Blogs
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Yvette Wyatt
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Children — one of my portals
January 31, 2023 |
Mountains. Music. Waves. Whales. Rivers. Roses.
What type of beauty brings you immediately to the brink of the amazing love of our Creator? While there are endless entry points into this infinite grace of God, one of my portals is children ... read more |
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Deborah Rambo Sinn
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My Story ... well, some of it
January 23, 2023 |
Before I was hired here at First Presbyterian in December, I came to several services. When I saw “Love First” as the church’s motto, I felt I might be home. Here I sense that Label First, Judge First, and Suspect First will not be part of my experience. What a relief. Now ... read more
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Judy Flieger,
Teri & Bill Burch, Ann Smart |
Family Promise - to Bless Families
January 17, 2023 |
As a church family, we have the opportunity to reach out and meet the needs of those in our community who find themselves homeless and are working to better themselves. By offering safe shelter, food and to meet other needs they may have, we are filling those ... read more
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Stephanie Rogge
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New Beginnings
January 10, 2023 |
I did it. You probably did it, too. A brand-new year often seems to spark a desire to start the year off in a positive way. I don’t like to make resolutions, but I do try to make some reasonable goals to shoot for in the year. Whether the goal is to get healthier, finish that ... read more
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Kent Kimball
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Looking for Gold
January 3, 2023 |
Every once in a while, I crack open an old book, Hymns of Faith and Inspiration, by Pamela Kennedy. As the title implies, there is gold in the notes and words on each page. The following are just two examples of that gold. ... read more
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McLane Stone
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Experiencing Joy & Small Graces
December 27, 2022 |
Charley and I have been reflecting on the significant changes in our family’s life over the past few months. Unsurprisingly, Leighton has introduced many new experiences. Whether planning travel around nap times or judging all restaurants by whether or not ... read more
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Emily Rogers
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Mary, Did You Know?
December 19, 2022 |
In a visit to Juneau from my home in Sitka, Alaska some 30 years ago, an acquaintance invited me to tour The Shrine of Saint Thérèse, 22 miles north of Juneau. The refuge and retreat center grounds are beautiful, located on Lynn Canal in the Inside Passage ... read more
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Bonnie Piovesan
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Oh, Christmas Tree
December 13, 2022 |
I love the Christmas Season! Spending time with loved ones, carols, special foods and traditions, and especially Christmas trees. All year long, I look forward to grabbing a cup of cocoa and sitting on my couch just to look at my tree decorated and shining with ... read more
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Janet Starkey
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Smörgåsbords and Saints
December 5, 2022 |
When I was growing up, Advent and the preparations for Christmas were always magical. Our church was small, established in 1920 as a mission to the Swedish immigrants living in Palo Alto, CA. It was built with loving hands by craftsmen, many of them members, ... read more
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Kyler O'Connor
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Reaching Out
November 28, 2022 |
Hello everyone, I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
With the holiday season officially kicked off this week, I thought we could take some time to remember the importance of being available during this extremely busy, but also very emotional time ... read more |
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Ellen Taylor
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My Road to Thankfulness
November 20, 2022 |
You know, sometimes I just feel like God needs to get my attention. I get so busy doing “things.” I make endless to-do lists, and I congratulate myself when I am able to check completed items off. I attend church meetings, I exercise, read the paper, and ... read more
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Matt Broadway
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Stewardship
November 15, 2022 |
This is the time of year where we tend to start reflecting on what has happened, where we are headed, and what we’ve learned along the way. The past few years have been packed with amazing benchmark moments for 1st Pres. God has truly blessed us. ... read more
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Bonnie Piovesan
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My Father's Flag
November 7, 2022 |
My father passed away on April 1, 2022. Like many people these days, my father was absent during my life. I spent most of my childhood wondering where he was and longing to see him. Over the years, I tried to reach out, hoping that we could start ... read more
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Gina Dingman
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Living the Love 1st Mission
November 1, 2022 |
I have learned that it is important to “sit in the boat” and wait to hear the voice of God leading this ministry. Psalm 27:14 tells us to, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” This verse has served me well. ... read more
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Kierstie Renninger
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Simple Gratitude
October 25, 2022 |
"Joy is the simplest form of gratitude." -Karl Barth
Ahh… fall is finally here, and so are the traditions that come with the season; crisp air, falling leaves, cozying up on the couch ... read more |
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Naomi White
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Called to Love
October 18, 2022 |
I’m here again with my little ring of index cards filled with my favorite verses. The deck is worn out and marked up from lots of use, but there is plenty of space for future additions. I thought I would share one of these verses with you today! ... read more
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Diane Wakkinen
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How Does God Want Us to Love Others?
October 10, 2022 |
Did you attend the Redemptive Compassion training this past June? If you did, you’ll already have had a taste of Lois Tupyi and her dynamic and compelling message. She is an inspirational speaker! Whether or not you saw her on-screen in June, we all have the ... read more
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Bob Freund
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For What and Why?
A Session Devotion October 3, 2022 |
It’s not something that we would normally focus on but tonight, let us focus on “THE DIVIDE” — The Divide that is all around us and the unnecessary stress it is causing us to experience in our daily lives. It seems very hard to have a conversation with anyone ... read more
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Kyler O'Connor
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Boundaries
September 27, 2022 |
Happy September, Everyone! This month, I have heard about the topic of boundaries from several different people. What do healthy boundaries look like; how do we enforce our boundaries in a good way; how do we establish boundaries; and how were ... read more
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Your Nominating Committee
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Seeking Leaders Learning to ‘Sleep in the Boat’
September 20, 2022 |
Despite the past couple of years of navigating through personal, local, national and world-wide turbulence, we know that God is heading us into a hope-filled future. We are grateful that as a church family, through the incredible faithfulness of Jesus Christ, we ... read more
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Kierstie Renninger
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Wonderfully Made
September 13, 2022 |
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)
It was a peaceful and quiet morning. I held my sweet ... read more |
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Neal Nybo
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Climbing Past Our Fears
September 6, 2022 |
I’ve shared with you that I have gotten increasingly afraid of heights as I have gotten older. This presented a real problem for me when Carolyn and I were hiking with friends in Sedona, Arizona a few years ago. We started up a trail towards Cathedral Rock — which leads ... read more
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Roger Grigg
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Discernment - A Lesson from God
August 30, 2022 |
As most of you already know, the PNC completed its assignment, and we have made the wonderful announcement of the calling of Pastor McLane Stone to be our new Pastor at First Pres! Co-chair Becky Clegg and I often remarked how blessed we were that all ... read more
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Bonnie Piovesan
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Stained Hands
August 23, 2022 |
If you have ever been huckleberry picking, then you probably have had stained hands. That wonderful purplish red hue declares to the world that berries have been found and will be enjoyed. I look forward to huckleberry season all year long. I love being out in the ... read more
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Stephanie Rogge
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Rest
August 15, 2022 |
It amazes me how quickly time passes. Often it seems the day begins with plans of what I want to accomplish, and, before I know it, the day ends with things still left undone. Days turn into weeks and weeks into months where I never feel like I can catch up with all the ... read more
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Ellen Taylor
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A Dream or a Calling?
August 9, 2022 |
I believe that everyone has a dream and a calling. How we spend our lives and the people whose hearts we touch are one of the reasons we try to fulfill these dreams. Whether we chose to be teachers, scientists, doctors, politicians or a million other things, the choices ... read more
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Emily Rogers
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Learning Kindness
August 1, 2022 |
Kindness has been and continues to be a hard-fought lesson for me. It is not my automatic manner, but I’m learning and trying to make it an ingrained trait. As a child, my siblings and I were very polite to strangers and adults we met, but it took me a long time to learn ... read more
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Naomi White
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Running Towards Christ
July 25, 2022 |
I’m here again with my little ring of index cards filled with my
favorite verses. I thought I would share one of these verses with you today! ... read more |
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Bonnie Piovesan
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The 3 R's
July 18, 2022 |
You are probably familiar with the 2 R’s: Rest & Relaxation. After all, who doesn’t like a little R&R from time to time? Rest and relaxation are healthy breaks in our normal routine that give us time to reflect and recharge and hopefully come back refreshed, ready to ... read more
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Janet Starkey
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On Transformation
July 11, 2022 |
Jackson Kiddard began life as an entrepreneur in 19th century France. He later became a renowned philosopher and yogi, eventually traveling to India where he passed away in 1901. Though not much is known about his life, his wise words remain true. ... read more
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Gina Dingman
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Seeking Discernment & Wisdom
July 5, 2022 |
Wow, what an amazing training! The Redemptive Compassion Training from Love INC (In the Name of Christ) was quite a revelation for me. Before I retired, I worked 25+ years in the field of early care and education. Our program primarily served families from ... read more
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Stephanie Rogge
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Our One True Hope
June 27, 2022 |
My mother passed away on June 16th . Her passing was a long goodbye as she suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for over 11 years. It’s a terrible, sad disease that causes a person to slowly fade. It was difficult for my brother and me as we watched our ... read more
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Donna Schwandt
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The Hand and Feet of Jesus
June 20, 2022 |
You are the hands and the feet of Jesus. By that I mean our congregation. Recently my daughter and her family were visiting and I was going to church to help with a funeral reception and she said to me “your church does the best at being the hands and feet of ... read more
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Kent Kimball
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This One's a Keeper
June 14, 2022 |
I don’t read novels. I never have, never will. Oh sure, I can curl up and devour an atlas for hours, or maybe a great autobiography. But fiction doesn’t interest me. Most of my family loves reading. They read entire series of books by authors like J. R. R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis,... read more
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Kyler O'Connor
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Life's Seasons
June 7, 2022 |
I turned 25 this weekend, and for the past month it has made me think a lot about time. I had a literature teacher in seventh grade who was very into metaphors and similes, her favorite being about life’s seasons. In the beginning of life, you are in the very start of spring, ... read more
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Naomi White
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Rest Secure
May 31, 2022 |
I have a little ring of index cards filled with my favorite verses. They have comforted me ever since I headed to college, and when I am having a rough day I bust them out and work through them. I thought I would share one of these verses with you today! ... read more
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Emily Rogers
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Leaving a Legacy
May 23, 2022 |
Perhaps it’s getting older that has hit me with the concept of leaving a legacy and asking myself what kind of legacy will I leave behind? I have no children of my own; my side of the family all live on the East Coast, so I’m not surrounded by family; I’m not overflowing with ... read more
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Kierstie Renninger
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Fruit of the Spirit
May 16, 2022 |
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
Ahh … spring … a season of growth, renewal, and anticipation of warmer, sunny days! In youth group, we have been ... read more |
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Neal Nybo
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Seeing the Future Written On a Page
May 10, 2022 |
Pastors sometimes have a perspective no one else gets to see because of where they sit in a sanctuary. I was sitting once on a crowded stage at a special service. There were band members, choir members, and orchestra members all shoved together. I was sitting ... read more
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Bonnie Piovesan
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Running Strong
May 2, 2022 |
I am a natural-born runner. Now, I am not the kind of runner who wakes up early and actually runs. I am not the athlete who has practiced and pushed themselves to win a race. In fact, if you see me running, then you might want to start running, too, ... read more
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Yvette Wyatt
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Crazy, Amazing LOVE
April 25, 2022 |
The peak of the Easter celebration has crested; yet the joy, gratitude, and reverence of this mystical event continues to resonate in my thoughts. I am always overwhelmed by the truth that God’s love is so crazy amazing. To know that the Father, God-almighty, ... read more
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Brandie Edwards
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Visionaries
April 19, 2022 |
For some time Brandie has admired a painting hanging in the church’s Fireside Room. He was inspired to contact the artist, Stan Miller, a few weeks ago. That date happened to be the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s assassination, April 4th. This is what Brandie ... read more
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Janet Starkey
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Relentless Kindness
April 11, 2022 |
I recently watched Season 1 of Ted Lasso after being intrigued by what I’d heard — that it’s really good. After I did a little research I realized that the star, Jason Sudeikis, wasn’t the actor who had so many roles in what I call ‘boy humor’ — the main reason I avoided ... read more
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Scott Fischer
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Gifts of the Spirit
April 4, 2022 |
I joined 1st Presbyterian Church in 1985, and, within about 6 months, I was on Session, originally asked to be an alternate. As I recall, I was told at the time that no one ever resigned from the Session, so I wouldn’t have to do anything. Then, about a month later, ... read more
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Stephanie Rogge
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Who Inspires You?
March 29, 2022 |
Have you ever met someone who inspired you to share the love of Christ? My husband and have been fortunate to have two such people in our lives.
We first met the Lamberts after my husband got out of ... read more |
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Neal Nybo
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An Electrifying Opportunity
March 21, 2022 |
A member of my church was an engineer and an officer in the Air Force during the Korean War. He had been trained as a nuclear weapons specialist. He was stationed at an underground site that tested and assembled the triggering system that detonated nuclear ... read more
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Susan Lauer
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Some Lenten Contemplations from a 1st Pres Newbie
March 14, 2022 |
Dan, Evan and I have been beautifully blessed by the love of 1st Pres from the moment we walked through the doors in January 2020. From your warm smiles and down-to-earth welcome to the holy flexibility and freedom within the PC/USA as a denomination, ... read more
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Kyler O'Connor
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Be Still
March 8, 2022 |
Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Before you read this, make a 60-second timer and sit still, and try to think of nothing. Ready? Go! ... read more |
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Naomi White
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Our Great Love
March 1, 2022 |
I’m a rule follower, I love getting gold stars and good grades, and I am an oldest child through and through. So when my parents would say, “I’m proud of you,” I would assume it was because I had done something praiseworthy. But when I messed up, or ... read more
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Emily Rogers
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Grace for a Curly-haired Girl
February 22, 2022 |
There once was a girl who had a little curl right in the middle of her forehead. When she was good, she was very, very good; and when she was bad, she was horrid! Perhaps, like myself, most curly-haired little girls became well-acquainted with that old nursery ... read more
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Kierstie Renninger
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For I Know the Plans I Have For You
February 15, 2022 |
Ahh… February, the groundhog saw his shadow and love is in the air. This past weekend gave us a glimpse of the spring and sunshine ahead. Some even refer to those first days where the temperature creeps above 40 and we shed the big puffy coats for a walk ... read more
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Bonnie Piovesan
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Peaceful Highway
February 7, 2022 |
I have moved a lot in my life. Highways, freeways, and interstates make up a lot of my childhood memories. Seeing the arch on I70 in St. Louis was exciting because it meant that we were heading west. Seeing the cactus and endless desert from I40 would fill me with ... read more
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Kent Kimball
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My 'Adventure Cruise'
January 31, 2022 |
Recently I took a trip to the bottom of the world. Antarctica is a frigid and mysterious place, filled with untouched beauty. It has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. Of all the dynamic, peculiar, and remote places I’ve visited, it has had the most ... read more
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Stephanie Rogge
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Getting Rid of Clutter
January 25, 2022 |
It’s that time of year again. Time to take down the decorations and clear out clutter. It seems like every year after we put away the Christmas decorations, I get the “bug” to get organized again. I guess it comes from having to pack up the totes and trying to find ... read more
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Brandie Edwards
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Why Believe?
January 17, 2022 |
Why do I believe in God? It’s a question that many have asked each other. I have asked that question of myself for years. Up until three years ago, I really didn’t have a definitive answer, but then it hit me: prophecy. Prophecies are what brought my attention ... read more
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Chris Gray
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Things Aren't What They Seem
January 10, 2022 |
Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead, the angels were given a space in the cold basement. ... read more
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Janet Starkey
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The Day After
January 3, 2022 |
The first week of January seems like a good time to think about resolutions. While it’s not pointless to think about resolving to do better, be better, if you do nothing, then why bother? I decided to look for some help and found some tips to help make and ... read more
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