tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67064616156224045222024-03-12T10:19:39.900-05:00Pure Joy International BlogWeekly comments from Vickie Arruda, founder of Pure Joy International. Keep up to date on what is going on in Vickie's life and the life of the ministryPattyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16275543271808404652noreply@blogger.comBlogger724125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-75997891074332320412024-03-12T10:18:00.003-05:002024-03-12T10:18:42.736-05:00York, England 5 Weeks out….<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMMSaJJT1uBBrL8lBXAf2POEMWk9BJgkeb7NtwfJiF2upFb9wO_kcS6rU8mi-I4FHezmGF46UZZvlrmJOi8SlOGUSfYeCCKQ2JeRQvsJkBr0kHTh-PCU57i01GUVa6xj2JzAE6JL9G65xIodl0iuLPMCV3fh8FZQqMJ7ig2ombTD7UbaxaTPtC9JP8Cw/s470/Picture%20Y2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="470" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMMSaJJT1uBBrL8lBXAf2POEMWk9BJgkeb7NtwfJiF2upFb9wO_kcS6rU8mi-I4FHezmGF46UZZvlrmJOi8SlOGUSfYeCCKQ2JeRQvsJkBr0kHTh-PCU57i01GUVa6xj2JzAE6JL9G65xIodl0iuLPMCV3fh8FZQqMJ7ig2ombTD7UbaxaTPtC9JP8Cw/s320/Picture%20Y2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Hello fellow sojourners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we continue our preparations for our trip
to York, England we are so excited to see what God is up to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is already at work among the team as we continue
to seek Him for worship music, messages, testimonies, fellowship, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">The team members continue to
meet weekly to lift all the details of this trip up before the LORD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so exciting when you know that He is
directing your path and prepariing the way for Himself to be Glorified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you Father for allowing each one of us
to be a part of this journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Today, I just want to lift up
a prayer for all of the friends of Pure Joy International, Retreat Ministry,
meaning any and all that have contributed to this ministry in any way. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Father, as you look down on
this world and all the chaos you must see, thank you that you also see your
children in all their circumstances, joy, excitement, wonder, awe,
thankfulness, praise, pain, sadness, loneliness, hurt, anger, unforgiveness,
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you that you KNOW ALL, that
you SEE ALL, that our PRAISES reach your ears, that our CRIES reach your ears,
that you know how to COMFORT us, and when to bring someone along side us and
when to let us walk alone until we recognize we are NEVER ALONE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are God and there is none like You. So,
we bow our hearts to your truth and ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Here
is a verse to encourage you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is one
of my very favorites to remind me to rest in Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the line “But I have calmed and
quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother”. That line says peace,
pure peace to me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Psalm
131</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><i>O
LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not
occupy myself with things to great and too marvelous for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><i>But
I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a
weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the LORD from this time
forth and forevermore. </i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Have
a great week and keep praying for all things York, England!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">His, Vickie</p><br /><p></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-52383489365996171232024-02-21T10:16:00.000-06:002024-02-21T10:16:08.408-06:00We have gone to waiting list for York, England<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zfPffXHLVzauWriZc5K0npVgFEofdU3ouOl4-mS98ovBfWB8wIAD3ddlDNQOovzwQskHOLi5DY7cB4t0xhftXflK_PdWu0PCSO0IVU9faumTDcHDm1hXN1yuuihUMwRMtBcC57KYUiHK0JaFYgNcdEnghs1XcAGgPA3ucLArEvHIgEgGir3KdqtjEg8/s742/Pictureyo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="442" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zfPffXHLVzauWriZc5K0npVgFEofdU3ouOl4-mS98ovBfWB8wIAD3ddlDNQOovzwQskHOLi5DY7cB4t0xhftXflK_PdWu0PCSO0IVU9faumTDcHDm1hXN1yuuihUMwRMtBcC57KYUiHK0JaFYgNcdEnghs1XcAGgPA3ucLArEvHIgEgGir3KdqtjEg8/s320/Pictureyo.jpg" width="191" /></a></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Micklegate Bar is, by tradition, one of the most important,
ceremonial entrances to York, through which Kings and Queens enter the city.</span></b></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In York, "bars" are gates through the city walls
and "gates" are streets. It's a bit confusing but you quickly get
used to it. The terminology dates from the days when the entrances to York were
barred by toll collectors.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Since 1389, in a tradition established by King Richard II,
monarchs visiting York have entered through Micklegate, touching the state
sword as they cross.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Just wanted to share a little history with
you about the area we will be staying in for our York, England Retreat for the
missionary women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are always excited
the women are able to be exposed not only to the refreshing the retreat brings
to their body, soul, and spirit but also the opportunity during their free time
to visit some of the sights of the retreat location.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We have gone to a waiting list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But do not let that discourage you from registering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have already moved one person up the waiting
list to the retreat and it is not uncommon to have several people move up the
list before we stop registration completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For all of you that are praying, gifting, giving
and going, many prayers are being lifted up for you weekly from team members,
prayer groups, individuals, and Pure Joy International ministry staff, Board
and Advisors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t wait to see all that
God is up to for our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that
none of you may <a name="_Hlk159400986">be </a>hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. </b><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">Hebrews 3:13</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>His, Vickie</b></p><br /><p></p><p></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-34056249415036676672024-02-03T17:20:00.000-06:002024-02-03T17:20:27.330-06:00Almost Full… <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATcAuFBPU-6jrur5G989KK4FVkr3e7lFyRcvYMuLR8azvsa7t10LwdiN3N2Kqh0XLT7TZtF32ky25HAnCcME4gu6o7TteiSZC0hVKyR27cNxnpKTMTj5hL3WCqepni7k1c1Bd-WskHQpYA51NjMSk5IELqCEZpZLP_dyfFylZ1_oNMo0036mBn8561p8/s218/Picture%20YE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="126" data-original-width="218" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATcAuFBPU-6jrur5G989KK4FVkr3e7lFyRcvYMuLR8azvsa7t10LwdiN3N2Kqh0XLT7TZtF32ky25HAnCcME4gu6o7TteiSZC0hVKyR27cNxnpKTMTj5hL3WCqepni7k1c1Bd-WskHQpYA51NjMSk5IELqCEZpZLP_dyfFylZ1_oNMo0036mBn8561p8/s1600/Picture%20YE.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><p><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Well, we opened registration last Friday
and we have only 10 places left open before we go to a waiting list. So, if you
or someone you know is planning on
attending the Retreat in York, England April 24-27, 2024, go to our web site
asap to register. </span></b><a href="http://www.purejoyinternational.org/"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">www.purejoyinternational.org</span></b></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We will go to a waiting list once we hit
50 registrants. We encourage you to sign up even if there is a waiting list
because the chance that someone might have to drop out before April is always
possible. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Our theme for this Retreat is “This World
is Not Your Home!” If, we ever needed to
be reminded of that truth from the Word of God it is now. So, make plans to
join us as we journey together.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Also, now is the time to start praying for
all things to do with our trip to York, England. So, our friends of Pure Joy
that journey with us each trip from stateside through Prayer, Giving, and
Gifting please ask the LORD how he would have you be a part of this trip.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On a different note, I want to share
something with you. During one of my quiet times this past week Exodus 6:9
stood out to me<i>, “So Moses told the people of Israel what the LORD had said,
but they refused to listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the
brutality of their slavery.”</i> If you
are in a circumstance right now that has you discouraged and faint hearted, please
remember God had not forgotten the people of Israel He was working on their
behalf for their good and His Glory even though they could not see it or
understand it. He is a good God, He is faithful, and He cares for you! Don’t
give up, LOOK UP!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p>
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Vickie<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span></b></p><p><br /></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-50008192915320294442024-01-25T13:51:00.000-06:002024-01-25T13:51:55.191-06:00York England On the Horizon… Registration Open Now!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDKUPOsift35hvJCnwJ3jou7Vtn2r9h6Im1YZSgXYDynyKU_W5zmfH1b3RVMwvhz6CFuH4fCU0PjNxkP69zxDwLSMN_VbgphGCZc4vgtWTKU3bKKnel99YHveBPDRCs1-xpDkMiZBDJRVx0-Xyu-jqzXBg5EMR38YDZFncvogH5DjCVFr6hfy9aMIy3w/s1950/Picture%20UK1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1950" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDKUPOsift35hvJCnwJ3jou7Vtn2r9h6Im1YZSgXYDynyKU_W5zmfH1b3RVMwvhz6CFuH4fCU0PjNxkP69zxDwLSMN_VbgphGCZc4vgtWTKU3bKKnel99YHveBPDRCs1-xpDkMiZBDJRVx0-Xyu-jqzXBg5EMR38YDZFncvogH5DjCVFr6hfy9aMIy3w/w510-h195/Picture%20UK1.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Please get the word out to all your missionary
friends serving in this part of the world. We suspect this conference will fill
up fast as we have many serving in surrounding countries in this part of the
world. So, go to our web site purejoyinternational.org and register as soon as
possible. Remember we go to a waiting list after the first 50 sign up. So first
come, first serve.</span></b></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The dates of the Retreat are April 24-27, 2024.</span></u></b><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> You
must be serving cross-culturally with a sending church or missions organization.
You must also be able to speak fluent English. No interpreters are allowed due
to the distraction. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“M’s” must be able travel to and from the
conference themselves. Room and board, and materials are provided at no cost to
the “M.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Please know your team has already begun to pray
for you, the retreat, your travels, your family, and ministries as you prepare to
join us in April.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you have questions contact me asap at <a href="mailto:vickie@purejoyinternational.org">vickie@purejoyinternational.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Looking forward to our time
together…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His, Vickie<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><br /><p></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-48294877997872249592023-12-19T16:56:00.002-06:002023-12-19T16:56:59.247-06:00A Child is Born…<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtt3Oa8JZKWH1o4m8TnB1QL1CT3ZToH_97z7HxepvARpXjt9-NekB-WYK76Ox9WqHJJXw2Q8ygxUGHt0m_1-Oqy9UJItERZUSpRVI8549GgFpbTGNFVY4mfkSZLt_hYdVDxLw3q-xbLNAQynMyww-A0OGiie0S2vc1MMeN5ZUTADy0ja76hdMTR_2iLCU/s252/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="252" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtt3Oa8JZKWH1o4m8TnB1QL1CT3ZToH_97z7HxepvARpXjt9-NekB-WYK76Ox9WqHJJXw2Q8ygxUGHt0m_1-Oqy9UJItERZUSpRVI8549GgFpbTGNFVY4mfkSZLt_hYdVDxLw3q-xbLNAQynMyww-A0OGiie0S2vc1MMeN5ZUTADy0ja76hdMTR_2iLCU/s1600/Picture1.jpg" width="252" /></a></div><p></p><p>(note please click on web site version at bottom of this page.)</p><p>Luke 2:11-14 </p><p>Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.</p><p>This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”</p><p>Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”</p><p><br /></p><p>As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior let us take boundless joy in knowing God’s Word told us of the coming birth of Jesus in advance through scripture.</p><p>Regarding Jesus’ birth—Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” </p><p> Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”</p><p>Micah 5:2: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”</p><p>Please know that God throughout scripture always tells us in advance what He is going to do. The birth of Christ is just one of the many promises God fulfills throughout His Word. Because He is faithful to tell us in advance and then we see it fulfilled in scripture you can take Great Hope in knowing He has overcome this crazy world. The victory is ours in and through Christ!</p><p>If you really want to see this truth over and over firsthand purchase a Chronological Bible to read throughout the year in 2024. It is one of the greatest gifts to give others and yourself. The One Year (NLT) Chronological Study Bible by Tyndale publishers September 6, 2022, is a good one.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAunY0jLOjk5jnftz18_m4fOkBhasKdd69oe4gYGa39AH-ACvS_3BO5dasb0wbqRLIutRmN0iIIbUPGjnCGvFMAsfEQxRajAbecizOl2nCUVn4_l4trhQMEoFp4-p3NhV2QisqYRhHEBC06EJdZKwAUKHCeafisOUzphJBbbyuym76SkKcTYlanj9TZk/s904/Picture2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="904" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAunY0jLOjk5jnftz18_m4fOkBhasKdd69oe4gYGa39AH-ACvS_3BO5dasb0wbqRLIutRmN0iIIbUPGjnCGvFMAsfEQxRajAbecizOl2nCUVn4_l4trhQMEoFp4-p3NhV2QisqYRhHEBC06EJdZKwAUKHCeafisOUzphJBbbyuym76SkKcTYlanj9TZk/w334-h173/Picture2.jpg" width="334" /></a></div><br /><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">From Pure Joy International Board, </span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Staff and Advisors</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-73338028525450073522023-11-23T08:57:00.000-06:002023-11-23T08:57:31.492-06:00Giving Thanks…<p> As so many of us gather with family and friends in our homes and around tables to give "Thanks to God" and His many blessings, we at Pure Joy International count all of you that support our ministry through prayer, gifting, going, and giving as true blessings from God in the life of this ministry. Thank you for your faithfulness and blessings over you and your families today and always.</p><p>From our family here at Pure Joy International to yours...</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrUwMiaMdLuTPPGFbY-lqKIhgbwLnT7VQ8xoSyCJ6X-ERVohOhy19Uct39VY92xcSN_xxlWsj7fliF_eljXrAnBny1leLllXidcP4CyMkBU2ZGjSvxihx8Ro4TWW6-NGyO5JuSIsGTVXd8u8ERwHNjtbOr2vOO-oPe22ljB6RY8RaM3ODGDzjXV9bg2Q/s619/thanksgiving%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="161" data-original-width="619" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrUwMiaMdLuTPPGFbY-lqKIhgbwLnT7VQ8xoSyCJ6X-ERVohOhy19Uct39VY92xcSN_xxlWsj7fliF_eljXrAnBny1leLllXidcP4CyMkBU2ZGjSvxihx8Ro4TWW6-NGyO5JuSIsGTVXd8u8ERwHNjtbOr2vOO-oPe22ljB6RY8RaM3ODGDzjXV9bg2Q/w518-h192/thanksgiving%202023.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-41745286545492022792023-11-02T11:58:00.000-05:002023-11-02T11:58:33.122-05:00We’re Back…<p> </p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Thank you
each and everyone for your prayers while we were gone and for our trip back
across the waters. We all made it home
safely Sunday evening. What a wonderful
time we had in the country of Tbilisi, Georgia.
The country is beautiful and the ladies that attended the Retreat were absolutely
a “Joy” to the team and the other women attending. Many new friendships were established,
connections made for future time together, the word of God was shared, worship
was marvelous, and fellowship so sweet. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I am
attaching pictures to this post as many as possible. They are random but will give you some idea
of some of the things we as a team had an opportunity to see. One thing I would point out to you that was
so much fun to see for me personally was what I thought were candles hanging in
store fronts along the way was actually a candy called “Churchkhela” and is a
candy treat. You will catch that in the pictures somewhere. So, enjoy and if you have questions about any
of the pictures are comments let us know.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">His,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Vickie<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Note:</span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> Pictures are of sights and team
members only. Because of the sensitivity
of where some of our ladies serve, we did not take any pictures of the ladies attending. We had some ladies that did not make it to
the conference because they could not get visas to get in and or were concerned
about not getting one to get one back into their country. But you
can know as we do here at Pure Joy International, God had exactly the ladies
that were supposed to be there for this conference at this time and season. Again,
thank you all for your gifting, going, giving and continual prayer
support. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And thank
you to all that serve cross-culturally to make a difference for His Name Sake.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyY0cAAtqm0Pyk7Wv-6DeXPCrkAQNF2Yk6_x2_jGTgA4sdX5I2QNSdUokvIxxyMDLUngreO6WL_8YNG976iyJqdsgPBWm8ZmT4KU1W0KoxLLDhNTx17nVXkpCYyZIg0IO_TBdGCCzUP_xL5mas7Df0ZkZL16vDTYuoNR-8KM1MGz83whJlAy9wu2SXDs/s4032/IMG_2882.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyY0cAAtqm0Pyk7Wv-6DeXPCrkAQNF2Yk6_x2_jGTgA4sdX5I2QNSdUokvIxxyMDLUngreO6WL_8YNG976iyJqdsgPBWm8ZmT4KU1W0KoxLLDhNTx17nVXkpCYyZIg0IO_TBdGCCzUP_xL5mas7Df0ZkZL16vDTYuoNR-8KM1MGz83whJlAy9wu2SXDs/w400-h300/IMG_2882.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEife7JpjDoW_JYU5pq9BqZIJbl-BfaCrcLvV059kDeQ7KjHpbUGbc2Xmgrw471nVIvCMtI4hZnsKkO2Uf0yWxAStJMJdKCzqj3iD4sk0agrin8QH1UB_6KLsQqX98tKyYaT4dd-jDI2PorYnk9z2W-PbtP4FIuC_DsE_q3HeCcsFF4KYHBX5L-L88dnWIU/s320/IMG_7936.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /></div><br />Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-20253060298732349382023-10-22T17:49:00.000-05:002023-10-22T17:49:23.044-05:00Update…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We landed around 3 a.m. in Tbilisi Sunday morning. Everyone
is just a little bit tired, ha, ha, ha. By
the time most of you are reading this it will be Sunday afternoon your
direction in the States. Most of the
team is still asleep and I just woke up it is 2:00 a.m. here on Monday the 23,
2023. I’m still trying to adjust to the
switch over on days and night. I’m not
there yet. Truth be known, I suspect some of the team is wide awake in their
rooms too. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b><b style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Yesterday, the team grabbed some breakfast after arriving to
the hotel and getting rooms, and settled in.
Then it was straight to bed for everyone until 1:00 p.m. the time here. We had lunch, went to the mall, and had our
first team meeting followed by an afternoon of putting the final touches on all
the awesome things you sent for with us to love on the ladies attending the retreat.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We
have our first day of sightseeing today following breakfast. We will be doing a 4-hour walking tour of the
city of Tbilisi to gain some understanding of the culture of this country. </span></b><b style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Well, post those pic this evening.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Please continue to pray the team will get rest and have
prepared hearts for the ladies coming on Wednesday. So, appreciate the hundreds of team members (that
would be you) back home that are praying for us all and following our journey
here.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b><b style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His,</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Vickie<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></b><p></p></div><br /> </o:p></span></b></div><p><br /></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-89229740248874222542023-10-21T10:55:00.002-05:002023-10-21T10:55:47.315-05:00Almost there….<p><b> </b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrabD_sDlNO9I3r9U2_VwgQtuomH6pvzcXxo4RlvMG2IP6-afE-Mlp3d11AIAZ443naeHgmtltIhz2k6oa2Dt2FNQKGkBbgeMsI-AJx3Md_2BtEUXFKSGkx_j-9fITtciSt7_qveBOBz7CeQcv9LEhTJ9Y6UX2tWw_a2p8CVJl0L5LWF2tGt8laSU_3ns/s4032/IMG_1317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrabD_sDlNO9I3r9U2_VwgQtuomH6pvzcXxo4RlvMG2IP6-afE-Mlp3d11AIAZ443naeHgmtltIhz2k6oa2Dt2FNQKGkBbgeMsI-AJx3Md_2BtEUXFKSGkx_j-9fITtciSt7_qveBOBz7CeQcv9LEhTJ9Y6UX2tWw_a2p8CVJl0L5LWF2tGt8laSU_3ns/s320/IMG_1317.jpg" width="240" /></a></b></div><b>L<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">eft Chicago last night
at 9:10 p.m. and arrived in Munich Airport today at 1:30 p.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
leave out of Munich at 10:30 p.m. tonight to head on to Republic of Georgia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The team
is awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are having fun together
and many laughs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Probably from sleep
deprivation. Ha, Ha,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is so fun to be
back with those that have traveled with us before and the new team members traveling
with us for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Please
continue to pray for us as we navigate the remainder of the trip to Republic of
Georgia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So far, our flights have been good
and on time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several of us had extra
seats by us on the plane here so we could stretch out some. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Will post
more tomorrow and hopefully have a few pics to throw into the mix. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Keep Praying...<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">His,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Vickie<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /><p></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-56710645627430533572023-10-19T20:44:00.000-05:002023-10-19T20:44:27.882-05:00Team Leaving Friday Morning….<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRQSsllEq_77faQb5Rc3d74iDCXgTNsupVf22ex_bb9sq6r3_RAVJ0xxB0NuLlCHwQnUwHTV0Ng4pLbsdwcRwz9O3iEfUikFNyKP394g_zFMwic1ZrTIWqmLDj61_ewPsVe_ZgROt69uCTucrb7iWmBoUFRkYLwJ3US_ZolfNuo6FXm-ghCADnFHV7YY/s227/Picture%20Rog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="131" data-original-width="227" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRQSsllEq_77faQb5Rc3d74iDCXgTNsupVf22ex_bb9sq6r3_RAVJ0xxB0NuLlCHwQnUwHTV0Ng4pLbsdwcRwz9O3iEfUikFNyKP394g_zFMwic1ZrTIWqmLDj61_ewPsVe_ZgROt69uCTucrb7iWmBoUFRkYLwJ3US_ZolfNuo6FXm-ghCADnFHV7YY/s1600/Picture%20Rog.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Well, it is finally
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We leave the country in the morning
headed to the Republic of Georgia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
cannot tell you how thankful we are for all the prayers and support we have received
in the months of preparation leading up to our departure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I know I
share this with you each trip but only because it is true. All of you that have made gifts, prayed over
a woman, and have gotten them a card, supported a lady to attend the conference,
supported the ministries general fund, prayed with us daily and weekly, thank
you so much for being a part of this team. We all have a part and you have done your part
well!!! Now may we as a team carry those
gifts, giving and prayers to our sisters across the waters! </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I will
try to blog or get some information that our PR person Kim Roberson can post to
our Facebook page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, keep an eye out. (Smile)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Please
pray for safe travel. For Him to be our front and rear guard, to hem us in before
and behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for the ladies attending
to be Blessed Beyond Measure!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Vickie<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /><p></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-633877131249948782023-09-27T18:59:00.002-05:002023-09-27T18:59:38.392-05:00 Republic of Georgia Registration Closes…<p><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNm4q9ELjfO9ZAvaulcUZ5A5Er5TTt3cugG0MotP4ffLHrSrqo52qU4NQ5IloRx5JLnRvLw6-hFkG2IK3RizycMjEPkbe1btb2628kS945bH6Fdj5aLA7pgDjZs3CsTkaaeiYikkxK6z6TPFGwJqDWD7i24FlcYXTmaGLEA3pMMgtJt9_y6XQAkc5cJ7c/s275/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="275" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNm4q9ELjfO9ZAvaulcUZ5A5Er5TTt3cugG0MotP4ffLHrSrqo52qU4NQ5IloRx5JLnRvLw6-hFkG2IK3RizycMjEPkbe1btb2628kS945bH6Fdj5aLA7pgDjZs3CsTkaaeiYikkxK6z6TPFGwJqDWD7i24FlcYXTmaGLEA3pMMgtJt9_y6XQAkc5cJ7c/s1600/Picture1.jpg" width="275" /></a></b></div><b><br />Registration
for the Republic of Georgia Retreat closes this Saturday September 30,
2023. Please make sure if you have any
friends that are considering signing up to let them know.</b><p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We have 8
slots left open. However, if they are not filled by the deadline the
registration will still be closed on the aforementioned date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are so
excited and cannot believe we are just under 3 weeks away from our time in the
Republic of Georgia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please continue to
pray for the ladies that will be attending and the team that will be
leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the details are coming
together well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, there are
several things that cannot get done until registration closes but we are used
to a little bit of stress. (ha,ha,ha)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep the prayers lifted up! <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As you finish your week consider this reminder
which you have probably processed before but need a review;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I so busy working for Christ that I am
neglecting Him.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His,</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Vickie</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><br /><p></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-36613312383836116352023-09-01T16:18:00.001-05:002023-09-01T16:18:58.532-05:00Encourage one another…<p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf2U40wkwlNYxOZSODpm2uWPJC8G0tHUSWmnf5puVtDvM7K1kFLwjJWToBew3esk94GbzneWAirRD3gcjvPjlzZymWre0zVz-jmUv4q410I7iaRvmtoPCAJBibQLTBtEkzih0kGFVR6kLovAtevwf2AoYAEDfdL30Ly4hMfJclzMWO86-9Vd-Hx5SVUg/s546/Picture%20blog%209-1-23.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="546" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf2U40wkwlNYxOZSODpm2uWPJC8G0tHUSWmnf5puVtDvM7K1kFLwjJWToBew3esk94GbzneWAirRD3gcjvPjlzZymWre0zVz-jmUv4q410I7iaRvmtoPCAJBibQLTBtEkzih0kGFVR6kLovAtevwf2AoYAEDfdL30Ly4hMfJclzMWO86-9Vd-Hx5SVUg/w266-h147/Picture%20blog%209-1-23.jpg" width="266" /></a></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Today as
I have been working on things for our Pure Joy International trip to Republic
of Georgia, I have been reminded of the very first bible verse God gave me for encouraging
the missionary women.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Hebrews 3:13</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called <br />
“today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I love that verse and what God spoke to my heart about it in
those early years still holds true today.
“Encourage each other, lift each other up in the things of the LORD,
while you can. It prevents spiritual heart
attacks in the body of CHRIST. "</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We go to other countries to encourage our sisters in Christ
because God gave us the vision to go in the format of retreats/conferences. To encourage them, to remind them of His Love
for them, to speak the Word over them, to worship Him with them, to laugh, cry,
and fellowship as His girls. We don’t just
go to go; we go because we can’t not go!</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Please continue to pray for the team as we are in the major
stages of preparation now. We have 11
slots left. Registration will close at
the end of the next 3 weeks so please continue to get the word out.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Thank you so much to you that are giving towards sponsorships
of the missionary women that will be attending.
It means so much to them to be able to come at no cost to them except
getting to and back home from the venue.
Their room and meals, materials for the retreat are all sponsored
through your giving. You all are always
the best! If you want to donate, go to
our web site <a href="http://www.purejoyinternational.org/">www.purejoyinternational.org</a>
and scroll down to <u>Support</u> for instructions on how to give.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Have a blessed and safe long weekend as we celebrate Labor
Day weekend here in the U.S.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">His,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Vickie<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /><p></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-14869019554635506302023-08-09T19:54:00.001-05:002023-08-09T19:54:36.076-05:00Christmas in August…<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXzwMP1F2y3U4BPSOfo2oQD7YxRzZpaeKL3Knl32_f-jiydtrc-F24qSvLDkZvG7nJde6z0hrga3OgFGcqqIlkAR1XvZdMxf2Lt-SQ1oYY-zkcP0DjmI2JkHB_WL5F5IS3Yd363Vcr3t20HKaRAMR0tFdwnnV5gxJAy8fY7UbKYKRpHH2LxQo-MaU0CY/s320/IMG_3036%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXzwMP1F2y3U4BPSOfo2oQD7YxRzZpaeKL3Knl32_f-jiydtrc-F24qSvLDkZvG7nJde6z0hrga3OgFGcqqIlkAR1XvZdMxf2Lt-SQ1oYY-zkcP0DjmI2JkHB_WL5F5IS3Yd363Vcr3t20HKaRAMR0tFdwnnV5gxJAy8fY7UbKYKRpHH2LxQo-MaU0CY/s1600/IMG_3036%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b>Vickie invited me to write the blog
this week…</b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Our stores here in the States are
already rolling out ALL the Christmas merchandise. Walking through the isles at
Hobby Lobby, looking at all the stockings, tinsel and decorations caused me to
think back on some very sweet memories of Christmas in August.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>When I was a child, my siblings and I
were the recipients of a Christmas in August giving by our home church in St.
Louis just because we were furloughing MK’s. I will never forget receiving that
sparkly gold Banana seat bike with high-rise-handlebars. It was a dream, and it
truly was like Christmas!</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>So yesterday on a warm summer day, I
decorated Christmas cookies for a group of ladies who were coming over to learn
about the ministry of Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry, Inc.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>God stirred my heart the very first
time I heard Vickie speak about Pure Joy. It made me think of how my mom served
our family, served in ministry, loved on the nationals and other missionaries. It
made me think of how encouraging a Pure Joy Retreat would have been for mom as
she served alongside my dad for 35 years in Colombia.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Pure Joy International has been called
to minister to missionary women around the world, with the purpose of helping
our missionary/mission families stay on the field of service God has called
them to.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>In other words, like that sparkly gold
banana seat bike of a beautifully decorated Christmas cookie in August, Pure
Joy Retreats refresh the heart and soul of missionary women across the globe.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><br /></b></p><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b>Would you ...</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Pray
for our missionary women/families, team members and the details of each trip. </b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Pray
for the next retreat to the Republic of Georgia in October.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Write
a card, fill a favorite bag, or make a gift.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Give
to sponsor a missionary or become a monthly supporter.</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Invite
us to come share the mission of Pure Joy International with your women’s </b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> ministry. Contact myself Kim Roberson, </b><a href="mailto:kim@purejoyinternational.org" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>kim@purejoyinternational.org</b></a><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
or Vickie</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> Arruda, </b> <a href="mailto:vickie@purejoyinternationnal.org" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>vickie@purejoyinternationnal.org</b></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b>If you have any questions or would like to be
involved, reach out. </b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b>Merry Christmas (in August).</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b>Kim Roberson</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b>Public Relations </b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b>Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry, Inc.</b></div><p><b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">
<br />
<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span></b></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-58593043955231604252023-07-28T17:06:00.000-05:002023-07-28T17:06:02.971-05:00 Time is ticking, better hurry…<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEPYcMJbJRKC1EEOYqDcscOjnSsbAJ3cY_tUmvzfdcs-3CVjC_HpLXhFesoECqV0Unp6VcmnS1qGPuJgG4u5tWURDn96YUCWyztoc8RkIE7pwYW7j0qNSS-9YKJ4a-C5ZGUlfEU4kH5duHMUv3OA9UqfjeapQEgsxGsV12NotxTGrDOPy8ophF7hH3m4/s188/Picture%20a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="141" data-original-width="188" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEPYcMJbJRKC1EEOYqDcscOjnSsbAJ3cY_tUmvzfdcs-3CVjC_HpLXhFesoECqV0Unp6VcmnS1qGPuJgG4u5tWURDn96YUCWyztoc8RkIE7pwYW7j0qNSS-9YKJ4a-C5ZGUlfEU4kH5duHMUv3OA9UqfjeapQEgsxGsV12NotxTGrDOPy8ophF7hH3m4/s1600/Picture%20a.jpg" width="188" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Registration
for Republic of Georgia is filling up. We have 25 spots left before we go to
the waiting list. Please continue to get the word out to your friends that are
talking about getting registered. Again, the dates of the Retreat are October
25-28, 2023. Go to </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://www.purejoyinternational.org/"><b>www.purejoyinternational.org</b></a><b>
to register.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Well,
speaking of time ticking away, the summer is almost over for many of our school
children here in the states. I pray that you have had time to spend with your
children and your children’s children this summer if that applies to you. I do
want to remind all of us that our children and young adult children are up
against a world different than what most of us faced growing up. Whether they
are old enough to recognize it or are being challenged by it in their everyday
life right now.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It would
be an understatement to acknowledge the great need we have to stand in the gap
for relationships with God, Spouses, Family, Friends, and others. Do not be deceived
and do not think you are beyond the touch of spiritual warfare. The only way it
is not touching you in the world today is if you <u>stand for nothing</u>. If
you stand for God, His Word, His Truths, His Ways, trust me, you and your
family are under attack. Hunker down brothers and sisters and get your boots on…We
are at war!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 12pt 0in 0in; text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">The Whole Armor of God
(Ephesians 6:10-18)</span></i></b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="text-align: justify;"><i><sup><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">10 </span></sup></i></b><b style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;">Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his
might. <sup>11 </sup>Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able
to stand against the schemes of the devil. <sup>12 </sup>For we do not
wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. <sup>13 </sup>Therefore
take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil
day, and having done all, to stand firm. <sup>14 </sup>Stand therefore,
having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of
righteousness, <sup>15 </sup>and, as shoes for your feet, having put on
the readiness given by the gospel of peace. <sup>16 </sup>In all
circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all
the flaming darts of the evil one; <sup>17 </sup>and take the helmet of
salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, <sup>18 </sup>praying
at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep
alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…</span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Vickie<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-6692183182275014772023-07-11T12:28:00.000-05:002023-07-11T12:28:23.051-05:00Register Now…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZf9Q37aPx9qEmZaxPJYOAQNwYzPsfxPWGNIaTu1zPjvB5lY8jmaF9Z9J7k6MmzJCGttjtRukZOXZVmXX3M7wQMyLjR7Cc9An4J8a5SnNyGhxyZpz_QQfwSebRjwIbHF_3--iNpKhK8iCYF1LB8czUUkrtrGoQLQ3jsXOKjO9Y1DoNxmPgrP7eCneFIk/s176/Picture%2021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="90" data-original-width="176" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZf9Q37aPx9qEmZaxPJYOAQNwYzPsfxPWGNIaTu1zPjvB5lY8jmaF9Z9J7k6MmzJCGttjtRukZOXZVmXX3M7wQMyLjR7Cc9An4J8a5SnNyGhxyZpz_QQfwSebRjwIbHF_3--iNpKhK8iCYF1LB8czUUkrtrGoQLQ3jsXOKjO9Y1DoNxmPgrP7eCneFIk/s1600/Picture%2021.jpg" width="176" /></a></div><p> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Registration
for our October 25-28, 2023 retreat is now open. Go to our website homepage </span><a href="http://www.purejoyinternational.org/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">www.purejoyinternational.org</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> and click on register here for retreat. Please sign up as soon as possible and let
your friends serving anywhere in Europe or nearby know about this
opportunity. First come first serve up
to 50 participants, then we go to a waiting list. Your responsibility is to get to and from the
retreat. Once there your hotel, meals,
materials, are provided for you free of charge.
This is because of the generosity of those that want to be a support to
you and your ministry overseas.
Participants are already registering, so do not hesitate to register as
soon as possible. Click on Retreats on
our website homepage to see comments and pictures from our spring retreat in
Lisbon, Portugal earlier this year.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Well, the
team will be zooming our first team meeting tonight. I’m so excited for everyone to get to see
each other’s faces. Locale churches and
individuals that partner with us in prayer, giving, and gifting are already
beginning to stand in the gap for all the ladies that will be attending this
retreat. Please begin to pray the word
gets out to the missionary women about the conference that need this time of encouragement,
rest, fellowship, worship, and being in the Word together.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A final note. If you have not had the opportunity to see
the movie “Sounds of Freedom” I personally highly recommend it. It is a wake-up call to those that believe
the lie that these things are not going on in our world today. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the 1960s
through the late 1980s the was a public service announcement (PSA) for parents
on the American television that usually proceeded the 10:00 p.m. and or 11:00
p.m. news cast. The announcement was “Do
you know where your children are?” I loved that because it was a simple
reminder to shift the focus of a parent if only for a few moments to the whereabouts
of their children. What about you. In this, crazy, fast-paced, world full of
distractions, self-centered, all about me society, “Do you know where your
children are?” Because chances are
someone else may.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Vickie</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p><p><br /></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-29556885048762344602023-06-16T14:46:00.001-05:002023-06-16T14:46:58.151-05:00Public of Georgia Registration on the Horizon…<p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd18XhVwr2H7OxSAlKZOJq6lchKerIcEkL0IQ6Ef4nwGtJGd_X6m2wZLOAf7BCLQSSqYyQ9xORzSBFFX-2lWdVBwTR-M-v7XMNZNtXUDHKani3v3-iE0xky8XJCaj7zLzLq8qVK7bankVMCQL4G3oSeswzt5e6LGAM1Lmt8JbnZdvwyC_Oope-q8C/s213/Picture%20rog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="131" data-original-width="213" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd18XhVwr2H7OxSAlKZOJq6lchKerIcEkL0IQ6Ef4nwGtJGd_X6m2wZLOAf7BCLQSSqYyQ9xORzSBFFX-2lWdVBwTR-M-v7XMNZNtXUDHKani3v3-iE0xky8XJCaj7zLzLq8qVK7bankVMCQL4G3oSeswzt5e6LGAM1Lmt8JbnZdvwyC_Oope-q8C/s1600/Picture%20rog.jpg" width="213" /></a> I<b> know it is hard to believe but we have already started
our preparations for the Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry, Inc. Public
of Georgia Retreat for October 25-28, 2023.
(Tbilisi, Georgia)</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>If you know of a missionary serving cross-culturally in
that part of the world that could benefit from such an opportunity, please ask
them to go to our website <a href="http://www.purejoyinternational.org/">www.purejoyinternational.org</a>
to register starting next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please
remember first come first serve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We limit
space to the first 50 registrants and then go to a waiting list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you did not get
a chance to see some of the pictures from our Portugal Retreat in April 2023,
please go to our website mentioned above and click on Retreats in the headings.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>I hope that everyone is having a good summer as it gets
on its way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know many of you will be working
with church groups coming from the USA and other countries to help with projects
you have going in your locations,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> o</span>thers
will be coming home to start a stateside stint, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Praying for a great summer for all to His Glory!</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Here at home in the USA many families are hitting the vacations
spots for the summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personally, I am
getting ready to head to Louisville, Kentucky with one of my great nephews to
the National Beta Club Conference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray
for me as will be surrounded by Intermediate kids, ages 9-12 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(smile)<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Please don’t forget to get the word out about the Public
of Georgia Retreat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The team is already solidified,
plane tickets being purchased, and the hotel locked in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now all the details that include all of you
that join us on these trips begin to take place, praying, giving, gifting, and going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, excited to share we have two more
churches joining us in the journey of gifting this trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First Baptist Claremore, OK and First Baptist
McGehee, AR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We welcome your heart to
join us as we minister to these ladies overseas.<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>His,<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Vickie<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-3321805149357199202023-05-02T12:17:00.001-05:002023-05-02T12:17:46.779-05:00Team Is Home Safe and Retreat Was Sooo Good…<p> <b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thank you
all for your prayers as we traveled to Portugal and home again. Your time in prayer, gifting, giving, and going
is what allows the ministry of Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry, Inc. to
serve the ladies on the field cross-culturally. As I always say to you, “You
are part of the ministry of Pure Joy International and a vital part of each
team that goes.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There are
no words for how good it feels to be back on the field again. It was also great to hear from many of you that
said, “I would not have been ready for this back in 2020”. I am not sure what
each one of them meant by that, but I am counting it as good. LOL!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The LORD led
each one of the speakers to address just what He knew the ladies and team
needed for this season and time. It was
obvious each speaker, and testimony shared was shaped by HIM. The daily team devotionals
coupled with our own time in the Word fueled us as a team to accomplish the
ministry at hand. I can’t say enough good things about the team God put
together for the trip. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In case you
wonder why I stopped blogging after a couple of days it is because most of us
could get no Wi-Fi internet connection.
I think the number of people in the hotel, including us, was too big a drain
on their system. LOL<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I do want
to share a few more pictures and will share with you some of the things the missionary
women and the team members have to say about what the Retreat meant to them as
they share. Enjoy these pictures till
then…</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thank you
all for your prayers as we traveled to Portugal and home again. Your time in prayer, gifting, giving, and going
is what allows the ministry of Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry, Inc. to
serve the ladies on the field cross-culturally. As I always say to you, “You
are part of the ministry of Pure Joy International and a vital part of each
team that goes.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There are
no words for how good it feels to be back on the field again. It was also great to hear from many of you that
said, “I would not have been ready for this back in 2020”. I am not sure what
each one of them meant by that, but I am counting it as good. LOL!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The LORD led
each one of the speakers to address just what He knew the ladies and team
needed for this season and time. It was
obvious each speaker, and testimony shared was shaped by HIM. The daily team devotionals
coupled with our own time in the Word fueled us as a team to accomplish the
ministry at hand. I can’t say enough good things about the team God put
together for the trip. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In case you
wonder why I stopped blogging after a couple of days it is because most of us
could get no Wi-Fi internet connection.
I think the number of people in the hotel, including us, was too big a drain
on their system. LOL<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I do want
to share a few more pictures and will share with you some of the things the missionary
women and the team members have to say about what the Retreat meant to them as
they share. Enjoy these pictures till
then…</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thank you
all for your prayers as we traveled to Portugal and home again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your time in prayer, gifting, giving, and going
is what allows the ministry of Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry, Inc. to
serve the ladies on the field cross-culturally. As I always say to you, “You
are part of the ministry of Pure Joy International and a vital part of each
team that goes.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There are
no words for how good it feels to be back on the field again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also great to hear from many of you that
said, “I would not have been ready for this back in 2020”. I am not sure what
each one of them meant by that, but I am counting it as good. LOL!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The LORD led
each one of the speakers to address just what He knew the ladies and team
needed for this season and time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
obvious each speaker, and testimony shared was shaped by HIM. The daily team devotionals
coupled with our own time in the Word fueled us as a team to accomplish the
ministry at hand. I can’t say enough good things about the team God put
together for the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In case you
wonder why I stopped blogging after a couple of days it is because most of us
could get no Wi-Fi internet connection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think the number of people in the hotel, including us, was too big a drain
on their system. LOL<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I do want
to share a few more pictures and will share with you some of the things the missionary
women and the team members have to say about what the Retreat meant to them as
they share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy these pictures till
then…</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-lHjMtEJ2Hv3OeXIxvVEBd4NbBqa2KQtM8z8-z_uVhnl4PN8ejdBAsfYJLSoifUngfqkMxoXfYbW_IQ7ZiJN5_UN8KbFwGkMh8-0OWHauyEbzswBkviprDyfvveKlJrfkrMhBiOLiSw7TOxKyoFX96CMTN3yB69YnDBaygTNSjLaGTb_N7Hz8FcG/s449/Picturep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="436" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-lHjMtEJ2Hv3OeXIxvVEBd4NbBqa2KQtM8z8-z_uVhnl4PN8ejdBAsfYJLSoifUngfqkMxoXfYbW_IQ7ZiJN5_UN8KbFwGkMh8-0OWHauyEbzswBkviprDyfvveKlJrfkrMhBiOLiSw7TOxKyoFX96CMTN3yB69YnDBaygTNSjLaGTb_N7Hz8FcG/w248-h320/Picturep.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRaphds-LiBiXc-qxeUm7xIyJapUo23YPnpgg7Ef9NhbQGVoQWIDwzbi_iR-4IyIoZAGbOfMTk0lyxoizYrS76jXbSJeyuXtvJ_x_Cx2Kdn9owUHRe0mm4H89anJoFQXAFYcYXkNsAujIJpIIQ5bUTBLextyW7z8rWjOvDGnBCXb3oxt3l4liZy-i/s551/Picturep4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="551" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRaphds-LiBiXc-qxeUm7xIyJapUo23YPnpgg7Ef9NhbQGVoQWIDwzbi_iR-4IyIoZAGbOfMTk0lyxoizYrS76jXbSJeyuXtvJ_x_Cx2Kdn9owUHRe0mm4H89anJoFQXAFYcYXkNsAujIJpIIQ5bUTBLextyW7z8rWjOvDGnBCXb3oxt3l4liZy-i/w250-h187/Picturep4.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN48niTwjrpc_hQAmCi0T4qnCzWveUqXUQBz_tuBDfdQL7FcfT_AJGck5T3le9EKh87kp7L6Z0t-AXbMaiXlV5l6wsY3e7qUQjETzFmrN9g6798zSY8hu6HY9oZZc3GLP2g0nSe8hUC0a71VBaOv6HXGbRAEHv3qaVK_O7SuHW2n8VdnsL3fF5smrl/s454/Picturep5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="454" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN48niTwjrpc_hQAmCi0T4qnCzWveUqXUQBz_tuBDfdQL7FcfT_AJGck5T3le9EKh87kp7L6Z0t-AXbMaiXlV5l6wsY3e7qUQjETzFmrN9g6798zSY8hu6HY9oZZc3GLP2g0nSe8hUC0a71VBaOv6HXGbRAEHv3qaVK_O7SuHW2n8VdnsL3fF5smrl/w284-h228/Picturep5.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMKEyLoDOf6HzL9C18hg7iiJ2-1xL6RpCVCGdtGydMmRIkqeuU9exv8AEZEQ6LcBc5Gw5fB4--TboR5dscK6pqZ8TyB_NYtySVytOUwqhRTEEECGnuzKK-_F5BC-zu_ba95jAHsAJ7w0CiIw7DzKyYQhzrd_k2hkd7pqA1QRYOBfprydfAkJex7Ag/s545/Picturep3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="545" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMKEyLoDOf6HzL9C18hg7iiJ2-1xL6RpCVCGdtGydMmRIkqeuU9exv8AEZEQ6LcBc5Gw5fB4--TboR5dscK6pqZ8TyB_NYtySVytOUwqhRTEEECGnuzKK-_F5BC-zu_ba95jAHsAJ7w0CiIw7DzKyYQhzrd_k2hkd7pqA1QRYOBfprydfAkJex7Ag/s320/Picturep3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRX_kwk2ILO8uFOz4WXKc-Liu4T-XaILeKG53ld3uIep3UTGAZthODaAjanGlXHG7ghZTgEeDIfdPHDccEIcoxCxDTT59ysWL47xXs0UCQfiUKAhhQJzv0IhpSP6Ou0fWsgJqknfhk0jDvW0jHzzE7W_ljFgxSPEDLMEG47YPz80AuOLNTWqY036WY/s198/Picturep6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="147" data-original-width="198" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRX_kwk2ILO8uFOz4WXKc-Liu4T-XaILeKG53ld3uIep3UTGAZthODaAjanGlXHG7ghZTgEeDIfdPHDccEIcoxCxDTT59ysWL47xXs0UCQfiUKAhhQJzv0IhpSP6Ou0fWsgJqknfhk0jDvW0jHzzE7W_ljFgxSPEDLMEG47YPz80AuOLNTWqY036WY/w254-h236/Picturep6.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDd6fz9crk8LCKsOB9b6yrE909SAhuO5PXcuu9pjIeSNLHFzEqc3kXmG5F3XgUTpgmazuVtSQMAwAQ3FZpRekIyKA3jquvvNokK93Huvul9J_-BT7JU8StRcH8DVkGy7DPoul6RmiJPdBh2vQvIXIMu8YayFxWURetYf9TLoFuwA0TaK1fM7KoyHh/s438/Picturep2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="438" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDd6fz9crk8LCKsOB9b6yrE909SAhuO5PXcuu9pjIeSNLHFzEqc3kXmG5F3XgUTpgmazuVtSQMAwAQ3FZpRekIyKA3jquvvNokK93Huvul9J_-BT7JU8StRcH8DVkGy7DPoul6RmiJPdBh2vQvIXIMu8YayFxWURetYf9TLoFuwA0TaK1fM7KoyHh/s320/Picturep2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-3621073241461050942023-04-24T02:29:00.001-05:002023-04-24T02:29:43.893-05:00A Beautiful Day in Portugal… (Sunday afternoon)<p> <b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The team
had a full but wonderful day here in Portugal. We began our morning with a wonderful
devotion from Kim R. and a sweet time of prayer and team fellowship. Oh, and of
course we ate breakfast first. (smile) You can just assume we are eating
several meals a day. (LOL)</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Then
Valerie M. our contact missionary on the field came to the hotel and took us on
the Metro to downtown Portugal for a city tour and to the Lisbon Story Centre. The
Story Centre is a museum dedicated to the history of Lisbon. <a href="https://youtu.be/huRuUfRPYog">https://youtu.be/huRuUfRPYog</a> Here
is another link if you want to see a little bit more about things we learned. <a href="https://onu.missaoportugal.mne.gov.pt/en/about-portugal/history">https://onu.missaoportugal.mne.gov.pt/en/about-portugal/history</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A couple of us ate dinner at the Time Out Market <a href="https://www.timeout.com/lisbon/time-out-market">https://www.timeout.com/lisbon/time-out-market</a>
while others shopped and ate along the way at some of the outdoor food areas. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We had good fellowship and lots of laughs along the way. It
is exciting to see the team continue to grow together as they are learning more
about each other. We had another sweet devotional time by Deb. P to finish our evening.
We also discussed our preparation work time for tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uDMHsBJQ1c2Cc0msNCPMRf5LbnCEJUpUlfYOVKulABN--tH4gZ3DA0J-9FX_kaJnICAKq88PFvN7FngUKv4KpeQnSmfDt-MTDX13wty25b2kf6ojrv5G38t5l0Q3pAncW1sb0MgIwI4onF0gw1v2mWUwECe1Ly7L6GS5xeyWp-k0R96YbCXWCxim/s4032/IMG_6372.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uDMHsBJQ1c2Cc0msNCPMRf5LbnCEJUpUlfYOVKulABN--tH4gZ3DA0J-9FX_kaJnICAKq88PFvN7FngUKv4KpeQnSmfDt-MTDX13wty25b2kf6ojrv5G38t5l0Q3pAncW1sb0MgIwI4onF0gw1v2mWUwECe1Ly7L6GS5xeyWp-k0R96YbCXWCxim/w387-h240/IMG_6372.HEIC" width="387" /></a></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I wanted to include one pic that stood out to me yesterday at
a random moment. There are more pics to come but I did not want to wake anyone
up when I was working on this to get them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Love the bike hanging on the balcony. (smile)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His,</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Vickie<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "-webkit-standard",serif;"> </span></b></p><p><br /></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-76481162695615684382023-04-23T00:49:00.000-05:002023-04-23T00:49:30.729-05:00The Team made it to Portugal safely...<div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We had a good flight over. Weather here is nice in the
upper 60's to lower 70's. We were met at the airport by our Valerie our contact
missionary. I would like to say thank you LORD for her presence at the airport.
You might not believe this but none of the team can speak Portuguese, LOL. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Once settled in at the hotel we had lunch, then several of
the team members headed to the local mall. Hmmmm, imagine that fifteen women
and someone wanted to go to the local mall. But not just any mall, this one has
history. It is called </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Campo Pequeno.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1PsfcKH50-TpTXdg58emIDSeh1-VPq1U4-zbuWqWxDYnnjfH1g6UY3qeVp_kq9GXHGY1I22WFMz2JzXzz7rlBw0E-J51ZTD36l88T9C2Tifwh7Gv3HDuOtLNf4ccC1ZelLu8X_PKXsmzfmZVAq4rdbN_3KdGa4n8iKfh00RaQeAm8QyESxNifiDZ/s323/Picture%2022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="323" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1PsfcKH50-TpTXdg58emIDSeh1-VPq1U4-zbuWqWxDYnnjfH1g6UY3qeVp_kq9GXHGY1I22WFMz2JzXzz7rlBw0E-J51ZTD36l88T9C2Tifwh7Gv3HDuOtLNf4ccC1ZelLu8X_PKXsmzfmZVAq4rdbN_3KdGa4n8iKfh00RaQeAm8QyESxNifiDZ/s320/Picture%2022.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span class="dropcap"><b>B</b></span></span><b>uilt in 1892 in a Moorish style with small cupolas
atop its four main towers, Campo Pequeno's bullring (Praça de Touros do <a name="_Hlk133100844">Campo Pequeno</a>) accommodates up to 9,000 spectators. It
was loosely based on the Madrid bullring of Las Ventas, and bullfights take
place here on Thursdays in season. During the rest of the year, it is
occasionally used for concerts and other shows, such as a circus. After being
closed for many years for extensive renovation, it reopened in 2006 with a new
retractable ceiling and a shopping mall, restaurants, cinemas, and a supermarket.
Parking space for 1200 cars is also available.</b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The team members not at the mall spent the later part of the day
trying to help Vickie (me) find my phone. I know that surprises those of you
that know me. Ha, Ha, Ha We did find it
and let me just say, it is a God story in and of itself. He is already affirming
He is present and at work here.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Enjoy some of the pics of the day. Keep praying for the team and
the missionaries that will be attending the Retreat. </span></b></p><b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcStclDunbVHMuWA8d7BAEv1JlDvVTX_aUHWYiDEzzMi23se_aTS1kuklbF3Vdeoo2hGfndwY0JvZXqeKYRajzJMYG8YsYEp8wYHkZvJA2xJKXf7pKo2_tj9t_xr0fY0m_P8mbq_JQn8oEFtfyhzWyr-SRxrs3zhmNIrw2HcJNFj3jmKRsSI8ekBm/s320/RenderedImage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcStclDunbVHMuWA8d7BAEv1JlDvVTX_aUHWYiDEzzMi23se_aTS1kuklbF3Vdeoo2hGfndwY0JvZXqeKYRajzJMYG8YsYEp8wYHkZvJA2xJKXf7pKo2_tj9t_xr0fY0m_P8mbq_JQn8oEFtfyhzWyr-SRxrs3zhmNIrw2HcJNFj3jmKRsSI8ekBm/w200-h184/RenderedImage.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlx_AVKxi-vrV-jtiwp8Hl1g0_M4VMUJE7WWK9FxjquAo3DjCfpR94Y_OJ1ur10N4OXzWjlAjARdMSZ8CDDHrMYglsTnS9wqS3pt77Sfb7kH98bqw_y_G3iYKGzUa_y2Tl_Uw4r12CTG7q_x_DFjIG2vSqvgsY2VRjfsyXLwAdI3rqGxC0P8j-l38/s320/IMG_4956%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlx_AVKxi-vrV-jtiwp8Hl1g0_M4VMUJE7WWK9FxjquAo3DjCfpR94Y_OJ1ur10N4OXzWjlAjARdMSZ8CDDHrMYglsTnS9wqS3pt77Sfb7kH98bqw_y_G3iYKGzUa_y2Tl_Uw4r12CTG7q_x_DFjIG2vSqvgsY2VRjfsyXLwAdI3rqGxC0P8j-l38/w200-h150/IMG_4956%20(1).jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQk-UOvdVkIuK07WPQ7A7ZO6cyZBahhTkD-N-vR4n2AUPjsEgVN-ZZMWhOONM6Djd0xAdUphvTjpHcgBpXmVSOKZGWzk9ak2fjknBO2B-ISbGFwXj9kutWDafoQgQGIo71_i3lu4iV7vFV8qv2TE7W3lfZJ9oIFTcNtaM1Za155XiEa6IT2b8OjJI/s320/IMG_9572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQk-UOvdVkIuK07WPQ7A7ZO6cyZBahhTkD-N-vR4n2AUPjsEgVN-ZZMWhOONM6Djd0xAdUphvTjpHcgBpXmVSOKZGWzk9ak2fjknBO2B-ISbGFwXj9kutWDafoQgQGIo71_i3lu4iV7vFV8qv2TE7W3lfZJ9oIFTcNtaM1Za155XiEa6IT2b8OjJI/w200-h150/IMG_9572.JPG" width="200" /></a></div></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhry2hpjhAwuWHxBmw8qLN8KyBjvrUwjDroQEjOZJlyL8pPJgMxVmVrpfTaR50voGWojXayGu-0l3F5088SouA3cqFvufDrERhwxEaT2cNKi_CIXlgR0Uw_xxIG_BTiJ34906Dxx70iHo9ICzgtbP4T-kJ_hYWQvEcJyXcTF1_7RY_o3greST_XoH18/s320/IMG_9599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhry2hpjhAwuWHxBmw8qLN8KyBjvrUwjDroQEjOZJlyL8pPJgMxVmVrpfTaR50voGWojXayGu-0l3F5088SouA3cqFvufDrERhwxEaT2cNKi_CIXlgR0Uw_xxIG_BTiJ34906Dxx70iHo9ICzgtbP4T-kJ_hYWQvEcJyXcTF1_7RY_o3greST_XoH18/w192-h200/IMG_9599.JPG" width="192" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His,</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Vickie<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><div><div><div><p></p></div></div></div>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-56318680408225204382023-04-17T23:10:00.003-05:002023-04-17T23:10:41.446-05:004 Days and Counting…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEnRbOq20mooMypVymYJEGZFI9UextkUIMUgaNoBYKyTCdOo50peIcl3ys-8ZSMrDqUOBaQSqxg_0JVyl3TLlKQvKvDqxBSYMpyHfhQbSjFwMwclrDbH-PP-jzU70g76z1y5DKIY36b7ITwR5T8GVrffLDlEjcwkN3pQFBPEfr_Wj4J03wxVXBmum/s687/Picture%20p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="687" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEnRbOq20mooMypVymYJEGZFI9UextkUIMUgaNoBYKyTCdOo50peIcl3ys-8ZSMrDqUOBaQSqxg_0JVyl3TLlKQvKvDqxBSYMpyHfhQbSjFwMwclrDbH-PP-jzU70g76z1y5DKIY36b7ITwR5T8GVrffLDlEjcwkN3pQFBPEfr_Wj4J03wxVXBmum/s320/Picture%20p.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><b>Well, it is finally here.
We are 4 days away from boarding the plane to head to Lisbon, Portugal. The team is getting so excited as we finish
up the final preparations. Trunks are packed
along with working out the smallest of details that must happen in the next 4
days.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>So hard to believe we have not been overseas since the
fall of 2019, that was our last retreat.
Of course, the Portugal Retreat was scheduled for April of 2020 just
over three years ago when Covid showed up in full force working against travel
in country and out of country. <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>We are so glad to be traveling once again to minister to the
missionary women. Also, it has been fun
to be reminded of how many hands touch this ministry in preparation for a trip
to minister to the women. Whether you
are going with us or have helped along the way in preparations for this trip
you are part of the team serving Pure Joy International Portugal 2023! To all
of you that have given financially to support a missionary and or team member,
thank you. To all of you that are
praying for the missionary women and the team now and while we are on the
field, thank you. To all of you that
have helped with the gifting, thank you. To the team members representing
churches in 5 states, thank you. What a blessing
to be able to serve alongside all of you with your different hearts for
serving. <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>On a final note, please pray for the spouses, children, family
members, friends, etc., that are pulling extra weight both for the team members
and the missionaries so we can all attend the Retreat. <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Keep us close in your prayers as we fly out Friday and
return on the 30<sup>th</sup>. Watch the
blog for pictures that will be posted along the way starting Friday through the
next week. <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b>Forever Thankful,</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b>His,</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b>Vickie</b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-28299246978620485482023-03-02T16:22:00.000-06:002023-03-02T16:22:06.477-06:00Planes and Avocados …<p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZivoo8MddUzsklknxRhlfLB0KO6h0n8oazLPDKGlaedNRo3llZTOUEGZFNi6agf4fMMh2vkGX9RpEyAFs92VQfMMvIntyZlh9lZY2QDbNUA_JFkqWSBoKAiax16pnLClR8ab33HZ9NRL6Y1DoY-1ixFhq-q7KiOzchFOTCcVI_cIlsxvUYGLCDuz8/s320/IMG_9047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZivoo8MddUzsklknxRhlfLB0KO6h0n8oazLPDKGlaedNRo3llZTOUEGZFNi6agf4fMMh2vkGX9RpEyAFs92VQfMMvIntyZlh9lZY2QDbNUA_JFkqWSBoKAiax16pnLClR8ab33HZ9NRL6Y1DoY-1ixFhq-q7KiOzchFOTCcVI_cIlsxvUYGLCDuz8/w200-h200/IMG_9047.JPG" width="200" /></a></b></div><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><p><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Monday, I
flew out of Little Rock, Arkansas early to Dallas Fort Worth International
Airport to complete my Global Entry Pass as we start to travel overseas
again. It was the closes place I could
get in for an interview before we leave the country for Portugal.</span></b></p></span></b><p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">It was a
strange feeling being back on a plane again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The last time I was on a plane was when we traveled to San Paulo, Brazil
to minister to missionaries in that part of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had forgotten how crazy it can be in airport
settings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it also brought the sweet
excitement that starts taking place as the team closes in on our departure out
of the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hard to believe we are
a little less than two months away for boarding planes to Lisbon, Portugal.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Please
continue to pray for the missionaries that will be attending, the team that is
going, details that continue to need to be taken care of before we leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As many of you already know from experience,
the spiritual warfare that takes place before a team is headed out of the
country to minister to others is intense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We appreciate all your prayers.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Another
thing I have missed is people watching in the airports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I also, love the things you can
learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, today I was riding
the tram from one terminal to another and the older couple sitting across from
me were joyfully sharing some things they had learned on their vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never really caught where they had spent
the vacation, but it obviously brought then great joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, they had spent some time with a young
man that grows avocados.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
surprised to learn that while some avocados can look great on the outside and
even nice when you cut them open, if they are not grown in good soil there is
no flavor to them. Their discussion immediately triggered in me a trip we had
taken to Senegal Africa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will never
forget the first meal we went to in the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had an incredible spread of fresh fruit,
strawberries, watermelon, berries, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was so inviting, with brilliant colors, fresh looking when cut open, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My taste buds were jumping in my mouth
waiting to bite into that fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Especially the watermelon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
will be honest and say I put some extra on my plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I took the first bite, I honestly could
not reconcile what was going on in my mouth with what was going on in my brain at
that moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I immediately took a bite
of all the fruit I had put on my plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Same outcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No taste at
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Absolutely bland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would be lying if I told you I was not
disappointed because I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talking
about having expectations that didn’t get met!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Stop and
think for a minute of the number of times just today that your expectations didn’t
get met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something as ridiculous as you
ordered a burger and they got your order wrong, your spouse said they would
pick up some bread for dinner, but they forgot, your friend said they would
pick you up at 9 a.m. and it is now 9:15 a.m.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If we consider the times throughout the day we get frustrated with
others it we might be surprised to see how often it is tied into what we
expected as an outcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t hear me
wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not saying all expectations
are wrong!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just saying look at where
frivolous expectation could be tripping you up in your daily walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Saw this
quote that is rather amusing because there may be a little more truth to it
than we like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My expectations were
reduced to zero when I was 21.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything
since then has been a bonus.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Oh, and
by the way regarding both the avocado farmer and the fruit that was bland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both needed soil that had more nutrients in
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the couple on the tram explained,
they needed to be fertilizing the soil much more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same would be true of the fruit I told
you about. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Kind of
like some of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe we could use a
little Word fertilizer to make sure what you see on the outside really permeates
through our being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just saying…<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Vickie<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /><p></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-17313214780884697342023-02-16T19:01:00.000-06:002023-02-16T19:01:17.822-06:00Stay Strong in The LORD…<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOF2-mb7h7OL1MxLxPQzX6jrMHSWgIUKe5cu-XZWN0sWn7u5SMD6_RAN5-U03e2ZxZzT_arpAa6PVxXkYZxWs8pkhNdhmywKI_VI939eSzBLcbHR38VhpVEIOjmTz17DEUTVAl_vdZ5QmyxV_ss-wZCr12x2xqZTN8FKo5RmqYgJviYRDKhd2JeHpw/s204/picture%2011.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="204" data-original-width="204" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOF2-mb7h7OL1MxLxPQzX6jrMHSWgIUKe5cu-XZWN0sWn7u5SMD6_RAN5-U03e2ZxZzT_arpAa6PVxXkYZxWs8pkhNdhmywKI_VI939eSzBLcbHR38VhpVEIOjmTz17DEUTVAl_vdZ5QmyxV_ss-wZCr12x2xqZTN8FKo5RmqYgJviYRDKhd2JeHpw/w218-h163/picture%2011.png" width="218" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>This week unlike many of the weeks over the past year I have
heard the voice of so many struggling with the things they see around them in
this world.</b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;"> </span><b style="font-size: 12pt;">The </b><b>horizontal</b><b style="font-size: 12pt;"> will always
drag us down.</b><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Yes, we live in this world
but never forget we are </b></span><b>sojourner's</b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b> in this world.</b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>It is not our home.</b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Takes some time to read these word from Psalms
37.</b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Open Sans",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He Will Not Forsake His Saints</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b style="text-indent: -48pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><sup>1 </sup> Fret not yourself because of evildoers;</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">be not
envious of wrongdoers! <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>2 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For they will soon fade like the grass <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">and wither
like the green herb. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>3 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Trust in the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,
and do good; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">dwell in
the land and befriend faithfulness. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>4 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Delight yourself in the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">and he will
give you the desires of your heart. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>5 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Commit your way to the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">trust in
him, and he will act. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>6 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He will bring forth your righteousness as the
light, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">and your
justice as the noonday. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>7 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Be still before the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> and wait patiently for him; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">fret not
yourself over the one who prospers in his way, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">over the
man who carries out evil devices! <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>8 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Fret not
yourself; it tends only to evil. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>9 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For the evildoers shall be cut off, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">but those
who wait for the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> shall
inherit the land. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>10 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In just a little while, the wicked will be no
more; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">though you
look carefully at his place, he will not be there. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>11 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But the meek shall inherit the land <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">and delight
themselves in abundant peace. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>12 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The wicked plots against the righteous <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">and gnashes
his teeth at him, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>13 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>but the Lord laughs at the wicked, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">for he sees
that his day is coming. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>14 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">to bring
down the poor and needy, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">to slay
those whose way is upright; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>15 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>their sword shall enter their own heart, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">and their
bows shall be broken. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>16 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Better is the little that the righteous has <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">than the
abundance of many wicked. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>17 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">but the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> upholds the righteous. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>18 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>
knows the days of the blameless, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">and their
heritage will remain forever; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>19 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>they are not put to shame in evil times; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">in the days
of famine they have abundance. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>20 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But the wicked will perish; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">the enemies
of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> are like the glory of
the pastures; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">they
vanish—like smoke they vanish away. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>21 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The wicked borrows but does not pay back, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">but the
righteous is generous and gives; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>22 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>for those blessed by the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> shall inherit the land, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">but those
cursed by him shall be cut off. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>23 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The steps of a man are established by the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">when he
delights in his way; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>24 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>though he fall, he shall not be cast
headlong, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">for the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> upholds his hand. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>25 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have been young, and now am old, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">yet I have
not seen the righteous forsaken <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">or his
children begging for bread. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>26 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He is ever lending generously, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">and his
children become a blessing. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>27 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Turn away from evil and do good; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">so shall
you dwell forever. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>28 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>
loves justice; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">he will not
forsake his saints. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>They are preserved
forever, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">but the
children of the wicked shall be cut off. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>29 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The righteous shall inherit the land <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">and dwell
upon it forever. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>30 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">and his
tongue speaks justice. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>31 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The law of his God is in his heart; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">his steps
do not slip. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>32 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The wicked watches for the righteous <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">and seeks
to put him to death. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>33 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>
will not abandon him to his power <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">or let him
be condemned when he is brought to trial. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>34 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wait for the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>
and keep his way, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">and he will
exalt you to inherit the land; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">you will
look on when the wicked are cut off. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>35 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">spreading
himself like a green laurel tree. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>36 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But he passed away, and behold, he was no
more; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">though I
sought him, he could not be found. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>37 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mark the blameless and behold the upright, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">for there
is a future for the man of peace. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>38 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But transgressors shall be altogether
destroyed; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">the future
of the wicked shall be cut off. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>39 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The salvation of the righteous is from the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">he is their
stronghold in the time of trouble. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: right 10.0pt left 20.0pt; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -48.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><sup>40 </sup><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>
helps them and delivers them; <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">he delivers
them from the wicked and saves them, <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 48.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -16.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">because
they take refuge in him. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /><p></p><p><b>His, </b><b>Vickie</b></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-69325538883419705122023-01-31T16:28:00.003-06:002023-01-31T17:35:28.801-06:00Portugal Retreat 2023<p> </p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyJw5DT2FYgh6DsjB_HIfs8yrbokc_q5fXJTdqzmiv9t5olv7T1OOawGTNxqRNJOZ-gDYdn6ACawHpmRv9uuDOSAvh8p9DgGMxfHOOiU8CZdLV-ErOM27BczKmSyFk4yNejZZzj7epFnnoG6txz18sARHaAz0WiVPmf9Koi9_FFRSnFp7T4nMaikj/s218/Picture%2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="218" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyJw5DT2FYgh6DsjB_HIfs8yrbokc_q5fXJTdqzmiv9t5olv7T1OOawGTNxqRNJOZ-gDYdn6ACawHpmRv9uuDOSAvh8p9DgGMxfHOOiU8CZdLV-ErOM27BczKmSyFk4yNejZZzj7epFnnoG6txz18sARHaAz0WiVPmf9Koi9_FFRSnFp7T4nMaikj/s1600/Picture%2014.jpg" width="218" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We are
excited and sad at the same time to share with you that registration for
Lisbon, Portugal is officially closed as of today. Several of you made it on the waiting list
and we will certainly let you know if anyone has to drop out between now and
the last week of March.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All our missionary
women have been sponsored for this conference and the Portugal Team is meeting
weekly to pray for each one of you along with many others that are praying for
you as we prepare to leave the country. If you are a missionary that is registered
to attend the retreat and have more questions please contact me at <a href="mailto:vicke@purejoyinternationl.org">vicke@purejoyinternationl.org</a> .<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">We have
had lots of sleet and ice around our part of the U.S. the last two days but thanks
to zoom we have continued to keep our prayer times going for the retreat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a great use of technology to be used for
His Glory.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For those
of you that may not have made it into our Portugal Retreat we are currently making
plans for a retreat in the Republic of Georgia (the country) in October of this
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep an eye on <a href="http://www.purejoyinternational.org/">www.purejoyinternational.org</a> web
site for more information in the months ahead. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If your
church or you are interested in how you can be a part of the October retreat through
prayer, going, giving and gifting please contact me at <a href="mailto:vickie@purejoyinternational.org">vickie@purejoyinternational.org</a>
.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Praying
that you have a blessed week whatever part of the world you are in faithfully serving
our LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His,</span></b></p><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Vickie</span></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Let the place of secret prayer become to me the most beloved spot
on earth. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- Andrew Murray<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /><p></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-67369281140651459252023-01-11T09:01:00.001-06:002023-01-11T09:01:48.237-06:00Sometimes you just have to laugh…<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_ltzM3yrMmNVMo2y9Tec9DZ5fKaEoHhMa6JzdCXe8mK7lLlmSIfEvtowdpKGnbSSfLm-EX4M-uL0z8ADflH6_HOpjuSGeUN5AmVOysIZFLTiX4FiGRKQwf0pXCObugO-OzF41WU7NU3rEdH7aWM2bsJJWNXjPqFV2sn2AdUZRUsx4ei2tXfh8TvV/s217/Picture20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="149" data-original-width="217" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_ltzM3yrMmNVMo2y9Tec9DZ5fKaEoHhMa6JzdCXe8mK7lLlmSIfEvtowdpKGnbSSfLm-EX4M-uL0z8ADflH6_HOpjuSGeUN5AmVOysIZFLTiX4FiGRKQwf0pXCObugO-OzF41WU7NU3rEdH7aWM2bsJJWNXjPqFV2sn2AdUZRUsx4ei2tXfh8TvV/w243-h162/Picture20.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, last
night I was told by my 10-year-old great nephew you never listen to me. First,
let’s discuss that word never which is considered an exaggerated word. However, it does seem to make children and
adults wear it like some form of empowerment badge to get a point across along
with the words always and forever. Stop and think about how many times you use
those words in a sentence with your spouse, kids and family and it will make
you laugh.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before I
go any further let me clarify something very important that is difficult for
all of us to sort out at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
difference between the word hears and listen. To <i>hear</i> is to physically
experience the sense of sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As one’s
ear and brain are capable of processing sound waves, one can hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To <i>listen</i> is to deliberately apply the
ability to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One who listens is
thinking about what is heard, what it means, how to respond, and whether to
continue to listen/pay attention.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now, back
to the scene from last night. (smile) My great nephew was trying to convince me
to allow him to stay up later because he has been home sick with strep throat
and can’t go to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I explained to
him that because he has been sick he really needs the rest. I don’t need to
tell you how he felt about that. Ha,ha,ha, I did allow for some extra time
beyond his normal school bedtime, which of course was not enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, the rant of you never listen to me. I
thought, hey this is a good opportunity to plant a little seed of wisdom in his
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said, May I share something
with you? He conceded even though he didn’t want to listen. Ha,ha,ha<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said, I hear you and I’m listening to you.
What I’m not doing is agreeing with you. So, just because I don’t agree with
you doesn’t mean I’m not listening. Well, I left the room with him continuing
to say you are not listening to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Knowing that seed probably isn’t going to take root. Ha, ha, ha<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">But this
morning as I thought back over our interaction I almost had to laugh out
loud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heck, we live in a society today
that functions in that same mentality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If I don’t agree with you or see it the same way you do, then supposedly
I am not listening, narrow minded, judgmental, critical, mean and an awful
person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be prepared to be told those
things more and more in the days ahead as we await HIS coming. Because if you
choose to stand for Truth that means you are out of the majority and in the
boat of the minority. There are going to be many more things we don’t agree
with in the future!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, maybe
the next time someone tells you “you’re not listening” consider if that is true
or is it that you just don’t agree with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His,</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Vickie</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">P.S. We
have seven spots still open for the Portugal 2023 Retreat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure to let your overseas missionary
women know about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go to </span><a href="http://www.purejoyinternational.org/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">www.purejoyinternational.org</span></a></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>click on <u>Here </u>on that page and get more information and the registration form. Dates are April 26-29, 2023<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /><p></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6706461615622404522.post-92178967610441782982022-12-30T09:50:00.000-06:002022-12-30T09:50:34.073-06:00“He who keeps the treasure bears the care”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWRpBbankckiRYaLfbwNFgVNRg1otKu-U5MC18kZZkq32y0jmeZAjQaefq-Ca5Anmi7nBoRgO5Rt9OGlJvEdhXxW3Z2D1HgmTAENyN4Jbl0kZpegkFxzian46p1FzxHlEhNFaob7Kpl-Bk9_BIINVhfMbmHcUS-M3twHtX4HRgPoZ4LT-z_4zlqhL/s287/Picture%2020.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="161" data-original-width="287" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWRpBbankckiRYaLfbwNFgVNRg1otKu-U5MC18kZZkq32y0jmeZAjQaefq-Ca5Anmi7nBoRgO5Rt9OGlJvEdhXxW3Z2D1HgmTAENyN4Jbl0kZpegkFxzian46p1FzxHlEhNFaob7Kpl-Bk9_BIINVhfMbmHcUS-M3twHtX4HRgPoZ4LT-z_4zlqhL/w241-h163/Picture%2020.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As I was spending time in prayer about the blog and several other
things this week, God orchestrated me in the most interesting way through a
back door of some old files to a blog I had written in 2014. Wow! Almost 9
years ago. I am sharing a portion of it with you again because I believe God
shared it with me again. In this day and time where life is getting more
difficult (God’s word makes it clear in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 it will) I sensed this
blog was one of those things that was worth resharing. </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Enjoy but seriously
ponder as well. The following is a paraphrased version of an article by John
McKonkey.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There once was a man that inherited a diamond at the death of a
relative. Turns out the diamond was absolutely priceless. The man carried it
with him where-ever he went to protect it and keep it safe. After some time,
the man begins to get paranoid about someone taking the diamond from him,
mugging him on the street. So, he started to go out less and less and stayed
home more and more.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Eventually, he begins to think about what if someone breaks into
my house and steals the diamond. So, he put up the most expensive home
protections system you could buy. By now the man had few friends, he never went
out. One day his good friend came to his house and announced, We are
going out, get your diamond. The man reluctantly followed the
man to the vehicle. Once in the car the man's friend proceeded to drive him
directly to a very nice bank. They walked into the bank with the man with the
diamond following his friend through all the doors and rooms until they reached
a nice size vault. The friend said, I purchased this for you. It is yours to
keep your diamond in. Absolutely no-one can get in here once we close the door
today except you. I want you to leave your diamond here. You can come see it
anytime you choose. The man finally agreed after much fretting and the two of
them left the bank. Every day for weeks the man would go check on the diamond
and each time it was there. Slowly he began to go every other day, then only twice
a week, then only once a week until finally he went weeks without checking on
the diamond. He finally reached the place to check on it whenever he felt
like it which was not much because he knew where it was and that it was safe.
Thus, the quote.... "He who keeps the treasure bears the care.” </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When I finished that article, I realized that God was saying to me,
Vickie I know that your family is your earthly treasure. And you stay concerned
for them a lot. But you cannot bear the care anymore. It is too much. It keeps
you from having the life I intended for you to have. It was like the LORD said,
give me those treasures I can bear the care!</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> So, I ask you today. Are you holding on to your treasures?
Because if you are, you bear the care! Let go and let Him have the treasure and
bear the care because He can! And yes, it is a process. A continual process I
can promise you! And yes, you will want to go back and forth to the vault. But
the most important question is, have you placed your treasures in the vault
(GOD) to start with?</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1 Peter 5:7<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cast all your anxiety on
him because He cares for you.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Vickie</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p><b><span style="font-family: Playball; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessings as you step into the New Year 2023</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Playball; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p></p>Vickie Arrudahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163034321245437743noreply@blogger.com0