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Welcome to Part 2 of the "Dear Mama" series! Today, I'm talking with my good friend and foster mom, Kristen Crew. Not only does Kristen genuinely care about people, she's also passionate about following Jesus and obeying God's Word, as you'll see from our Q+A! I've had a front row seat to Kristen's journey as she's lived out the Biblical command to care for the orphan, even when it meant taking in a child while pregnant! If you're currently fostering or you've ever thought about fostering, you're definitely going to enjoy reading her story. And to all the foster mamas out there, you are appreciated!
Meet Kristen Crew
Kristen likes to think of herself as your average mom who wavers between mental sanity and complete chaos on any given day. She's been married to her husband, Nate, for eight years, and spends a large part of her time chasing her three active boys, ages six, three and one. Upon closer examination, however, Kristen is anything but average. Just FOUR MONTHS after getting married, she and her husband moved overseas to pursue missions work. Several years later, they decided to pursue fostering the very same month they learned they were pregnant with their first son! In all her free time, Kristen works for a therapy company and is also active at her church where she serves alongside her husband in young adult ministry.
Q: What was your primary reason for pursuing foster care?
A: Nate and I wanted to practice what we preach in a tangible way, no matter the cost. The Bible talks about loving "the least of these (Matthew 25:40)," caring for the "orphan and widow in their distress James 1:27)," and loving "your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31)." As pro-life Christians, we believe every single life has the same amount of value and significance. That means whenever a mother chooses life for her child but is unable to care for that child herself, we have a responsibility to step in and help. We see through the Bible that God adopts us as his sons and daughters and gives us an inheritance, a hope and a future, even though when we have nothing to offer Him in return (Ephesians 1:5, Romans 8:23, Galatians 4:5). In the same way, we felt sure that God wanted us to love a child through foster care or adoption.
Q: When did you decide to begin fostering?
A: Nate and I moved overseas shortly after we were married to do missions work in the Dominican Republic. While we were there, we spent a lot of time working with orphans. When we returned to the U.S. the following year and realized we'd be here for the foreseeable future, we knew we wanted to continue living on mission the same way we did overseas. We both agreed that included foster care or adoption. In 2010, we entered graduate school as a young couple, but agreed to pursue foster care or adoption as soon as we were employed. Our prayer was that we wouldn't "merely listen to the word" and its truth, but that we would do what it says (James 1:22). The very first month we both found full-time career positions, we knew we had to do something, even if it didn't make sense or wasn't convenient (because it never would be!) We did some online research, then attended our local county's foster parent interest meeting. At one point, we briefly discussed whether we should look into international adoption or another route besides foster care, but we felt sure that this was exactly what God had for our family.
We immediately continued down that road, and got pregnant that very same month, even though we hadn't previously been trying for a biological baby. We didn't feel that my pregnancy changed God's plan for us and our future foster children, so we kept pressing on (even though everyone thought we were pretty much crazy at that point.) Our first biological son was born six weeks premature, spent some time in the NICU and was quarantined from small children for a short time after that, but when he was three months old, we accepted our first placement. That placement came back and forth quite a few times for various reasons, followed by a 10-month old baby for one month before he went to another home. Now, that first placement has been in our lives for three years and will soon be our son forever. He just turned six, and is the leader of the pack to our two biological sons who are three and one. Our home is never boring, to say the least!
Q: What does an average day in your house look like?
A: This is a loaded question. Flexibility within structure is what works for us. My husband is in full-time ministry and I work flexible hours from home, but we have small children and are also managing all that comes with raising a foster child. As a result, our daily life has looked quite different at different stages over the past few years. A week of a typical foster parenting may include a lot of contact with our child's social worker, scheduling around supervised visits with his biological parents, therapy appointments, and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) visits. Although every family's experience is different, it's absolutely possible and common for working parents to become foster parents. For mental health and your own personal sanity though, I do think options for flexibility within your work situation are lifesavers. However, I've also heard stories of countless individuals and families who are fostering with situations that I wouldn't describe as flexible, and it works for them.
Q: What would you say has been the greatest challenge of this process?
A: The challenges for me as a foster mom have really changed at different times throughout the process. It is important to say first though, that none of our challenges have ever made us doubt our initial pursuit of foster parenting or a day of caring for a child in need. Instead, all of them have brought us to our knees many, many nights and days, which has brought us into deeper relationship with the Creator of the universe, who through His sufficient grace (2 Corinthians 12:9) continues to transform us into who He wants us to be. I wouldn't trade in any of the challenges, what we've learned, who we've become, or how we have seen God use it all.
That said, our challenges have included everything from managing our child's behaviors and needs, fearing the unknown future, and dealing with the child's "case" within the court system. It's often his daily needs that bring us to the end of ourselves, leaving us empty and depleted. It is here that God meets us with his new mercies every morning (Lamentations 3:23) and endurance and hope amidst trial that only comes from faith in God's promises for His people. There are times, by God's grace and through His peace, that I haven't struggled with all the future unknowns, but then there are seasons when I play my own version of Randall and Beth's "Worst Case Scenario Game" on This Is Us. I have often been reminded in those times of how, with the Lord, we can laugh at the future as described in Proverbs 31:25 because we know Who holds it. God has, and always will, continue to be faithful, just like He's promised. The "case" is my own categorization of all the court proceedings, mandated supervised visits with biological parents that often come with a child's placement and affect them greatly, and the disheartening revelation of birth parents' choices and needs that affect everyone involved. We value the role of biological parents in each child's life and initially support reunification until it is proven that is not possible, so I tend to carry the weight of their struggles and what the child will have to face as they grow to understand. My husband is quick to remind me that God is a burden lifter and not a burden giver so I am to serve and give it to Him to carry.
Q: What has been the greatest joy?
A: I would sum it up by saying that my greatest joy is seeing God's faithfulness proven so true in all of our lives throughout this process. He has been faithful to meet me in the middle of the night when not a soul can help. His word and presence proves to be the refuge it promises. He has also been faithful to do a mighty work in our foster children, often tangibly showing us through their "case" that He cares about them more than we do. It has been so encouraging and rewarding to see undeniable growth and progress in the children in our care. We have countless tangible circumstances to look back on that we say "only God" that include a turn of events that led social workers and lawyers speechless and with jaws dropped out of shock at the unexpected events that led to important decisions regarding our foster son's future. It has been a joy to see the impact these foster children have in the lives of therapists, CASAs, social workers, lawyers, teachers, specialists, and to see God use our lives and our expressed beliefs as it intersects with their work regularly. The joy has been in taking one baby step of faith and obedience after the other, and seeing it be worth it every time, especially when that is done as family unit.
5. Looking back, what do you wish you would have known before you started fostering?
A: I have to admit I'm kind of an anomaly. I began reading books and blogs about topics such as transracial adoption and trauma in kids as far back as I can remember. On top of of that, my education, career path, and friendships all helped prepare me for our time as foster parenting, so there's not a lot that truly shocks me. There is one aspect of fostering that always comes to mind with this question, although I've never shared it before now and have never heard it discussed too much. I completely underestimated the impact becoming a foster family would have on our extended families. We are very close to our families, although even if we weren't, it would still impact everyone. Becoming a foster family has completely changed the dynamic for all involved and has added a layer of complexity that none of them signed up for when we chose to become foster parents. Everyone has handled it with unbelievably amazing grace, acceptance, love, and understanding, but it hasn't always been easy for all of us. I don't think you need the approval of extended family to become foster parents by any means, but we consider it our responsibility and joy to help educate them in the process and keep communication very open. We also have to offer a lot of grace especially since the entire family unit changes each time a child comes, goes, or deals with issues your family wouldn't otherwise have to face. We believe God wants us to be foster parents though, so we trust that by His grace, this is also good for all the cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents involved, and for God's glory. We are inexplicably indebted to and thankful for our family's support, help, and open arms since we became foster parents.
Q: What advice do you have for others hoping to travel down the road of foster care and adoption?
A: I agree with Jason Johnson in his book Reframing Foster Care (which is brand new and a must-read) when he writes, "Kids in crisis can't afford to wait until it's most convenient for us to care for them. They simply don't have that luxury. And maybe we don't either… at the end of the day, our 'no' will be much more difficult on them than our 'yes' might ever be on us." I don't believe it will ever be convenient or that your ducks will ever be in a row enough for foster care to "make sense," so seek the Lord, and take baby steps of faith and obedience as you see God lead you. Don't drown in the "what ifs" and the bigger picture… just do something. Not everyone should be a foster parent, but everyone should be involved in what God cares about, which includes the needy, the vulnerable, the voiceless. Don't avoid a leap of faith because of fear (of the unknowns, of the pain, or the life change). As the saying goes, "the will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you." Definitely reach out to me or someone else you know who has walked this road. I am always very happy to talk these topics. Ask anything you'd like, and respectfully understand if we cannot answer all things due to confidentiality restrictions and legal matters.
Q: What's one thing you've admired about your spouse through this process?
A: I admire how unwavering Nate is in his belief in God's word - enough to lead us in living out boldly, no matter the cost. Out of the overflow of Christ in him, he is freely able to love sacrificially, forgive, continue with endurance, and to do it all without complaining or doubting. Literally, I don't think I've ever heard him complain. I'm thankful he's been my partner in this road since the very first day until now.


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The German city of Munich, famous for rejecting Microsoft in favour of using Linux on its PCs, has voted to return to Windows.
After more than a decade of running Linux-based PCs, Munich city council has decided to switch about 29,000 PCs to Windows 10.
Back in 2003 the council decided to to switch to a Linux-based desktop, which came to be known as LiMux, and other open-source software, despite heavy lobbying by Microsoft.
But now Munich will begin rolling out a Windows 10 client from 2020, at a cost of about €50m, with a view to Windows replacing LiMux across the council by early 2023.

subset: commoncrawl


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We found this awesome list of survival medical supplies over at Doom and Bloom, and we have to give credit where credit is due, this is one of the most inclusive and exhaustive lists of medical supplies one would need for most any survival situation. In fact, it's more likely than not if you were to stockpile all of these items, you would be the new-age Dr. Quin Medicine Woman when SHTF.
We've also taken it one step further and have linked up the products we carry to the list of items in the article (isn't that sweet of us?). As a small side note, we did remove a few of the items on the list, partially for length and partially due to the repetitive nature of the original post. The article begins below.
List of Survival and Collapse Medical Supplies (Natural Remedies)
Here's my list of Survival and Collapse medical supplies with natural remedies included. We include natural remedies for first use or back up to save on items that won't be produced in an austere setting. Dr.Bones and I spend a lot of time and energy researching "back-up" plans for traditional medicine. We want you to have the ability to provide medical help in a disaster scenario, and for that, you'll need conventional medical supplies and some knowledge on what natural remedies are useful for certain situations. Below is a very ambitious list of things you should consider:
** Remember- the more options available, the more likely you will find something that works! **
- Oral antibiotics – (or if an emergency, fish meds)
- Antibiotic ointment and/or antibacterial herbal salves
- Ace bandages- multiple sizes
- Kerlix or rolled gauze
- Steri strips and butterfly bandages to close minor lacerations
- TONS of gauze/dressings (BOTH: sterile and non-sterile 4x4s. Include lots of non-adherent "telfa" pads so healing wounds won't stick to the dressing)
- ABD pads (usually 5×9), also called combine dressings
- Tapes- include DUCT, adhesive and paper ( for adhesive tape allergies)
- Quality bandage scissor/trauma shears ( ALL METAL, the plastic handle ones break cutting jean material!)
- Pliable splinting material ("sam" splints – everything from finger
- splints to 36 inch rolls that you can cut to size)
- Moleskin with padding – for blisters
- Scalpels (#10, #11, #15 most popular)
- CPR masks
- Paracord – multiple uses for this
- Nitrile gloves – hypoallergenic
- Antibacterial soap
- Syringes – for wound irrigation and cleaning
- Antiseptics – get lots of various solutions, Hibiclens is excellent
- Universal cervical collar
- OPAs (Oral Airways) – prevents occlusion of an airway due to an allergic reaction while waiting for the epi-pen or Benadryl to kick in
- Alcohol pads -to clean instruments/hands
- N-95s Masks (for healthy people to keep them from getting sick!)
- Dermabond (Rx) or super glue ( may burn the skin)
- Sutures – 2-0 nylon (don't bother with 3-0 or smaller unless working with delicate skin on the face, eyelids, etc.)
- Skin stapler/remover and 2 adson forceps (if you or someone you know knows how to use properly)
- Curved and straight Kelly clamps ( to remove foreign objects from wounds)
- Several large safety pins
- Magnifying glass
- Light source – Penlight, headlamp, glow stick, flashlight
- Some type of fire starter – to start fires for boiling water or sterilizing instruments. Include a container for boiling water in your supplies!
- Mylar blankets
- Wool Blankets
- Thermometer
- Ammonia inhalants
- Cotton Sheets – can be cut into strips for multiple uses, or used to carry patients
- Clotting powders like Quikclot, Celox – (cayenne pepper powder may help minor bleeding)
- Tourniquet- such as CAT, only use in severe bleeding that will not stop with direct pressure or clotting agents
- Snake bite kit – must use within seconds of the bite or it is useless
- Re-useable GEL packs- can be cooled OR heated
- Aquatabs – to help purify water
- Athlete's foot powder (lasts longer than creams)
- Monistat cream (or equivalent) – for vaginal yeast infections
Survival Dental Care
- Dental mirror
- Dental extractors/elevator
- Dental filling material ( commercial or mix zinc oxide powder and 2 drops clove oil),
- Baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and 2 drops of peppermint oil make a great gum treatment and toothpaste
- Hydrogen peroxide – makes a great oral mouthwash/gargle for gum swelling and irritations. Do not use on open skin wounds after the initial wound cleaning! HP may damage healing cells inside an open skin wound.
- Extra essential clove bud oil (numbs dental pain when applied directly
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Dental Floss
Miscellaneous Survival Items List
- Eye cup
- Eye wash
- Eye pads /eye patch
- Claritin (non-drowsy antihistamine)- hay fever/allergies
- Benadryl ( drowsy antihistamine) – allergic reactions to stings, medication, food, and contact with irritants
- Epi-pen (Rx), if needed for anaphylactic reactions
- Aspirin (not for children), Tylenol, and Ibuprofen
- Imodium – for diarrhea
- Hydro-cortisone cream – anti-inflammatory, good for rashes
- Vaseline/Petroleum jelly – a million uses! Great to make non-stick dressings.
- Aloe vera – for burns
- Gatorade or rehydration tablets/powders- for rehydration drinks ( to tx dehydration)
- Multi-vitamins, extra vitamin C (tablets and powder), zinc, and other supplements to strengthen the immune system
Survival Medical Kit List. How big is too big?
What do you guys think? Is the list too inclusive, is it missing something big? What would you add?
Emergency first-aid education and medicine
To learn more about emergency first-aid education, medicines of all sorts, and highly specialized kits visit Joey and Amy Alton over at Doom and Bloom. They are the authors of the #1 Amazon Bestseller and 2017 Book Excellence Award winner in medicine "The Survival Medicine Handbook".
See their articles in American Survival Guide, Survivor's Edge, Backwoods Home, and other great magazines. For over 1000 articles on medical preparedness in wilderness, disaster, or other austere settings, go to their website at Doom and Bloom.
The opinions voiced by Joe Alton, M.D., and Amy Alton, A.R.N.P. are their own and are not meant to take the place of seeking medical, this website, or help from a qualified healthcare provider.


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Mission Style Furniture
Mission Furniture style has simple lines and flat panels that accentuate the grain of the wood. Mission Furniture style originated in the late 19th century as a reaction to the excesses of Victorian times. This plain furniture is upright, solid, and suggestive of entirely handcrafted furniture.
You'll love the American made top quality Mission Furniture at Fireside Furniture. Come on in, see it and try it in our many room settings.
Showing all 6 results
Mission Style Dining Set
Mission Style TV Console
Mission Style Sofa
Mission Style Dining Room Set
Mission Style Bedroom Set
Mission Dining Room Set
We are only able to show a small portion of what we sell in our store on this website.
We know from experience that seeing and trying furniture is the best way to shop and get furniture that looks good in your home and works for you.
Come on in. We promise a "no pressure" shopping experience.


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Folk Art Carved Morel Mushroom Sculpture, Mid 20th c.
Folk art carved morel mushroom sculpture
The rough, uneven surface of this delightful sculpture suggests it was carved with a chain saw, possibly from a telephone pole.
America c. Mid 20th c.
31" tall
The base, which has suffered from sitting on the ground, has been filled and stabilized.
Back to Art


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Celebrity Cruise Suites
Celebrity Cruises' Suite Class Experience
Encounter the true meaning of modern luxury with Celebrity Cruises® Suite Class — one of the most luxurious experiences at sea. Celebrity Cruises Suite Class experience includes exclusive privileges and benefits unique to this category.
The Suite Class experience includes an exclusive, suite-only restaurant. Available morning, noon, and night, every meal features unique menus that offer sumptuous dishes not available anywhere else on board. You'll savor dishes inspired by the local destinations visited and prepared with the world's best ingredients — from locally caught seafood to the freshest pasta. Your Suite Class Chef can also provide tailor-made dining experiences to ensure your meals are exactly as you like them. And, your sommelier will select from more than 500 wines to create the perfect pairing for any meal.
And, as a suite guest, you have complete flexibility to dine wherever you choose: the main restaurant, in-suite (for a more intimate dinner), or in any of our specialty restaurants (complimentary reservations are provided to our Royal Suite, Penthouse Suite, and Reflection Suite guests).
You'll also have access to an additional, private venue in Michael's Club, complete with a Personal Concierge who's at your service for dinner reservations, booking Celebrity Shore Excursions, recommending local restaurants in the destinations we visit, arranging rental cars, and more. Michael's Club is available 24 hours a day and reserved exclusively for Celebrity, Signature, Royal, Penthouse, and Reflection Suite guests. You can also enjoy complimentary cocktails before dinner during our daily "Happy Hour," enjoy unique food and beverage experiences with menus crafted by our James Beard-featured chef, catch up on your reading with a wide selection of magazines, newspapers, and books, or just kick back and relax in this cozy lounge that's dedicated to you.
Enhancing your vacation with our Suite Class experience is just one more way we're making living the suite life on board even sweeter.
Best Celebrity Suite Cruise Deals
Celebrity Infinity
Roundtrip Miami
Dec 16, 2019 - Mar 23, 2020
- Up to $1700 ONBOARD CREDIT: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
- Pick 2 to 4 Amenities: + Up to $400 Onboard Credit + 50% OFF 3rd/4th Guests
- American Express Savings: up to $300 Onboard Credit + Bottle of Premium Champagne
- $50 Onboard Credit
- $25 Onboard Credit
Celebrity Equinox
Roundtrip Fort Lauderdale
Nov 16 - Dec 28, 2019
- Up to $1700 ONBOARD CREDIT: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
- Free Upgrade: from Ocean View to Veranda
- Pick 2 to 4 Amenities: + Up to $400 Onboard Credit + 50% OFF 3rd/4th Guests
- FREE Gratuities: Exclusive Offer on select Caribbean Sailings
- Celebrity's Last Minute Deals: Exclusive Savings
- $75 Onboard Credit
Celebrity Millennium
Vancouver to Seward
May 22 - Aug 28, 2020
- Up to $1700 Onboard Credit
- Special Resident Rates
Celebrity Summit
Roundtrip Bayonne
Jun 28 & Jul 26, 2020
- Up to $1700 ONBOARD CREDIT: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
- Pick 2 to 4 Amenities: + Up to $400 Onboard Credit + 50% OFF 3rd/4th Guests
- $25 Onboard Credit
Celebrity Silhouette
Roundtrip Southampton
May 1, 2020
- Up to $1700 ONBOARD CREDIT: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
- Pick 2 to 4 Amenities: + Up to $400 Onboard Credit + 50% OFF 3rd/4th Guests
- $50 Onboard Credit
Celebrity Eclipse
Vancouver to Honolulu
Apr 10, 2020
- Up to $1700 ONBOARD CREDIT: EXCLUSIVE OFFER
- Pick 2 to 4 Amenities: + Up to $400 Onboard Credit + 50% OFF 3rd/4th Guests
- $50 Onboard Credit
All offers are based on select sailings and categories and are subject to availability at time of booking. All rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Exclusive Services
- Priority check-in when boarding the ship
- Priority embarkation /early debarkation
- Priority selection of dining time (main restaurant)
- Priority Main/Specialty restaurant seating preference
- Reserved theater seating
- European-trained butler service to help with packing & unpacking, dining reservations, spa appointments, shore excursion bookings, full in-suite breakfast, lunch & dinner service, complimentary in-suite espresso and cappuccino beverage delivery, in-suite afternoon tea service, daily evening hors d'oeuvres, daily news delivery, and shoeshine service.
- 24-hour complimentary room service
- Shoeshine service
- Destination Concierge
- Michael's Club Concierge
- In Room Massage (at a fee)
- Private fine jewelry viewing
- Personal Shopper
- Express embarkation in ports of call
- Luggage Valet (Celebrity fee) - Complimentary
- Personalized Concierge service
Suite Amenities and Experiences
- Daily delivery of afternoon savories
- BVLGARI luxury bath amenities: shampoo, hair conditioner, shower gel, body lotion & bar soap
- Additional custom bath products: nail kit, shower gel and mending kit, cotton balls and cotton swabs & shower cap
- Slippers
- Fresh Flowers
- Welcome gift - Bottle of Wine
- Exclusive access to Suite Only restaurant
- Daily fresh fruit platter
- Turndown chocolates
- Michaels Club Concierge Lounge
- VIP Embarkation Lounge
- Unlimited Complimentary Specialty Dining
- Bottle of vodka and a bottle of either scotch or gin with accompanying mixers
- Daily stocked Complimentary Mini Bar of Water, Sodas, Beer
- Complimentary Premium Beverage Package (member's choice)
- Internet -unlimited minutes
- One complimentary dinner for all guests in suite (cruise of 6 or 7 nights) and two complimentary dinners for all guests in suite (cruise of 8 nights or more) in a specialty restaurant.
Stateroom Features
- Celebrity eXhaleTM bedding featuring custom premium mattresses, plush duvets and pillows, and 100% cotton linens.
- Hansgrohe showerhead
- Dual iPod/iPad docking station
- Plush 100% cotton bathrobe
- Hair dryer
- Pillow menu
- Complimentary use of golf umbrella and binoculars
- Separate Living area
- Baby Grand Piano
- Private Entrance
- Whirlpool on Veranda
- Walk in Closet
- Powder Room
- Cantilevered Bathroom shower
Amenities, services and suite features vary by ship and categories.


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Few Things We'd Like to Share 🙂
JUST SOLD: Luxury Estate at Disney Golden Oak
Luxury Estate in Disney Golden Oak, Florida. Sold by Irma Yapor. .read more
Orlando among the top of 'likely to move' list
IRVINE, Calif. – Aug. 16, 2018 – ATTOM Data Solutions' Q2 2018 Pre-Mover Housing Index finds that Chicago, Washington, D.C., Orlando, Tampa-St. Petersburg and Atlanta posted the highest pre-mover index in the second quarter of 2018 in the larger-metro category. ATTOM...read more
Disney Golden Oak – 9720 Vista Falls
Live the Disney Magic every day at Villa Hermosa in Golden Oak at Walt Disney World® Resort. Live the DISNEY MAGIC every day at DISNEY GOLDEN OAK, enjoying year-round Disney Resort concierge service with the renowned Four Seasons Resort at your doorstep. Learn more...read more
Irma Yapor selected as a Premier Realtor by Orlando Magazine 2017
Irma Yapor, has been selected as a Premier Realtor and featured in Orlando Magazine ~ June 2017 edition. Irma G. Yapor is Real Estate Broker Associate/Owner and Branch Manager of eXp Realty in Windermere, FL. With her 38 years in the Greater Orlando area and extensive...read more
Local Real Estate Professional Recognized for Million-Dollar Successes
PRESS RELEASE UPDATED: DEC 7, 2016 12:05 EST Windermere, FL, December 7, 2016 (Newswire.com) – Irma Yapor with Real Property International has earned the Million Dollar Guild (GUILD) Recognition® owned by The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing®. The GUILD recognition...read more
Just Sold on the Butler Chain in Windermere
This awesome lakefront Estate on Lake Butler of the Butler Chain of Lakes was sold by Irma Yapor who represented the buyers.read more
Just Sold in Keene's Pointe, Windermere
After only 37 days in the market, this beautiful golf estate in Keene's Pointe was under contract. Sold by Irma Yapor, representing both seller and buyer.read more
Just Sold in Heathrow, Lake Mary
This wonderful pool home in Heathrow, Lake Mary, FL was sold by Irma Yapor who represented the buyers.read more
Lakefront Mansion for sale in Keene's Pointe, Windermere
Extraordinary French Country Estate on the Butler Chain of Lakes in desirable Keene's Pointe, Windermere, FL. Spanning over 7800 SF, this magnificent waterfront residence welcomes you to an elegant living area with a dramatic focal point of the tropical salt water...read more
Realtor.com: First look at 2017 real estate market
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Oct. 19, 2016 – The 2017 home buying season will be see a large increase in first-time homebuyers, according to realtor.com's latest Active Home Shopper Report, and an increased demand for suburban homes. However, buyers will also face greater...read more


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An article I found, but I don't know who the author is...
Colorguard, a sport or an art? Actually, it is a combination
of the two. Due to the fact that colorguard may be included in the next Olympics as a sport, the art/sport is gaining popularity.
Colorguard started when someone realized that the combination of military drill (marching) and the use of their
flags, sabres, and rifles had potential to be an awesome sight. Over the years men and women of all ages have started to loosen
their bodies and incorporate dance into a "show". During the winter months and into spring, performers and instructors create
shows, and compete as a Winterguard. Shows are put to music, and performers combine their bodies, facial expression, eguipment(flags,
riles, and sabres), and minimal props to create a show. The shows are meticulously picked over, and made "clean"(put together)
with the help of talented performers, and dedicated instructors. With ever evolving shows, performers compete
with other groups in their class. They are judged and recieve scores based on their performance. Judges also make tapes to
help groups improve trouble spots over their next weeks practice. The Winterguard season is over after Championships. There
are many different classes of championships, the world, national, and regional are just a few. The Colorguard
experience itself is like no other. The performers are in constant motion for multiple hours of intense practice. Practices
can be more than 12 hours long, and require a person who doesn't give up, and who can put a smile on their face and perform
when they haven't had sleep for 24 hours. The performers have to learn to break down walls, and open themselves to criticism
which will help improve their talent. Physical tolerance is needed to put together running, dancing, and equipment work at
the same time. Although Colorguard is by definition a sport due to its physical and competitive aspects, it is
also considered an art. The performers use the elements of expression, and their equipment to tell a story. The music, and
scenery set the stage, and the performer completes the show. Colorguard is an awesome experience to the performer,
and the spectator. As Colorguard continues to become more popular, remember the performers and instructors who make this beautiful
art possible.


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"Is this 'Eat Street'?" Tao Lin asked me as we stood at 33rd and Nicollet in Minneapolis, not a restaurant in sight.
No, I explained, that was actually still several blocks north—and I'd been a bit optimistic to think we'd have time to walk there, eat, and walk back by the time his reading at the Paper Darts Pop-Up was due to start.
"Well," he suggested, "let's just go back to that place"—Pat's Tap—"and we can sit in a corner or something."
I'd initially been unsure of whether we should go to Pat's, given that it was immediately adjacent to the reading venue and I had no idea how many of Lin's tens of thousands of fervent fans would possibly show up and possibly want to ask him for autographs, photos, or Sharpie tattoos while we were trying to talk about...whatever it was we were going to be talking about.
As it happened, the attention Lin and I got while sitting at Pat's was limited to a wave across the room from a mutual acquaintance. My uncertainty as to whether the reading would be a sparse crowd or a mob scene (answer: somewhere in between) was just one of the uncertainties attending my role as facilitator/interlocutor at the Minnesota stop on Lin's tour promoting his new novel Taipei—a semi-autobiographical novel that includes much discussion of the protagonist's general anxiety and discomfort regarding book tours.
I'd been selected for the gig in part, I surmised, because I spend a lot of time involved in that sector of the Internet where Lin is not just "this man who's getting all kinds of media attention" but a deity-like figure who's inspired countless writers—most younger than his own age of 29, most self-published on Tumblr, PDF, and Twitter—with his precise, deadpan prose.
There's more information online about Lin, much of it written by the author himself, than about almost anyone else you'd care to mention, and still, no one knew exactly what to expect at Lin's Minneapolis appearance. As has often been said about Bob Dylan, Lin is hidden in plain sight.
One of the things I, and everyone at the Paper Darts reading (co-presented by Common Good Books), learned is that Lin's frustrated by the negative portrayals of him and his work that have been propagated by the likes of publishing insider Sarah Weinman, whose recent tweet suggesting that Lin's career is a "long con" was mentioned by an attendee at the Minneapolis reading. Lin has taken strong exception to that tweet, and is generally seeking to dispel the notion that his writing is a sort of game or put-on.
Another thing I learned is that Lin, unlike many authors, not only reads all his reviews but is unafraid to publicly talk about them. We spent a few minutes of our time at Pat's on our iPhones—me reading the L.A. Times review of Taipei ("reading this text is not unlike staring fixedly at a blank wall") and Lin reading my quasi-review of the new book by Marie Calloway, a writer he's championed.
We talked about Marie Calloway, and about Megan Boyle (a writer whose relationship with Lin was among the inspirations for Taipei), and about why the writing of authors like Lin and Calloway rubs a lot of people the wrong way.
Part of that is to do with the substance of each writer's work (questions of gender and power, for example, come into play), but part of it is—I suggested—a disconnect between people who regard tweets as "writing" and those who don't. One reason Lin is so beloved by the online creative writing community is that he's both demonstrated and argued for the legitimacy of online writing, including private writing like chat messages, as a compelling means of literary expression and human connection.
Consider this excerpt from Boyle's "poetry" book selected unpublished blog posts of a mexican panda express employee, published by Lin's press Muumuu House:
sometimes being with people is fun but other times it feels like i'm operating myself from a distance, telling myself i'm having a good time
i am an introverted person but i like approval
john stamos probably thinks he will be the new george clooney someday
In contrast, consider Jennifer Egan's "Black Box," a short story written to be tweeted (by The New Yorker, no less).
"Shall we swim together towards those rocks?" may or may not be a question.
"All that way?" will, if spoken correctly, sound ingenuous.
"We'll have privacy there" may sound unexpectedly ominous.
That rang false to me, and was largely ignored by fans of writers like Lin, because it felt forced: conventional literature shoehorned onto Twitter, rather than literature written in the manner that tweets are written. If you find it hard to explain or care about the difference between those two types of writing (or if you think the difference is largely a matter of spelling and punctuation), you're especially apt to be confused or put off by Lin's style—even the relatively conventional style of a book like Taipei, which Lin told me felt to him like the "complete opposite" of the more plainly descriptive, less interior style he used for his previous novel Richard Yates (2010).
As we finished our meal and got ready to head over to the reading—at Lin's encouragement, I chased my PBR with a shot of tequila—Lin asked whether there was any particular section of the book I wanted him to read so we could talk about. I was at a loss, since after hearing reports that Lin didn't particularly love being asked about his prose style or his relationship to the idea of autobiography, I'd prepared a set of questions that didn't make direct reference to the text. He'd asked earlier, though, what I thought of the book's idea of "singularity"; since I hadn't immediately been clear about what he meant by that, I suggested he read a passage that spoke to that idea.
The brief passage he chose had the character Paul arriving in Taipei and musing on the digitizing cosmos.
From the perspective of the computer at the end of everything, which he would be a part of and which would synthetically resemble an undifferentiated oneness, it didn't matter if he had never kissed a girl, was too anxious to communicate with his peers, had no friends, etc.
There's bleakness there, but also freedom; alienation, but also connection. Which side of the Tao Lin coin you see may depend on which side of the Internet you woke up on.


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good morning bigmoosers,
sorry about last week, i hit a wall.
i have been very naive, and i didn't see it coming.
last friday i had a combination of factors that influenced me, and as i sat before my keyboard, i just couldn't write anything, and as i sat there trying, so it became harder to even start, and i eventually concluded that it wasn't going to happen, and i typed what i now realise was probably a cry for help.
i truly didn't want to, as i really do not behave that way in normal life, but maybe on reflection i needed help, i needed a load of you guys to contact me to see if i was ok, maybe my situation craved help.
apparently so.
i think the reason for my dark fog last week was made up of a number of factors, all playing their part in weighing me down, and now i have had a chance to look at what caused the engine not to start, i feel confident i can avoid a recurrence, and i am really glad i have shared it with you, as it shows that this kind of stuff can hit at any time.
firstly, i have been aware that returning from a successful summit of the highest mountain in the world often brings a wall that climbers are renowned at hitting full face afterwards, and i had expected it in 2014 when i returned having been turned around by the death of 16 sherpa, but it never came, and i put this down to the creation of bigmoose, and the energy that this gave me.
this time however, i had seen a couple of cracks from fellow summiteers, but i didn't feel it myself, as i was still very excited by the work that bigmoose was doing, helping others with mental health issues, helping them with running, being a part of a caring team, and all the benefits that our runners are experiencing, as well as getting very close to signing the lease for our coffee shop, and what that will do for others as well.
all super exciting things, which i hoped would stop me from hitting that wall.
but here's how last week panned out, and it appears, face planted me slap bang against the brickwork!
i have been meaning to write a book for some time, and having been given a book on 'how to write a book'.
i read it, and concluded to make my commitment, get myself an accountability partner, thanks pedro, and get writing.
all well and good, but here's where the naivety came in.
i have told this story to a couple of people since last week, and i think the analogy works.
if i presented you with a black box, and told you that it was a jack in the box, and it was a pretty scary character that was inside the box, and that it springs out fast, you would be ready and prepared, and as you pressed the button, you would more than likely be totally ok, as you knew what was going to happen.
however, if i just smiled and put the box before you, and told you to press the button with no warning, the result would probably be very different.
my life has quite a few black boxes, which i have packed up, put in the darkest corner in the loft of my mind, and they have stayed there for decades.
as i merrily set about writing about my life during the early years, where i had some traumatic stuff go on, i completely forgot what was in the boxes, and as i pressed the buttons the emotional connection to these things was revisited, and i didn't realise how they would affect me so powerfully.
my naivety was such that i didn't expect the consequences of revisiting this time, and unbeknownst to me, it was to have a rather profound effect, which enveloped me in a way i hadn't expected.
i have also been struggling to pay the remittance of my everest costs, which has been adding a huge pressure, as i feel guilt at having achieved something amazing, but not having paid my dues for that feeling of euphoria, which i think has led to me hitting the wall that i thought might happen, but i have done it by running into it with both eyes closed.
add in the awful terrorist attacks in spain, the second of which i woke to read about last friday, and i think i just shut down.
this is very outside my normal world, but i have to say i am kind of glad it has happened, as i hope i can learn from it, and i vow not to let it happen again if possible.
whilst writing my book, i am now looking forward to see any potential jack in the boxes, and as they approach i will be ready.
regarding everest, i have done some research on the matter, and i am in the 'what next' phase, that people that do this kind of thing have, and it is a question that been asked a lot, and i have answered with 'have a rest', 'spending time with my family', and now 'writing a book', but i have to say it does add a certain pressure, which i have to manage in my own way.
i also need to pay russ as soon as possible, as i need this part of the journey to be over as soon as possible, as it is no doubt adding pressure to me and to him.
so, last friday i slowly picked my game up, and that night i had an invite to a party that my climbing mate doogy was having to celebrate his wife's birthday, and as the rain poured down like a winter's night i really didn't want to go.
however, i stepped out into the rain and made the journey across town, and entered the happy atmosphere, drank a couple of martini espressos and had some lovely conversations with new faces, stayed long past the witching hour, and i think got myself back on track.
this week i feel a lot more like me, and the writing has been going really well, so hopefully the demons have been exorcised, but it has shown me that we can all get hit by mental health problems at any time, and i must never underestimate the negative power that can be produced.
i wasn't sure if sharing this in such detail was the best course of action, but hopefully it was and it explains things properly.
cheers for getting in touch last week, your text, call, e-mail genuinely really helped, and maybe the takeaway from all of this is that we all sometimes need to reach out if we think someone needs our help, and maybe on reflection it happened to me for a reason, and if that makes you think about how you see things in a different way, that is a great thing right?
i'm a big fan of learning from adversity, and allowing it's power to be used in a way that produces a positive outcome long term.
have a great week ahead, help anybody you can, and if you need help, ask for it, there's a lot of kind people out there.
blue skies,


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Happy Halloween!
We went over to Aunt Jaime's house for HOT soup & dessert then waited for the rain to stop coming down. This was Davis' first year to experience the door to door trick or treating. Believe it or not he really got what was going on & kept his costume on during the whole time. YEAH!
Jaime is a spider web & Darlene is a scary witch. Davis was really scared of her.
Great costumes Ladies!
We started the day off with a trip to the pumpkin patch, we were the only ones in costumes at that time.
Davis is Frankenstein & I'm Frankenstein's wife.
This ride was so fun, and yes me & my mom got to ride in too. I was super fun!


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- Featured
US Coins
World Coins
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The latest issue in the America the Beautiful (ATB) Quarter Series commemorates Fort Moultrie, a historic series of fortifications on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina. This is the fifth release in the ATB Quarter Series for 2016. These are now available raw and certified by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC). Secure yours today!
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The reverse of the quarter shows a design created by a member of the Artistic Infusion Program from the U.S. Mint. It depicts Sergeant William Jasper returning his regiment's flag to the ramparts of the fort. A British ship is pictured in the background with cannons blazing and gunpowder smoke billowing around it. The inscriptions "SOUTH CAROLINA," "FORT MOULTRIE," "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and "2016" all appear on the border encircling the design.
The obverse design is an American classic that was created back in 1932 by sculptor John Flanagan. It depicts a portrait of the first U.S. president and founding Father, George Washington. It is a detailed design that has remained on the U.S. Quarter ever since its creation. Inscriptions are "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and "QUARTER DOLLAR."
The 5 oz. Silver America the Beautiful Quarters also boast a smooth edge that is struck with a very special incuse inscription reading ".999 FINE SILVER 5.0 OUNCE."
On June 28th, 1776, British Admiral Sir Peter Barker led nine British warships to attack Fort Moultrie, then named Fort Sullivan. Still under construction, the fort was being built to guard the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina. The British warships bombarded the fort, yet the cannonballs had minimal effect. The walls were constructed out of local palmetto trees, and the soft wood simply absorbed the impact – some reports even stated that the cannonballs bounced off!
Sometime during this bombardment, William Jasper, a Sergeant in the 2nd South Carolina Regiment, found an opportunity to prove his merit. A shell from a British warship had smashed through the pole bearing his regiment's flag, leaving it lying on the ground. Jasper, in a heroic move, returned the flag to the fort, holding it high in the face of the British bombardment until a new flagstaff was erected.
At the end of the day, the 2nd South Carolina Regiment prevailed and the British warships were driven from the area with heavy damage. This was a major victory for the budding nation, and the fort was renamed after the commander of the Regiment, William Moultrie. The flag saved by the now-famous Sergeant Jasper, had actually been designed by the Commander and became known as the Moultrie Flag.
This historic fort has been commemorated forever with this latest release in the ATB Quarter Series. You can commemorate it as well, by adding one of these Fort Moultrie ATB Quarters to your collection!
Following in the footsteps of the highly popular State Quarter Series, the ATB Quarter Series began in 2010. This was authorized by the "America's Beautiful National Parks Quarter Dollar Coin Act of 2008." Every release in the series will commemorate a national park, historical site, or reserve from each of the 50 States and the District of Columbia. These are struck as clad quarters for circulation, proof silver quarters for collectors, and of course, 5 oz. silver quarters for both silver stackers and collectors.
These larger 5 oz. quarters are struck from .999 fine silver and have a three-inch diameter. These massive coins were a first for the U.S. Mint, and have certainly become very popular among collectors. They are issued in two different versions; a Mint State, lightly mirrored bullion coin for silver stackers, and a Specimen or "Vapor-blasted" version for collectors.


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How Many Calories Should I Eat To Lose Weight
Understanding calories
Calories actually shouldn't be your area of focus to lose weight.
Yes, you read that right.
Calories are not the answer when it comes to weight loss. The media and society in general have unfortunately led you astray.
The truth about weight loss is that you don't have to do that much at all to see results.
Why you don't need to worry about caloric intake
Calories are basically energy units of foods. These energy units can be found in various sources such as fat, carbohydrates and protein. Each of these foods provide calories for the body and are used for various uses in it.
The key source here is fat. Fat, believe it or not is not your enemy. What you should really be concerned about is what your carbohydrate is and how you can reduce it. Carbohydrate intake has a direct relationship with the rate of weight loss you will experience.
You see, carbohydrates convert to glucose in the body much more readily than other sources of energy. Insulin is released by the body to control blood sugar levels. Insulin is also responsible for moving excess sugar to storage; aka fat. It is important to understand that the reason the body does this is either to prevent blood sugar from skyrocketing, or to store energy (such as fructose from fruit) for later use.
Controlling insulin levels in the body is crucial to both losing body fat and maintaining body fat percentages.
How to control insulin levels
Basically, you should be trying to achieve and maintain a state of automatic fat burning for energy by the body. This state is called ketosis.
Ketosis is a state in which the body is in harmony enough to convert to using fat as its primary energy source. This is the body's preferred way of operation and will result in automatic, effective and safe weight loss. As you may assume, this process isn't short term. It is most effective as part of a long term lifestyle change.
That's right, there is no magic pill for weight loss. The solution is to make the changes that you know you need to make. If you' don't know what changes you should be making, don't worry. I've put together a simple, 7 step course which will educate you on what you need to change in your diet right now to see results in as soon as a month from now.
Think about it, if you don't do anything today, how can expect to see results in future at all?
Once your body is fat adapted, you will have more energy, never have to worry about fat loss again and you'll also avoid more illness.
After all, why wouldn't you want to take the easy way out and allow the body to do what it knows how to do?


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Phil Ochs Tribute: An Evening Of Authentic Folk Music at The Found
2010-12-14 · By Editor
On Sunday, December 19, 2010 The Found Theatre Presents Phil Ochs' 70th Birthday Celebration With Carolyn Hester, Ross Altman, Len Chandler, Neil Hartman, Drayfus Grayson, Lenny Potash, Eva Scherb and Smithsonian Folkways.
From I Ain't Marching Anymore, To There But for Fortune, Phil Ochs was the troubadour of the 1960s antiwar movement, America's rebel with a cause, who nonetheless maintained, "Ah, but in such an ugly time, the true protest is beauty."
A Small Circle of Friends Celebrate Phil Ochs 70th Birthday on Sunday, December 19, 2010, at 7:00 pm at The Found Theatre, 599 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach.
Tickets for the event are $7. For additional information visit www.foundtheatre.org or call (562) 433-3363.


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Some of the claims and counter-claims on a slew of topics related to Cannabis use and regulation, for example, "Cannabis is as addictive as heroin", "Cannabis causes schizophrenia", and one of the latest in a long line of headlines that should be called imaginative journalism at best, "Cannabis regulation leads to increased traffic fatalities", are just some that pop up, again and again, in news articles and online. They sound true to some, perhaps because they are repeated so many times and because they are often said to be based on scientific evidence. In the United Kingdom (UK) the Telegraph ran the headline in 2015; "Cannabis as addictive as heroin, major new study finds". On the surface this claim reads as if it were backed by scientific evidence. But, as is so often the case, it wasn't. The International Centre for Science in Drug Policy (ICSDP) tasked itself with determining the strength of scientific support for such 'Cannabis Claims' and narrowed down the list of most oft used falsehoods to thirteen (see all Cannabis Claims at the end of this article), finding that not one of the claims was strongly supported by any scientific evidence.
As a neuropsychopharmacologist at the Imperial College London, Professor David Nutt studies the impact of drug use on the brain. On the whole, his years of research on drug use has taught him a major overarching lesson that we are much more likely to demonise drugs for their negative effects than consider their neutral or potentially positive impacts. Or, in scientific terms, there is a built-in bias in the scientific literature, textbooks and the popular press towards highlighting the negative aspects of drug use. And more ink has dried on Cannabis (a herb) than any other substance, perhaps because it's the most widely used illegal substance and the subject of intense debate concerning its regulation. Professor Nutt's research focuses on neurological function and he often comes across claims about Cannabis' impact on the brain. You've likely heard them too, including claims that Cannabis use lowers IQ by up to 8 points and that use causes schizophrenia and impairs cognitive function in the long term. What's fascinating about these claims is that they're almost always purportedly "based on the scientific evidence", but we already know this is not the case. The ICSDP reports addressed this head-on by evaluating the science in support of some of the most high-profile claims about Cannabis. The results are compelling: taken together, they demonstrate how easily evidence can be twisted to support political ends.
An example, often-repeated, is that Cannabis causes a drop in IQ of up to 8 points, the major finding of a 2012 report from Duke University (North Carolina, United States [US]). But, these results were based on one very minor study and the 8-point drop in IQ was observed in only 38 individuals (3.7% of the total sample). In 2014 a University College London report was published that re-examined this issue in another group of young people, with a sample size over twice as large as the Duke study and taking into account alcohol use, cigarette use, maternal education and other potential confounders. The result? The authors found no association between Cannabis and IQ at all, not even among heavy Cannabis users. It is clear that we are some way off from a final answer to the question of whether Cannabis is ever harmful to intelligence.
Another example of deceit is that science does not suggest Cannabis is as addictive as heroin, in fact, science tells us Cannabis is not an addictive substance at all. Around 147 million people worldwide (2.5% of the world population) have used Cannabis with no clear evidence of any withdrawal syndrome, let alone dependence. A lifetime of Cannabis use carries a low risk of dependence (9%, less than one in ten people). Rates of lifetime dependence to heroin, by contrast, are about one in four. The risk of dependence is very low among those who report using it for one year (2%) or even 10 years (5.9%). This is much lower than the estimated lifetime risk of dependence to heroin (23.1%).
The question, "Does Cannabis use cause schizophrenia?" is still routinely answered by mainstream media and many in both private and public health systems, the pharmaceutical industry and law enforcement (just to name a few with a seemingly vested interest in the illegality of Cannabis) with a resounding "yes", but they are all patently wrong. While studies have shown Cannabis use is associated with schizophrenia, this is a very different claim. Scientists suggest people at risk of schizophrenia might actually use Cannabis to mitigate early symptoms of the condition and that this is the reason for the association. The claim, then, confuses correlation with causation. Furthermore, if Cannabis use caused schizophrenia, we would presumably see changes in schizophrenia rates based on levels of Cannabis use. But during a period when Cannabis use increased fourfold in the UK (1970–2010), the incidence of schizophrenia remained essentially stable. In 2013 research by Harvard Medical School, published in Schizophrenia Research from a comparison between families with a history of schizophrenia and those without, found little support for Cannabis use as a cause of schizophrenia. "The results of the current study suggest that having an increased familial morbid risk for schizophrenia may be the underlying basis for schizophrenia in Cannabis users and not Cannabis use by itself".
Cannabis impacts the very system that research suggests has a major role in schizophrenia, the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which is involved in neurotransmission and regulation of functions such as sleep, cognition and emotion. The ECS is also involved in reward processing, which recent findings suggest is deficient in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Matthijs Bossong, PhD, of the Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Centre Utrecht in the Netherlands explained in Psychiatry Advisor, "It has been shown that patients with schizophrenia have enhanced levels of endogenous cannabinoids as measured both in their blood and cerebrospinal fluid and neuro-imaging studies and post-mortem examinations have shown that they have increased levels of cannabinoid receptors in their brains".
Bossong co-authored a review in 2014, Role of the Endocannabinoid System in brain functions relevant for schizophrenia: An overview of human challenge studies with Cannabis or Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), in the journal, Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, while at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, which provided further support for the involvement of the ECS in symptoms of schizophrenia. "For many brain functions, such as memory, executive function and emotional processing, we found striking similarities between 'Cannabis-intoxicated' healthy volunteers and non-intoxicated schizophrenia patients", he said.
"Does Cannabis regulation lead to more traffic fatalities as a result of people driving while affected by Cannabis?" In the state of Colorado (US), recreational Cannabis use and possession was regulated in 2012. Since then, traffic fatality rates have been below the yearly average seen since 2002 (over a decade). So, there isn't any evidence to suggest regulating Cannabis will lead to more people involved in deadly car crashes. This claim seems to be rooted in the assumption that impaired driving will increase because Cannabis use will increase under a regulatory scheme. It is therefore worth emphasising that scientific evidence has not found an association between levels of Cannabis use and any national Cannabis policies.
It is important to note that responsible regulatory schemes would not legalise driving under the influence of Cannabis. It remains an offence in Colorado and indeed the law has arguably been tightened with new Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) blood limits, increased enforcement efforts and a public education drive funded in part by Cannabis tax revenue. Importantly, compared to prohibition, Cannabis regulation allows for detailed public education and awareness campaigns to prevent any perceived risky behaviours, such as impaired driving, as has occurred with drunk driving. Interestingly, experts agree the risk of motor vehicle collisions is much lower for Cannabis use compared to the risk associated with alcohol use. The impact of alcohol intoxication on driving should therefore remain a far greater public health concern.
In Washington state (US) where Cannabis was legalised and regulated in 2012, members of law enforcement, Sheriff John Urquhart of King County and John Schochet, Deputy City Attorney for Policy and Constituent Affairs from the Seattle City Attorney's Office, shared their thoughts on how regulation has impacted impaired driving (excerpts from a September 2015 interview with responses condensed for clarity).
Q: "A claim we often hear is that Cannabis regulation will lead to greater impaired driving. What has your experience of Cannabis impaired driving been since legalising and regulating Cannabis markets in Washington State?"
A: John Schochet: "Cannabis legalisation does not seem to have increased DUI's overall, though it might be that some Cannabis DUI's are substituting for alcohol DUI's. Overall, DUI increases are not an enormous problem when it comes to marijuana* legalisation".
A: Sheriff Urquhart: "The Washington State Patrol's numbers indicate that, despite the legalisation of recreational marijuana*, driving under the influence (DUI) has not measurably increased".
Q: "How has Initiative 502 (Washington State's Cannabis legislation) impacted the way individuals are convicted of driving under the influence of Cannabis?"
A: John Schochet: "First, it's worth emphasising Cannabis legalisation didn't mean impaired driving was legalised. What it did do was make it easier to convict people who are actually driving 'stoned' (impaired), rather than those who simply show evidence of Cannabis use in their blood. There are two substances that can be determined by a blood test; Carboxy-THC and active THC. Carboxy-THC doesn't indicate impairment because it stays in your blood for a long time. It just shows that you used Cannabis at some point. Active THC actually shows impairment. Without other evidence of impairment, basing conviction on carboxy alone is unreasonable. But before 502, a lot of people were being convicted of driving under the influence of Cannabis based on just carboxy in the blood" (as is the case across Australia where no impairment is required for law enforcement to interfere with the healthcare of sick and suffering, sometimes dying, otherwise law-abiding citizens).
A: Sheriff Urquhart: "Investigating impairment solely for marijuana* use has historically been a little tricky. The officer would have to prove impairment based on his or her observations of the driver and often a drug recognition expert would have to observe the driver as well. With the new 'per se' limits on THC, however, it has become much easier to investigate and prosecute a driver for being impaired solely from marijuana*".
Q: "Given all your experience, how do you respond to the claim that we shouldn't legalise and regulate Cannabis because it will lead to more 'stoned' drivers?"
A: John Schochet: "Is there a concern with impaired driving? Absolutely. It's a huge issue with alcohol and has been for a long time. But our response isn't to ban alcohol. Our response is to go after people who drive impaired and to engage in public safety campaigns. So when it comes to impaired driving, I view it as something we should be worried about, but it is not a justification for banning marijuana*".
A: Sheriff Urquhart: "The truth of the matter is that regulation will come with harms. The key is weighing the costs and benefits of a regulated v's unregulated market. We have been fighting a futile drug war for over 40 years. I'm pleased we are not allowing the fear of change to impede the search for a better way".
A: Sheriff Urquhart: "The truth of the matter is that regulation will come with harms. The key is weighing the costs and benefits of a regulated v's unregulated market. We have been fighting a futile drug war for over 40 years. I'm pleased we are not allowing the fear of change to impede the search for a better way".
The examples of fact over fallacy given are only a few of those reviewed by the ICSDP 'Cannabis Claims'. The main conclusion is that, for the most part, the global conversation around Cannabis policy still remains mired in unscientific claims. And that can and does have serious consequences for the effectiveness and potential harms of Cannabis policies in many countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and both the UK and US (just to mention a few).
Given the conflicting findings on this issue, why do any of these dangerous claims continue to circulate as if unequivocally true? Part of it has to do with our appetite for discovery: our society is wired, for better or for worse, to celebrate and obsess over technological and scientific breakthroughs. So when a new scientific finding is made, particularly about a substance like Cannabis that so many people are familiar with, it makes headlines. Unfortunately, it seems that after those initial "discovery moments," our collective interest in the issue wilts away. Put another way, the initial studies always make headlines, in both the scientific and popular press; the corrections and conflicting findings that come a year, two years or five years later? Not so much.
In Canada during the 2015 federal election the then Canadian government's production of anti-Cannabis public service announcements drew the ire of the country's main physician group, the Canadian Medical Association, which refused to endorse the so-called 'educational campaign' because it believed the ads were serving political rather than educational goals. In the US and elsewhere, third-party advocacy groups continue to spread disinformation about Cannabis. Kevin Sabet, director of Smart Approaches to Marijuana*, an anti-regulation group in the US stated on CNN that Cannabis "is a drug that can result in serious, long-term consequences, like schizophrenia", a claim that is not backed by any science. In Australia the leader in 21st century 'reefer madness' is the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre, NCPIC (federally funded, i.e., with tax-payer dollars added to regularly by pharmaceutical industry funds and 'donations'). The President of the Australian HEMP Party noted in September last year that, "With statements like, 'Cannabis is addictive and there's no proof it's useful for medical purposes', the NCPIC needs to grow up ... 'It's as addictive as tobacco with severe withdrawal symptoms and it causes lung cancer' is more reefer madness nonsense from them ...".
According to Professor Nutt, the other main reason that false claims about Cannabis continue to circulate is a little more insidious. It boils down to the trust we place in our gut feelings and the way that we've been educated about drug use in general. Using substances like Cannabis, we've been taught, makes you stupid. So when those ignorant of the truth about Cannabis see a headline touting scientific evidence consistent with how the mainstream has been educated to feel about Cannabis, it becomes very appealing as a way to validate our gut instincts. When that science is shown to be equivocal or false, though, there's a lot more work that has to go into adjusting those same instincts. Instead of changing our minds based on the evidence, it is much easier just to ignore it. The end result is too often that the many scientific corrections, refutations and re-interpretations of the evidence just get swept under the carpet. We don't want to believe we have been misled for all these years.
There's one more important reason, Professor Nutt believes that reporting on Cannabis science tends towards the negative; money. Scientists examining the health and social impacts of substances are usually funded by government agencies and they often highlight the negative effects of substances to justify their own source of funding. If a scientist can show that a substance is harmful, then they can show that it's important to do more research on the topic to protect society. The more harmful the substance appears to be, the more critical it is to fund research on it, so their funding is perpetuated. By contrast, if use of a substance appears to have only benign effects, then why would governments bother spending more research money on it? This cycle has perpetuated a scientific industry intent on demonstrating the harmful effects of substances like Cannabis, precisely because doing so allows the industry to justify its own existence. Of course, one of the major consequences of this cycle is that research on the potential benefits of substances gets sidelined, for example with not nearly enough government funding for studies on Cannabis' health benefits.
There is a massive and growing scientific literature on Cannabis. And yet, for all its complexities and contradictions, we only tend to hear about the most negative study outcomes. When people state with conviction that Cannabis causes a loss of IQ points, or causes schizophrenia, they are absolutely wrong in their certainty. Whilst the evidence accumulates, we need to remain open-minded to the possibility that Cannabis does not impact IQ or cause schizophrenia. Understanding the scientific evidence on these issues, which the ICSDP's reports help us to do, is the first step towards having an informed discussion about how we as a society should treat Cannabis. The harder part is understanding and overcoming the many obstacles that restrict the use of that same evidence in our public discourse.
*Cannabis sativa L., is the correct botanical term, marijuana* is a North American colloquialism
#CannabisClaims is a campaign by scientists and academics to set the record straight on thirteen of the most oft-repeated claims on Cannabis use and regulation, none of which are strongly supported by the scientific evidence. As more and more jurisdictions reconsider their Cannabis policies, the public discourse is filled with conflicting evidence about the impacts of Cannabis use and regulation.
Adapted from, Separating Fact From Fiction In The Cannabis Debate with Here's Why We Hear So Many False Claims About Cannabis, How Cannabis Legalization Has Impacted Impaired Driving in Washington State, Impact of Regulation on Drug Crime & Impaired Driving, Using Evidence to Talk About Cannabis, Toward a Global View of Alcohol, Tobacco, Cannabis, and Cocaine Use: Findings from the WHO World Mental Health Surveys, Marijuana and Driving, Epidemiology and consequences of drinking and driving, Drug use and fatal motor vehicle crashes: A case-control study, Marijuana use and motor vehicle crashes, Schizophrenia and Psychoses/Cannabis and Schizophrenia -Trigger or Treatment


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My backlist is host to a wide variety of books from many genres. This one happens to be from the non-fiction science section.
The Universe (Collins Discover)- August 8, 2006 – by Peter Grego
Overall, a pretty good book. It felt like a mini-textbook to me, like the ones from school days in the 1980/90's. I do wonder if all of the pictures were "as taken" photography or "computer rendered."
The book mentions astrology, as an early reason for astronomy, and then dismisses it as "insubstantial" with no basis in science. It mentions the stone medicine wheels with astronomical alignments as being something Native American and used for religion and cosmology. (Absolutely no mention or distinction as to which tribes, which nations, used these. It's 7.65 million square miles of people lumped together.) Stonehenge got a shout out and picture all to itself.
It's always interesting when science books write in absolutes of things that are likely true, but are yet to be proven beyond all shadow of a doubt. For example, "intelligent Martians have never existed." I'm quite sure that back in 2006, there hadn't yet been a team of archeologists on Mars. In fact, the book later mentions that we haven't put human Earthlings on Mars yet. I'm not sure science has irrefutable evidence to prove that there weren't intelligent Martians at one point, perhaps millenniums before humans came into existence. I'm just saying that I feel there should have been a disclaimer, an "as far as we know right now."
Pluto is a planet in this book. #PlutoLives Though the author lists reasons that it might be reclassified. Then again, UB313, Planet X is also listed as the tenth planet. (In 2018, that's now a minor-planet called Eris. See what I mean about disclaimers?)
It talks about binary star systems, which is the reason I picked up this book in the first place. Much more common than our single sun solar system, these multiple star systems are out there. Along with places that have three or eight or who-knows-how-many stars with a common center. This interests me because of a fantasy story I'm writing where the world has a binary star system.
The book gives several ideas of ways to learn more and offers plenty of science links. Overall, not a bad bit of quick education. Easy to read and understand.
Enjoyed #ReadABookDay ?
Consider making it last for a week!
Your "to be read" book stack will thank you.
2018 Tackle Your TBR Read-a-thon Sign-Up #TackleTBR https://t.co/zOg5Uhmxik pic.twitter.com/CXXfFdNc99
— J Lenni Dorner (@JLenniDorner) September 7, 2018


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Get the Best Deals on Shopping
If your ultimate goal is to get the very best deals on shopping, you definitely need to start re-thinking just how you approach your regular shopping. While many people think that it is the end of the year holiday shopping that actually blows their budget, in reality, it is their regular shopping that ends up blowing things out of proportion.
If you are the type that is still conducting your regular weekend shopping trips at the mall, you are seriously missing out on some big savings opportunities. Take a regular pair of jeans, for instance. If you go into a mall with the intention of buying a pair of jeans, first off, you may not even make it into your intended store before you get sidetracked buying something else. Whether it is a new pet toy at the pet store, a $5 drink at the juice shop, or a gadget at the electronics goods shop, that trip to the mall is going to end up costing you a lot more than you had planned on spending, even before you set sights on your beloved pair of jeans. When you finally do reach the store selling your jeans, you are going to end up spending more at that store than you had meant to as well. Why is that? Stores are designed strategically to sell you items that need to be rotated, and they also have to include in the prices the cost of overhead, such as rent, utilities, and employee wages. If you are serious about saving a bunch of money, you need to avoid heading into physical stores altogether.
But just shopping online is not going to net you the best deals either. If you really want to save money, you need to find the very best source for the items you seek. Instead of just doing a general search on the Internet for the item that you want, check out a much more targeted source of savings, such as Charlotte Russe's Groupon Coupons page. Here, you will find incredible deals on everything from pants to swimwear, and these deals will save you a ton of money on each and every shopping trip you go out on.


text: hello friends. 2012 is upon us and i couldn't be happier, 2011 was a tuff year for so many people that are close to me. but 2012 is looking shiny and bright and is going to be jam packed full of amazing/special/happy moments, i just know it. my christmas break was full of fun, so many catch up's with family, friends, dinner parties, beach, road trips, cocktails, paddle boarding, renovating, beautiful presents and loads of time with mr bell. it was perfection and just what i needed before i head back to work for another busy afl season. after the lovely rachel from in spaces between posted her inspiration board for 2012 it got me thinking about what i want from the next 12 months… by the way you must read rach's stunning blog, pop over to inspacesbetween.com for inspiration from the clever witty words of a beautiful person that i am lucky enough to call my friend. so back to the inspiration board, i have included the main ones wedding planning, engagement party and health. this year it's all about being the healthiest me i can be. the fridge is going to be jam packed with everything deliciously green and healthy and the routine of pre-work pilates and body pump will become the norm. i will travel this year, starting off with a quick trip to bali (thanks to mr bell, epic christmas present) and will hopefully head to london and europe for christmas with the in-laws. we will finish renovating our house, we are currently extending our deck and i cannot wait for it to be finished. making house is my current obsession. we will be holding our engagement party at home, so the renovations will need to get cracking for hopefully a march engagement party. i cannot wait to have all the people we love so dearly in the one place all together, and of course event styling is a love of mine and the thought of styling my engagement party gets me pretty excited. we will plan our dream wedding and i will design a dress that will be everything i want it to be. we are waiting to hear back from our venue and once we hear from them it's all go on the wedding planning front. i will be sharing with you on peppa hart bride all the adventures along the way. i will start an online store with my beautiful best friend courtney, which has been a dream of ours for quite some time. it will happen this year. and most importantly i will cherish my loved ones. i am extremely lucky to have beautiful friends, family and fiancé. i will cherish all the moments i share with these very important people. 2012 is the year, it's all happening and it will be one that i will never forget, holy excitement to see what's in store x p.s click on my inspiration board to see it a little clearer. Sophie Bell9 January 2012inspiration, 2012Comment Facebook0 Twitter LinkedIn0 Tumblr 0 Likes


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...but that's not why we do it
Post date: Apr 6, 2011 2:32:10 AM
A few days back my friend asked me: 'You must have thought of pros and cons before doing this? like risk-return?'.
I said: 'I should have done that, but we don't look for risk-return in everything. do we?'
Some investments are better without a return and sometimes we just like it that way. If we get a result it may never be as beautiful as it was. On the similar lines, sometimes things don't go the way we wanted but we feel happier. There are things in life we do just for sake of doing it and not for any return and these are the things which make us feel good. On lighter note as Richard Feynman said 'Physics is like sex. Sure, it may give some practical results, but that's not why we do it'. Well... this applies to many wonderful things in life including some relationships.


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Crash the Commons
Crash the Commons is an event put on by the fraternity and sorority community where students can team up with their residence hall or apartment complex to compete in activities like giant twister, balloon toss, and a hula hoop pass to win a "piece" of the student union. If participants don't want to compete in the "resident wars" aspect they can just show up for free food, free t-shirt (first 300), photo booth, human bowling, and other fun activities! A dance party will immediately follow the event!This year the event is glow themed and tons of glow in the dark items will also be given out!


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Thursday morning August 18
Friday morning
Wednesday morning
Opening response
Lord, open our lips
and our mouth will proclaim your praise.
Prayer of thanksgiving
Blessed are you, Sovereign God, creator of all,
to you be glory and praise forever.
You founded the earth in the beginning
and the heavens are the work of your hands.
In the fullness of time you made us in your image,
and in these last days you have spoken to us
in your Son Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.
As we rejoice in the gift of your presence among us
let the light of your love always shine in our hearts,
your Spirit ever renew our lives
and your praises ever be on our lips.
Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God forever.
Away, My Needless Fears
Charles Wesley
Away, my needless fears
And doubts no longer mine!
A ray of heavenly light appears,
A messenger divine.
Thrice comfortable hope,
That calms my troubled breast;
My Father's hand prepares the cup,
And what he wills is best.
He knows whatever I want;
He sees my helplessness,
And always readier is to grant
Than I to ask his grace.
My fearful heart he reads,
Secures my soul from harms,
And underneath his mercy spreads
Its everlasting arms.
If what I wish is good,
And suits the will divine,
By earth and hell in vain withstood,
I know it shall be mine.
Here is firm footing; here,
My soul, is solid rock,
To break the waves of grief and fear,
And trouble's rudest shock:
This only can sustain
When earth and heaven remove:
O turn thee to thy rest again,
Thy God's eternal love!
Here then I doubt no more,
But in his pleasure rest,
Whose wisdom, love, and truth and power
Engage to make me blest.
Confession of sin
O King enthroned on high,
filling the earth with your glory:
holy is your name,
Lord God almighty.
A time of silence and self-examination may be kept.
In our sinfulness we cry to you
to take our guilt away,
and to cleanse our lips to speak your word,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
May the God of all healing and forgiveness
draw us to himself,
and cleanse us from all our sins
that we may behold the glory of his Son,
the Word made flesh,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
The Word of God
Psalm 113
From sunrise to sunset, let the Lord's name be praised!
Praise the Lord!
You who serve the Lord—praise!
Praise the Lord's name!
Let the Lord's name be blessed
from now until forever from now!
From sunrise to sunset,
let the Lord's name be praised!
The Lord is high over all the nations;
God's glory is higher than the skies!
Who could possibly compare to the Lord our God?
God rules from on high;
he has to come down to even see heaven and earth!
God lifts up the poor from the dirt
and raises up the needy from the garbage pile
to seat them with leaders—
with the leaders of his own people!
God nests the once barren woman at home—
now a joyful mother with children!
Praise the Lord!
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and will be forever. Amen.
From sunrise to sunset, let the Lord's name be praised!
Psalm prayer
From sunrise to sunset,
we praise your name, Lord;
may your promise to raise the poor from the dust
and turn the fortunes of the needy upside down
be fulfilled in our time also,
as it was in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Psalm 115
The Lord remembers us and will bless us.
Not to us, Lord, not to us—
no, but to your own name give glory
because of your loyal love and faithfulness!
Why do the nations say,
"Where's their God now?"
Our God is in heaven—
he can do whatever he wants!
Their idols are just silver and gold—
things made by human hands.
They have mouths, but they can't speak.
They have eyes, but they can't see.
They have ears, but they can't hear.
They have noses, but they can't smell.
They have hands, but they can't feel.
They have feet, but they can't walk.
They can't even make a noise in their throats!
Let the people who made these idols
and all who trust in them
become just like them!
But you, Israel, trust in the Lord!
God is their help and shield.
Trust in the Lord, house of Aaron!
God is their help and shield.
You who honor the Lord, trust in the Lord!
God is their help and shield.
The Lord remembers us and will bless us:
God will bless the house of Israel;
God will bless the house of Aaron;
God will bless those who honor the Lord—
from the smallest to the greatest.
May the Lord add to your numbers—
both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth!
The highest heaven belongs to the Lord,
but he gave the earth to all people.
The dead don't praise the Lord,
nor do those who go down to silence.
But us? We will bless the Lord
from now until forever from now!
Praise the Lord!
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and will be forever. Amen.
The Lord remembers us and will bless us.
Psalm prayer
Living God,
defend us from the idols which our hearts enthrone,
that we may not go down into silence
but be raised to our heaven of heavens
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Old Testament reading
2 Samuel 15:13-37
A messenger came to David, reporting, "The hearts of the Israelites have gone over to Absalom." Then David told all the servants who were with him in Jerusalem, "Come on! We have to run for it, or we won't be able to escape Absalom. Hurry, or he will catch up with us in no time, destroy us, and attack the city with the sword."
The king's servants said to him, "Your servants are ready to do whatever our master the king decides." So the king left, with his entire household following him, but he left ten secondary wives behind to take care of the palace.
So the king left, with all his people following him, and they stopped at the last house. All the king's servants marched past him, as did all the Cherethites, all the Pelethites, and the six hundred Gittites who had followed him from Gath. The king said to Ittai the Gittite, "Why are you coming with us too? Go back! Stay with King Absalom. You are a foreigner and an exile from your own country. You just got here yesterday. So today should I make you wander around with us while I go wherever I have to go? No. Go back, and take your relatives with you. May the Lord show you loyal love and faithfulness."
But Ittai answered the king, "As surely as the Lord lives and as surely as my master the king lives, wherever my master the king may be, facing death or facing life, your servant will be there too."
"Okay then," David replied to Ittai. "Keep marching!"
So Ittai the Gittite and all of his men and all the little children with him marched past. The whole countryside cried loudly as all the troops marched past. The king crossed the Kidron Valley, and all the troops passed by on the Olive road into the wilderness.
Zadok was there too, along with all the Levites carrying the chest containing God's covenant. They set God's chest down, and Abiathar offered sacrifices until all the troops had finished marching out of the city. Then the king said to Zadok, "Carry God's chest back into the city. If the Lord thinks well of me, then he will bring me back and let me see it and its home again. But if God says, 'I'm not pleased with you,' then I am ready. Let him do to me whatever pleases him."
"Do you understand?" the king said to the priest Zadok. "Go back to the city in safety—you and Abiathar with your two sons, your son Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan. I will be waiting in the desert plains until you send word telling me what to do." So Zadok and Abiathar took God's chest back to Jerusalem and stayed there.
But David, his head covered, walked barefoot up the slope of the Mount of Olives crying. All the people who were with him covered their heads too and cried as they went up. David was told that Ahithophel was also among the conspirators with Absalom, so he prayed, "Please, Lord, make Ahithophel's advice foolish."
When David came to the summit where people used to worship God, Hushai from Erek met him. Hushai's clothes were ripped, and dirt was on his head. David said to him, "If you come with me, you will be a burden to me. But if you return to the city and say to Absalom, 'King, I am your servant! Please spare my life! I was your father's servant in the past, but now I am your servant,' then you can help me by countering Ahithophel's advice. The priests Zadok and Abiathar will be with you there. So report everything you hear in the king's palace to the priests Zadok and Abiathar. Their two sons, Zadok's son Ahimaaz and Abiathar's son Jonathan, are also there. Use them to report to me everything you hear."
So David's friend Hushai went into Jerusalem, just as Absalom was entering the city.
Silence may be kept.
New Testament reading
Acts 9:32-43
After eating, he regained his strength.
He stayed with the disciples in Damascus for several days. Right away, he began to preach about Jesus in the synagogues. "He is God's Son," he declared.
Everyone who heard him was baffled. They questioned each other, "Isn't he the one who was wreaking havoc among those in Jerusalem who called on this name? Hadn't he come here to take those same people as prisoners to the chief priests?"
But Saul grew stronger and stronger. He confused the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.
After this had gone on for some time, the Jews hatched a plot to kill Saul. However, he found out about their scheme. They were keeping watch at the city gates around the clock so they could assassinate him. But his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the city wall.
When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him. They didn't believe he was really a disciple. Then Barnabas brought Saul to the apostles and told them the story about how Saul saw the Lord on the way and that the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them about the confidence with which Saul had preached in the name of Jesus in Damascus. After this, Saul moved freely among the disciples in Jerusalem and was speaking with confidence in the name of the Lord. He got into debates with the Greek-speaking Jews as well, but they tried to kill him. When the family of believers learned about this, they escorted him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. God strengthened the church, and its life was marked by reverence for the Lord. Encouraged by the Holy Spirit, the church continued to grow in numbers.
Silence may be kept.
Gospel canticle
The Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah)
Lord, you have raised up a mighty savior for us in your servant David's house.
Bless the Lord God of Israel
because he has come to help and has delivered his people.
He has raised up a mighty savior for us in his servant David's house,
just as he said through the mouths of his holy prophets long ago.
He has brought salvation from our enemies
and from the power of all those who hate us.
He has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
and remembered his holy covenant,
the solemn pledge he made to our ancestor Abraham.
He has granted that we would be rescued
from the power of our enemies
so that we could serve him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness in God's eyes,
for as long as we live.
You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.
You will tell his people how to be saved
through the forgiveness of their sins.
Because of our God's deep compassion,
the dawn from heaven will break upon us,
to give light to those who are sitting in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide us on the path of peace."
Luke 1:68-79
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and will be forever. Amen.
Lord, you have raised up a mighty savior for us in your servant David's house.
Brief silence.
The Apostle's Creed
Let us unite in this historic confession of the Christian faith:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Intercession and thanksgiving
Prayers are offered
for the day and its tasks
for the world and its needs
for the Church and her life
Father, by your Spirit
Bring in your kingdom.
Silence may be kept.
Collect of the day
Almighty and everlasting God,
you are always more ready to hear than we to pray
and to give more than either we desire or deserve:
pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy,
forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid
and giving us those good things
which we are not worthy to ask
but through the merits and mediation
of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
The Lord's Prayer
As our Savior taught us, so we pray
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and forever.
The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil, and keep us in eternal life.


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Children's Ministry
Weekly Schedule:
9:30 am Sunday School
12:45 pm - 1:50pm
Sunday School
(All Ages) - 9:30 AM – Sunday school begins with a brief time of worship and prayer. We celebrate birthdays and collect an offering to support local ministries, such as those that fight trafficking. Following the worship time we go to our classes, which are divided into grades amongst students. For adults, we have two classes. The first is a bible study and the second focuses on relating our Christian faith to current cultural issues.
PREP4Kids – Our Portland Release-Time Education Program (PREP) is a ministry to children that attend Harold Oliver and Parklane schools. Both of these schools are next door to our church. PREP meets Wednesdays from approximately 1 - 2 pm during the school year, and is for grades K - 6. If you'd like more information about this ministry or wish to sign up your child, contact Chris Koch.
Click here to download a copy of the PREP4Kids Permission Slip
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is a week long summer day camp where children learn about the Bible and living a Christ centered life as they sing, watch skits, hear stories, play games, make crafts, and more. Specific information about VBS 2019 will be available in the spring.
If you are interested in volunteering next year, please contact Chris Koch or Andrea Covey.


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It's official: after 44 years, Dr. Jim Southerland, is "REEEEEEE-tired!"
Although the university commemorated the occasion at the faculty and staff appreciation day ceremony May 7 in Pearce Auditorium. President Ed Schrader quipped that "officially" in this case probably means "never." Most of the people in the audience, he noted, were not born when Southerland taught his first class at Brenau, and even those other honorees with decades of service to the university have never known a Brenau without Southerland.
Southerland started his career on the history faculty at Brenau while he technically was still finishing up his own student days as a University of Georgia graduate student. He tried retiring once, but Schrader pulled him back in as interim, then permanent, provost and vice president of academic affairs. With the arrival of Dr. Nancy Krippel in that post, he tried to make good on another escape, but got pulled into a special assignment to help complete feasibility studies for the most suitable academic programs in the current expansion to develop new health care professions doctoral programs. Recently, Southerland has been working on a book about his engagement with history in his early life and his thoughts on Brenau. The tentative title is Reflections of a Sharecropper's Son.
"My 44-year tenure at Brenau University touched on six decades," he said, "and during that time it has been a privilege, an honor and a pleasure to work with wonderfully talented faculty members, students and staff members at Brenau.
"I didn't think there was an appropriate opportunity to say this yesterday at the faculty recognition program. I would have been too emotional, and there were so many deserving individuals to honor. I want to thank those of you who were present for your sentiments. I greatly appreciated the standing ovation that you gave me. It has been a wonderful journey but, as they say, all good things have to come to an end. I had my day in the sun, and now I will move toward the sunset and into a new phase of my life. I look forward to the opportunity to travel more and spend more time with my family – especially my seven grandchildren."
"I wish you all well and hope to see you around in the future."