Category: Inspirational

Monday 4/6/15 Morning Thing

Did you catch The Morning Thing on Monday 4/6/15?
Here are the topics we talked about on the show.

We shared some yummy recipes for your leftover Easter eggs.
Bacon Devlied Eggs
http://www.cairnsmanor.com/?p=446
Easy English Muffin Egg Pizzas
http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/english-muffin-egg-pizzas

We also found some new uses for dish soap.
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a22511/new-uses-for-dish-soap/

It was also a GET HEALTHY Monday.
Studies show that when it comes to making decisions to improve your health, Monday is the day most people make those decisions. The Knox County Health Department and Get Healthy Knox County want you to think of every Monday as an opportunity to do something to improve your health.

Today is the start of National Public Health Week and this year’s theme is “Healthier Nation in One Generation.”

Americans believe they are the healthiest in the world… but we actually live shorter lives and suffer from more health problems than our peers in other high-income countries.

“Healthier Nation in One Generation” refers to the notion that today’s youth will not live as long as their parents because of health problems from not eating right or exercising regularly….. so we need to tackle this problem now for our kid’s sake – and ours. Here’s what we are dealing with: Americans eat the most calories and 2/3 of our population is overweight or obese….37 percent of U.S. adults eat vegetables less than once a day (instead of the recommended five!!)…Nearly 50% of Americans suffer from a preventable, chronic disease.

Creating the healthiest nation in one generation requires making healthy choices as individuals AND as a society. You can do your part by deciding to do improve your own health.

Whatever healthy thing you decide to do whether it’s eating more vegetables or getting some type of exercise every day or making an appointment to see your doctor for a check up – Make the decision to get started today…. it’s Get Healthy Monday.

We always have GREAT PRIZES on The Morning Thing! This week, we are giving away tickets to see Plumb and JJ Heller in concert. Listen Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for your chance to win tickets to the “Ready Now” tour coming to Family Of Faith Community Church in Newark on Saturday, April 11th.

We are ALSO giving away ticket to see Chris Tomlin AT the Ohio State Fair. You can WIN tickets before you can BUY THEM! Tickets go on sale on Saturday, April 11th at Noon! Tickets are available at Ticketmaster outlets and online at http://www.ticketmaster.com

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The Morning Thing “Week In Review” – Easter Week

 easter-weekend

We are starting a new tradition for The Morning Thing Blog. Every Friday, we will post a list of topics that we covered for the past week. We will provide links to the articles and information that we share weekday mornings from 6-9.

We hope that you will go through this list of topics and dig a little deeper to find helpful and encouraging information for you and your family. It is our passion and desire to provide you with fun and inspiration that will strengthen YOU and your family every weekday morning as you start your day. Thanks for listening! We’ll see you Monday at 6am!

The Morning Thing 3/30 – 4/3/15

We have some special features to get your day started!
– National News updates from the Associated Press every hour
– WNZR State and Local News 7am & 8am
– Weather every 15 minutes
– The Morning Thing Game of the Day 7:20am
– Birthdays and Anniversaries 7:40am
– Focus on the Family Minute 7:50am

The Morning Thing Game of the Day at 7:20am is your chance to win! Monday through Thursday – you get a chance to win a $5.00 gift certificate to Southside Diner. On Friday – we’ll have a surprise prize every week!

It was Easter Week! Each day, we shared some special bible verses for Easter. We also took a Journey to the Cross with daily activities for kids for the week of Easter.

Easter Bible Verses: http://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/easter-bible-verses/​

Journey to the cross: http://www.jesus-without-language.net/holy-week-review/

PLUS, we gave away tickets to the ALIVE FESTIVAL every day this week!
Click here to see the amazing lineup. http://www.alive.org/

On Monday,  Marcy and Jenna, shared some Easter traditions. How do you celebrate the holiday at your house?http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/holidays/celebrating-the-easter-season/easter-traditions-that-matter

They shared a conversation with Gigi and Brandon Gonazalez Cottrell from the Salvation Army about their upcoming father/daughter dance.

https://soundcloud.com/wnzr/brandon-and-gigi-gonzalez-cotrell-march-2015

It was also a GET HEALTHY Monday. They shared some tips from the Knox County Health Department and a chance to win a Get Healthy Prize Package.

Get Healthy Tips – Drink MORE Water.
A simple step to better health is to drink more water. Water is the second most popular beverage in the U.S. after soft drinks. This is a scary stat, since sugary soda is a huge health hazard, upping the risk of obesity, stroke, and other heart problems. However, these dangers can be avoided if people choose to drink water, which doesn’t have negative side effects. So help put the sugary stuff to the side and make water the number one drink of choice. When it comes to thirst, put water first.

There are a number of reasons you should drink more water:
Water can keep your body in balance. Roughly 60 percent of the body is made of water. Drinking enough H2O maintains the body’s fluid balance, which helps transport nutrients in the body, regulate body temperature, digest food, and more.

Drinking water could also help with weight loss. Numerous studies have found a connection between water consumption and losing a few pounds. The secret? – Water simply helps people feel full, and as a result consume fewer calories.

Water can increase your productivity at work and studies show that water can help you think better, concentrate and stay alert. A study in London found a link between students bringing water into an exam room and better grades, suggesting H2O promotes clearer thinking. While it’s unclear if drinking the water had anything to do with a better score, it doesn’t hurt to try it out!

When you feel tired, try drinking water. One of the most common symptoms of dehydration is tiredness.

The amount of water people need per day is up for debate, but studies suggest adults need nine to 16 cups of H2O. However this number varies depending on activity level, age, and how much water people are consuming in coffee, tea, or water-rich veggies and fruit. Here’s how to keep yourself hydrated: Begin by drinking a glass of water as soon as you wake up, and 30 minutes before eating any big meal. (This will help control appetite, too.) Get in the habit of keeping a water bottle on hand at all times. And if the taste beings to bore, spice up the taste buds with a squeeze of citrus to the glass! Before you know it, all the benefits of water will be right at your fingertips… and in your body

Whatever healthy thing you decide to do …and we do want you to choose to something healthy for yourself – whether it’s something small like drinking more water –  or something big like joining a gym – do it today…. it’s Get Healthy Monday.

On Tuesday, Wesley and Josh Pope, talked about the Easter Candy and some unique recipes using your Easter candy.

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/eastercandy1.html

http://fillyourplate.org/blog/twenty-fun-facts-about-jelly-beans/

http://www.babble.com/best-recipes/25-fun-easter-candy-trivia-facts/

​http://weeklyworldnews.com/headlines/7505/peeps-trivia/

http://allrecipes.com/recipes/holidays-and-events/easter/desserts/candy/

http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/808489/leftover-easter-candy-recipes

On Wednesday, Marcy and Faith, celebrated April Fool’s Day by sharing the greatest April Fool’s Day jokes of all time. They also shared some yummy dinner menu ideas for your family.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/april-fools-day-top-10-1788823​

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/holiday—celebration-recipes/easter-recipes/top-10-easter-dinner-ideas#1

On Thursday, Jenna and Wesley, celebrated National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day with some yummy recipes using America’s 2 favorite ingredients. They also celebrated National Children’s Book Day by reading some of the greatest children’s books on the list.

http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/pbandjday.htm

http://www.buzzfeed.com/vdlr/56-peanut-butter-and-jelly-recipes-44qs

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/10630229/15-best-childrens-books-of-all-time.html

http://www.nypl.org/childrens100​

On Friday, Marcy and her daughter Rachel celebrated PTLIGF – Praise the Lord, It’s GOOD Friday!

This Friday was very special. We shared 3 hours of songs picked specifically for Easter.
Our Morning Thing Fave 5 featured our 5 favorite Easter Songs.
https://soundcloud.com/wnzr/morning-thing-favorite-easter-songs-2015

We talked about the mini-series AD – the Bible Continues, which premieres on NBC on Easter Sunday.
Here’s a link to hear Executive Producers, Roma Downey and Mark Burnett talk with Jim Daly on Focus on the Family.

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/media/daily-broadcast/a-bold-witness-for-christ-on-network-tv

In the 8am hour, we shared our April MVNU Presidential Update with Dr. Henry Spaulding.
https://soundcloud.com/wnzr/april-mvnu-presidential-update-with-dr-henry-spaulding

Have a GREAT weekend.
Remember that The Morning Thing is a GREAT way to start your day. Every weekday morning from 6-9am.

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A Look At WinterJam 2015

In addition to sporting events, coffee shops, and naps, Christian concerts are my favorite place to be. I love being in a high energy atmosphere that is entirely centered on our Creator and in an atmosphere where I am surrounded by people of all ages who are having the time of their life worshipping and enjoying the presence of our Lord. Plus, I LOVE music! So for me, there is not a better way to spend my free time.

This past weekend I was in my element. I had the opportunity to attend Winter Jam 2015, and I can’t begin to describe the amount of joy I experienced at this event. Traveling with close friends to experience the Lord with thousands of brothers and sisters in Christ was unforgettable! As a pastor’s kid who grew up in the youth group, I have been to many, many WinterJams and each year they continue to blow my mind. Each artist and band work hard to share their love of music and God with every person in the audience. No one should leave the stadium without feeling the hand of God at work in the arena.

Unlike most concerts, WinterJam brings ten artists to the stage to share their story with the audience. Artists such as for King and Country, Jeremy Camp, Family Force 5, and Newsong shared their music with thousands. Though each artist had an incredible message, two of them really hit home with me this weekend, and I hope they will encourage you as well.

Francesca Battistelli performed her new song “Write Your Story” reminding me that we are all an open book for God, and He writes our story. As a college student, I am in the midst of confusion and chaos surrounding my future. I do not know what I will do after graduation, how I want to use my major, who I will marry, where I will live, or what I want to do with the rest of my life. These decisions and many more are constantly swarming through my head. Though some would say I still have time to decide, that time is quickly slipping away. Because of this, I am often stressed about the future and apprehensive about the present, but Francesca reminded me that He knows my name, and He has written a story for me, far better than I could imagine.

I’m an empty page

I’m an open book

Write Your story on my heart

Come on and make Your Mark

Author of my hope

Maker of the stars

Let me be Your work of art

Won’t you write Your story on my heart

-Francesca Battistelli’s Write Your Story

The last band to take the stage was Skillet, a Christian Rock band that often travels with secular groups. John Cooper, the lead singer of Skillet, shared his love for God and his desire to spread the gospel in everything he does. Cooper shared with us that managers and band members of secular groups often tell him that Skillet could be one of the most successful rock bands if he would stop talking about God. Cooper’s faith and love for God is more important than material possessions. God has called him to live out his faith and share God’s love above all else. John Cooper often quotes Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” This hit home for me. I want to live my faith in such a way that people tell me to stop talking about God. I want others to know through my actions and words that I am a Christian, and I love the Lord with all of my heart.

I’m at war with the world cause I

Ain’t never gonna sell my soul

I’ve already made up my mind

No matter what I can’t be bought or sold

When my faith is getting weak

And I feel like giving in

You breathe into me again.

-Skillet’s Awake and Alive

 

As you can tell, my time at WinterJam 2015 was amazing, and I am thankful for the opportunity to experience the love of God with so many others. I hope you have or will know the energy and excitement of thousands of Christians gathering together for one purpose – to know and worship the one true God.

– Jenna Potts

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Use your hands to remind you to pray!

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Adventures in Odyssey is hosting a summer Promotion called ACTS. These letters stand for “A Call To Serve”. One of the goals of the promotion is to document over 50,000 hours of service by kids across the U.S. Find out more about this wonderful promotion at http://www.whitsend.org/FeaturesView/ACTS.aspx

The letters A-C-T-S can also remind us to pray. Check out this hand activity from Adventures in Odyssey. What a GREAT way to teach your kids about praying for others!

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Family feuds during the holidays? This top 10 list is for you!

We all know that if you are part of a family, drama is part of life. The Morning Thing team found some great advice on how to avoid those family feuds during the holiday season. We pray that you will have a wonderful – and peaceful – Thanksgiving.
Thanks for listening to us weekdays from 6-9am.

10 Ways to Reduce Family Fighting over the Holidays | All Pro Dad
http://www.allprodad.com/top10/family-relationships/10-ways-to-reduce-family-fighting-over-the-holidays/

November 21, 2012
Time to give thanks for all our blessings? ‘Tis the season to be jolly? Somehow, it doesn’t always work out that way when it comes to families and holidays. These are the moments that are designed to bring us together, but more often tend to tear us further apart.  It doesn’t have to be that way. Family harmony can be attained during the holidays and we’re going to help show you how. Really. Trust us. Try these tips out and ho, ho, hope they work!
  1. Do Not Seek Perfection

    The classic perfect image of the holidays:  Fresh-fallen snow glistening outside and a roaring blaze crackling inside a giant, stone fireplace. Happy faces, hot chocolate and the gift that we always wanted. Reality? In most areas the snow comes from a can. Your three-year-old spilled the hot chocolate all over him and you. The wrapped box you have stared at for two weeks turned out to be a red tie with reindeers on it.

    Perfect holidays only exist in movies and the afterlife. Here on earth, we need to lessen the expectations. Seeking the perfect holiday only creates a high level of stress for you and everyone involved. Let things happen naturally.

  2. Reasons For The Seasons

    Usually lost in the mix of the holiday rush are the actual reasons we are celebrating. We worry about family members that don’t get along. We stress over gift lists, budgets and menus. The tensions are so high that bickering and resentment become the featured guests at our gathering. Instead, try to maximize the importance of the holiday itself. The majority of holidays this time of year are faith based. Moments to reflect and display our appreciation for blessings that have been bestowed upon us. Focus on the reason and not the season.

  3. Acceptance

    We all have our opinions and we all think we are right. Your brother is bringing his third wife over for the family celebration. His first wife and the mother of his children will be there as well. Your Mom has left your father after 35 years and is dating a man 20 years younger. She will not come unless her new boyfriend is welcome. The simple truth is that none of these issues will be solved during this holiday. Try to keep your opinions in check and practice acceptance. No matter the family issue (and every family is full of them) put it aside at this special time. Declare your home a drama free zone for just this little bit of time.

  4. Do Not Add Fuel To The Fire

    The cup of hot cocoa is helping you relax and deal with the situation, but your mother-in-law has been secretly sneaking shots of bourbon on trips to the bathroom. Your brothers have been drinking beer since 10 am. All this adds up to a volatile explosive mix just waiting for the spark to ignite it. Booze almost always creates high drama, and adds fuel to an already hot fire.  Despite the protests, you may need to tell your guests that alcohol will not be a part of your celebration.

  5. Declare A Truce

    Before the family gathering ever occurs, take preventive measures to reduce possible conflict. If you can, pinpoint the issues that are most likely to overtake center stage. Attempt to solve the problem(s) before the family gathers. If that isn’t possible, arrange a holiday truce to be in effect. Facing a little discomfort now is better than around the holiday dinner table.

  6. Human Shields

    Children have delicate ears and innocent hearts. Use this to your advantage. If guilt works to get the adults to shape up, then use that bullet without hesitation. Place the children in strategic locations throughout the entire celebration. Tongues will have to be held. Bad habits will be kept in check. Peace for the sake of the children will be declared. It might be sneaky but it works.

  7. Sing-A-Long

    Music calms even the most bitter of hearts. It might sound corny, but having the family gather to sing holiday classics is a perfectly brilliant idea. Consider yourself the pied piper. Whether around the piano, or a karaoke machine, get everyone involved in the singing. Smirks will be replaced with smiles. Laughter will begin to spread around the room. Music has remarkable abilities.

  8. The Governor Has Issued a Pardon

    It is time to forgive. You have fought with your sister for 10 years and nothing has been resolved. Issue a full and completely absolving pardon. Be the bigger person. Forgiveness can be the best gift you give this holiday! Use this season to begin a new and positive chapter in your family relationships.

  9. Sometimes You Just Have To Laugh

    Just like music, humor has astonishing abilities. Despite your best efforts to avoid it, a full-blown dramatic explosion has occurred right in your living room. Tears are flowing. The screaming match has begun. What are you going to do? First address both parties in a calm voice, then try to find something—anything—to get them to laugh.  Once you can get them smiling and hopefully laughing, the tensions will wash away behind a tide of laughter.  You haven’t solved the issue, but the drama bomb has been defused.

  10. Give Thanks

    In the bigger picture, isn’t it wonderful to even have a family? So many people are completely alone in this world. As your family sits around the table eating dry turkey, a man is huddled up behind a grocery store dumpster seeking scraps. A woman sits alone in the dark crying as addiction has destroyed her life. Children, orphaned and homeless, dream of what life must be like for children who have the things they so desperately miss. There, but for the grace of God, go I. Get on your knees and give thanks for this grace, and everything else will seem small in comparison.

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A Whole New World…

Good news! Kevin made it safely to Brazil! Here he is to tell the tale…

The Brazil trip has been a year and half in the planning with its fair share of ups and downs and close calls. All of us on the trip were preparing for the trip of a lifetime, and now we’re actually here. To finally see all the work that we put into the trip come to fruition gave a sense of completion to a long awaited end. However, this is just the beginning. Plane rides are not one of my favorite things in the world, and the flight to Brazil was ten hours long. Everyone around me was speaking Portuguese and everything was in a blur due to the Dramamine flowing through my system. I fell asleep to the in flight movie and woke up to a motionless neck that felt like it had been broken in my sleep. All I could do was sit there and think about how the first class people were comfortably reclining in their plush leather seats and sipping on whatever beverage their heart desired. The process of getting off the plane to getting through customs only took about thirty minutes. I was impressed at how quickly we got through and a little scared about how unsafe the whole process seemed.

 Brazilian people are by nature not loud folk. They keep to themselves and quietly converse in their own little groups. There is absolutely nothing hostile or threatening about them at all. But, I still wonder what they think of me as an Americans coming to their country. I tried to be on my best behavior and not make anyone notice me. The city where we are staying, Compinas, is about an hour outside of Sao Paulo. The bus ride was just one more trip where all I could do is sit and wait. In the past twenty four hours I had been on two planes and sat for about sixteen hours. Needless to say I was antsy and couldn’t feel my butt anymore. The last stage of the trip ended when we arrived at Faculdade Nazarena Do Brasi, the place where we will be studying for the three and a half months. If people complain about the facilities and accommodations at their college, they need to stay in the closet that I live in. Two people living in a twelve by twelve room. The two showers are shared by the twelve men on the floor and you can’t flush the toilet paper.

I wouldn’t trade it for anything. None of these things would keep me from discovering God’s purpose for me in Brazil and learning to function in a different culture. I expectantly await the rest of the semester and can’t wait to learn more Portuguese.

Abracos,

Kevin

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A Day in the Life

So, you  know how some days never go directly how they are supposed to?

I had one of those days on Wednesday. I woke up late, my car wouldn’t start and everything that would go wrong could go wrong. I was scheduled to work at 3 with nothing to drive to work. So, after I finished my final, I put on my mechanic hat and started to get to the bottom of the issue. I singlehandedly managed to get my car running and took it to an auto parts store to see if I had a bad battery. My diagnosis was correct, and I was pretty proud of myself. I checked my account balance to see if I had enough money to purchase a new battery. Having just bought Christmas presents for some of the people near and dear to me, I didn’t. So I started dialing…

One by one my burdens started lifting. I called my father and he agreed to send me money to purchase the battery. I called my mother for moral support, and she cheered me up. My brother helped out by giving his input on my car diagnosis. I called work to see if anyone could cover my shift. The first person I called agreed to cover my shift so I could focus on my two hardest finals. I was all of the sudden set up for success. I got the money, the nice man installed my battery, and I was good to go.

This is actually just one example of times God has lifted my burden this semester. When I thought that nothing seemed possible and I was doomed for failure, God saved the day. Every time that it has happened, I have stepped back in awe of his work.  I’ve got to give Him the credit that He deserves and so the next time that life gets you down to where you can’t get back up- He’ll help you out.
I hope you continue to have a very happy holiday season. Make sure to spend some extra time loving on your family. After Wednesday’s escapades, I know I will.

Peace and blessings,
Sarah Boston

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Sarah Boston is thankful to be home

Yay! It’s Thanksgiving! I am so excited to be at home with family for the first time since May. It has been awesome catching up with my mom these past few hours. The best thing about coming home for me is that I feel like absolutely nothing has changed. Sure there’s the latest scandal, but my house still looks like it did when I left, my brother and dad are in West Virginia deer hunting, and the family dog, Baxter, is just as happy to see me. I have a lot of reasons to be thankful, but we have all heard the broken record of things that we are thankful for family, friends, our jobs and the list goes on…
Yes, I realize that it’s not “bad” to be thankful for these things. In fact, I am very, very thankful for them, but I like to look at things differently. So when the family goes around the dinner table stating what they are thankful for this holiday season, I will be the strange one who doesn’t go for the ordinary. 
This year, I am thankful for laughter. Honestly, I feel like sometimes when life is about to drive me crazy, it’s laughter that saves me. I absolutely love to laugh and to make others laugh as well. It seems to be very therapeutic for me. I can laugh at my mistakes as well as others (as long as they let me). I can laugh in the happy times as well as the sad times. God has blessed me with this, and I thank Him for that. 
I encourage you this holiday season to not only take time to be thankful for the ordinary things, but be thankful for the abstract things as well. If it is one thing that I’ve learned throughout life, it is to be happy for the little things and small joys as well as the big ones. 
I hope that you have a very, very VERY happy Thanksgiving with all the trimmings and lots of laughs!
Sarah Boston
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My Rise and Shine Debut: A Blog About Being Thankful

Good Morning!

As a social media junkie I was shocked when I realized I have yet to post to The Morning Thing’s blog and this just won’t do. Since it’s the day before Thanksgiving, I obviously find the topic of thankfulness to be appropriate. (It’s a good thing I have a lot to be thankful for!) I could list off the things that always come up: family, friends, a brand new engagement (to a cute guy, to boot!),  all the wonderful things I’m blessed to have. But today I’m especially thankful for something not usually on that list, WNZR.

When I first arrived at MVNU I really had no interest in radio. Now, as the fall semester of my junior is coming to a close, I realize I don’t know what I would do without WNZR in my life! I’ve come to learn so many things in the classroom and in the studio and even on location that I probably wouldn’t have the chance to learn anywhere else. WNZR is like a second home. A place where I can come to learn, laugh, and be with people I love who are there for me when I need them.

With this in mind I can’t help but look back at the tragedy that began to unfold two weeks ago today. While I watched, waited, and eventually mourned with the rest of Knox County, I realized how thankful I was for WNZR. I was always able to flip on the station when I was commuting from MVNU to my house to hear the latest news, and I had to opportunity to be involved in the reporting first-hand when I attended one of the press conferences held at the sheriff’s office. Not only was WNZR a source of comfort in this terrible event, it was also a source of hope. Everywhere I turned I was bombarded with the terrible news but flipping to 90.9fm I was reminded of the hope we can have in Jesus Christ and the undoubtable power of prayer. It opened my eyes to a whole new appreciation for this radio station and all the good it’s done in my life.

So THANK YOU, WNZR! When it’s time to list what I’m thankful for and count my blessings, I know what will be on my list. I hope you and your family can count your blessings this holiday weekend and remember how much you have to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Kaylee

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Learning to Praise God in the Storm

Well, it has been a week.

Throughout all of the events that occurred on campus and the reported tornadoes and devastation in my hometown of Reedsville, Ohio, I have been stressed and worried for my dear friends and loved ones. I feel as though my entire way of life has been effected. I will admit that I am a bit of a control freak who likes to stay in her realm of comfort, so this has been a real stretch for me. But throughout my processing of these events, I feel like God is trying to tell me something. He is reminding me that He is in control and that I need to remember to praise Him throughout whatever problems I may face. Over the weekend I aspire to relax and spend sometime focusing on God’s promises and seeking His will for my life. Perhaps God’s telling me to give you this little reminder as well.

Have a great weekend!

God bless,

Sarah

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