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Tonight, I get to teach Lesson 3 at our Wednesday night Seattle Foursquare Church CR. The message is on HOPE. “Faith—even faith the size of a mustard seed so small that you can hardly see it...is the avenue to salvation.” Do you know how small mustard seeds are? They are about 2.5 mm (0.1 inch) in diameter. Last year, when I taught this same lesson at Northwest Church CR, I asked everyone if they are familiar with the “trust exercise”. This year, I will ask for audience participation. This should be fun! (at Green Lake, Seattle) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqZKom3P0KL/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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My friend Janet Brown is a community advocate and has been organizing Seattle area gatherings through her group Adventures 4 All. I collaborated with her to gather-up blankets and coats for the homeless a few years ago, and hosted the event at Fremont Health Club. A few weeks ago, Janet asked me, “Is it possible to book a doggo visit to our senior community?” To which I replied, “Absolutely!” She wanted to cancel due to low sign-ups. With compassion in my heart and voice, I convinced her to keep our appointment. During our phone conversation, I said, “Whether it’s one resident or many, we are committed to the visit because Maliea and I also experience joy when we connect.” An “audience of one” has a spiritual reference as well as practical meanings. For me, the opportunity to make a positive difference in one person’s life, to show them love and friendship and to affirm their purpose in the world, is exactly what Miss Maliea and I have been called to do through our work as a therapy dog team. I am grateful to collaborate with David Chouinard, Resident Services Coordinator and connect today with Ena Whiteaker, Regional Director of HUD Property Operations for Catholic Housing Services of Western WA. They both welcomed us with enthusiasm and were grateful for the visit. The joy and energy that we feel when we serve our community gives meaning to “helpers high”. We are blessed to be a blessing!🙏🏽 (at Seattle, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cobm_5fu7Z6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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❤️ February is National Heart Month. ❤️ Doria Stewart and Cyndi Bynum Reed @healthycellsrn host “Nurse Talk” TONIGHT, Tuesday, February 7th 5pm PT (8pm ET). ZOOM Meeting ID: 680 870 6091 Thank you @dauofking for inviting me! I’m honored and excited to share the miraculous recovery our body is empowered to experience from redox signaling molecules! #nationalheartmonth #hearthealth https://www.instagram.com/p/CoX2hTivw2Q/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#nationalheartmonth #hearthealth

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This happened at @retreatgreenlake when I met with a new friend from CR. It’s been a huge blessing to deepen friendships with sisters in Christ. I pray for more new women who help to affirm me and a positive influence to come into my life. The past three years have been rough because I love to connect, hug people and be a blessing to others. More than ever, I realize that my lifestyle is a privilege—not to be taken for granted. #blessedtobeablessing #favor (at Retreat Green Lake) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn_UcGfO4Y3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#blessedtobeablessing #favor

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Yumm! My husband is an amazing chef. Nutrient-density and balanced micronutrients are on his mind when he’s in the kitchen—hard at work. I am very blessed that he enjoys the process! (at Green Lake, Seattle) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmgGtUau9Rt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” – Galatians 5:22-23 (at nwchurch) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cleh9-OSHje/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Maliea’s spray surgery was this morning. All went well with the procedure. Please send up prayers and good vibes for a speedy recovery for our girl @malieathedoodle.🐾🐾 (at Seattle, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClQVI0Luxzt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Transformation Tuesday This season, I’m investing in my physical fitness with a outward mindset. You’re probably curious how my weight lifting and competition prep protocols are not self-motivated, self-centric and possibly even selfish. When my fitness is on-point, I am a more effective servant-leader. Maybe in past years, my motives and objectives were focused on self improvement. Even then, my motivation was to demonstrate how chronological age differs from biological or metabolic age. I wanted to show that my birth date does not limit my ability to look, feel, and perform like that of a much younger person. “The Outward Mindset (2016) explains how changing your perspective can transform the world” and one view discusses “how a focus on personal needs obscures the needs of others and how, by identifying collective goals, people can make powerful collective changes in society”. I love the tag line on the nwchurch website… “People need a place to connect, serve, and grow. They want to  be part of life and community transformation. But finding a non-denominational church with an outward focus can be difficult.  Northwest Church invites you to join in as we reach people through God's love.” Many of us who study God’s word may be familiar with this text. Romans 12:2 (NIV) says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Look at the Message translation: "Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." Romans 12:2 (MSG) Since Mamang went home to be with the Lord in November 2020, I have been still—as I wait on God’s instructions. Grief and loss and a pandemic have changed me forever. Thankfully, my Lord, my Savior has a plan and gave me a vision. “Plans change but vision remains,” PK has said. (Cont’ below in comments.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkugfqnLXxI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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One word: Yummers! 🧋 🧋 🧋 🧋 Thank you @toastmiplease for your amazing boba, veggie sandwiches and for allowing @malieathedoodle to hang with us during our recap of our @greenlakefoodwalk and while we plan the next @greenlakechamber sponsored events in our GreenLakeSeattle neighborhood! #GreenLakeFoodWalk #LoveGreenLake #GreenLake #Seattle #SeattleFoodie #SeattleEats #PNW #PNWlife #PNWfoodie #Yum #Eat #Food #SeattleRestaurants #NomNom #LetsEat #FoodSamples #GreenLakeChamberSeattle #SeattleWA (at Toast Mi) https://www.instagram.com/p/CijkOuZry6n/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#greenlakefoodwalk #lovegreenlake #greenlake #seattle #seattlefoodie #seattleeats #pnw #pnwlife #pnwfoodie #yum #eat #food #seattlerestaurants #nomnom #letseat #foodsamples #greenlakechamberseattle #seattlewa

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Tomorrow (a few hours from now), Saturday, Sept 10th 1-4pm, Mitch and I will be enjoying food samples at the annual 2022 Green Lake Food Walk in our neighborhood! I still have free tickets to gift-away, so please DM or text me! Our Chamber will have 100 same-day tickets for $15 each. However, to everyone seeing this who DM’s me, you’ll get a free ticket by providing me your mobile so I can text you a code. Please share on your socials and tell them I have free tickets to gift-away. www.greenlakefoodwalk.com #GreenLakeFoodWalk #LoveGreenLake #GreenLake #Seattle #SeattleFoodie #SeattleEats #PNW #PNWlife #PNWfoodie #Yum #Eat #Food #SeattleRestaurants #NomNom #LetsEat #FoodSamples #GreenLakeChamberSeattle #SeattleWA (at HomeStreet Bank) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiUcau8udVU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#greenlakefoodwalk #lovegreenlake #greenlake #seattle #seattlefoodie #seattleeats #pnw #pnwlife #pnwfoodie #yum #eat #food #seattlerestaurants #nomnom #letseat #foodsamples #greenlakechamberseattle #seattlewa

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Date-night @donluchos on Roosevelt was a blessing and our first time eating Peruvian AMAZING! #datenight #blessed (at Don Lucho's) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch6dr2AOkHs/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#datenight #blessed

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Join us today for great food, a ministry fair, games, music, tours of the facility, and an opportunity to meet people living in our community! • @nwchurchlynnwood Block Party - August 21 from 5pm to 8 pm! (at nwchurch) https://www.instagram.com/p/Chihs-xvzm6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Tennis last night with @malieathedoodle as our line judge and score-keeper. It was just us so we allowed her onto the court. I said to Mitch, “It feels good to win points.” I haven’t picked up a tennis racquet much this year. #tennis #tennisdoodle #tennisdog (at Seattle, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgQx7Vrun8R/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#tennis #tennisdoodle #tennisdog

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That after Sunday church service glow… ✨ Jesus said, Let your light shine before others… “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” —Matthew 5:16 NIV (at nwchurch) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf3J6KouG5K/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Hope your 4th of July celebrations were as eventful as ours yesterday! We attended an annual picnic hosted by our raw-vegan community organized by our friend, Jeff Rogers. Afterwards, we fixed our fence and gate at Shoreline, played fetch in our backyard, and experienced the fireworks display across the street. Miss @malieathedoodle eventually became desensitized after a few loud, scary booms and sparks. I gave her lots of hugs, reassuring words and yummy treats. #4thofjuly #fireworks #doodlemom (at Seattle, Washington) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfpYbFTvuUo/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#4thofjuly #fireworks #doodlemom

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God has a sense of humor alright. Last night, our CR worship team lead a song with these lyrics: “… Though sorrow may last for the night Joy comes with the morning … I'm trading my sorrow I'm trading my shame I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord”. Do you know the song? Today, I had the honor and blessing to celebrate the life of my dear friend Ann. Jumping off of my second Mother’s Day without Mamang last weekend, and into mourning the death of a Godly woman who positively influenced my life with such profound intention—has been very challenging. Grief can be a beautiful experience if you allow God to do deep work through the pain. God prompted me to ask for the mic today and to share two of my fondness memories with my Sister In Christ. I was reminded about the time she volunteered to be a model in a eco-fashion brand I was promoting, and we drove to Mount Vernon together to visit the first retail store opening. The other memory was Oxygen Women’s Conference 2017 when she quoted her granddaughter Chloe: “Exhale stress and breathe in Jesus.” I quote Ann daily with that one. This scripture was highlighted in a video of that Ann played for us today. Easy one to memorize so you may hear me quote this one a lot from now on… Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” I know that Ann will be at the red carpet when my time comes and she will say, “Young Lady, let’s dress for success!” I love you, Ann! (at Evergreen Covenant Church) https://www.instagram.com/p/CdkOLehOsfX/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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My grief comes in waves… I remember learning about this during my GriefShare group sessions. I found this meme on my friend Jan’s wall just now and it fits my current state. This second year of Mother’s Day celebrations without Mom and feeling like my family is now fragmented—has been teary and unfortunately has caused me to be in rage. Why the anger? Because everything is so different now. The years of traditions around Mother’s Day have evolved. My husband read this meme and says that there’s wisdom in it, and he’s spot on. I am grateful for the new traditions. I have found great joy in the unexpected changes to our family routines. And most of all, I’m thankful for God’s grace through the grief, the tears, the anger and the pain. https://www.instagram.com/p/CdUt_l5uuYP/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=