Today, I became a homeowner.It all started about 3 months ago. The thing is, I have always loved living at home. Always.I enjoy the special time I have with my parents-- they are pretty cool!-- and all of the perks associated with having a nice, big warm home to live in. The benefits of staying always outweighed the benefits of moving out, in...

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It was a day that we had baptisms of two twin boys at church. I was standing in the lunch room, catching up with my mom. "Hi Gwandma," I heard a little voice say. A little voice that at 6 years old, still struggled with the "R" sound. I didn't realize who this dark-haired girl in the red polka dot dress was until...

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Me?I'm just sitting at the kitchen table, sipping cold coffee and working on a PowerPoint presentation for the Child Sponsorship Program. In some ways, I feel like I'm back in college... putting together picture, video, music, etc. late at night like this. The football game is on in the other room, with casualties on the couch, proof of a busy weekend.The Pumpkin Festival...

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Today I went to jail.I frequent there... about once a month. Fortunately, after being there for about an hour, I get to walk right back out and go on with my life.But each time I go, I learn something new. My perspective changes just a little. My mind is renewed. I am more thankful, and my picture of life is more clear.To offer...

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For those of you who have journeyed along with me on my African trip via my stories, thanks for reading! If you don't have Facebook, I will post the pictures that the FB world has been enjoying over the past couple of weeks. There are quite a few albums-- the early ones are "teasers" that I posted, and then the rest of them...

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Last Days in Africa...Saturday Heather’s alarm went off at 5:20 a.m. I snoozed in bed until she told me that we had only 5 more minutes before we had to leave and then I reluctantly rolled out of bed. It was early and cold, and my bed was warm, not to mention one of the most comfortable beds I have slept in for...

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We sang with the kids at the school—for the last time for most of the team. Most of the kids showed up in their bright yellow hoodies. The LS kids presented a program to us as a thank-you and good-bye.All the kids did a great job singing and dancing, but my favorite was an older girl who recited the 23rd Psalm. Her voice...

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This is the day we overslept. Heather had tried to set an alarm on her ipod, but it died in the middle of the night so we woke up when the other girls were banging on our door to leave. We quickly got ready and walked to school. I was actually thankful for the opportunity to walk. It was one of my favorite...

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The first morning in Africa, we were up and ready early to leave for school. About 10-12 of us packed into the little Noah to head to Lifesong. It was always a tight ride, but very cozy. :) The kids at Lifesong start out every morning in rows of their grades and sing. This is one of my favorite parts. Lucy, the principal...

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As I did last year, I will ty to post my story of Africa into sections. This first one is quite large because it includes a little bit of background, plus all our travel days and time in London.Enjoy!BackgroundThis is the story of my second journey to Africa.The first one took place in January 2010. I was absolutely elated to have the opportunity...

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In exactly one week at this time, I will be flying through the air in a plane with a destination of Africa. I am returning to Zambia."When you go to Africa, you leave part of your heart there." Those words were spoken to me before my first trip. I held onto them with a "we'll-see" attitude, not being able to fully believe the...

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I have this recurring dream where I am driving in my car. I look in the rearview mirror, and a white car is following me. In my head, I think, "Oh no, I wonder if that's a cop. I'm speeding." And it always is. And the cop always pulls me over.Today I was telling my sister about this-- that I needed to consult...

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On today's docket:7:30-8: press snooze on my alarm clock8: wake up9: arrive at work9-11: edit pictures11: run into a friend on the road and chat11:20: dentist appointment in pekin12: starbucks run12:30: meet with interior designer about our studio2:00: lunch... no time and nothing in the house so grabbed JJ2:30-3:30: another trip to Pekin for Hobby Lobby and Mendard's3:30: spotted a cool field with...

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Overcommitted.That's what I am.Too many "yeses" and not enough "nos." Too many projects and not enough time. Too much work to do and not enough brain power.Two of my friends have said, "Taryn, I've missed you at the gym!"I know. I don't have time for physical exercise. So instead, I do things like stand on my tippy toes if I am standing up...

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I wish I was better about stopping to smell the roses.Most of my life is spent rushing around. It's the way I like it. I didn't notice that most people do not set such a pace until one evening a few years ago. My mom had company over and we were both working in the kitchen to prepare dessert when I noticed we...

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**The following are some thoughts I have regarding a current situation in my life. Without getting into the “what,” I wanted to share the “how God is working” part.** The crying always catches me off guard. Maybe it’s because deep down, I don’t feel like it is something that I should cry about. So when the tears do come, they stream down my...

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Tonight I was reflecting. Kristi and I were driving home from an engagement shoot, and right before we got into the car, she announced, "Tonight during the shoot I made a decision to change 2 things in our business."She was half-sarcastic, half-no-nonsense. I knew she wouldn't make an executive decision without my input, but at the same time, I usually agree with her...

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I figured out what my problem is. It's not that I wouldn't love to update you all fairly often. It's just that a) I have a terrible, terrible memory and b) due to my terrible memory in which, if I don't make a point to remember my life and every clever thing that occurs, I have nothing to write about.Well, unless I'm in...

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