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I’ve spent the last few weeks listening, learning, and searching for something – ANYTHING – I could possibly do to offer some measure of support to those who are particularly vulnerable and heartbroken.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-_90p0cZlwVc\/Xu0j-ciyJrI\/AAAAAAAABe4\/VNtKJn5H6uYOR9B9ANb56pLJM6JACzPAACK4BGAsYHg\/s719\/MTCxmas.jpg\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"719\" data-original-width=\"558\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-_90p0cZlwVc\/Xu0j-ciyJrI\/AAAAAAAABe4\/VNtKJn5H6uYOR9B9ANb56pLJM6JACzPAACK4BGAsYHg\/s320\/MTCxmas.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #1d2129;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #1d2129;\"\u003EMany of you already know that I have a deep passion for serving my community through prison fellowship. At Christmastime in 2018, I told you about the women at Atlanta’s Metro Transitional Center who were in desperate need of basic personal care items. I asked for your help in gathering those items so that we could present them to the women as Christmas gifts, and WOW did you ever come through!! For about a week or so, I came home from work each day to mounds of Amazon boxes at my door. It was so overwhelming (in the best possible way) that I felt the need to put a sign on my door so that the Amazon delivery personnel would know the part they were playing in serving the MTC women. That whole experience was such a joy, and there’s no way it would have or could have happened without YOU.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #1d2129;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #1d2129;\"\u003EOnce again, I am coming to you today to ask for your help in serving the women of Metro Transitional Center. Living at MTC is a privilege that these women have earned. They work so hard in preparing for their release by participating in personal and professional development as well as a work release program. COVID-19 hit this community of women especially hard. Not only did they have an outbreak of the virus within the facility, but the work release program was suspended to help minimize the spread. Like many others across the US and the world, the only source of income for these women was abruptly cut off through no fault of their own, and the progress they were making toward their release came to a screeching halt.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-LEHwL-csNcw\/Xu0kO3maZgI\/AAAAAAAABfQ\/ZYEIIU7pmbUZg-ZrSLHIsKMMyoG-7LupQCK4BGAsYHg\/s722\/ChapSandra.jpg\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"720\" data-original-width=\"722\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-LEHwL-csNcw\/Xu0kO3maZgI\/AAAAAAAABfQ\/ZYEIIU7pmbUZg-ZrSLHIsKMMyoG-7LupQCK4BGAsYHg\/s320\/ChapSandra.jpg\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #1d2129;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #1d2129;\"\u003EIn addition to the devastating impact of COVID-19, a disproportionate number of the residents at MTC are women of color. They are hurting and scared by what is happening in the communities that they will soon rejoin. Chaplain Sandra Anderson is doing everything she can to serve their personal, emotional, and spiritual needs with the very limited resources available to her. Along with a list of very modest and basic items that she is collecting, Chaplain Anderson expressed a desire to provide journals to each of the women. She wants to give them an outlet to express their thoughts, feelings, fears, and plans for how they will make their own communities a better place when they are allowed to return to them.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #1d2129;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #1d2129;\"\u003EThis is where you come in!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #1d2129;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #1d2129;\"\u003EI have set up an Amazon wish list to collect journals for the women of MTC. If you feel led to do so, just click on the link below to purchase a basic black notebook (or several!) which can then be shipped directly to me. As I receive your donations, I will personally deliver them to Metro Transitional Center myself.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #1d2129;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #1d2129;\"\u003EIf you have been asking yourself, “What can I do?...How can I help?” – here is your answer. You can do THIS. You can show these women that…\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/hz\/wishlist\/ls\/S200CD1LOC55?ref_=wl_share\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"386\" data-original-width=\"517\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-5qoWvrTVYEE\/Xu0kZx283TI\/AAAAAAAABfc\/gYfviN1PKIsX-9xSJ0D_nHrTXRSaHZPXQCK4BGAsYHg\/s320\/journal.jpg\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #1d2129;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #1d2129;\"\u003EThey have not been forgotten.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #1d2129;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #1d2129;\"\u003EThey are loved.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #1d2129;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #1d2129;\"\u003ETHEIR. LIVES. MATTER.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E*********************\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/feeds\/9113093284191034517\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/2020\/06\/TheirLivesMatter.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5617703709209272834\/posts\/default\/9113093284191034517"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5617703709209272834\/posts\/default\/9113093284191034517"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/2020\/06\/TheirLivesMatter.html","title":"Their Lives Matter"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/18038313873825254338"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhTaIGZILVcpZXMDQGukjso9jh2HvmiD6gAdZBi6dxG7cA6RYqs9Ig-XXDY91aou8F1IbpyNTs33tf6qNQvaUKLsAwttPfjAJuQBL3N-fZzASDIyRTYr-LqSdztvnbxe10\/s113\/Watercolor+Amy.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-_90p0cZlwVc\/Xu0j-ciyJrI\/AAAAAAAABe4\/VNtKJn5H6uYOR9B9ANb56pLJM6JACzPAACK4BGAsYHg\/s72-c\/MTCxmas.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5617703709209272834.post-2229009533473744698"},"published":{"$t":"2018-12-03T13:14:00.002-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2022-03-30T12:54:08.272-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"faith"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Angels"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThe \u003Cb\u003ESECOND\u003C\/b\u003E thing I do each day is take Beasley out to take care of his morning business. I really do mean this is the 2nd thing I do. I literally just throw on some shoes and a jacket, and out we go – in all my Medusa quaffed glory. Apologies to my neighbors for the atrocities that I greet you with each day. Anyway, when Beasley and I go to his potty area the sunrise is behind us. Today when we turned around for the short walk back home THIS is what greeted us:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Uv_yDM8ZTKI\/XAX7hQzIU8I\/AAAAAAAABXI\/eCQYawGvHeIjWLlQYIijE3wdV-83vZeDQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Image_1%2B2018-12-03_19-20-13%2B%25282%2529.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"623\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"241\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Uv_yDM8ZTKI\/XAX7hQzIU8I\/AAAAAAAABXI\/eCQYawGvHeIjWLlQYIijE3wdV-83vZeDQCLcBGAs\/s640\/Image_1%2B2018-12-03_19-20-13%2B%25282%2529.jpeg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\nBut let me back up a little...\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: left;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-jK-57H9_ilI\/XAYGh7TsazI\/AAAAAAAABYM\/Gp7CaaPyaAwVl-QU9_WmVSyCu1bHzOxzwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Image_1%2B2018-12-03_23-40-28%2B%25282%2529.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"318\" data-original-width=\"211\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-jK-57H9_ilI\/XAYGh7TsazI\/AAAAAAAABYM\/Gp7CaaPyaAwVl-QU9_WmVSyCu1bHzOxzwCLcBGAs\/s200\/Image_1%2B2018-12-03_23-40-28%2B%25282%2529.jpeg\" width=\"132\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EFor Lent earlier this year, I worked my way through a daily devotional called “\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Pauses-Lent-40-Words-Days\/dp\/0835815048\/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=1543902095\u0026amp;sr=8-2\u0026amp;keywords=pauses+for+advent\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPauses for Lent\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E” by \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/trevor040451\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ETrevor Hudson\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E. I really loved its simplicity in that each devotion included a different “word of the day” and an easy “daily practice” that helped me stay present throughout the season. I even created iPhone wallpaper for each word, and I changed it out everyday so to be reminded of it every time I looked at my phone. I liked it so much that I am now following it up with Trevor’s “\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Pauses-Advent-Wonder-Trevor-Hudson\/dp\/0835817105\/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=1543902095\u0026amp;sr=8-1\u0026amp;keywords=pauses+for+advent\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPauses for Advent\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E.” Reading this devotion is the \u003Cb\u003EFIRST\u003C\/b\u003E thing I do each day.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nSo today’s word of the day was…ANGEL.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThe “daily practice” for today was just to stay alert and present to God’s surprises throughout the day and watch for angels in every encounter…and WOW did he deliver!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nEnter that stunning sunrise. Of course, the picture doesn’t do it justice. It was one of those perfect ones where you could actually see the clearly defined beams of light breaking through the clouds. I stood there and giggled to myself thinking, “show off.” Since it started with that sort of unexpected gift from my Main Man upstairs, I was actually excited for the rest of my Monday. I just knew it was going to be good. And it was.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhen I got to the office, I showed the sunrise picture to my co-worker and tried to explain what it really looked like. Her response was, “You know when I see things like that, I think that’s God just doing his thing.” Yes, girl. YES. ALLL the yeses! The rest of the work day was pretty standard. There were a couple fun surprises here and there, but then… \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nTHIS was the sunset that guided me home at the end of the day… \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7fcB09V7JcQ\/XAX9oFR10uI\/AAAAAAAABXs\/xyJj5V3zSL8ORNTUXfoL7PLT90sNUGpFwCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Image_1%2B2018-12-03_19-48-36.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"568\" data-original-width=\"1600\" height=\"224\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-7fcB09V7JcQ\/XAX9oFR10uI\/AAAAAAAABXs\/xyJj5V3zSL8ORNTUXfoL7PLT90sNUGpFwCLcBGAs\/s640\/Image_1%2B2018-12-03_19-48-36.jpeg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nCOME ON! Are you kidding me, God?!\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-_EQd19-hw4c\/XAa9eI-6dLI\/AAAAAAAABY8\/MnskjWI5hJgERn1DG9lViaCqDNO5u2tCgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/doritos.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"459\" data-original-width=\"489\" height=\"187\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-_EQd19-hw4c\/XAa9eI-6dLI\/AAAAAAAABY8\/MnskjWI5hJgERn1DG9lViaCqDNO5u2tCgCLcBGAs\/s200\/doritos.jpg\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EAs I approached the traffic light that marks the halfway point of my commute, I noticed a man with a sign who needed some help. I knew I didn’t have any cash (because I never have any cash. Shout out to all of the forgiving parking attendants out there!). Instead I grabbed the apple that I had in my purse – intended to be a nice healthy snack at some point in the day, but instead I opted for Cool Ranch Doritos (stop judging me! GAH!). I am going to choose to believe that if I had eaten the apple, then I couldn’t have had this next encounter, so those were divine Doritos, you guys. Anyway, I rolled down my window, and he walked over to my car. Before he could say anything, I told him, “I don’t have any cash on me, but I hope this will help a little,” and I gave him the apple. He looked at the apple and then looked back up at me and said one word, “ANGEL.” I was speechless. In my silence, he spoke up again saying, “Money is not the most important thing, you know. Thank you.” I asked him his name (it’s\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EMatthew\u003C\/b\u003E…because OF COURSE it is) and he asked me mine (it’s Amy). I told him I’d pray for him. He said he’d pray for me and blew me a kiss as I drove away. I’m not sure who the Angel was in the situation, but I don’t think it really matters.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThe last thing I did before turning my car toward home was stop by CVS to pick up a few things. As I was about to check out, I noticed that there was something going on in front of me at the register. A woman – white, probably late forties to early fifties – was profusely thanking a young man – African American, probably in his 20s. There were two CVS employees witnessing whatever was going on and their expressions were positively giddy. I had to ask what I had missed. Turns out, the woman couldn’t find her wallet, so she didn’t have a way to pay for the 3 gallons of water she intended to buy. Apparently this young man had been in line behind her and quickly offered to pay for her items himself. He did, and the woman immediately paid him back through Venmo on her phone (I mean, this is 2018 after all). As he left the store, the woman continued to pour out her gratitude, and just as he put his hand on the door to leave, she said to him, “You are”…wait for it…”an ANGEL.”\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nWhen I got home, I immediately sat down at the computer to tell you about this wonder-filled day. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIn Sunday's sermon at \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.prumc.org\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPeachtree Road Methodist\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E, Senior Minister Bill Britt talked about the wonder and hope of Christmas, and that if we pay attention, we can see miracles - and yes, ANGELS - if we train our hearts to recognize them. His closing charge to us was to think about the angels who are already in our lives. These are the people that give you living breathing proof of God’s constant presence and amazing grace through their words, actions, and love for us. In addition to the ones I met today, here are just a few of my angels:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-UQiwSVt0ex4\/XAX-UgzolcI\/AAAAAAAABX0\/sHhh4xNFHSY06hWHSxoV3x6Qnl2VVpCRgCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Image_1%2B2018-12-03_22-41-18.jpeg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"613\" data-original-width=\"574\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-UQiwSVt0ex4\/XAX-UgzolcI\/AAAAAAAABX0\/sHhh4xNFHSY06hWHSxoV3x6Qnl2VVpCRgCLcBGAs\/s200\/Image_1%2B2018-12-03_22-41-18.jpeg\" width=\"185\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\nMy dear friend \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/sarahcrossmansullivan.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESarah\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E who will send me text messages like this\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"color: orange; font-size: x-large;\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003E→\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\non any random day at any\u0026nbsp;random time…except I don’t believe it’s random at all. She serves as the hands and feet of Jesus in everything she does. I hope you have someone like her in your life.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\nThere is my friend, \u003Cb\u003EAmanda\u003C\/b\u003E who is one of the most generous people I’ve ever met. Her greatest joy is helping the people that she loves, and I am so fortunate to be one of them. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThen there’s \u003Cb\u003EEd\u003C\/b\u003E. He is 'Christian Soldier' personified. He has a heart on fire for service and has been teaching Sunday School to 3rd graders for I don’t even know how many years and has probably been an adult Bible study facilitator for almost as long. I am so grateful to have learned from him and been a witness to his leadership. I look forward to all of the things we have yet to learn together. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nMy college roommate and lifelong friend, \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/courtneydefeo.com\/about-courtney\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECourtney\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E, is on a mission to fill up every family with \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/This-House-We-Will-Giggle\/dp\/1601426062\/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=1543943898\u0026amp;sr=8-1\u0026amp;keywords=in+this+house+we+will+giggle\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Egiggles\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/courtneydefeo.com\/lightemup\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Elight up\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E every community with loving kindness. She never gives up and is always looking for new ways to offer a blessing to someone else. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAnd my yoga teacher, \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.jennykontosyoga.com\/aboutme\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJenny\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E. She is a warrior. She has been dealing with the kind of heartache that no one should have to experience. I never know what to say, because it's one of those things for which there are just no words. Yet in every one of her classes, she pours love into us through her silliness, encouragement, and gratitude. She is a bright shining light.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThere are also angels like \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.prumc.org\/bill-britt\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EBill Britt\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/northpoint.org\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAndy Stanley\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.louiegiglio.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELouie Giglio\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;and \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.churchofthehighlands.com\/about\/pastor\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EChris Hodges\u003C\/a\u003E \u003C\/b\u003Eand \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/www.msrachelhollis.com\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ERachel Hollis\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/lysaterkeurst.com\/lysas_story\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ELysa Terkehurst\u003C\/a\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003Eand\u003Cb\u003E \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/jenhatmaker.com\/about.htm\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EJen Hatmaker\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/b\u003E They have that way of digging deep into your heart – into the broken places, the hurting places – and holding space for you there while saying or writing the things you desperately need to hear. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThere are countless others in my life who bless me in every way imaginable and some unimaginable. I couldn’t possibly name them all. I don’t even know all of their names. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"color: orange;\"\u003E☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: orange;\"\u003E☆☆☆☆☆☆☆\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWho are the angels in your life?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EHow does God reveal himself to you through them?\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"color: orange;\"\u003E☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: orange;\"\u003E☆☆☆☆☆☆☆\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIt’s Christmas time – a season of hustle and bustle, family and friends, happiness and, for many, sorrow. God shows up in every circumstance and emotion every day of the year in the mundane, hum drum, routine of doing life. He’s always there. We just have to look for him and the angels he sends to deliver his indescribable love straight into our hearts. My prayer for you, dear friend, is that you will be alert to God's blessings all around you. My hope is that your Christmas season is filled with wonder, expectation, and mindfulness. A season of surprises. A season of miracles. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAfter all, the very first Christmas was the greatest miracle of all. Even that holy event began with a deeply personal and quiet message from God to a poor young girl in her ordinary life delivered by...who else? \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\nAn ANGEL.\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-AZBMrwxpD1M\/XAYTCQIbGlI\/AAAAAAAABYk\/wzNmvHqQroUygKb91zOHmWxj8pftLGgwQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/Immaculate-Conception.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"700\" data-original-width=\"565\" height=\"320\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-AZBMrwxpD1M\/XAYTCQIbGlI\/AAAAAAAABYk\/wzNmvHqQroUygKb91zOHmWxj8pftLGgwQCLcBGAs\/s320\/Immaculate-Conception.jpg\" width=\"257\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: #cc0000;\"\u003EMERRY CHRISTMAS!\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/feeds\/2229009533473744698\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/2018\/12\/angels.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5617703709209272834\/posts\/default\/2229009533473744698"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5617703709209272834\/posts\/default\/2229009533473744698"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/2018\/12\/angels.html","title":"Angels"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/18038313873825254338"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhTaIGZILVcpZXMDQGukjso9jh2HvmiD6gAdZBi6dxG7cA6RYqs9Ig-XXDY91aou8F1IbpyNTs33tf6qNQvaUKLsAwttPfjAJuQBL3N-fZzASDIyRTYr-LqSdztvnbxe10\/s113\/Watercolor+Amy.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-Uv_yDM8ZTKI\/XAX7hQzIU8I\/AAAAAAAABXI\/eCQYawGvHeIjWLlQYIijE3wdV-83vZeDQCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/Image_1%2B2018-12-03_19-20-13%2B%25282%2529.jpeg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5617703709209272834.post-5674212110306818122"},"published":{"$t":"2014-12-08T17:44:00.005-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2022-03-30T12:54:49.714-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"faith"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Compassion"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI had an experience in church yesterday that rocked me to my core, and I want to tell you about it.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nA little background first...\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9Q0DJesqrBk\/VIYjQMnL_gI\/AAAAAAAAA80\/VCipOOprHnA\/s1600\/Worship.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9Q0DJesqrBk\/VIYjQMnL_gI\/AAAAAAAAA80\/VCipOOprHnA\/s1600\/Worship.jpg\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EI LOVE my church for lots of reasons. It is very traditional which reminds me of the little church that I grew up in in Columbiana. I love singing hymns that are a hundred years old led by a big choir. I love reciting the Lord's Prayer and the Apostle's Creed. Over the last two years, I've become more involved in the church, beginning with\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cokesbury.com\/forms\/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=447208\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EDisciple I Bible Study\u003C\/a\u003E last year and continuing with \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.covenantbiblestudy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ECovenant Bible Study\u003C\/a\u003E currently. Through both of these experiences, I've met people that have supported and nurtured my faith and have helped me in ways I can't even number to grow in my personal relationship with Christ.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nA little bit about my church...It is HUGE and is in the heart of the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta. If you're not familiar with the area, it is very much an upper-middle to upper class part of town, so the congregation is full of beautiful families and beautiful people dressed in beautiful clothes. Our sanctuary is equally beautiful as is the music from our choir and the message that our pastor delivers every Sunday. All of this was consistently true yesterday, but someone stood out to me in a way that I don't think I will ever forget.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nJust as the service began, a gentleman came in and sat on a bench very near me under one of the church's several stained glass windows that line the walls of the sanctuary. Now, most people sit in the pews that face the front of the church. The benches along the wall are usually occupied by ushers, parents with fussy babies who might need a quick exit, late-comers, and\/or overflow on Easter morning. That being said, for whatever reason, I am so thankful that he chose this bench, because it was the closest one to me. Something seemed so fitting about the fact that the window over this particular bench depicts Jesus with His arms open wide sharing His Word with all who would listen from a boat on the Sea of Galilee \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/nlt\/luke\/passage.aspx?q=luke+5:1-11\" target=\"_blank\"\u003E(Luke 5:1-11)\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI noticed the gentleman immediately. He was maybe in his 50s (I'm terrible at guessing people's ages), and dressed in, what looked to be, his \"Sunday best\". He was wearing faded blue pants, tattered and worn bright blue tennis shoes, a gray button-down shirt, a red, white, and blue tie, and a black overcoat. He carried with him one of those recycling bags that they give away at Publix - it was full and the handles were tied together in a tight knot. I don't know if he was homeless, but it was obvious that he didn't have much to call his own...maybe just what was in that Publix bag. I didn't know, and I tried hard not to make assumptions about him.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-yK1z1F4WN8w\/VIYj5qj3Q8I\/AAAAAAAAA9U\/LjoMVVruyRk\/s1600\/rosewindow.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"196\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-yK1z1F4WN8w\/VIYj5qj3Q8I\/AAAAAAAAA9U\/LjoMVVruyRk\/s1600\/rosewindow.jpg\" width=\"200\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\nHe participated in all parts of the service though he never used the printed bulletin for recitations or a hymnal. Typically when the Gospel lesson is read, the standard response from the congregation is, \"Thanks be to God,\" but that was not the case for this gentleman. Maybe it was because I was acutely aware of his presence, but when he responded yesterday, I could hear his voice clearer than anyone else's as he said, \"\u003Ci\u003EThank you, dear God\u003C\/i\u003E.\" He wasn't loud, but there was something about the way he said it. It was like he was \u003Ci\u003Ereally\u003C\/i\u003E thanking God, and it was very unlike the response from the rest of us with our monotone words that roll off of our tongues seemingly on auto-pilot. His voice had real emotion in it. He was really thankful.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nThe service continued into the sermon titled,\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EShaken by the Present\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E. This was the second Sunday in \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.umc.org\/topics\/topic-advent-and-christmas\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EAdvent\u003C\/a\u003E and therefore the second sermon in a series rooted in \u003Ci\u003E\u003Cb\u003EA Christmas Carol\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E by Charles Dickens. The message centered around Mr. Scrooge's feelings of rejection and regret and how those feelings clouded his ability to see the human need around him. We are all God's children after all - none of us more valuable than the next but all of us precious beyond measure in His sight. Once we open our eyes to the needs of our brothers and sisters around us, our hearts soften with compassion, and joy is released. That's what happened to Mr. Scrooge, and that was exactly what was happening to me in that very moment.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAfter the sermon, it was time for the ushers to collect the offering. This is one of my favorite parts of the service, because it is always accompanied by a beautiful anthem from our choir. As we prepared our offerings, I noticed the gentleman to my right working earnestly to untie the knotted handles of his bag. Once he got them released, he reached in and pulled out two coin purses. He opened the first one and it was full of little pieces of paper. He sifted through those, closed it, and set it aside. He opened the second one and began pulling coins out...as many as he could. Most of them were pennies, but there was a little silver mixed in. He laid his offering on the bench beside him, carefully counted it out, gathered it up in his hand, and waited to offer what he had.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nI was having a hard time keeping it together. In fact, I wasn't keeping it together at all. I knew what he was doing when he started pulling out the coin purses, and my tears started to flow uncontrollably. I'm talking SOBBING MESS, people. A million different thoughts and emotions were running through me and then, of course, that still, small voice whispering, \"open your eyes.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-yE0BUnfEu90\/VIYky3U0yHI\/AAAAAAAAA9g\/VB2nFHWO7Fo\/s1600\/widows-offering.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"254\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-yE0BUnfEu90\/VIYky3U0yHI\/AAAAAAAAA9g\/VB2nFHWO7Fo\/s1600\/widows-offering.jpg\" width=\"320\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EWhen the usher put the offering plate in front of the gentleman he proudly placed his gift in it. In that moment, he gave me a gift...three gifts, actually - the gift of awareness; the gift of perspective; and the gift of thanks.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nAs we stood to sing the closing hymn, I kept my eyes straight down in my hymnal still trying to pull myself together. I took a few deep breaths and thought about what to do next. I wanted to meet this man. I wanted to know his name. I wanted to ask him to come back next week and sit with me. When I finally lifted my head up, I looked over to my right, and he was gone.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\nIn the benediction, our pastor issued a challenge to the congregation. He said to look around. Find someone in need and offer them compassion. I was immediately filled with regret that I didn't take the opportunity to talk to the man before he disappeared. I was so disappointed in myself - I could've and SHOULD'VE done more - but then I prayed. I prayed that God would bring him back next week and give me another chance to shake the man's hand that had made such an impression on me and had taught me an invaluable lesson without even knowing my name.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;serif\u0026quot;; font-size: 12.0pt;\"\u003E\u003Cu\u003EMark 12:41-44 (NIV)\u003C\/u\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\/o:p\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;serif\u0026quot;; font-size: 9.0pt;\"\u003E41\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;serif\u0026quot;;\"\u003EJesus sat down opposite the place\nwhere the offerings were put\u0026nbsp;and watched the crowd putting their money\ninto the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;serif\u0026quot;; font-size: 9.0pt;\"\u003E42\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;serif\u0026quot;; font-size: 9.0pt;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;serif\u0026quot;;\"\u003EBut a poor widow came and put in two very small\ncopper coins, worth only a few cents.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;serif\u0026quot;;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003E\n\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;serif\u0026quot;; font-size: 9.0pt;\"\u003E43\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;serif\u0026quot;;\"\u003ECalling his disciples to him,\nJesus said,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003E“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the\ntreasury than all the others.\u003C\/span\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;serif\u0026quot;; font-size: 9.0pt;\"\u003E44\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;serif\u0026quot;;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;serif\u0026quot;;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003EThey all gave out of their\nwealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;serif\u0026quot;;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003Cspan style=\"font-family: \u0026quot;times new roman\u0026quot; , \u0026quot;serif\u0026quot;;\"\u003E\u003Cspan style=\"color: red;\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n\u003Cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cb style=\"color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;\"\u003EMERRY CHRISTMAS!\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/feeds\/5674212110306818122\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/2014\/12\/compassion.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5617703709209272834\/posts\/default\/5674212110306818122"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/5617703709209272834\/posts\/default\/5674212110306818122"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.amysjustsaying.com\/2014\/12\/compassion.html","title":"Compassion"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Amy"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/18038313873825254338"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEhTaIGZILVcpZXMDQGukjso9jh2HvmiD6gAdZBi6dxG7cA6RYqs9Ig-XXDY91aou8F1IbpyNTs33tf6qNQvaUKLsAwttPfjAJuQBL3N-fZzASDIyRTYr-LqSdztvnbxe10\/s113\/Watercolor+Amy.jpg"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-9Q0DJesqrBk\/VIYjQMnL_gI\/AAAAAAAAA80\/VCipOOprHnA\/s72-c\/Worship.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}}]}});