAhsGBC45vpTWmvxb62NRaY9WZqKeqy/0GlWqFf15XDg9NxyLVYorITi7BMxvDlkCnIgG5+RjB4wBvhiamsnVS2r3nNMeirZxVZXNhKGZ5fZS+1OFWhagkWsYTw9NkChBO8FJMBBUrbkYg8BOGwYkq1mSnVF0qKUh7DadFSxt8qEXQT8J/D5WyjdSmCom7NNnGJNQIQiBkzGOYNvywD4MONnHyYW8zi0EjDzkm6pmrYcipqIuTTyKRZyknCop9q5jnByiLdU5EwTMYuwiQRDAhfzeZz5nOpnBy62wuLc15lptXAq5oHFCxVU0JSqtNu4mYaEUTNIO3hAEE2BAEynIo8yiQDCAcQx2OjbJaqUVc67mSrLE8svXVFMLhSs/Vt67mUw/qCl3MvHpJF8ITlC7l5KpkIukY5eYgIqbhvi2iA9DqZYkcttAZYbgXdq2sYCiL4K3LdjUzRk4NULtYvFZk9KKXBRuoAm57ABjch69cKRZjQU1L7a55rwEt1fF7aTLnU9WVDP03RlsK7KzavjGU/7OZOWBU+zK3URAiCpdtypBwAdgwIXG6Qub2y9aazV7stWdGkrZ3luLeypo5eEr63UMylKSJ6XQy6y5m6rsxlQTOmCZPEA+6iZuWwAA4nvRYuFdS52tXmaqm8d47VV1NDa+mEDT9mnRloMyKSokRRIYwiPbJkACKl32BQpgDuxrcoWgfeuwmp/ZDUfj7c0VRgrJzru8FvqOeoIwlLuVI5VkyQhkSJgZVI4H7RQDGHicxhAdumHtypZQonLJm+uG6tJkqs5by3MlTkcEHV1ERxGs5NPeQqOkXqaYAUESHERIIBuI9REd+ghM/g2D2sGDAhGDYPawYMCEYMGDAhGDYO/bBgwIRgwYMCFXXrb+ueyg/GxKfZYYcLLF5N0PgL9GE91t/XPZQfjYlPssMOFli8m6HwF+jGWj5+pyjqhde/9HWfMd9R6iTXD9ievx8Xjr6xPGPpn+TGmP1Wjf4JHGRrh+xPX4+Lx19YnjH0z/JjTH6rRv8EjhD86eaPmmfQLf5XdRqmLMNmtorL7KQFGK0jUtXVdVai/9G6Ko2OI5kXqaAEFw4HtVE0W7dLtE+a6yhCAKhCgInOUo6qhc6FN1LWFN29ri0FcUJO1KnNHbRtaRzZuKJY0GQrHMoi4VTOQ/h6IJnTOcphKoAiUSiGNPmOsvfWLzCUtm9y2xUBUE3C0tIUxUVGVPLqR6UpFunDd0VVs8IisDZyku2IOx0zJqkUMURIJSmxH93cqN8c5dW0jW2Z2xNvGbOEpmtI4KX/pGeZTQPItY1JiqdRRokQ6wHQdCYSF2SKKYlExhEStz6wcY4sIwjDb0rHTp25Y3WOwyZxmDAjdl2pp6sraEo+DkJuQMs5GPZrODsGCIrulgSTFQxEkS+OooJQ6EKG47ht34+Slf0VAxLmcqOp2EY2ZMSu36kk7Tbg0QN3HV5mDsy+bc2wbhthJaS0w7iPbN3W/CzTdKTlxKls/CU9RtQv5AztVjKN6SCJdqguolzb9o4OqBlSAJlUxATh0Aoam8+mle25tWXoZQlsKCSiq/oFBEH1SSiUgvJTjYIzwYUT+Ag4j2pyMTEXbnUXRKoVFZEhBFYDI1qwE6nfHiTbb25MGp3w4+M9CeePuZS0lKycf2q7dKMM1KMi8Q7Jo6FwTmTsFjeIt/pHiI7G8XvxuFJqLTeljDySAOT78W4rl7QdgAw7F336AICPTuEMILePT3vvdalK4j2mXe2EXG1s4hCNKPNJN3KNNINqcex+7Ix2Pg6SqTpVvscEREEDLilwV4GDY2/05L2BU0beWtaWpVOumtdW7kyTozB3L1qxiYhmxlUSuhRA49qKTkOACALFU8cQ36MVqsxqINtQDZ4Tvhx8qY/LVnOpTMzCLVxT9r6vgKUXZEfU7V9TtWqEfOtDqnTKs3Mm4UOnuJOXZrkSU4HKbj1EAlpzMRLRFBy7kEEiOFSptzqLFKCpzfklKIj4wj5gDv82KzL+ZYL70DCyk1VeXShIalquupQhFbRQdZKyMFUNQf0iIo7kypuGZE4tFykcqaiIJnBU34xUvIvI+5uDpZX+qSh6fI/oin5OITc1cVG0zCtiM2VHoS7pqq1GOeuY1yUDtiIKlE6SKJ0RdGFsYhScTQbXrAQWyf98n+/mrX2tuTIfAPIdnLn8PknzvRe6irHWrq27dUqLOmVFwS8tNMozgo6KgkkZUQKmJg8YSlHiBhAB9vG/JVlO+BJvnEu3QKcqPRdwQglFUAEhR3HoJt+gefzb4QS4enfmjqS51yp+Dt3QrJOs7XVbSSkoynioqSpnqUepHOpAwMwcPHAKoOSrLLKG4iqAoppkExR1t0tLvMfLppRM5DwVxmEdUM4+knUpU6LF9V3ps1RSSfOxcx7tBF9HERMzSEifAG6hTtxbHKKQvhq0nyO/QoC1ty0DhBPfjjPjViqk1FouRZqyTcqwAb8UZcoG8UoGN0336AICPtAIDiJLuZz6Sttc+FtDSdsqvr6dloE084a0Q0auAYRJXJGwvFDLuEgVL2pwKCaHaqCBTDw2AN4Ra6ayL6lbyP7nWqhasn6tg4uNpV09rFX0ySbJUwxinaZZUzUVWqqiiLjdcqX4/xDqk2HgXkqlyT5ypbL3bW3sPZ22MZXFKqO1aauPAVKMI/oZypJHUKv2LBiVu/TVZ9l4W2RKg3cLgoHZAQ5TEb6laMGx8dvIo06NvrYun4bJnPZ3nJPqabiSOV2R5RuCzVIFHKQrlAyRB32MYN9ylHYdhHYOg4Ep2HXFUEJRucUSmFYCrlHswKIgYTbD02EBAd+4QxXzWemLf+Wre9DxCIjH0lW8NXZIKvRrcjU70k42UI2j3rQkaLhQjcTIpE5uzoolbEVSIUwiniT8w2mLF1ZCURB5dUYShG6p1IC7aUW2BAahpZ8VueURExCgJ3aijJvxXPubZVcREROO8hVqmTqd+hRNC3BA4TPi/2mkhLjU5MsHcmqZzHIM5daO7WXQFqVZQh+HJMVNgUTOP5Bw6HDqG+NsWXjTv1Ioj5EXSSQKqtgWL2hCCIgBhLvuACID1ENug4RqrcgV4WFZJVrJ2Ft3dKCbV9XD5K3VVz3grNNGYdtFWMmQTtFkvCEEWyqApmTESEcmFI4CBgPgvtN27auYW49bVRQLGp2lVrVU6bVElcr0ocPWEtHmbFhHJUYw7rgiUSIpG8JMiiCCS5EiqAJBXDVQfw9+jvtTFvQInX+Xb32bU+bKWjpNkSTjXyLhsoURTXQVA5DAHeIGKIgPcPnx+SFRwTlglKt5poo1XUAiLgjkgpqGEduJTAOwjv02Ad98JrS+UTNg60/pTJ2+pCh4Bd8weqtHcfKkbEWSJKoKt4uQJHNEElDPGRFkXbxsRIu6hhBEwnMONXX+Sa5lUpU3VLLIVaE8G0p2bhxsm6q0iENDPXi6KhJxBVCOBIyxiJnSUAqJFkyiUySgiY5RfDVCPw7OPsSFvS1iNcZkbMt+e1PAvPQzVz4E5lmya2xjdkdwUp9ilAxh4iO/QogI+0A792P3ZvWkg2TeMXCayKxAOkqkcDFOUQ3AQEOggPthhAoTSfuKZy0k7ptKSrKfZVvblwvVksqY7t/FREUyZS5DmUTMfiv2TkvYGMYHBDh2oiJhw0mSmxFQZcLOO7UyzOOZsmtbVC7pyOilhM3YxLqVcuWbdMOJQSKRFUheyKHFPbiXoAYlTqVHOhzYUKtKixstfJw75pSdbb1z2UH42JT7LDDhZYvJuh8Bfownutt653KDt+liU+yww4WWLybofAX6MRo+fqco6oW+/9HWfMd9R6iTXC9ievx8Xrr6xPGPpn+TGmP1Wjf4JHGw1q4mRm9Ku+0dFNTrrnt09MRMhdxECcFDD+wpTD+zGh0tp+JqCz9ITEQ+TcNndIxijdZMwCByiyS6h+0B+TER+dPN/tMg+IGn/AOruo1OHsA+bHziAebH3vwY1rjpKNUXUsuRkaryApSk2tFskZKkJCbZK1mm8WNVD5s5boEgGPghg8FcqAuBgcrgZMvMgcDBzEv6VRqVXUoKuZK6VZ0BAIWej7hy9BqIoHWPUCUpHRTh4q8Mfn4OZAzlm4ZgiBQMGxFu0EDCmEk5t9PqFzTVk6rRpeupqNXnaFcUTWiUGyYOCzdPLrGWUaf3xBUWqnI6gAujxOAKDvyEpBLiJ6ZtpzXUVqWQrioHdDnmnU8la5yZuaKJNuYs0W4fCqKfhJ+bZRUexMoKYLLKLAHIQ2wubdGodU4YQukx9gKLQ4YwZ7792fsyX55Nc19+bnXFNajMnSlLR8vNW2h6+po1ImcCk3jnyqqKke5FcxhO4bqETAVycSLAruCafHYYfynaluZbN3eurrFUL+DJlPtIGZeEjjx0i4WoV4xmSR6LKY3XTJIGckFQ5TtDJgmZEwCBiCU4zjYPIU7sFKFqaMzI1bNzLdjCQMfKzzCPUVa0vGLKKIwpQIgUolU7VQFXQgLg4iU3MBKGOctNpcQdo3KvpHmPrVVpB0TOUva9sZtHpHoxnKqEVcKJKpIFUerFOkj2ajoVOIJhuBjCY4stuYb8e/T3xAH2UvOEmIwPtw6O+B5Ols8WZ9vkzuBmdr+Nt9Nlg7ntafoR9AwrxqxmWBJlpFuH5k1nKpwAV1HYIiU+wggQ/UD7YmHP3mUrrLBaGHrOhmsM2GXrRhCytU1MxdOYul2a/a85J4k1EqiiRTJkRAAOmXtHCYnOQgGHG0rbJhbOpso8Zk3p548gaYh2UI1jVGBEzLJJRrpq4SAeZRKYTmalA5hDceZh7x3x0tx7U15X0HWNOx9+6jp1Cpo1BpEuIBqzTdU8IAcHCzRY6JhFVUDB4ynPshKBk+I9cWNZVDSJ2Dpxn+lSalu6oHQIk4cWEf2ckmNO6s2Ye6FmVbp2ltrRDsKAt5LVncxR04eC2mWLCZfxoJQ5tyGR8ITi3zoiq4KAQARSMQ3IyhWbaZlK5qzMvO2RoKCh12SVk4ysaccyCiqR13zx6/bpormLyAiHFsiIiUgnATnHr0DHIXO0tbMVdCwtG25raoqDp9rQhaGqaGptRE5KjpoFhXFg4UcJqKEOKh1xFymYqwg7cbmEVOQSqTLnER9+JjMDTtTOmErI25Z0i1ZEbJGbMkmrp25RXIUQ3McDuhASCPASplDbqIjCm25Eax3KdWpZuEsEZ/wBRPx9i4zKBfi/1f3GubZHMRH0i6m7dSUUiNR0Kg6QjnnhzEHQtRRcqKnTcIAJef4wQMRdA+xBOJQ/d9qPZR2MrUsUrcN8caVav3Mg5Qpl+o3cIR65G8io0WKiJHpWaihQcCgKnYhyMfYCmEPmSzJ9W+UmOmIKczMztesZh8tIrBPU5GNXB5Jdc6zl8s4aIkUcqqiYpRFQRApUyFKBSlAA4+n9MiGoGZqta1N8pSmGNQJyxYsI2kIQZGDNJuRXdi3kjtRdGABOsCRVDmBLtA37QE0wLMGuGAAb5n4bVAi0dVdJwwiJA49nwhdXUGpDlei56Ggaam5+q/T2tFKXYPqLpN9LNFZBJiZ8sUizZIxFiJol8c6QnAhuQDt2avDvsxeYW3+We2S9yrgPygQzxCPh40i6ZHEtIuDgm2Yt+0MUplVVBAA3EClADHMJSEMYIbp3TKpa11JU1QeX+9dS0ZD0DW41FbeORbNZBOmirMXLJ6wS8LIcVmyxHblQAV5HSVVESH4gBAmxSydNVlQ7ajb9M4y4gNZFd2m4qmnWSpdzKqikAIgl2RRTSUBEDgUDGKXcwiJjCLaa5BBEHYoPFo1zS0kjbv+UZcZSY01qo5nLo2Jhrm2ztjQQS0HZ+SuTcmOeyLhduZo1kXLUsRHrInACuTFZuh8JUA6YGST/FCCu5JphM0WYhrmtoCi6jjKHkLfXbYSrykUoVJ4SbiGbRii7TfPTKnFFZNTtSonKmmQEVV0CgdXkI45lto92kp+1kBam3t3qppdk2pORpOrloFqwRPVEA+eneOGS4CgJUD8znKVwgBFSkVUDfxtw7RlkYryDzTSWZCm819QRzaQh28I3pZGlIlRCMh0EzAkwaOFUDrt0+1N4QcSm3UUIQT7lIUoUtbdCNadm727loe+xM6kDOMD7O0cWBUN2X1K78XCy6M6keSlu3t0Knran6TYUWlTcpFjR0jJdoc4S6LpcV1iJoJqqkMkCRV+xEpDbG5lZXJxfmr7824mTXKiI1lVdHVpLUrVJIUVPAV3rFwKfhDYFRE5UlkjJKgQ4iYnaCQTG48hjkumqSfaVLVt1MzNYVNcWbewDqLuGtGRrReDUhF1nEb4M1QblbGAqrlyZUFCH7YHChTbF4gWYctuX+By326NQ8ZUUhOPn8w+maiqKW7MHUvKPVzOHTpQqRSpk5HOIFIQpSEIUhChsXFlFtdpGtu778VXcPtXNPBjGe+7D47VIIAAd2DYPawYMaliVdetv657KD8bEp9lhhwssXk3Q+Av0YTbWskmT3OBlDpRq4KpIFuFNSRmpR3ODVKNKVRUQ8xQEQAR7sOZllSMW3CIGKIdC/RjLQM16nKOqF19IAjR9nP6HfUeu4ryk4uuKRkKUm49F2zkGijd01cJ8k1kjlEpyGAe8piiICHnAcVWxGV/UX0xqweUzkmnaQra2hnqq0FR9xXDls6gCHOJxboPEf8VABEeIH6h7W+4jbTjXzFLQc8mKcnHkU384hiyrQZVIJJBG0ZrNZ6QrWbXMADmOza4SCRkdhBE5ggqtomoJrXkLxNlNsTuHeJq8kf5Y++qD61/uTLD/PuR/liwk9mKCOIm9KShv7QY+fgVoP81F+TEPBj6x3SOxafGtP9rS6H/eq9/VBda73Jdh/n3I/yweqDa13uS7D/PuR/liwj8CtB/movyYPwK0H+ai/JheDH1jukdiPGtP9rS6Hfeq9/VBda73Jdh/n3I/ywBqDa1wf8JliPn3I/wAsWEfgVoP81F+TB+BWg/zUX5MPwY+sd0jsR41p/taXQ/71Xv6oLrXe5LsP0/8AXcj/ACweqDa1w/8ACXYf59yP8sWEfgVoP81F+TB+BWg/zUX5MHgx9Y7pHYjxrT/a0uh33qvf1QbWu9yXYf59yP8ALB6oNrXbbf1S7D/PuR/liwj8CtB/movyYPwK0H+ai/Jg8GPrHdI7EeNaf7Wl0O+9V7+qDa12239Uuw/z7kf5YPVBta73Jdh/n3I/yxYR+BWg/wA1F+TB+BWg/wA1F+TB4MfWO6R2I8a0/wBrS6Hfeq9/VBta73Jdh/n3I/yweqDa13uS7D/PuR/liwj8CtB/movyYPwK0H+ai/Jg8GPrHdI7EeNaf7Wl0O+9V7+qDa1/uTLD/PuR/lg9UG1rvcl2H+fcj/LFhH4FaD/NRfkwfgVoP81F+TB4MfWO6R2I8a0/2tLod96r39UG1rg/4S7D/PuR/lj76oNrX+5LsP8APuR/liwf8CtB/movyYPwK0H+ai/Jg8GPrHdI7EeNaf7Wl0O+9V8eqD61/uTLD/PuR/ljwtqBa2jhIyDbKzYVscwbFcHraSUBMfbEoBub4MWFfgVoP81F+TAFlaBAd/SgvyYPBj6x3SOxHjan+1pdDvvVcOXrKhmKurmGdZr84FxkazuTIRwRcd6Ux5msNTEaJuRmjBE/jeOO/NU3jG3Hv3ERsptrShKRpZCK49SkDf5MZkNRVNwO3pbGpkEPOAY2oAABsGLaVJlFuq3vyrFd3le9q8JVjIAAAAADIADADvmjBgwYsWVGDBgwIRgwYMCEYMGDAhGDBgwIRgwYMCEYMGDAhGDBgwIRgwYMCEYMGDAhGDBgwIRgwYMCF//Z" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="121" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-55112079214232227312013-04-10T07:57:00.001-05:002013-04-10T07:57:54.330-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0GPkvn-76ok/UWSKpTyfA-I/AAAAAAAAB8A/k7LIyxyJvao/s1600/602134_543034919073976_1218510615_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0GPkvn-76ok/UWSKpTyfA-I/AAAAAAAAB8A/k7LIyxyJvao/s320/602134_543034919073976_1218510615_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h2>
<b>Wondering about wandering~</b></h2>
Am I wandering too?<br />
<br />
Loving a prodigal who is wandering into difficult and perhaps even dangerous territory is beyond difficult. It is not for the weak at heart! Over the years, I have wondered about my own prodigal's wanderings so much that I failed to understand...I, too was wandering.<br />
<br />
You see, when we walk out of the God's will and purpose for our life--yup, we're wandering. Right?<br />
<br />
This afternoon, as I read a friend's first novel, "From Pharaoh's Hand," beyond the joy I felt for C H Green, I experienced a check in my spirit. "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/From-Pharaohs-Hand-ebook/dp/B00BTJZ75O" target="_blank">From Pharaoh's Hand</a>" is a compelling story of a teen-aged prodigal, Elizabeth, and the dire consequences she faces in her wandering~all restored by God's powerful grace and love. I identified emotionally with Beth's parents, John and Carolyn...my heart understood their angst and despair. And yet, C H Green did not allow John and Carolyn to live in that state of paralyzing fear; no, my friend, Cynthia Green reminds the reader that even when the circumstances of our prodigals life seem impossible, our God never changes and is the God of the possible! Oh, the prayers of Beth's parents in this book were desperate pleas, but they were prayers girded in complete surrender. They did not trust anything about their daughter's wandering, but they trusted their God...who never fails.<br />
<br />
How often have I lost myself while trying to micromanage my prodigals journey? How many times have I stopped living...oh I functioned, but I stopped walking in God's will for my life at that very moment...because I was unable to move forward without my prodigal. <b>Anyone know the feeling? </b><br />
<br />
Then there are life's diversions, things we may do to overcompensate for our desperate need or things that help us stay in denial of our prodigal's waywardness. I've been there--I resemble that sentence! I, too, have been outside of God's will and purpose for my life--all while pleading for God to bring my prodigal home to Him. Oh the irony. Oh the web the enemy weaves--how insidious is it that the enemy not only has a stronghold on our prodigal, but when we forget to continue to live and walk in God's purpose for us...yup, you knew it was coming--we, too, are wandering.<br />
<br />
So as I continue to wonder about wandering...I want to begin walking boldly in the right direction--back into God's purpose for my life-each and every day forward. How about you? Do you feel lost in despair? Are you tired from the spiritual battle of loving a prodigal? Are you weary from the enemy's assaults? What can you do today and the days to follow to strengthen your resolve to stop wandering...and step back into God's purpose for you today?<br />
<br />
Is it a commitment to attend a Bible Study? Prioritizing daily devotions and time spent alone with God? Perhaps finding an accountability partner who will help you stay in your own life and stop wandering into your prodigal's journey or those nasty diversions and paths of denial? Have you surrendered your prodigal's journey to God? Is it time to surrender again? CONFESSION TIME: I am amazingly predictable at taking back what I have surrendered to God, which only leads me further away from God's will. Will you join me and take one step at a time to God's will for you today? Maybe it's just taking a walk and pondering purpose. Maybe it's just practicing one of your spiritual gifts this day. Let's each find just one way each day to reconnect with the unique YOU that God created you to be.<br />
<br />
It is important to wonder, to ponder wandering, not just our prodigal's wandering, but our own. For until we do, I suspect we will only continue to wander. Loving our prodigals does not require that we step out of God's will and purpose, in fact, we are a stronger advocate for our prodigals as we stand in hope and live victoriously, boldly walking into each day that has been ordained for us before we were even born (Psalm 139:16)! Re-read the Parable of the Prodigal today (Luke 15: 11-32) with a focus on the father. Let's stay in our lives, our very purpose, so we will be fully prepared and equipped to throw that homecoming banquet one day. We MUST NOT change course and follow our prodigal's wanderings, or we risk missing what God has in store for us, ordained by His Will. I'm ready to redirect my path, how about you? Sing with me....Thy Word is a light unto my feet and a light unto my path~ Let's remember and never forget, His Will for us does not change although our life circumstances may change...let's redirect our focus to God's unchanging and perfect Will for our lives and step boldly, with confidence into abundant living. When we stop wandering, we role model the way home for our prodigals! BONUS!!!!! <br />
<br />
<br />Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-78310008388047393792013-01-13T14:14:00.000-06:002013-01-13T14:30:29.443-06:00Why are Goodbye's so sad?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09rGnEeS1Cw/UPMIERV7KqI/AAAAAAAAB7g/SDD3vBoDwKo/s1600/Goodbye-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-09rGnEeS1Cw/UPMIERV7KqI/AAAAAAAAB7g/SDD3vBoDwKo/s200/Goodbye-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
This morning, after saying my goodbyes to our Junior-in-college- son and giving him the "just one more" hug, I smiled as I closed the door and watched his Dad drive him to the airport. After spending nearly a month at home during Christmas Break, he is on his way back to Austin, TX...1173 miles to be exact...away from home. He will turn 21 later this month, without ME. ;)<br />
<br />
Turning from the side door that leads to the garage, I waited to hear the car drive away until I gave way to the tears I had been holding back. Why is saying goodbye so hard...our son is doing so well in college and living on his own in a town so far away. Our son has turned into an amazing young man and is working hard on his hopes and dreams for his own life. His OWN life.<br />
<br />
I knew before I could even whisper the question, what must be done. Updating my status on Facebook, I asked: <i><span class="userContent">When does it get easier sending your adult
child back to college!?!?!? This mother hen is having difficulty this
morning with the goodbye! Sam has flown the coop, yet again, on his way to Austin, TX. :((((((</span></i><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent">22 comments later, it seems I am not alone in this struggle. (OF COURSE NOT...WE ARE NEVER ALONE!) If you are on Facebook, visit the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/diane.viere"> discussion</a>--it brought up some interesting points to consider. </span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span class="userContent">It may be unreasonable to expect that saying goodbye to your adult child should ever be easy or painfree. As several Mom's pointed out, "they take our hearts with them." Perhaps it is a myth that the goodbye gets easier as time goes by. Perhaps we should expect to feel the sadness...to allow time to recover before we step back into our daily life without them. </span></li>
</ul>
<span class="userContent"></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span class="userContent">Perspective: I have two dear Facebook friends who are amazing moms. Within the last two months, one lost a son forever in a motorcycle accident and the other said goodbye to her son as he left home following a Christmas visit...to complete his tour in<i> </i>Afghanistan. PHEW! POWERFUL! </span><span class="userContent">NOW, I have something to think about other than my own sadness. Perspective offers us the chance to see more clearly...perspective, literally, clears our muddied vision and thoughts and navigates us to emotional balance...to peace...to gratitude...to joy. </span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span class="userContent">Where do I end...and where does my son's life begin? Interesting question? I wonder how many mother's struggle with this dilemma when their children become adults. I think....MANY. It's why we resist letting them grow and learn from their own mistakes. It's why we micro-manage, enable, and overstep their rightfully earned boundaries of adulthood. The real question I ask myself today is "<i>Why do I feel so empty, so purposeless, and such loss when my adult children are not home?" </i>Clearly, the fact this feeling exists, demonstrates I have not accepted where I end...and they have begun! ;) </span></li>
</ul>
<span class="userContent"><i>When does it get easier.....? </i>In 22 comments I learned it (whatever goodbye we are facing) when we understand it is reasonable to experience sadness--we carried them under our heart for 9 months and IN our hearts for many more. We'd be cold-hearted and dead if we didn't feel some sadness. </span><br />
<span class="userContent"><i> </i></span><br />
<span class="userContent"><i>When does it get easier....? </i>In 22 comments I learned PERSPECTIVE is so important...NO...PERSPECTIVE IS ESSENTIAL to navigate through our emotions. As I thought about both of my FB friends, I smiled as I remembered the joy we have shared together and prayed for them as I brought their pain and loss to God. Honestly, the raw pain in my stomach was gone...before I was done praying. Interesting how that works. :) </span><br />
<span class="userContent"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent"><i>When does it get easier...? </i>In 22 comments I learned...what I already knew before I asked the question: I have more work to do. I need to step boldly into the life that God has purposed for me. No wonder I was floundering in those moments after he left--I was expecting to stay in a life that does not belong to me....and refusing to step back into the life that God has purposed for me. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4FQBnd4op4/UPMSjgtrVLI/AAAAAAAAB7w/GrypmTUTjok/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4FQBnd4op4/UPMSjgtrVLI/AAAAAAAAB7w/GrypmTUTjok/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><span class="userContent">Just one more bullet point: <u>Surround yourself with support.</u> One of my favorite comments was simply: <i>"</i></span><i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">You pressed his wings, now he can fly STRONG!!" </span></span></span></i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">Oh...I knew Sam was prepared to return to Austin, I knew he would be just fine, for his early adult years have proven just that. But I needed to hear it...SEE IT...to remind myself that NOW is his time to soar. Kinda makes me smile with pride and gratitude for the blessing of Sam's life. Soar, my son, SOAR~ </span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">In the coming weeks, Partners In Prayer For Our Prodigals will be dedicating posts to "Saying Goodbye." If it is difficult to say goodbye to an adult child or loved one who is doing well, the dynamics of saying goodbye to a loved one who is a prodigal are painfully more complex and complicated. Let's examine "Saying Goodbye" so we will no longer be an obstacle in our adult children's life. It's Time To Say Goodbye...let's learn to do it well :) Will you join me? Post any comments or questions that may have come to mind after reading today's post...and we will tackle this together! </span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]"> </span></span></span> <br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[5].[1][2][1]{comment10200272881321855_5931441}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]"></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><br /></span>
<span class="userContent"><br /></span>Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-71739305709660994252011-10-30T09:57:00.004-05:002011-10-30T10:01:00.449-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aCpY5vvJsn0/Tq1mN5uotHI/AAAAAAAAB7I/9waELZhpvtM/s1600/2249890.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aCpY5vvJsn0/Tq1mN5uotHI/AAAAAAAAB7I/9waELZhpvtM/s320/2249890.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669299894950081650" border="0" /></a><br /><strong style="">How did you come up with the idea for <em style="">Deliver Me From Evil</em> and the Freedom series?</strong><br /><br />It actually came out of a phone conversation with Andrea Mullins, the publisher at New Hope. We were discussing the Extreme Devotion series (about the persecuted Church), which I was still working on at the time, and we began to consider topics for a second series. Andrea was the one who suggested human trafficking, and it really struck a chord with me. The more I researched it and worked on the proposal, the more excited I became about joining forces with others working to abolish modern-day slavery, which is exactly what human trafficking is.<br /><br /><strong style="">What was your favorite scene to write in <em style="">Deliver Me From Evil</em>?</strong><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQ75dcqM3js/Tq1mTl21XYI/AAAAAAAAB7U/i35rcl2Kopc/s1600/__5761795.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 244px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQ75dcqM3js/Tq1mTl21XYI/AAAAAAAAB7U/i35rcl2Kopc/s320/__5761795.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669299992694971778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This book/series has been the most difficult I’ve ever written, simply because the subject matter is so dark and heavy. More than once I had to walk away and clear my thoughts before moving on from one scene to another. But interspersed between the heartache and tragedy are several lighter scenes (written and incorporated into the book out of necessity), dealing with a pastor’s family and their Bible college-bound son who inadvertently discovers the human trafficking ring and becomes involved in the heroic and dramatic rescue attempt. Any scenes revolving around the absolutely functional and loving life of the Flannery family are my favorites.<br /><br /><strong style="">What was the most difficult scene, and why?</strong><br /><br />There were many difficult scenes in this book due to the subject matter, but the hardest had to be when the main character, 18-year-old Mara, realizes that one of the younger girls is being tortured and killed in an effort to extract information and punish her. Though the actual violence is done offstage, Mara experiences each blow and muffled scream, as does the reader.<br /><br /><strong style="">Did you always know you wanted to be a writer? If not, how did you catch the writing bug?</strong><br /><br />Oh yes, I never wanted to be anything else. From the time I discovered the power and allure of words, I was hooked! I was an avid reader before I started kindergarten. A short story I wrote in the third grade was turned into a play for the entire PTA, and I won all sorts of awards for poetry in high school. I even told my then boyfriend (now husband) Al when we were in our early teens that I was going to be a writer one day.<br /><br /><strong style="">How do you go about writing your fiction books? Which comes first for you, plot, characters, and/or theme?</strong><br /><br />I usually get what I call “a niggling in my soul,” which eventually emerges into the very basic theme of the book. I hate outlining and writing proposals because I do NOT develop plots or even characters ahead of time. I start with a couple of main characters, a starting and ending point for my story, and just let the rest unfold as I go. I know. We’re not supposed to do it that way, but it works for me, and I so enjoy the surprises as the story develops and my characters take over. So much fun! So long as they don’t try to lead me away from my pre-determined ending. Then I have to reign them back in a bit.<br /><br /><strong style="">How do you get your ideas for your books?</strong><br /><br />I have ideas coming out of my ears! I am a seriously addictive idea person. You want ideas? You can have my overflow! My challenge is to figure out which ones are worth pursuing. Not every cute or fun or even meaningful idea that pops into our head is meant to be a book. I pray, think, study, bounce them off people, etc., before committing to moving ahead with one of them. For the most part, however, nearly all my book ideas are, to one degree or another, born out of some moral or social issue that I care about.<br /><br /><strong style="">How can we find out more about you, The Freedom Series, and other books you are writing?</strong><br /><br />Please visit my website at <a href="http://www.kathimacias.com/" style="">KathiMacias.com</a>.<br /><br /> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy_37Tf54dc" title="">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fy_37Tf54dc</a><br /><br />******************************************************************************************<br /><span style="color:rgb(255, 0, 0); "><em style="">I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speakers Services (<a href="http://www.christianspeakersservices.com/">ChristianSpeakersServices.com</a>).</em></span>Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-76989860023621343102011-10-23T11:47:00.002-05:002011-10-23T11:50:04.997-05:00A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY HOME by Kathi Macias<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHLed7fWwEQ/TqRFXapmMiI/AAAAAAAAB6w/F1Eo0LY0PH0/s1600/achristmasjourneyhome-cover.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nHLed7fWwEQ/TqRFXapmMiI/AAAAAAAAB6w/F1Eo0LY0PH0/s320/achristmasjourneyhome-cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666730499732025890" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did you come up with the idea for </span><strong style="font-weight: bold;"><em style="">A Christmas Journey Home</em></strong><span style="font-weight: bold;">?</span><br /><br />I knew I wanted to do a Christmas book—the first of what would become an annual event that my publisher and I were discussing—and I also knew that despite the lighter tone required in a Christmas book (as opposed to the darker themes of the persecuted Church and human trafficking, which I’ve been writing about), I had to stick to my “brand” as closely as possible: hence, an “issues-related” Christmas novel, dealing with the issues related to illegal immigration.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What was your favorite scene to write in </span><strong style="font-weight: bold;"><em style="">A Christmas Journey Home</em></strong><span style="font-weight: bold;">?</span><br /><br />I loved writing this entire book, and the characters are delightful (except the villains, of course!), so I loved almost all the scenes. But I think I liked the scenes with Isabella’s old abuelo best, as the grandfather reminded me of my own grandpa and even my dad, both of whom I loved dearly. I love incorporating at least one elderly saint in each of my books, and in this one I decided on a man since most of the other books have had women as the elderly, praying characters. I also brought in a little boy because children can add such a delightful element to any story, and six-year-old Davey certainly does that in <strong style=""><em style="">A Christmas Journey Home</em></strong>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What was the most difficult scene, and why?</span><br /><br />The toughest scene had to be when Francisco and Isabella thought they were finally on the verge of being able to get away from the migrant camp and find a small home of their own, where their baby could be born in relative comfort and safety. If you’ve read the book, you know that isn’t at all what happens. But this heartbreaking scene had to take place to bring the story to its miraculous conclusion.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i2P0kBNq5mY/TqRFmb1AP8I/AAAAAAAAB68/jELYPcRX6-I/s1600/kathimacias.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 244px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i2P0kBNq5mY/TqRFmb1AP8I/AAAAAAAAB68/jELYPcRX6-I/s320/kathimacias.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666730757746343874" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">What is there about you, apart from writing, that many people don’t know?</span><br /><br />First, my “road name” is “Easy Writer” because my husband and I were Harley riders for many years. (We’ve traded the bike in on a 2005 Corvette, so I’m still “Easy Writer” but in comfort now!) Also, I served on staff at a large Southern California church for several years, training small group leaders and doing biblical counseling, among other things.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Who are some of your favorite writers, and are you an avid reader?</span><br /><br />Absolutely I’m an avid reader! I have always loved books/reading/words and been fascinated by them. When I ran out of books as I child, I started writing my own. (Voila! Look what came of that!) As for favorite writers, that’s tough, but here are just a few: Brock and Bodie Thoene, Francine Rivers, Patti Lacy, Athol Dickson, Jim Rubart, and Alan Paton, who wrote my favorite all-time fiction book, Cry the Beloved Country. That book changed my life and inspired my novel set in South Africa in 1989, No Greater Love. I also enjoy reading Brennan Manning, Jennifer Kennedy Dean, Oswald Chambers, and Max Lucado for nonfiction.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What’s on the horizon for you now, so far as future book projects?</span><br /><br />I am currently finishing up the final book of the three-installment Freedom series (<strong style=""><em style="">Deliver Me From Evil</em></strong>, <strong style=""><em style="">Special Delivery</em></strong>, and <strong style=""><em style="">The Deliverer</em></strong>). Then I will jump into my Christmas 2012 novel (working title is <strong style=""><em style="">A Home For Christmas</em></strong>) and a novel called <strong style=""><em style="">Last Chance for Justice</em></strong>, which is part of the multi-author Bloomfield Series with another publisher. After that I hope to get going on a new fiction series, which is still in the discussion/planning stages with my publisher and agent. So life is busy, but most contracts coming my way seem to be fiction right now. I am also keeping busy with very occasional editing projects and some speaking/teaching around the country.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where can we find out more about you, The Freedom Series, and keep up with your to-be-released books?</span><br /><br />Please feel free to visit my website at <a href="http://www.kathimacias.com/" style="">www.KathiMacias.com</a>.Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-14943045149093414252011-08-11T10:28:00.003-05:002011-08-11T10:34:48.626-05:00Review of Putting The Spotlight On...The Sights and Sounds of Enabling<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.partnersinprayerforourprodigals.com/e-booklets.html"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uvpNdrlVypM/TkP2Dnjz4KI/AAAAAAAAB6E/_FLOnNLoJew/s400/Slide1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639621700417216674" border="0" /></a>
<br />Thank you to <a href="http://doloresayotte.wordpress.com/2011/08/11review-putting-the-spotlight-the-sights-and-sounds-of-enabling-august-11-2011-by-dolores-ayotte/">A Women's Voice</a> for sharing the message of HOPE...There IS HOPE...Prodigal Hope!
<br />
<br /><h3>I recently finished reading Diane Viere and Elaine Altman-Eller’s first e-booklet in the series <em><strong>Putting the Spotlight On</strong></em>. At first blush, I didn’t know for sure if this article applied to me or my life. Both of these women have had adult children with addictions. This e-booklet is written about the role they have played as enablers in their adult children’s lives. Although, I do not have children addicted to either drugs or alcohol, when I read this article I soon realized that being an enabler does not necessarily have to do with serious addictions like these women have faced with their sons nor does it have to do only with our children.</h3> <h3>Reading their words made me realize that we can enable numerous people as they engage in self-destructive behavior. In reading the characteristics of what it means to be an enabler, I recognized that I have also had the habit of engaging in this type of behavior. For example, there have been people in my life that have been verbally, psychologically, and emotionally abusive toward me. Rather than set the proper boundaries at the time, I made excuses for their poor or negative behavior and tried to rationalize why they were behaving so badly. This is what enablers do.</h3> <h3>According to <strong><em>The Sights and Sounds of Enabling</em>, </strong>the first article in this series, there is a fine line between helping and enabling. When you choose to help others, you set healthy boundaries. When you choose to help others, you allow them to be responsible and accountable for their own lives and the decisions they make. When you choose to help others, you empower them. Enablers get caught up in the drama of what is going on and end up becoming part of the problem rather than part of the solution. Diane and Elaine explain this very effectively in their well-written e-booklet. They discuss the process of letting go as;</h3> <h3>* supporting, not fixing</h3> <h3>*permitting another to face reality</h3> <h3>*not taking responsibility for them</h3> <h3>*admitting the outcome is out of your hands</h3> <h3>*acceptance</h3> <h3>According to this article, “Letting go removes my hands from the impossible and allows God to do the possible”. It goes on to further say that “enabling ties God’s hands from answering our prayers”.</h3> <h3>I very much enjoyed reading the first article in this series on enabling. It stresses the need to realize that we can’t change others and that change may be very painful. When we arrive at the ultimate need for change, it is so aptly put in this quote, “In other words, for each family member, the pain of staying the same must become greater than the pain of change before change will occur.” If there is one thing that really hit home for me, it is the above comment. I’ve been there, I know. The main thing that I discovered, is that, I could only change myself but I had to get to that very painful spot to decide I had no other choice. I think Diane and Elaine got there too. How about you?</h3> <h3>This is one great e-booklet and well worth reading even if you don’t have adult children with addictions. You might luck out and find something in it that applies to you in your life just like I did. I refer to it as reading between the lines.</h3> <p>_____________________________________________________________________________</p> <h3>(url for ebooklet is: <a href="http://www.partnersinprayerforourprodigals.com/e-booklets.html" target="1">http://www.partnersinprayerforourprodigals.com/e-booklets.html</a>)</h3> <h3>In this first ebooklet of the <em>Putting Spotlight On</em> series,written by Diane Viere, Founder of Partners In Prayer For Our Prodigals, Host of The Prodigal Hope Network and Christian Counselor and Elaine Altman-Eller, Family Recovery Specialist you will discover the critical difference between helping and enabling, the traps of enabling, and the cycle of destruction that occurs until we stop enabling the addicts we love. </h3><h3>Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Have you tried everything you can think of…to no avail? Are you exhausted? Do you feel helpless and hopeless; trapped by the knowledge that what you have been doing is not working? Have you sacrificed your own well being with the sole desire of saving your addict?</h3> <h3>Why isn’t it working?</h3> <h3><em><strong>The Sights and Sounds of Enabling</strong></em> puts the spotlight on the ineffectiveness and collateral damage caused by enabling. Discover why enabling never works and how you can stop enabling today. Step out of the darkness of your hopelessness today; step into your strength—learn how to love your addict effectively and become a guiding light for their recovery. <span style="font-family:'PrimaSans BT,Verdana,sans-serif';">
<br /><span style="font-family:times new roman,serif;"><em>Diane Viere
<br /></em>Founder/Author</span></span></h3> <h3>Partner In Prayer for Our Prodigals
<br /><a href="http://www.partnersinprayerforourprodigals.com/" target="1">http://www.partnersinprayerforourprodigals.com</a></h3>
<br />
<br />
<br />Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-9840359004323768742011-08-04T07:48:00.003-05:002011-08-04T08:01:54.998-05:00Our FIRST review of Putting The Spotlight On...The Sights and Sounds of Enabling<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2ZRxjXmbOs/TjqXRNcQ8rI/AAAAAAAAB58/0L2DXPUQPBY/s1600/Slide1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2ZRxjXmbOs/TjqXRNcQ8rI/AAAAAAAAB58/0L2DXPUQPBY/s400/Slide1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636984205529379506" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://thornrose7.blogspot.com/2011/08/you-are-going-to-love-sights-and-sounds.html#comment-form">A Sister Among You: You are going to Love "The Sights and Sounds of Enabling"</a><br /><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">"The Sights and Sounds of Enabling" </span>is the first ebooklet of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Putting the Spotlight On</span> series, written by Diane Viere, Founder of Partners In Prayer For Our Prodigals, Host of The Prodigal Hope Network and Christian Counselor and Elaine Altman-Eller, Family Recovery Specialist.</strong><br /><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal;">If you have seen these ladies online, you might think they are just a couple of pretty faces but don't let those profile pictures fool you; they are a wealthy storehouse of wisdom. I could not stop until I read the whole e-book through and will be rereading it again. From the very beginning of the book where Elaine points out how "Enabling never creates the outcome we so desperately desire; it only creates an environment whereby we become part of the problem................. to where she says, "When we enable we join the darkness of their journey" the beauty of the words of this e-book pulled me in. She then points out how we can become a light in our child’s life; a beacon. What a wonderful picture of health! Isn't that what we all aspire to, being a light and a beacon to others?</strong><br /><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal;">Elaine gives clear definitions between helping someone and enabling, something we all need to know. She talks about entitlement calling it the monster that it is.</strong><strong style="font-weight: normal;"> There are several case studies that were very in-depth. You feel like you have either been there or know someone who has.</strong><br /><div><strong><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Next in the book your E-Hope coach, Diane, is introduced and she has the most awesome remedies for your dilemma if you are an enabler. She reiterates; "There is a way out—we must stop enabling and begin empowering. We are not helpless; oh, it has seemed so, for we have been fighting an impossible battle—we have been trying to change what we cannot change. Real change is possible when we choose to stop enabling."</span></strong></div><strong style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></strong><strong style="font-weight: normal;">I also love her quote "When you love an adult child whose life is out of control, it is nearly impossible to focus on anything else. Unless and until you begin to understand that enabling only complicates every situation and causes further collateral damage, you will continue to be part of the problem."</strong><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal;"><br />Can you believe as an enabler you are creating damage and are part of the problem? Of course, we don't want to believe these things but Diane has nailed the problem, and it may be us, not just our loved ones.</strong><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal;"><br />Diane also mentioned: "Until parents relinquish the need to micro-manage everyone in their addicts life, they will remain entangled in the drama and continue to participate in the collateral damage of enabling."</strong><br /><div><strong><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">She teaches about fear and how to turn that into empowerment. A great point is "After all, it is his right as an adult to behave differently than I would like."</span></strong></div><strong style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></strong><br /><div style="font-weight: bold;"><strong>In Diane's own words: The Sights and Sounds of Enabling puts the spotlight on the ineffectiveness and collateral damage caused by enabling. Discover why enabling never works and how you can stop enabling today. Step out of the darkness of your hopelessness today; step into your strength—learn how to love your addict effectively and become a guiding light for their recovery. </strong></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><strong>I identified with so many things written, as in "been there, done that" and am trying to not continue on that path. I believe this e-book can help us in so many areas of our lives.</strong></div><strong style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></strong><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal;">You will not regret the money you spend on this e-book. It is way cheaper than a counseling session but I believe it is just as beneficial. Enjoy!</strong><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></strong><br /><div><strong>Here is a link to purchase the e-book:</strong></div><strong style="font-weight: normal;">http://www.partnersinprayerforourprodigals.com/e-booklets.html</strong><br /><strong style="font-weight: normal;"></strong><br /><br /><div><strong><br /></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>PartnersInPrayerForOurProdigals.com</strong><br /><strong></strong><strong>©2011 Diane Viere, Partners in Prayer for Our Prodigals,</strong><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong style="font-weight: normal;"></strong><strong style="font-weight: normal;">The Prodigal Hope Network, Elaine Altman-Eller</strong><br /></div>Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-3015354086254544542011-07-30T16:06:00.005-05:002011-07-30T16:13:01.555-05:00CSS Book Blog Tour: Praying Through Your Adoption<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rgH-purwNU8/TjRzGOVgRRI/AAAAAAAAB5s/1gak7ThyWBc/s1600/3059288.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 228px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rgH-purwNU8/TjRzGOVgRRI/AAAAAAAAB5s/1gak7ThyWBc/s320/3059288.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635255584512034066" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What can you tell us about yourself, your childhood, and the present?</span><br /><br />I grew up as an only child in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Faith was a vital part of our family life, so I believed in God from an early age. About mid-way through college, after heartaches and some poor decisions, I decided to trust Jesus and the plans He has for my life. I graduated, moved to the suburbs, and married my husband, Eric. I worked in the corporate world and Christian ministry before becoming a work-at-home mom through adoption.<br /><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer? </span><br /><br />I started writing poems and stories for fun as a child. I even had a poem published in Highlights for Children. Through high school and college I enjoyed researching and writing papers, but I never considered becoming a professional writer until I wrote <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Praying Through Your </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Adoption</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What inspired you to write <span style="font-style: italic;">Praying Through Your Adoption</span>?</span><br /><br />I've been talking to God in prayer for as long as I can remember. I turned to prayer during our infertility, and I had planned to pray through a pregnancy if that had been God's plan. While adopting our son from Russia, we experienced painful delays and obstacles, such as increased fees and additional paperwork. At a particularly low point in the adoption process, I participated in an online prayer vigil that directed me to pray for very specific aspects of adoption – from government officials to waiting children. I realized the power of prayer specifically in adoption and saw the need to help other families pray through their adoptions as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How did you come up with the title?</span><br /><br />Becoming an adoptive family is a process. First, you make decisions about the type of adoption and the age of the child you wish to pursue. Then you work to become approved, educated, and prepared for welcoming and parenting this new child. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Praying Through Your Adoption</span> shows families how to rely on God and their faith through the entire journey of creating and nurturing their forever family.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What other life experiences shaped you to write this book?</span><br /><br />Wow, many life experiences influenced this book. Our infertility is probably the biggest since the longing and waiting for our son is a large portion of our story. But even getting laid-off right before our adoption, experiencing post-adoption depression, and dealing with special needs made me want to encourage others dealing with similar difficulties.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What was the hardest part of writing your book?</span><br /><br />Retelling my experience with post-adoption depression was hard. After our difficult time becoming parents, I never imagined I'd feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed as a new mom. As much as I wanted to skip over that chapter in my life and in the book, I felt it was important to paint a realistic picture for prospective adoptive families. Thankfully, other adoptive families were willing to share their real-life joys and challenges in the book as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What's one of the most important things people need to know </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QbWAZDmP0ZU/TjRzQ2nQKwI/AAAAAAAAB50/H95VFw_5eZI/s1600/5256213.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 136px; height: 210px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QbWAZDmP0ZU/TjRzQ2nQKwI/AAAAAAAAB50/H95VFw_5eZI/s320/5256213.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635255767122586370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">about adoption?</span><br /><span></span><br />One of my favorite quotes in the book is from the late Derek Loux, an adoptive father of and an advocate for orphans. He said,<br /><br />“My friends, adoption is redemption. It's costly, exhausting, expensive, and outrageous. Buying back lives costs so much. When God set out to redeem us, it killed Him. And when He redeems us, we can't even really appreciate or comprehend it.”<br /><br />Derek's words capture so much. There is loss, and, yes, there are sacrifices – financial and otherwise – in adoption. But the rewards for answering God's call to care for orphans are priceless.
<br /><span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?</span><br /><span></span><br />In writing the book, I had the opportunity to feature around 20 families and their unique adoption stories. No matter the circumstances, I could see the special love that ordinary families experience as forever families. I'm grateful for their transparency and support for this project, and I think the readers will be, too.
<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? </span><br /><span></span><br />With over 143 million orphans across the globe, I would love to see more families consider adoption. But I deeply respect the person who reads this interview or picks up this book and, for whatever reason, decides adoption is not right for them. I hope they would at least consider providing prayer support and perhaps even financial support to families pursuing adoption.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Where can readers learn more about you and adoption?</span><br /><span></span><br />I encourage readers to visit <a href="http://www.prayloveadopt.com/">www.PrayLoveAdopt.com</a>, a website I created to provide information, encouragement, and prayer support for families in any stage of the adoption journey. Visitors can read an excerpt from Praying Through Your Adoption and order a paperback or e-book copy if they desire. They can also visit my blog, <a href="http://www.mommyforward.com/">www.MommyForward.com</a>, and my main website, <a href="http://www.michelecscott.com/">www.MicheleCScott.com</a> to learn more about me and my other projects.<br /><br />******************************************************************************************<br /><span style="color:rgb(255, 0, 0); "><em style="">I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speaker Services (<a title="" href="http://www.christianspeakerservices.com/">www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com</a>).</em></span>Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-24124874903754010682011-07-26T13:28:00.004-05:002011-07-26T13:37:45.970-05:00I Called Him Dancer Blog Tour with Author, Eddie Snipes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rU2_sGgyx4I/Ti8I01jszQI/AAAAAAAAB5k/s6HxqsCgU4o/s1600/3679230.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rU2_sGgyx4I/Ti8I01jszQI/AAAAAAAAB5k/s6HxqsCgU4o/s320/3679230.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633731362686815490" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">What made you write I CALLED HIM DANCER? Have you ever danced, taken lessons?<br /></span><br />The only dance lesson I’ve received came when I was walking in the woods. A yellow cloud surrounded me and I began swatting yellow jackets like a break-dancer. Upon reflection, I don’t think I had the grace needed to make it big, so I quit after my first lesson. No more bees for me.<br /><br />The inspiration for <span style="font-weight: bold;">I Called Him Dancer</span> came from a song performed by Tralena Walker and co-written by Tom Webster. I attended a meeting at the Atlanta Writers Club. Tralena and Tom were guest speakers. The topic was on how to write a story in lyrics for songs. Not my cup of Formosa Oolong, but at least it was entertaining. After performing the song, "Dancer", either Tom or Tralena said, “We’ve been looking for someone who will turn the song into a novel. We think it would make a great story.”<br /><br />Until those words were spoken, I was a passive observer. I looked up and words were swarming around me like those yellow jackets. They attacked my head while I lay screaming on the floor. Okay, maybe I didn’t scream – but my mind did. In an instant, the story unfolded in my mind and I knew this was something I was to write.<br /><br />I knew nothing about dancing (other than what the bees taught me). Tom and Tralena gave me the lyrics and I started researching and writing. I have to admit that I worried about the dancing scenes, but I knew things took shape when people began asking how I became so knowledgeable about dance. I thought back to the bees and said, “It’s just something that hit me while walking in the woods.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Have you always wanted to be a writer?</span><br /><br />When I was a child, I got my first book. I flipped through the pages, then tore it apart. I didn't know it at the time, but that's exactly what you do when editing a manuscript.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_tkbMlsiXA/Ti8H5YjXRbI/AAAAAAAAB5c/bzwDLoD1vkk/s1600/3106508.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 256px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5_tkbMlsiXA/Ti8H5YjXRbI/AAAAAAAAB5c/bzwDLoD1vkk/s320/3106508.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633730341288494514" border="0" /></a>I hated writing when I was younger. I only did what I had to do, and sometimes not even that. Writers block was more like writers dementia. My mind didn't return to me until after ... hmm. What were we talking about?<br /><br />In 1998, I became active in prison ministry. Many of the men I ministered to were eager to learn. Someone asked me if I had my studies or notes on paper. I agreed to write out the next study and then my writing career was born. The problem wasn't that I couldn't write. It was that I didn't have something to say. Or didn't realize I had something to say. Over time writing transformed from a task to a passion.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Is I Called Him Dancer your first fictional story?</span><br /><br />My first fictional story was written in high school. It wasn’t supposed to be fiction, but hey, the best fiction looks like the real world, right? I’ll tell you the story.<br /><br />In high school, I had a class that was dedicated to writing a 30 page research paper. I chose the topic, The Arms race between the US and Russia. It was the 1980s when the Cold War was still on everyone’s mind. We spent weeks in the library researching our topic. I say ‘we’ in the general sense. My research was sports and other useless browsing. At the halfway point, we had to turn in our research note cards. The teacher graded them and as she returned them, she said, “Some of you aren’t going to pass this class.” She paused in front of my desk as she said this, and then dropped my notecards on my desk. She continued, “You cannot write this paper with less than 70 research cards.”<br /><br />I counted my cards. Seven. A very weak seven. This information must have shocked my brain, for I didn’t even think about this again until the teacher informed the class that the rough draft was due in the morning. “Holy cow! It’s due tomorrow?” I said.<br /><br />After school, I visited a few friends, ate dinner, and watched TV. It was now nearly bedtime. No more goofing off. I sat down and began to write. The information flowed. I clearly needed more research sources, so I interviewed military experts born mere minutes ago. But hey, Colonial Imagination was still a source. I wrote thirty pages – somehow. And I got a good grade in the class. After all, no one had more expert sources than I did.<br /><br />I should have known then that writing was in my future, but it would be more than two decades before I discovered a passion for writing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tell us a little about your book, I Called Him Dancer.</span><br /><br />For a moment, Michael danced on top of the world, but one bad choice turned his life upside down. The once promising Broadway star now washes windows for tips and lives among the homeless. When his former dance partner recognizes him behind the fray of whiskers, shame drives him away from her. Angry at God and the world, the Dancer refuses to allow anyone into his life. When everything is stripped away, three things remain: faith, hope, and love. The greatest of these is love.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I Called Him Dancer</span> is a story about how one woman’s enduring faith and unconditional love drives her to reach out to a homeless friend, who has given up on life.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Who is your favorite character in I Called Him Dancer?</span><br /><br />The character that inspired me the most is Kenyon. Many readers have stated the same. He’s human, struggling to do what is right, and lives by a genuine faith. At times he wrestles between what he knows God wants him to do, and what he wants. Kenyon is down to earth, not preachy, yet his life has an impact on others.<br /><br />In the story I tried to present Christianity in an honest light. Many who claim to be Christians show hypocrisy and drive others (like the Dancer) away from the faith. This is a real problem in the Christian culture. Kenyon shows what sincere faith looks like. He’s far from perfect, but his simple faith impacts those around him. Kenyon’s sincerity is something the Dancer can’t understand and it piques his curiosity.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What would you like your readers to take away from this novel?</span><br /><br />I want people to look at the reality of how faith impacts the world around us. Hypocrisy is being pretentious about faith, and there is a difference between failure and hypocritical behavior. Christians shouldn’t feel dejected when they fail. It’s part of this life of reaching upward.<br /><br />Also, we all know someone who appears hopeless and hostile toward God, but we don’t know what the Lord is doing behind the scenes. Ultimately, hope is what everyone should take away. Hope that readers are not alone in their struggles. Hope that our lives can make an impact – even with our imperfections. Finally, hope that the people we care about are never out of God’s reach.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How can readers get in touch with you?</span><br /><br />You can flash a light on the clouds that says, ‘Free chicken fingers,’ and I’ll play Batman music and come running. Some people prefer the simpler route of connecting with me on Twitter @eddiesnipes. My Facebook username is eddiesnipes. It might seem like a strange coincidence, but my LinkedIn name is also eddiesnipes. Even more crazy is my website: http://www.eddiesnipes.com. On each of these, I just closed my eyes and typed out random keys. I might have peeked on a few letters. You can get the book through online bookstores or your local Christian bookstores.<br />******************************************************************************************<br /><div class="paragraph editable-text" style=" text-align: left; display: block; "><em style="">I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speaker Services (<a title="" href="http://www.christianspeakersservices.com">www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com</a>).</em></div>Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-73858541003130902312011-07-01T16:01:00.009-05:002011-07-01T16:48:17.304-05:00FREEDOMMany of us are getting ready, or may have even begun, to celebrate this long 4th of July weekend. As I type, I should really be packing my bags to go up north with my family for a much anticipated long weekend at the Lake. But before I worry about a few simple things like packing...I want to share with you a powerful testimony of freedom by a woman I recently met via cyberspace, Teri Murgia. <br /><br />Interesting how God works in cyberspace; more than interesting--it's miraculous! <br /><br />Throughout the years, we have prayed for our prodigals...many of them struggling to overcome their addictions. For many of us, the wait has seemed unbearable and endless. About six weeks ago, I met Teri on a Facebook page, The Addict's Mom. From her first post, I saw more than the words of wisdom she shared...there was a sensory reaction beyond the black font--and with each posting I felt hope. After a few exchanges, Teri shared that she was not only the parent of a young son dealing with addiction, she was in recovery herself. Today, following my blog talk interview with Judy Douglass, I received an encouraging FB message from Teri, leading me to her testimony. With 5 simple words, I was hooked; for Teri told me, "My recovery belongs to God." I knew I MUST listen to her testimony. <br /><br />What a joy it was for me to watch this video. After spending more than a decade praying for my own prodigal, I was mesmerized as I listened to Teri's testimony. She was speaking my language, the language of hope. Teri's life is a panoramic picture of HOPE! Teri has stepped into real freedom and is now living the life that God has prepared for her to live. It is the desire of her heart to share hope with other families. Listen, if you are ready for some heavenly fireworks! Watch, if you want to see evidence of the fact that God is STILL in the business of miracles! There IS hope my Partners in Prayer...there IS Prodigal Hope! Will you leave a comment after you watch this video to encourage Teri as she follows God's leading for her life? Let's be the cheerleaders of God's plan! Doesn't that give you joy! Rah-rah! Woo-ha~! Let's celebrate divine freedom today...another prodigal has returned home! Let the royal banquet begin. <br /><br /><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}"><span class="messageBody" ft="{"type":3}"><a href="http://www.klgo.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" id="utv511610" name="utv_n_763391" height="296" width="480"><param name="flashvars" value="loc=%2F&autoplay=false&vid=11861286&locale=en_US&hasticket=false&v3=1"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="src" value="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/viewer.swf"><embed flashvars="loc=%2F&autoplay=false&vid=11861286&locale=en_US&hasticket=false&v3=1" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" id="utv511610" name="utv_n_763391" src="http://www.ustream.tv/flash/viewer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="296" width="480"></embed></object><br /></a></span></h6>Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-49270826899166175752011-06-02T07:26:00.002-05:002011-06-02T07:28:50.837-05:00WORLDWIDE Day of Prayer For Prodigals--June 2nd<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4EIWN-lU1H0/TeeB2RgL2CI/AAAAAAAAB4o/n2cIpvWEfv0/s1600/June2image-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4EIWN-lU1H0/TeeB2RgL2CI/AAAAAAAAB4o/n2cIpvWEfv0/s320/June2image-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613598229951928354" border="0" /></a>Did you know that JUNE 2nd is the Worldwide Day of Prayer For Prodigals? <br /><br />Created by Judy Douglas of the Office of President, Campus Crusades For Christ and founder of Prayer For Prodigals (c2011), the Worldwide Day of Prayer For Prodigals (<a href="https://www.mygcx.org/PrayerForProdigals/screen/home" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span>https://www.mygcx.org/Pray</span><wbr><span class="word_break"></span>erForProdigals/screen/home</a>) is a day of prayer around the world for all prodigals. <br /><br />The Prodigal Hope Network invites you to participate in this day of prayer. To participate, simply visit The Prodigal Hope Network's Wall of Hope and pray for each name posted there. Additionally, you will find on the Prayer for Prodigals website, a 2011 Prayer List (<a href="https://www.mygcx.org/PrayerForProdigals/screen/prodigalsToPrayFor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span>https://www.mygcx.org/Pray</span><wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>erForProdigals/screen/prod</span><wbr><span class="word_break"></span>igalsToPrayFor</a>). <br /><br />Let's storm the gates of heaven and stand in the gap together on behalf of our prodigals!<br /><br />There IS hope...PRODIGAL HOPE!Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-63103981930223299792011-05-08T08:29:00.000-05:002011-05-08T08:30:51.161-05:00A Mother's Broken Heart Heals...<style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Times; panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman"">Each year on the second Sunday of May, we celebrate Motherhood in the United States. Countless families join together and honor Mothers on this special day. And yet, for many Mothers, this day is just one more day of heartache and silent pain for the children they have birthed and sacrificially loved are far-far-far away from home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Perhaps it’s rebellion, addiction, mental health issues or distorted entitlement beliefs; no matter the extravagant and reckless living—their children have walked away from their family’s values, their potential, their abilities and the future their parents relentlessly prayed for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The joy and pride of parenting have been replaced with fear and shame and the heart of the family is shattered as the isolation crushes all hope. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Times"><br /></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">Often (who am I kidding—<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal">always</b>), when we love a child who is a prodigal, it feels like there is simply nothing we can do. I don't know about you, but as a mother, it is nearly impossible to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">do</i></b> nothing. It was hard for me to learn that although I was able to help my son as a little boy when he scuffed his knees, tumbled off his skateboard, or lost his favorite toy; as an adult child, I am no longer able to kiss him and make it all better. Hard? This is devastating. A mother’s heart beats to help her children: </span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman""><br />It is the hardest thing I have ever had to do: surrender my desire for my son's well-being and future. That is, until I remembered Who I was surrendering him to.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">When a mother prays for her wayward son,</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">No words can make clear the vivid reality of her supplications…</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">She does not really think that she is persuading God to be good to her son,</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">For the courage of her prayer is due to her certain faith</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">That God also must wish that boy to be recovered from his sin.</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">She rather is taking on her heart the same burden that God has on his;</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">Is joining her demand with the divine desire.</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">In this system of personal life which makes up the moral universe,</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">She is taking her place alongside God</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">In an urgent, creative outpouring of sacrificial love.</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">Her intercession is the utterance of her life</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">It is love on its knees.</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">~Harry Emerson Fosdick</span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">When a child is a prodigal--we don't have to stop loving them; we simply must love them <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">differently</i></b>. It is a higher calling. To withhold what comes naturally, to surrender our child's future to their Creator, to let go of our maternal instincts and have faith in our God who shares in our love for our children is sacrificial love. I sacrifice my human nature—that I have the answers, that I have control over my child's decisions—that I must intervene. Conversely, it is when I intercede for my son that I practice real love—love on its knees.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">On this Mothers Day, 2011, will you join me as we get busy and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">do</i></b> nothing? This <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">do</i></b>-ing nothing takes courage! It requires great love but more importantly it simply requires what you already have: faith. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Faith in our loving Heavenly Father....the One who understands our pain; after all, He understands prodigals--He's got a whole world of prodigals! Stand boldly with Him...in His desire for every prodigal. Give your child to Him--once again, over again, yet again, forever again. It is only when we stop chasing our prodigals that we find respite and our mother’s heart begins to heal. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">•<b>R</b>esolve to stop chasing your prodigal</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">•<b>E</b>ngage healthy, biblical principles as you await your prodigal’s return</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">•<b>S</b>urrender your prodigal’s journey to God</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">•<b>P</b>ray: Stand in the gap on behalf of your prodigal (Ezekiel 22: 30)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">•<b>I</b>nvite others on your journey—do not isolate—gather and offer support</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">•<b>T</b>rust God’s promise and power</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"">•<b>E</b>quip yourself, emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally—for you have a banquet to prepare—what a banquet it will be! (Luke 15: 11-32)</span></p>Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-30292155532967731882011-04-29T14:57:00.012-05:002011-04-29T15:10:52.552-05:00"People of the Book" Blog Tour<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2rTagWdoXy4" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDUgokRqtis/TbsaFdbi8ZI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/2j8CQYDeQYU/s1600/6590871.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 152px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RDUgokRqtis/TbsaFdbi8ZI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/2j8CQYDeQYU/s200/6590871.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601099242667176338" border="0" /></a></h2> <h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Interv</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">iew with Kathi Macias</span><br /></h2> <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">People of the Book</span> is the fourth and final book in your Extreme</span><h2 style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YcV8zBf-2-c/TbsabfTGWmI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/LNz3fogYgkA/s1600/7135755.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YcV8zBf-2-c/TbsabfTGWmI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/LNz3fogYgkA/s200/7135755.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601099621125741154" border="0" /></a></h2> <span style="font-weight: bold;"> Devotion series. Each book is set in a different country, </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">wi</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">th the theme of first devotion and commitment to Christ above all else running through all four. How is <span style="font-style: italic;">People of the Book</span> different, and who/what </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">inspired you to write this book?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">People of the Book</span> was the most difficult of the four Extreme Devotion series books to write, but it is also the strongest when it comes to a call to personal commitment to Christ and to the fulfillment of the Great Commission. With each of the books, I began drafting the manuscripts through Internet research, since I had never lived in any of the four countries and had only visited one of them. After the original draft, I worked with someone who either currently lived in the country or who had recently spent many years there. <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">People of the Book</span> was the toughest because the Saudi women I connected with via the Internet were understandably apprehensive about associating with me. Most, in fact, were terrified to do so. I was therefore quite pleased to meet a young woman named Dolly Dahdal here in the States who, until just a few years ago, had spent the majority of her life in Saudi Arabia and understood perfectly why I had chosen to write this book. We shared a passion to help expose the fallacy of “honor killings,” a horrific crime perpetrated primarily against women and girls who in some way bring “dishonor” on their Muslim families, and Dolly was a major contributor to the authenticity of this book.<br /><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3vrbP_ooqOE/Tbsaxwd6aII/AAAAAAAAB4g/VAF2GrS2DIM/s1600/5214593.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 135px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3vrbP_ooqOE/Tbsaxwd6aII/AAAAAAAAB4g/VAF2GrS2DIM/s200/5214593.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601100003691620482" border="0" /></a></h2><span style="font-weight: bold;">Can you give us a brief synopsis of this story?</span><br /><span></span><br />Eighteen-year-old Farah, who lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with her family, wants nothing more than to develop a deeper, more meaningful devotion to her Muslim faith. She sees the month of Ramadan as her chance to draw nearer to Allah, and she pursues that goal throughout the holiday. All goes well until the prophet Isa—Jesus—appears to her in a dream and calls her to Himself. At the same time, her only brother, Kareem, who has never liked Farah, actively seeks an opportunity to expose her for the sham he believes she is.<br /><br /><span></span> Meanwhile, Farah’s seventeen-year-old cousin, Nura, has begun to frequent an online chat room where former Muslims gather to discuss their new faith, based on their belief that Isa is much more than a Muslim prophet—He is actually the Son of God. While there, Nura becomes acquainted with an American girl of Muslim ancestry—now a devout Christian named Sara—and a friendship quickly develops. However, Sara has problems of her own due to her fifteen-year-old brother Emir’s involvement with a gang.<br /><span></span><br />The lives of Farah, Nura, and Sara ultimately dovetail until each finds herself at a place where her faith is put to the test. Will they remain faithful to the end? Will God protect and keep them safe in the midst of persecution and treachery? Or will they be required to pay the ultimate price for their faith?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kathi, how did you get into writing? Has it always been your passion, or is it something you came to later in life?</span><br /><span></span><br />I’ve always wanted to write, for as long as I can remember. I was an avid reader even before I started kindergarten. I wrote a short story in third grade that the teacher liked so much she showed it to the principal, and they decided to turn it into a play for the entire PTA. I was hooked! One day when I was about 13, I was walking home from school with my then boyfriend (now husband), Al, and I told him I’d be a writer some day. He often reminds me how blessed I am to have been able to do what I dreamed of all my life.<br /><span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I understand you’re running a special contest that has to do with this book. Can you tell us about it?</span><br /><span></span><br />Not only are there several opportunities to win a copy of the book on various blog sites included in this tour, but I’m giving away the entire four-book series at the end of the tour to someone who leaves a comment on one of the blogs, so be sure to check them all out and leave comments on each one!<br /><span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">In addition to writing, you are a popular speaker at women’s event, writers’ conferences, and various venues around the country. How can people find out more about you, your writing and speaking, sign up for your weekly devotional newsletter (in English or Spanish), and/or just view your many book videos, etc.?</span><br /><span></span><br />They can find me at one of my websites (<a title="" href="http://www.kathimacias.com/">http://www.kathimacias.com</a>; <a title="" href="http://www.thetitus2women.com/">http://www.theTitus2Women.com</a>) or on my Easy Writer blog at <a title="" href="http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com/">http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com</a>. There is a “contact” button on my Kathi Macias website if they’d like to send me a message. I always respond to all my emails!<br /><br />******************************************************************************************<br /><em style="">I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speaker Services (<a href="http://www.christianspeakerservices.com/">www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com</a>).</em>Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-79433004601140429042011-04-18T14:56:00.004-05:002011-04-18T15:11:01.587-05:00You Are Loved Blog Tour<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r0Gl7wghHMA/TayaXLdl9yI/AAAAAAAAB4A/Kca8_EdA8IE/s1600/3599883.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 116px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r0Gl7wghHMA/TayaXLdl9yI/AAAAAAAAB4A/Kca8_EdA8IE/s200/3599883.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597018159919265570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">One of the greatest joys of blogging is sharing great, must-have-resources with each of you. It is my joy to introduce Linda Gomes to you today, author of "You Are Loved." I am especially honored to bring this great book to your attention as Linda gives voice to hope in spite of great pain. May this interview inspire and challenge you....YOU ARE LOVED! You are not the sum total of your struggle...you are not required to suffer in silence. You are so much more as God loves you and has a purpose especially for you...and your story. You can be the person God created you to be and live your destiny for you are loved by God! </span><br /><br /><h2 style=" text-align: left; "><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Interview with Linda Gomes</span><br /></h2><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What inspired you to write You Are Loved? And was there a pivotal point that </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">changed your life?</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo8H2SdqRbA/Tayaj-rVYLI/AAAAAAAAB4I/qo7DTFgpxHk/s1600/3752175.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 210px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lo8H2SdqRbA/Tayaj-rVYLI/AAAAAAAAB4I/qo7DTFgpxHk/s320/3752175.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597018379825537202" border="0" /></a><br />My life and its past had always been a burden to me. I tried to hide it, lie about it and pretend that I was just as “normal” as everyone else until I realized that my faithful life was being affected by not being myself! I made a decision to become a part of a class at my church called Wounded Hearts that was lead by the most amazing woman! (You can read more about her in dedication of my book) after several hours of being a part of this group I was encouraged to write or journal and that lead to asking for prayer and writing Monday Morning Prayer which I emailed to my friends. It was very well received, much to my surprise as I never thought of myself as a writer! Then one day I was thrust into a trial that I had no frame of reference to handle. I thought that my attending my class was confidential until I read an email from a pastors husband that once again tried to pigeon hole me by suggesting that my crying foul and not tolerating abuse in my life was somehow “because of” my past! The exact words were “she must have some significant damage in her past to react this way” It had been the story of my life to not speak out when I was hurt, to not demand respect and to take the abusive behavior from others as just another part of my life as if I deserved to be treated less then. The impression that was transmitted openly in a not so private email was that this man felt that he knew who I was, because of a class that I was attending! God hit me at that moment like a Mac truck! I was keenly aware that this type of reaction and careless assumption was the reason I had hidden for years, taking me off of my path and “shaming” me back into hiding and away from the blessings God had intended. I saw it so clearly at that moment! I was working so hard to not be “pigeon holed” that I was not the authentic person that God was trying so desperately to use for His purpose.<br /><br />I made the decision that day that I would use my life and all of its facets to speak out and not hide any longer. I would not allow anyone else to “tell” my story! I could no longer allow another broken person to define “who I was” and just cower in the shadows. I realized in that moment that women hide from their abuse because they believe they will not feel loved by anyone if they tell their story. The ignorance in one email brought me to my knees before God, begging to be relieved from the pain of the secret that was snuffing out my life and the gifts that He had intended me to be blessed with!<br /><br />You are loved, was the message that I had to accept and then I had to allow Him to use my story to reach out to others!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How can reading your book have an impact on the reader’s life? </span><br /><br />My hope and prayer is that my life will encourage other women to be brave in his name! I exposed my life because I was living in a way that the world had designed and defined and not the life that God was working to use to restore others. I believe that His plan is to shed the light in the dark corners where we hide our deepest pain. My book reveals pain and fear that can control and lead a life into desperation and isolation, destroying His purpose! As you will read in the first page of You are Loved, Surviving is my History, Living is my Destiny, the impact will be that my readers will finally know and believe that they are loved and that they are worth it!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What are your plans for the future in the publishing world? Think you have any more books in you?</span><br /><br />I am in the process of writing new book called EMBRACE. This book is a culmination of all the steps it took for me to be the woman God intended. Embracing your life and all of its facets is a process, this book will bring you full circle, through the pain of your life to the joy that the healing that God creates through that pain, teaching you to walk in His Embrace in order to lead others to His salvation!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What else does God have you doing these days Linda, and how can our readers connect with you? </span><br /><br />Embrace Ministries is the passion of my life these days. I am still writing Monday Morning Prayer and the Daily Light Switch. You can find me at <a title="" href="http://www.embrace-ministries.net/">www.embrace-ministries.net</a>. I am also on Face book at <a title="" href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Linda-Gomes/1260573178#%21/pages/You-Are-Loved/281441512624">http://www.facebook.com/people/Linda-Gomes/1260573178#!/pages/You-Are-Loved/281441512624</a>. Both of these pages allow feed back and support.
<br /><span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How can our readers purchase your book?
</span><br />You can purchase my book on <a title="" href="http://www.embrace-ministries.net/">www.embrace-ministries.net</a>.<br /><br />******************************************************************************************<br /><em style="">I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speaker Services (<a href="http://www.christianspeakerservices.com/">www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com</a>).</em>Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-64008304183765598602011-03-19T08:59:00.004-05:002011-03-19T09:04:27.392-05:00Find Freedom from Toxic Guilt<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.partnersinprayerforourprodigals.com/uploads/6/0/9/2/6092926/7719571.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 225px;" src="http://www.partnersinprayerforourprodigals.com/uploads/6/0/9/2/6092926/7719571.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">March 29 - 7:00 p.m. CT</span> </span><br /><span></span><br /><span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">What's Guilt Got To Do With It?</span></span><br /><br />Do you love someone whose life is out of control? Do you keep feeling it must be "your fault?" Do you second guess everything you have done or decision you have made as you react to your prodigals' ongoing saga of events? Do you keep feeling you must have not made the "right choice" when handling a troubling situation? Does your head say one thing, but your heart another?<br /><br />Register today to participate in this interactive discussion about a major struggle in the lives of so many people who love a prodigal who continues to make destructive choices. Discover the critical difference between toxic and healthy guilt, helping and enabling, and how you can stop feeling guilty for everything and about everyone!<br /><br />If you or someone you know is tied up in knots because of the never-ending drama and chaos in your prodigal's life, this webcast will help you find freedom from toxic guilt.<br /><br />Register for this webcast, <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://whatsguiltgottodowithit.eventbrite.com/">WHAT'S GUILT GOT TO DO WITH IT?</a> before <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">3/22/11 to receive a 10% discount. Discount Code: ProdigalHope.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://whatsguiltgottodowithit.eventbrite.com/">CLICK HERE TO REGISTER</a></span><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></div>Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-737790192331900522011-02-17T13:21:00.004-06:002011-02-17T13:41:01.762-06:00Interview with one of our very own!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GQ1GNDknbpo/TV13jD-wbPI/AAAAAAAAB34/Yvgq0NlK30Q/s1600/Partners%2BIn%2BPrayer%2Bbanner.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 100px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GQ1GNDknbpo/TV13jD-wbPI/AAAAAAAAB34/Yvgq0NlK30Q/s400/Partners%2BIn%2BPrayer%2Bbanner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574743358002195698" border="0" /></a><br /><div id="event" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-size:12px;"> <span class="supporting-text" style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 102, 102);font-family:Georgia;font-size:130%;" >For all of you who have been with me from the beginning you will remember our first <a href="http://prayingforaprodigal.blogspot.com/2006/06/she-walks-into-terminal-not-knowing.html">Welcome Home Banquet for Kevin</a>! We wrapped our cyber arms around his Mom, <a href="http://grandmaofthree.blogspot.com/">Grandma Dawn</a> and celebrated as Kevin stepped into recovery!<br /><br />You are invited to once again gather together as Partners in Prayer as I <span style="font-weight: bold;">interview</span> Kevin tomorrow, 2/18/11 at NOON CT on The Prodigal Hope Network Blog Talk Radio Program!!!! Yes, you read right--I AM INTERVIEWING KEVIN!!!!!! </span><br /> <h2 class="summary" id="event-title" style="color: rgb(242, 105, 34); text-align: center;font-family:Georgia;font-size:26px;"> <span style="font-size:18px;">My name is Kevin: I am a recovering addict<br /> <br /> Friday, 2/18/2011 at NOON Central Time</span></h2> <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia, Times New Roman;">For anyone who would like to get a glimpse into the mind of an addict, please listen to the Prodigal Hope Network Blog Talk Radio Program, tomorrow, Friday, 2/18 at NOON CT.<br /> <br /> An estimated 12.8 million Americans, about 6 percent of the household population aged twelve and older, use illegal drugs on a current basis (within the past thirty days). Kevin joins us from Fort Collins, Colorado where he is visiting his family after recently graduating from Teen Challenge in Winthrop, Maine. He and his wife, Angie, will be returning to work with Teen Challenge in just a couple of weeks. Kevin has struggled with an addiction to opiates for most of his adult life which led to the desperate destruction of relationships, financial stability, legal consequences, hopes and dreams and several near death experiences. Kevin has been clean and sober for nearly two years (April 1st). Kevin says he has been made new thanks to Jesus and his relationship with Him has made the difference in his life. Join us on Friday, February 18, 2011 at NOON CT as Kevin shares his journey into addiction and how he was able to turn his life around. Join us as we discuss the real world of an addict’s thoughts and choices and listen as Kevin shares his journey to recovery.<br /> <br /> To listen from your computer, simply click on the link below at NOON CT:<br /> <br /> <span style="color:#0000ff;"><u><a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/show.aspx?userurl=settingboundarieswithyouradultchildren&year=2011&month=02&day=18&url=my-name-is-kevin-i-am-a-recovering-addict#" style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; font-weight: normal;">http://www.blogtalkradio.com/show.aspx?userurl=settingboundarieswithyouradultchildren&year=2011&month=02&day=18&url=my-name-is-kevin-i-am-a-recovering-addict#</a><br /> </u></span><br /> If you would like to participate in the on-air chat, register with Blog Talk Radio and you will be able to access the chat room (it’s easy!)<br /> <br /> To call in with questions for Kevin, please call (917) 932-1963<br /> <br /> There is hope! Prodigal Hope!<br /> <br /> Diane<br /> </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;">diane@partnersinprayerforourprodigals.com<br /></span> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Georgia, Times New Roman;"><span style="color:#0000ff;"><u><a href="http://www.partnersinprayerforourprodigals.com/" style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153); text-decoration: underline; font-weight: normal;">http://www.partnersinprayerforourprodigals.com</a></u></span></span><br /></span> </div> <p> <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong style="color: rgb(51, 102, 153);">Location</strong></span></p> </div> <div class="location" id="event-loc" style="margin: 15px 0pt;font-size:14px;"> <span style="font-size:14px;"><span class="org fn"><span style="font-size:130%;">On Your Computer<br /><br /></span><br /></span></span> </div>Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-83208564454393581202011-02-09T14:00:00.004-06:002011-02-09T14:06:31.212-06:00Spa for the SoulDo you need a respite on your journey today?<br /><br />Join me at <a href="http://www.partnersinprayerforourprodigals.com/spa-for-the-soul.html">The Prodigal Hope Network Spa For the Soul~</a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LoZm0wHic_c/TVLzb3ryT2I/AAAAAAAAB3w/we2hHWhDU0M/s1600/Partners%2BIn%2BPrayer%2Bbanner.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 100px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LoZm0wHic_c/TVLzb3ryT2I/AAAAAAAAB3w/we2hHWhDU0M/s400/Partners%2BIn%2BPrayer%2Bbanner.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571783349140344674" border="0" /></a>Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-90312960878942289522011-01-20T15:24:00.002-06:002011-01-20T15:28:52.156-06:00Prodigal, You Ask?<div class="mbl notesBlogText clearfix"><div><p>On February 14, 2006, I wrote the <a href="http://prayingforaprodigal.blogspot.com/2006/02/gentle-whisper-weelcome-to-first-ever.html">first-ever post</a> for Partners In Prayer For Our Prodigals blog. Little did I know then...5 years later, on February 15th at 7:00 pm CT, I would be hosting a web cast entitled "Prodigal, You Ask?" and launching the official website for Partners In Prayer For Our Prodigals to support a new ministry outreach. </p><p>Many of you have been on this journey with me from the beginning and know what a newbie I was to cyber space! I have learned from each of you, but most of all, I have been "pinch-me-I'm-so-blessed" by each of you as I shared the pain of loving a prodigal so publicly. Your support, your encouragement, your prayers were significant in this journey; you are, literally, the pioneers of what I now call: The Prodigal Hope Network.</p><p>I would love to have you join me for this inaugural web cast, Prodigal, You Ask? You have traveled so long on this prodigal journey with me, it would be wrong not to invite you! </p><p>If you know of others who love a prodigal and feel oh-so-alone, please let them know about this FREE web cast. </p><p> To join me for this 'anniversary' launch, please register at <a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1182895071/efbnen" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1182895071/efbnen</a> to receive the free access link to attend "Prodigal, You Ask?" from the comfort of your own home/office computer. </p><p>Thank you for being on this journey with me...I thank God for bringing you into my life! </p><p> Diane</p><div class="photo photo_none"><div class="photo_img"><img class="img_loading img" src="http://l6.sphotos.l3.fbcdn.net/hphotos-l3-snc6/hs018.snc6/166882_1807825992585_1147993284_32176287_2958375_n.jpg" /></div></div><p><a href="http://www.partnersinprayerforourprodigals.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.partnersinprayerforourprodigals.com/</a></p></div></div>Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-35257899296370287362011-01-14T06:55:00.011-06:002011-01-14T08:15:05.576-06:00What can we do when we don't understand?When you love a prodigal whose life is out of control, it is difficult, at best, to <span style="font-weight: bold;">not</span> feel responsible for the problems <span style="font-weight: bold;">and</span> the solutions. <br /><br />Last Saturday, a young man, only 22 years old, entered a political rally and killed 6 people and injured 13 others. The world has been praying for each of the victims and their families. And yet, at the mention of this young man's family, the world is quick to bring judgment: why didn't his parents do a better job, how could they have raised such a monster. <br /><br />How my heart aches for this family. Sadly, there are 19 victims who were directly affected by this tragedy and tragically, there are six families who will now wake up each morning without their loved ones. And yet, there are two additional victims of this tragedy--the parents of Jared Loughton. Rarely do parents intentionally raise a child to create such havoc. Why, then, is our society so quick to believe that they, too, are somehow culpable in this tragedy? <br /><br />As parents of a wayward adult child, there have been many times we have faced the same judgment. Others who do not understand what it is like to love an adult child whose life is out of control are quick to suggest that if only...if only we had done this...if only we had done that...if only we had done the same things they did--that worked--our adult child would behave differently. <br /><br />I believe this undeserved judgment eases the fear of others that this random act could happen in their own family. Life happens; we live in a fallen world. The belief that we can control every outcome is a good belief as long as life cooperates! <br /><br />For those who love a prodigal whose life is out of control, that belief system was shattered long ago. We have long since learned that in spite of every creative parenting skill, in spite of every sacrificial attempt to make things different, in spite of every courageous effort to undo what is wrong...our prodigal has a mind of his/her own. <br /><br />As the world began to blame the parents this week, it was impossible for me to remain silent. I cringed with every news commentator's question: Where were the parent's in this? As the frequency of the question increased, my heartache turned into anger. <br /><br />Let's do a little critical thinking here: Let's suppose this family completely failed in raising this young man; does that fully explain the horrendous actions on January 8 in Tuscon, AZ? Many children grow up in a dysfunctional home and few become mass killers. Let's suppose this family's best was not good enough; does this make them culpable in this tragedy? If this is the case, <span style="font-weight: bold;">all</span> parents should be on guard. Let's suppose, just for a nano second, that this family ineffectively struggled to find a way through an unimaginable psychosis; does this make them responsible for their son's actions? Most parents are not Psychiatrists and as a parent who has tried to advocate for an adult child in our current mental health system, I have become all to familiar with HIPPA laws that prevent my involvement in another adult's case and records. How can parent's be held responsible for something they are prohibited by American law from participating in? <br /><br />I am not here today to defend a family who I do not even know...and yet, I feel as though we are sojourners on a lonely path. A journey that is shared by many isolated travelers. A journey that is misunderstood and judged by those whose life is wonderfully under control. Nor am I here today to bring judgment upon those who do not understand, for how well I know the innate need to bring sense to our world. There have been many times as I have struggled to understand how the unthinkable could happen, that I became the victim to self-judgment, self-doubt, and self hatred. I have brought harsh judgment to myself on my own journey of loving a prodigal. Still, none of these actions brought my prodigal any closer to redemption. What I am here to ask is that we all take a deep breath and pray for everyone involved in this tragic event. As we enter our watchtowers today and stand in the gap on behalf of our prodigals, may we wave our hands heavenward and lift up our prodigals, all prodigals, every family who loves a prodigal, toward our God who is scanning the earth looking for His watchmen (<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2022:30-31&version=NIV">Ez. 22: 30-31</a>). Our hope does not lie in judgment, whether self-imposed or from those who misunderstand. The real hope of redemption comes when we stand in the gap on behalf of the land so God will not destroy it. <br /><br />While we cannot understand, nor can we undo the choices of an angry young man in the throws of psychosis, we can rise above our anger--we <span style="font-weight: bold;">can</span> choose to pray. Will you join me today as we stand in the gap on behalf of our prodigals and pray for the Loughtons too?Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-73141500008888400792011-01-01T22:51:00.015-06:002011-01-02T09:23:20.798-06:00Change...it is a-comin!You've heard the cliches--<span style="font-style: italic;">Change is a process</span>--<span style="font-style: italic;">Change is hard</span>--<span style="font-style: italic;">Time changes things</span>--<span style="font-style: italic;">Change is inevitable</span>--Change! Change! Change!<br /><br />Why don't we ever hear spoken the real truth of the matter: <span style="font-weight: bold;"> Change causes pain?!?!? </span><br /><br />Late last night, I found myself in a conversation whereby I chose to speak the words out loud; words of a loss so great that I had previously remained mute on the matter. It seemed to prevent the reality of it all from breaking through. <br /><br />Isn't this just how suffering in silence begins? <span style="font-style: italic;">"Maybe, just maybe if I don't speak of it,</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> it</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> will just go away. Maybe, if I never say the words, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">it </span><span style="font-style: italic;">will not be real."</span> <br /><br />I know better and yet, I had not been intentionally speaking the painful truth out loud. <br />Somehow, it was easier to compartmentalize the pain--to put it away to celebrate the Holidays, to join the reunions of happy people and families, to go on with life. And yet, whenever we silence our pain, it quietly brews and soon boils over into full blown toxicity: self-loathing, self-denial, shame, hopelessness....<br /><br />Furthermore, when we keep our pain hidden, we are not fully surrendering everything to God--are we? So when offered the chance to answer honestly last night...I risked change...and did. As I spoke the words out loud, I felt a rush of heartbreak all over again. Deeper this time, for now it was real. Naked and exposed, my weakness revealed, I began to look for the strength I so desperately sought to maintain. Strength? I felt broken!<br /><br />I <a href="http://prayingforaprodigal.blogspot.com/2010/08/set-timer.html">set the timer</a> and I mourned the loss of my <a href="http://prayingforaprodigal.blogspot.com/2010/12/when-door-to-your-treasure-has-been.html">treasure</a>. I cried and I paced. I grabbed my journal...and threw it to the ground (then I joined it on the bedroom floor). I was paralyzed to do more than set the timer and....cry. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Change causes pain. </span>Not having the energy to do more than sit in my grief (and because the timer had not yet gone off) I continued to follow the first of only two rules: While the timer is on....you must do nothing until it rings. <br /><br />I did nothing--didn't pick myself up from the puddle of pain. Didn't try to talk myself out of the mess of my brokenness....I just waited. <br /><br />Soon, very soon (and before the timer buzzed!), my thoughts began to wander to the person I had spoken to and my mind was flooded with...GRATITUDE. Gratitude for the person who lovingly asked and listened. Gratitude that by saying the words out loud, I had emptied the toxicity and made room for some <span style="font-weight: bold;">real</span> healing. Gratitude that God always shows up whereEVER we are! Brokenness and gratitude cannot exist equally for more than a nano-second and I began to feel stronger; my healing began as the pieces of my broken heart began to come back together. <br /><br />When you love a prodigal, partners, we are in a race of endurance. If change is a process we must train well. AND, every good marathon runner has a partner and I am so grateful you are each my partner! <br /><br />The healing continues as I remember to 'yield the answers to <span style="font-weight: bold;">all</span> the questions of my life to God--who created the universe and holds resurrection power--He is more than capable!' <br /><br />Yes, the cliches of change are many, but the promises of God are <span style="font-weight: bold;">unchangeable</span> and eternal. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. He started this race with us and He is with us til the end. <br /><br />Do you sense another cliche a-comin'? :) Change that up Diane.....not so much a cliche for this is our profound Truth: When we surrender everything to God--CHANGE IS POSSIBLE!Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-11304623305763084552011-01-01T05:15:00.008-06:002011-01-01T06:48:45.917-06:00I DON'T do resolutions!I have been known to announce on many occasions, "I don't make New Year Resolutions!" <br /><br />I know, I know, "<span style="font-style: italic;">every party has a pooper, that's why we invited you.....Party pooper!</span>" :)<br /><br />As I was watching the ball drop last night, a simple thought crossed my mind: "Without resolve as you move forward into the New Year, how will you stay on course?" A short argument followed with myself!<br /><br />"There is nothing different about this day...resolutions can be made <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">any</span> day!" <br /><br />No matter how many times I heard this refrain in my mind, the volume of it's conviction dimmed as I thought about the strength of our determination. <br /><br />Strength of our determination? On this blog, we have talked a lot about remaining strong during our wait. Putting on the armor of God, standing in the gap, and surrendering everything to God. No holes in our armor and no wavering allowed! <br /><br />Could it be that refusing to create 'resolutions' for a new year is a dent in my plan...a dent that will rust and soon create a gaping hole in the <span style="font-weight: bold;">strength</span> of my determination? <br /><br />I know, I know...it's not about making resolutions on ONE day only--but I think I've become convicted....it's about having the strength to keep those resolutions EVERY day! <br /><br />Here's the list that, literally, flashed in my mind....complete....and as brilliant as the fireworks of MIDNIGHT, 1/11/11~! <br /><br /><ul><li>When you love a prodigal whose life is out of control, you begin to feel and <span style="font-style: italic;">live</span> as a victim. <span style="font-weight: bold;">I am not a victim.</span> I will stop living, stop thinking, stop behaving as though I have done something wrong. I will say with the Apostle Paul (every day of my life), "<span style="font-style: italic;">...[God's] power is made perfect in [my] weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.</span>" 2 Corinthians 12:9 <span style="font-weight: bold;">I am equipped with Christ's power! I am no longer a victim, I will choose, rather, to overcome! I have choices, and not just your average, run-of-the-mill choices; I have powerful choices. I will live my life powerfully! </span><br /></li><li>I will stand in the gap on behalf of my land. I will remove myself from the landmines of the battle. Instead, everyday I will climb onto my "<span style="font-style: italic;">watchtower and stand before [God] on behalf of the land so [He does] not have to destroy it</span>" (Ez: 22) <br /></li><li>I will remain strong in my commitment to remember the difference between what IS effective and what IS NOT. Oh, I've wanted to BE the difference but will now remember, THAT is NOT an effective solution, nor is it SURRENDER. I will yield the answers to the all the questions of my life to God--who created the universe and holds resurrection power--He is more than capable! </li><li>I will step out of the battle field and step firmly into God's plan for my life. He created me...to be me! He has offered unique gifts to me that I have rudely ignored. He wants a relationship with me, He desires to be known. He wants to bless, to empower, to restore my brokenness. It IS who HE IS! <br /></li><li>I commit to do, at least, one thing daily that will strengthen my commitments for 2011 (and reserve the right to do more). </li></ul>Phew! After years of resisting making New Year's Resolutions, I kind-a like this list! As it flashed in my mind as a fully developed text, I felt peace. I felt purpose. I felt whole. I felt hope! Not just hope for my prodigal, but hope for my life! Remember those feelings? I'm not being facetious; it is a sincere question for I know, how I know, that when we are battle weary and fatigued, when we have been sacrificially fighting harder for the life of our prodigal than they are, we have inadvertently set aside our own happiness, our own goals, our own lives--our very purpose. <br /><br />Will you join me in saying--it is time for this to stop! Let it be known, that at midnight on 1/1/11 we begin again at the beginning! For what we've been doing has NOT been working...let's try something different! <br /><br />Will you join me? What is your beginning? Let 1/1/11 be a day of renewal, a declarative day of new beginnings. <br /><br />I can't wait to hear your first steps. What is one thing you can do today to honor your new commitments? Let's power up!Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22456630.post-70183194018394153002010-12-31T10:07:00.015-06:002010-12-31T11:39:22.479-06:00Choose JOY!Too often, when you love a prodigal, the pain of the ongoing loss over shadows the joy of your life.<br /><br />Yes, I said <span style="font-weight: bold;">joy</span>; for it is there! An important book that I cannot recommend highly enough, is Carol Kent's <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Between a Rock and a Grace Place. </span>For those who have not read Carol's books, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">When I Lay My Isaac Down</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> and </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">A New Kind of Normal</span><span style="font-style: italic;">,</span> Carol writes with raw vulnerability as she shares the story of her only son Jason. I will not review Jason's story here other than to tell you that Jason is currently spending life in prison without benefit of parole in a Florida prison. In <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Between a Rock and a Grace Place</span>, Carol reminds us that even in spite of life's greatest disappointments and tragedies, there are still pockets of joy surrounding us. (To hear my Blog Talk Interview with Carol Kent, one of my POCKETS OF JOY this year, listen <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/settingboundarieswithyouradultchildren/2010/09/15/bestselling-author-carol-kent">here</a>).<br /><br />As we come to close of 2010, let's shift our focus from what didn't bring us joy to what did bring us great joy. Thank you for letting me share the many moments of joy that occurred in 2010 and please share your pockets of joy with me as well!<br /><br />2010 was a very big year in the heart of this Mom!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LoZm0wHic_c/TR4EhT9K7fI/AAAAAAAAB28/n2vqDSg_I1w/s1600/60223_428860664939_528434939_4604001_7257178_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LoZm0wHic_c/TR4EhT9K7fI/AAAAAAAAB28/n2vqDSg_I1w/s200/60223_428860664939_528434939_4604001_7257178_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556883960560807410" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My baby had a baby! I was present for Lenora Marie's birth in August; it was a power packed 4 hours of JOY! OK.. .THAT is from Grandma's perspective, after all, I wasn't having the contractions. But can you say EPIDERAL~! What a difference labor is today from delivery back in the day when the dinosaurs roamed the earth and I gave birth...<span style="font-style: italic;">naturally</span>! In my humble opinion, it was much more natural WITH that epideral! ;) <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LoZm0wHic_c/TR4IlM6VuiI/AAAAAAAAB3E/7r_v4u-Yq3M/s1600/IMG_6009.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LoZm0wHic_c/TR4IlM6VuiI/AAAAAAAAB3E/7r_v4u-Yq3M/s200/IMG_6009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556888425435871778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Watching my daughter be a mommy has brought endless joy to my heart! And I am pinch-me-blessed that she shares Lenora so generously with this Grandma! While Katie and family now live in Dallas, Hallmark provided a FABULOUS and JOYFUL way for Grandma to read to Lenora every day! How I wish I could show y'all the video on Facebook; if you're on Facebook you can see this brief 45 seconds of JOY <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=428860664939&set=a.428860149939.201034.528434939#%21/video/video.php?v=493127544939&comments">here</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LoZm0wHic_c/TR4JrWtioYI/AAAAAAAAB3M/2WOrVBye8WE/s1600/155036_1735704749599_1147993284_32009450_6406856_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LoZm0wHic_c/TR4JrWtioYI/AAAAAAAAB3M/2WOrVBye8WE/s200/155036_1735704749599_1147993284_32009450_6406856_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556889630657388930" border="0" /></a>We had a fabulous Christmas, as you can imagine! There's nothing quite a new baby to brighten up the senses of gratitude for the REASON for the SEASON!<br /><br />Our youngest is now a Freshman in College! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LoZm0wHic_c/TR4K2VmkrxI/AAAAAAAAB3U/Vtnrg-GFk7Q/s1600/IMG_0090.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LoZm0wHic_c/TR4K2VmkrxI/AAAAAAAAB3U/Vtnrg-GFk7Q/s200/IMG_0090.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556890918849916690" border="0" /></a>With his first semester successfully under his belt, he visited his long-term, long-distance girlfriend in Dallas (yup, that'd be the SAME city our daughter now lives in!)<br /><br />He is home during J-Term and this momma hen feels right again! He will do a little more traveling to Texas and then his girlfriend will spend a week in the snowy tundra mid January before he returns to his dorm room and mates on February 1. Can I have a redo on MY college experience please??? ;) What joy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LoZm0wHic_c/TR4M-4w1pNI/AAAAAAAAB3c/NjX0O25J3Og/s1600/IMG_0377.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 158px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LoZm0wHic_c/TR4M-4w1pNI/AAAAAAAAB3c/NjX0O25J3Og/s200/IMG_0377.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556893264750421202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We spent many moments of joy together as a family this year! Our son, Curt has been working as a Med-care driver...it is a perfect job for this young man who loves nothing more than driving! Even on Minnesota winter roads! We were hoping he could join us as we helped Katie and Eric (and Lenora) move to Dallas just before Thanksgiving, but HE decided that his job took precedence! JOY!<br /><br /><br />Pockets of abundant joy in my personal life! There were abundant blessings professionally as I met online with other parents in pain each week and was inspired as they courageously changed their lives. Weekly pockets of joy as I had the opportunity to interview many, many amazing authors, speakers, singers, advocates, and a host of hope-makers! This mid-life, midwestern, menopausal momma could not have imagined the joy that is possible when passion meets purpose!<br /><br />Lest you are led to believe that 2010 was that rare year of perfection, I must tell the truth. There were moments (shoot, days, weeks and months) of struggle. And yet, I found joy, even in the midst of those trials. Pockets of abundant joy in my spiritual life. If I could paraphrase a secret I've gained in 2010 regarding trials and tribulations, it would be in one word: Praise! I don't know how I've missed this for such a long time--perhaps I once knew (and implemented) this secret, but in 2010 it was revealed as a stunning AHA moment (like a brick on my forehead!)<br /><br />When you feel abandoned, isolated, and hopelessly alone in the pain of your struggle--You! Are! Not! God has promised, He is always with us. Oh--THAT's not the secret discovery of 2010! The real discovery was Psalm 22:3, God inhabits the praise of His children! This was the year that I tested this Truth! It works! OH THE JOY! It is with joyful enthusiasm that I ask you to consider testing this Truth when you feel the despair of the struggle of loving your prodigal. No long process....simply praise! Recite memory verses, listen to Christian Worship songs, recite Bible passages if you don't have the energy (or even desire) to praise on your own! God inhabits the praise of His children! WHAT JOY!<br /><br />What are some of your joy pockets of 2010? I'd love to share in your joy; but more importantly, I'd love to have you experience the joy that happens when you only grab those pockets of joy--they are there--waiting for each of us to engage and experience them. Don't let one more moment of joy pass you by...let's make 2011 the year of JOY!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13px;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span>Diane Vierehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02859925247520578754noreply@blogger.com1