tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47243004904975567802024-02-07T02:54:05.586-05:00Romanian EscapadeSolio Deo GloriaUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-49975997078032405852009-08-12T17:47:00.002-04:002009-08-12T17:51:21.858-04:00On Our Way!<div align="center">Well, I'm a bit sleepy to do a thorough report, but we're going! Flew into NY this morning, and we are currently *enjoying* an eight hour lay-over. Oh, the joys of flying.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">But it's all well worth it of course. </div><div align="center">We always appreciate your prayers and love : )</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">~Marilyn </div><div align="center">and</div><div align="center">Theresa</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-38263685179550327272009-07-20T21:05:00.003-04:002009-07-20T21:16:51.065-04:00Here I am...Wow. It's been a while. I feel like it used to be as though I over-posted, and lately they've been all too seldom. And no, it has nothing to do with getting a facebook. ah-hem.<br /><br />Anyways, I just did a money count and I'm excited to announce that we have surpassed our goal! (which is probably necessary for "what if?" purposes, and if any is left over it will be donated right to Caminul Felix. Cool stuff!<br /><br />Today is July 20th, so I officially have 11 days till depature. Ahh! So exciting! I'm a little nervous truth be told, but I think that's healthy at this point :)<br /><br />And don't worry - thank you cards are coming. Slowly, but they're coming :)<br /><br />Well, please stay tuned via Romanian Escapade and facebook. I can't wait to share my adventures with you and I look forward to receiving encouragement while I'm away.<br /><br />If you'd like to email me your address I will certainly send you a postcard. Think of it as a little race to see who gets theirs first :) (which may be several months from now considering what I know of RO postal services :)<br /><br />Thanks guys!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-66845578328648618892009-05-14T14:03:00.002-04:002009-05-14T14:16:38.071-04:00"Is There Christian Eloquence?"For rhetoric today, I had the opportunity to read the article that follows. I can't help but share it with you.<br /><br /><br />-----------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><br />Is There Christian Eloquence? Clear Words and the<br />Wonder of the Cross<br />Desiring God 2008 National Conference<br />September 28, 2008<br />By John Piper<br /><br /><br />I begin by showing why this question is urgent for me, and in the process I hope to clarify what the<br />question means and what eloquence means. The question is urgent first and foremost because the<br />apostle Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, says in 1 Corinthians 1:17, “Christ did not<br />send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of<br />Christ be emptied of its power.” Christ sent Paul to preach, not with eloquence, lest the cross of gutted.<br />That’s why I am asking the question Is there Christian eloquence?<br />Even if you use the NIV (“not with words of human wisdom”) or the NASB (“not in cleverness of speech”)<br />or the KJV (“not with wisdom of words”), the point remains the same. There is a way to speak the<br />gospel—a way of eloquence or cleverness or human wisdom—that nullifies the cross. I dread nullifying<br />the cross, and therefore it is urgent that I know what this eloquence-cleverness-wisdom of words is, so I<br />can avoid it.<br /><br /><strong>An Urgent Question</strong><br /><br />Or consider 1 Corinthians 2:1 where Paul says, “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come<br />proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.” Or the NIV: “I did not come with<br />eloquence or superior wisdom.” Or the NASB: “I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom.” Or<br />the KJV: “[I] came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom.”<br />For a pastor, or anyone who wants to speak the gospel to others without emptying the cross of its power,<br />this is an urgent issue. “Is there Christian eloquence?” means first, for me, if I choose words, or ways of<br />putting words together, or ways of delivering them, with a view to increasing their life-giving, pridehumbling,<br />God-exalting, Christ-magnifying, joy-intensifying, love-awakening, missions-mobilizing, justiceadvancing<br />impact, am I doing with my word-selection and word-arrangement and word-delivery what is<br />only supposed to be done by the cross of Christ, and so emptying it of its power?<br />In other words, is Paul saying that the pursuit of impact on others through word-selection, wordarrangement,<br />and word-delivery preempts Christ’s power and belittles the glory of the cross? Answering<br />this is urgent for any of us who would speak or write about the truths of the gospel.<br /><br /><strong>Is the Bible Eloquent?</strong><br /><br />Complicating the question is this: Most Bible scholars throughout history have drawn attention to the fact<br />that the Bible itself has many eloquent parts. For example, John Calvin said, “Let us pay attention to the<br />style of Isaiah which is not only pure and elegant, but also is ornamented with high art—from which we<br />may learn that eloquence may be of great service to faith.”1<br />Or similarly consider what the poet John Donne said: “The Holy Ghost in penning the Scriptures delights<br />himself, not only with a propriety, but with a delicacy, and harmony, and melody of language; with height<br />of Metaphors, and other figures, which may work greater impressions upon the Readers.”2 In other words,<br />Donne is saying that there is eloquence of language in the Bible, and some of the impact of the text on<br />readers is owing in some way to that eloquence.<br /><br /><strong>Spirit-Led Eloquence?</strong><br /><br />Or consider what Martin Luther says on Galatians 4:6: “The Spirit makes intercession for us not with<br />many words or long prayer, but only with a groaning . . . a little sound and a feeble groaning, as ‘Ah,<br />Father!’ . . . Wherefore, this little word ‘Father’ . . . passes all the eloquence of Demosthenes, Cicero, and<br />of the most eloquent rhetoricians that ever were in the world.”3 So Luther says the Holy Spirit himself<br />leads us at times to a kind of eloquence—even in prayer.<br />So if these observations of Calvin, Luther, and Donne are right, what did Paul mean when he said he<br />renounced eloquence for the sake of the cross? Or are Calvin and Luther and Donne missing something?<br /><br /><strong>The Eloquence of George Whitefield</strong><br /><br />Another way to feel the urgency of the question Is there Christian Eloquence? is to compare what was<br />said about two giants of the First Great Awakening, George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards. These two<br />men were deeply unified theologically and significantly different in the way they preached.<br />In the Spring of 1740, George Whitefield was in Philadelphia preaching outdoors to thousands of people.<br />Benjamin Franklin attended most of these messages. Franklin, who did not believe what Whitefield was<br />preaching, commented on these perfected sermons,<br />His delivery...was so improved by frequent repetition, that every accent, every emphasis, every<br />modulation of voice, was so perfectly well turned, and well placed, that without being interested in the<br />subject, one could not help being pleased with the discourse: a pleasure of much the same kind with that<br />received from an excellent piece of music.4<br />Here is preaching that is so eloquent you can like it without believing anything in it. In other words, the<br />language itself—the word-selection, word-arrangement, and word-delivery was such that it was<br />pleasurable to Franklin who cared nothing for what the language meant. Franklin loved his eloquence and<br />rejected the cross. Was Whitefield emptying the cross of its power?<br /><br /><strong>Eloquence in Our Day</strong><br /><br />And just in case the generation of younger preachers, who don’t give a fig about this so-called eloquence,<br />think you have this one solved, because you don’t care about that kind of eloquence, beware. There is an<br />“eloquence” of “hip” and “dress” and “slang” and “savvy” and “casual” and the “appearance of<br />artlessness” that can have the exact same mesmerizing effect in our day that Whitefield’s eloquence had<br />in his: People like it without sharing any of the convictions. In other words, none of us escapes the<br />urgency of this question. We all need an answer.<br /><br /><strong>The Eloquence of Jonathan Edwards</strong><br /><br />But now consider Jonathan Edwards, Whitefield’s contemporary and friend. Edwards did not receive such<br />accolades for dramatic eloquence like Whitefield’s. But he did have another kind of eloquence. One<br />eyewitness answered the question whether Edwards was an eloquent preacher like this:<br />If you mean, by eloquence, what is usually intended by it in our cities; he had no pretensions to it. He had<br />no studied varieties of the voice. And no strong emphasis. He scarcely gestured, or even moved; and he<br />made no attempt, by he elegance of his style, or the beauty of his pictures, to gratify the taste, and<br />fascinate the imagination. But, if you mean by eloquence, the power of presenting an important truth<br />before an audience, with overwhelming weight of argument. And with such intenseness of feeling, that the<br />whole soul of the speaker is thrown into every part of the conception and delivery; so that the solemn<br />attention of the whole audience is riveted, from the beginning to the close, and impressions are left that<br />cannot be effaced; Mr. Edwards was the most eloquent man I every heard speak.5<br />In either case—Whitefield the dramatic orator or Edwards the motionless, intense logician—the question<br />remains: Were these forms of eloquence an emptying of the cross of Christ? Were they following Paul’s<br />example when he said that he preached the gospel “not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of<br />Christ be emptied of its power”?<br /><br /><strong>James Denny’s Haunting Statement</strong><br /><br />There is a statement that James Denney made over a hundred years ago that haunts me. Whether we<br />are talking about the more high-brow eloquence of oratory or the more low-brow, laid-back, cool<br />eloquence of anti-oratory, Denney’s statement cuts through to the ultimate issue. He said, “No man can<br />give the impression that he himself is clever and that Christ is mighty to save.”6 This has been one of the<br />most influential sentences I have ever read regarding how we talk about Christ. Does this mean that any<br />conscious craft or art in writing or speaking elevates self and obscures the truth that Christ is mighty to<br />save?<br /><br /><strong>Eloquence as an End in Itself?</strong><br /><br />There is one last angle that shows the urgency of this question Is There Christian Eloquence? Earlier this<br />year in the journal called Books and Culture, there was a review of a book by Denis Donoghue, Professor<br />of English and American Letters at New York University. The title of his book is On Eloquence. It was just<br />published this year. I was so aggravated by the review that I got the book and read it over the Summer.<br />Donoghue’s contention is that eloquence is a surprising, impacting style that is an end in itself. He says,<br />for example,<br />A speech or an essay may be eloquent, but if it is, the eloquence is incidental to its aim. Eloquence, as<br />distinct from rhetoric, has no aim: it is a play of words or other expressive means. . . . The main attribute<br />of eloquence is gratuitousness.7<br />Eloquence does not serve a purpose or an end in action. . . . In rhetoric, one is trying to persuade<br />someone to do something: in eloquence, one is discovering with delight the expressive resources of the<br />means at hand.8<br />He agrees with E. M. Cioran that this notion of aimless eloquence began with the sophists 2,000 years<br />ago.<br />The sophists were the first to occupy themselves with a meditation upon words, their value, propriety, and<br />function in the conduct of reasoning: the capital step toward the discovery of style, conceived as a goal in<br />itself, as an intrinsic end, was taken [by the sophists].9<br />So eloquence is a style of speaking or writing that is intrinsically pleasing without any reference to other<br />aims. It has no aim. It’s gratuitous. That’s what makes it eloquent. If it had an aim, it would be rhetoric and<br />would stand in the service of some cause or ideology.<br /><br /><strong>An Enamored Reviewer</strong><br /><br />What aggravated me about the review of Donoghue’s book in Books and Culture was that the Christian<br />reviewer was so enamored by this view of eloquence that he thought all thinking evangelicals should be<br />reading this book. Donoghue himself thought that the Bible—and Jesus in particular—put significant<br />obstacles in the way of this view of eloquence as aimless, gratuitous, pleasing language.10 But the<br />reviewer, on the contrary, was effusive about how this view shed light on the way God lavishes the world<br />with superfluous, gratuitous eloquence:<br />Is it really so hard to make the case for eloquence on Christian terms? What could be more eloquent,<br />more blessedly superfluous, than Creation itself? All those beetles, those unseen creatures of the deep,<br />those galaxies upon galaxies—all unnecessary. Shakespeare was unnecessary. My new grandson Gus<br />is unnecessary.11<br />I don’t think so. This is too cavalier about the purposefulness of God. Did God create this little boy Gus,<br />and Shakespeare, and the galaxies, and the thousands of species of plants and animals we have yet to<br />discover—did God create them whimsically, or purposefully? If purposefully, they are not gratuitous. And<br />they are not superfluous.<br /><br /><strong>Not Deep Enough</strong><br /><br />The problem with Donoghue and his reviewer is that they haven’t gone deep enough into the implications<br />for eloquence of the existence of a God who governs all things and does all things purposefully—indeed,<br />with the purpose to magnify the glory of his Son. “All things were created through him and for him”<br />(Colossians 1:16). Galaxies and grandsons are not gratuitous or superfluous. They are created for the<br />glory of Jesus Christ. Even the galaxies we have not yet seen will serve to magnify of the greatness of<br />Christ.<br />So what shall we make of all these varied witnesses to the goodness of eloquence when, in view of<br />Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 1:17, “Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and<br />not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power”? And what of 1<br />Corinthians 2:1, “When I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God<br />with lofty speech or wisdom”?<br /><br /><strong>An Interesting Link</strong><br /><br />There is an interesting link between Donoghue’s reference to the sophists and the context of Paul’s words<br />to the Corinthians. Donoghue traces his view of eloquence back to the sophists. They were the first to<br />treat style “as a goal in itself, as an intrinsic end.” One of the most compelling books on the background of<br />Paul’s words about eloquence in 1 Corinthians is Bruce Winter’s Philo and Paul among the Sophists.<br />Winter’s argument is that it is precisely the sophists and their view of eloquence that form the backdrop of<br />what Paul says about his own speech and how he ministered in Corinth.12<br />So consider with me Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians to see if he gives us enough clues to show what sort of<br />eloquence he is rejecting and what sort he is not only not rejecting but using.13<br /><br /><strong>Clues from 1 Corinthians</strong><br /><br />Notice first in 1 Corinthians 1:10-12 that the Corinthian believers were forming divisions by lining up<br />behind their favorite teachers, and there is pretty good evidence that the divisions had to do with the kind<br />of eloquence the teachers had. It says in verse 12, “What I mean is that each one of you says, ‘I follow<br />Paul,’ or ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Cephas,’ or ‘I follow Christ.’”<br />We know from 2 Corinthians 10:10 that Paul’s opponents mocked him as lacking eloquence. They said,<br />“His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account (ho<br />logos exouthenemenos).” And we know that Apollos, one of the favorites at Corinth, was eloquent<br />because Acts 18:24 says, “Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was<br />an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.” The fact that he is from Alexandria is significant. Philo<br />worked in Alexandria and tells us how prominent the sophists were there in training people to be<br />eloquent.14<br /><br /><strong>Opposing the Sophists</strong><br /><br />We know from at least six sources that the sophists were also present in Corinth.15 They put a huge<br />premium on style and form as evidence of education and power and wisdom. They had probably<br />influenced some in the church to admire their kind of eloquence and look for it in Christian teachers.<br />Apollos probably became their celebrity because he was so good with words. Bruce Winter says, “Paul<br />deliberately adopts an anti-sophistic stance and thus defends his church-planting activities in Corinth<br />against a backdrop of sophistic conventions, perceptions and categories.”16<br />That’s what we find in verse 17, which is where we began this message: “Christ did not send me to<br />baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be<br />emptied of its power.” So the way Paul is going to oppose the eloquence of the sophists is to show that it<br />empties the cross. Why is that? Why does this view of eloquence empty the cross of power?<br /><br /><strong>Undercutting Pride and Exalting Christ<br /></strong><br />Verse 18 gives part of the reason: “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us<br />who are being saved it is the power of God.” The reason the cross can’t fit in with the eloquence of the<br />sophists is that it is folly to them—that is, it is so destructive of human pride that those who aim at human<br />praise through “rhetorically elaborated eloquence”17 and “an elitist educational system”18 could only see<br />the cross as foolishness. The cross is the place our sin is seen as most horrible and God’s free grace<br />shines most brightly. Both of these mean we deserve nothing. Therefore, the cross undercuts pride and<br />exalts Christ, not us, and that made it foolish to the sophists.<br />We see this confirmed in verse 20: “Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the<br />debater of this age?”—the debater, the man who is so nimble with his tongue he can take either side and<br />win. He is smooth and clever and verbally agile. Truth and content are not the issue; rhetorical<br />maneuvering is. Paul says at the end of verse 20, “Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”<br />The wisdom in view is not any deep worldview over against Christianity; it’s the sophistry of using<br />language to win debates and show oneself clever and eloquent and powerful.<br />So the eloquence Paul is rejecting is not so much any particular language conventions but the<br />exploitation of language to exalt self and belittle or ignore the crucified Lord. Notice the contrast again in<br />chapter 2, verses 1-2: “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the<br />testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus<br />Christ and him crucified.” The point is: Wherever I meet scribes and debaters who bolster their ego with<br />language jousting and leave the cross in the shadows, I am going to bring it out of the shadows and<br />showcase it totally. I will refuse to play their language games.<br /><br /><strong>A Two-Pronged Criterion</strong><br /><br />Notice one more thing in this context which gives us the two-pronged criterion of good and bad<br />eloquence. In 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Paul turns the tables on the sophists’ love affair with boasting.19<br />For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many<br />were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the<br />wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in<br />the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast<br />in the presence of God.<br /><br />1) Self-Humiliation<br /><br />God’s design both in the cross and in election is “that no human being might boast in the presence of<br />God.” That is the first prong of our criterion of good and bad eloquence: Does it feed boasting? Does it<br />come from an ego in search of exaltation through clever speech? If so, Paul rejects it.<br />Then he continues in verses 30-31:<br />And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and<br />sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”<br /><br />2) Christ-Exaltation<br /><br />The second design of God, not only in the cross and in election, but also in the sovereign grace of<br />regeneration (v. 30, “Because of him you are in Christ Jesus”) is that all boasting be boasting in the Lord<br />Jesus—the one who was crucified and raised. “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”<br />So the second prong of our criterion of good and bad eloquence is: Does it exalt Christ—especially the<br />crucified Christ?<br />So here is my understanding of Paul’s two denunciations of eloquence. In 1 Corinthians 1:17 he says, “. .<br />. not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” And in 1<br />Corinthians 2:1-2 he says, “. . . [not] with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among<br />you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” The point of both is this: Pride-sustaining, self-exalting use of<br />words for a show of human wisdom is incompatible with finding your life and your glory in the cross of<br />Christ. So let your use of words be governed by this double criteria: self-humiliation and Christ-exaltation.<br />I think, if we put these two criteria in front of all our efforts to make an impact through word-selection and<br />word-arrangement and word-delivery—that is, if we put them in front of our attempts at eloquence—we<br />will be guarded from the misuse of eloquence that Paul rejected. And now I see more clearly what was<br />behind James Denney’s dictum, precisely, these two criteria: “No man can give the impression that he<br />himself is clever and that Christ is mighty to save.”20 Self-exaltation and Christ-exaltation can’t go<br />together.<br /><br /><strong>The Bible Is Eloquent</strong><br /><br />So when we go back to Calvin and Luther and John Donne—all of whom said that the Bible is filled with<br />eloquence—I conclude they are right. The Bible is filled with every manner of literary device to add impact<br />to the language: acrostics, alliteration, analogies, anthropomorphism, assonance, cadence, chiasm,<br />consonance, dialogue, hyperbole, irony, metaphor, meter, onomatopoeia, paradox, parallelism, repetition,<br />rhyme, satire, simile—they’re all there, and more.<br />And it seems to me that God invites us to join him in this creativity of eloquence. He beckons us with<br />words like:<br />To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! (Proverbs 15:23)<br />A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. (Proverbs 25:11)<br />Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools. (Proverbs 26:7)<br />And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God<br />the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)<br />In other words, give thought to the aptness and seasonableness and fitness and timing and<br />appropriateness of your words. And make all of them an honor to the name of the Lord Jesus.<br /><br /><strong>What Difference Does It Make?</strong><br /><br />There is one last question I want to take up. If we are permitted to pursue eloquence (powerful verbal<br />impact), indeed if we are invited to, and if the Bible is an abundantly eloquent book, and if we are guided<br />in our pursuit of this impact by the double criterion of self-humiliation and Christ-exaltation, what would be<br />our hope for our speech or writing if we succeeded? Since only the Holy Spirit can perform the miracle of<br />new birth and actually raise the spiritually dead, and since he can do it with mundane, pedestrian<br />witnesses to the gospel or eloquent witnesses to the gospel, what difference does it make if we strive for<br />any measure of eloquence or increased impact through language?<br /><br /><strong>Five Benefits of Christian Eloquence</strong><br /><br />Here is a starter list of five things that we may hope for, knowing that anywhere along the way, God may<br />step in and make our words instruments of salvation with or without eloquence.<br /><br />1) Keeping Interest<br />Artistic, surprising, provocative, or esthetically pleasing language choices (that is, eloquence) may keep<br />people awake and focused because they find it interesting or unusual or pleasing for reasons they cannot<br />articulate. When the disciples fell asleep in Gethsemane, Jesus said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is<br />weak” (Matthew 26:41). We need to help people’s weaknesses.<br />This is not conversion or even conviction or sanctification, but it is a serious means to those ends.<br />Sleeping people or distracted people do not hear the word, and faith comes by hearing and hearing by<br />the word. Therefore, eloquence is like a good night’s sleep. It won’t save your soul, but it might keep you<br />awake to hear the word which can save your soul. So a person’s style may keep you interested and<br />awake to the same end.<br /><br />2) Gaining Sympathy<br />Artistic, surprising, provocative, or esthetically pleasing language may bring an adversarial mind into<br />greater sympathy with the speaker. If the language is interesting and fresh enough, obstacles may be<br />overcome—boredom, anger, resentment, suspicion—and replaced with respect and attraction and<br />interest and concentration. These are not conversion, or conviction or sanctification, but they don’t drive a<br />person farther away like boredom does. They may in fact draw a person so close to the light that Jesus<br />says, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” (Mark 12:34).<br />For example, return to George Whitefield and Benjamin Franklin for a moment. Whitefield’s eloquence<br />overwhelmed Franklin. He did not think Whitefield was a sham. He admired him. He became one of<br />Whitefield’s closest friends. Whitefield’s biographer, Harry Stout says, “Franklin allowed himself to be<br />drawn out on the subject of personal religiosity with Whitefield as with no one else, finding in Whitefield a<br />listener he could trust—if not agree with.”21 Therefore, Whitefield could speak to Franklin about Christ as<br />no one else could. He explained to Franklin with a smile: “I must have something of Christ in all my<br />letters.”22 Who knows how close Whitefield came to winning Franklin to the faith—and all this because<br />Whitefield’s eloquence overcame Franklin’s disdain for the Revival.<br /><br />3) Awakening Sensitivity<br />Fresh, surprising, provocative, esthetically pleasing speech may have an awakening effect on a person’s<br />mind and heart that is short of regeneration but still important as an awakening of emotional and<br />intellectual sensitivity for more serious and beautiful things. If a poetic turn of phrase can cause a person<br />to notice the magnificence of the sun, their next step might be to see that the heavens are telling the glory<br />of God (Psalm 19:1), and then they might confess Christ as the great sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2).<br />Is that not why David, the great poet of Israel, first says, “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalms<br />19:1), and then says, “In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving<br />his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy” (Psalms 19:4-5). Why compare the rising<br />sun to a bridegroom and a runner? To help the dull mind awaken to the joyful beauty of the rising sun in<br />the hopes that this natural kind of awakening might lead to the spiritual sight that nature is all about the<br />glory of God.<br /><br />4) Speaking Memorably<br />Certain kinds of eloquence—cadence, parallelism, meter, rhyme, assonance, consonance—may not only<br />interest and awaken the heart, but increase that impact by making what is said memorable, that is, more<br />easy to remember or memorize. Consider the title of this conference. I am very picky when it comes to<br />cadence and consonance and assonance. I worked on the title the same way I work on a poem: “The<br />Power of Words and the Wonder of God.” I want it to be pleasing and memorable.<br /> So first, there is an intentional cadence or meter that I find pleasing: -/- -/- -/- -/ (The POWer of<br />WORDS and the WONder of GOD).<br /> Second, there is consonance or alliteration between the W’s in Words and Wonder. Compare<br />“The Power of Language and the Wonder of God” or “The Power of Words and the Majesty of<br />God.” Both cadence and alliteration are lost.<br /> Third, there is assonance. Six of the nine words are dominated by the sound of the letter O:<br />power, of, words, wonder, of, God. Compare: “The Strength of Language and the Marvel of<br />Deity.”<br /> Finally, I think the juxtaposition of “words” and “wonder” and “God” is unusual, provocative, and<br />attractive.<br />All of that I think helps people remember the title, not because it is displeasing the way nine-eleven is<br />remembered because it hurt, but because it is esthetically satisfying. (Next year: “With Calvin in the<br />Theater of God”—iambic pentameter—so we can’t add “John,” Calvin’s first name.)<br />I presume that this mnemonic purpose is why some parts of the Bible are written in acrostics. For<br />example, Psalm 119 is 22 stanzas of 8 verses each and each stanza begins with a different letter of the<br />Hebrew alphabet, and all 8 verses in each stanza begins with that letter. That is not careless, but<br />intentional, artistic, eloquent.<br /><br />5) Increasing Power<br />The attempt to craft striking and beautiful language makes it possible that the beauty of eloquence can<br />join with the beauty of truth and increase the power of your words. When we take care to create a<br />beautiful way of speaking or writing about something beautiful, the eloquence—the beauty of the form—<br />reflects and honors the beauty of the subject and so honors the truth.<br />The method and the matter become one, and the totality of both becomes a witness to the truth and<br />beauty of the message. If the glory of Christ is always ultimately our subject, and if he created all things,<br />and if upholds all things, then bringing the beauty of form into harmony with the beauty of truth is the<br />fullest way to honor the Lord.<br />Or another way to think about this unity is this: If a person sees and delights in the beauty of your<br />language, but does not yet see the beauty of the Lord Jesus, you have given them not only a witness to<br />his beauty but an invitation. You have said, “It’s like this, only better. The beauty of my words is the<br />shadow. Christ, who created and sustains and mercifully accepts imperfect beauty, is the substance. Turn<br />to him. Go to him.”<br /><br /><strong>Creating Eloquence for His Name’s Sake</strong><br /><br />Yes, there is Christian eloquence. It is not the decisive factor in salvation or sanctification; God is. But<br />faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word. That word in the Bible is pervasively eloquent—words<br />are put together in a way to give great impact. And God invites us to create our own eloquent phrases for<br />his name’s sake, not ours. And in the mystery of his sovereign grace, he will glorify himself in the hearts<br />of others in spite of and because of the words we have chosen. In that way, he will keep us humble and<br />get all the glory for himself. Amen.<br /><br />---------<br />1 Quoted in “Calvin and the Bible,” from Selected Shorter Writings of Benjamin B. Warfield, vol. 1, pg. 7-8<br />2 John Donne, The Sermons of John Donne, vol. 6, pg. 55<br />3 Martin Luther, A Commentary on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians (Westwood, New Jersey: Fleming H.<br />Revell Company, 1953), 369-370<br />4 Harry Stout, The Divine Dramatist, 104, emphasis added<br />5 The Works of Jonathan Edwards, vol. 1, p. cxc<br />6 Quoted in John Stott, Between Two Worlds: The Art of Preaching in the Twentieth Century, 325<br />7 Denis Donoghue, On Eloquence, 3<br />8 Ibid., 148<br />9 Ibid., 136 emphasis added<br />10 “The most forceful rejection of eloquence I am aware of is Christ’s: ‘Get thee behind me, Satan.’” Ibid.,<br />143<br />11 John Wilson, “Stranger in a Strange Land: On Eloquence”<br />12 “The wise, the well born and the powerful epitomized the class from which the sophists came and<br />which the latter helped perpetuate through an elitist educational system which emphasized the art of<br />rhetoric. Given the great sin of the sophistic movement was it boasting . . . Paul made the Jeremiah<br />prohibition against boasting about wisdom, status and achievement a primary text in this critique of the<br />Corinthian sophistic movement.” Bruce Winter, Philo and Paul among the Sophists: Alexandrian and<br />Corinthian Responses to a Julio-Claudian Movement, 2nd ed., 253-254<br />13 For example, 1 Corinthians 1:25 is eloquent for its conscious shock value because it refers positively to<br />“the foolishness of God” and “the weakness of God.”<br />14 “There are . . . forty-two references to “sophist’ (sophistes) in Philo, apart from fifty-two references to<br />cognates, and numerous comments on the sophistic movement.” Winter, Philo and Paul, 7. “There can be<br />no doubt . . . that sophists and their students were prominent in Corinth and played an important role in<br />the life of the city.” Ibid., 140<br />15 Winter, Philo and Paul, 7-9 gives six sources for our knowledge of the sophist movement in Corinth.<br />16 Ibid., 141<br />17 Ibid., 144, note 16<br />18 Ibid., p. 253.<br />19 “The great sin of the sophistic movement was its boasting.” Ibid<br />20 Quoted in John Stott, Between Two Worlds: The Art of Preaching in the Twentieth Century, 325<br />21 Harry Stout, The Divine Dramatist, 228<br />22 Ibid.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-82364439469765845822009-05-14T12:54:00.004-04:002009-05-14T13:04:49.045-04:00Pampered Chef Fundraiser... You're Invited!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NpjIywXol0SJVJFMYTzAD1UDmko5zOWoNMOmDDmwEMQo2qvtvaaEJSOj7ybaUiBS9De8fa3Dh4H9FjczIa8sOkvkNEybV-OrQmnwdzAhMzFCU8Zf3_vEvHL1-u49yFZBq2-zHJ-wmBQ/s1600-h/pampered+chef.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335726672093984258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NpjIywXol0SJVJFMYTzAD1UDmko5zOWoNMOmDDmwEMQo2qvtvaaEJSOj7ybaUiBS9De8fa3Dh4H9FjczIa8sOkvkNEybV-OrQmnwdzAhMzFCU8Zf3_vEvHL1-u49yFZBq2-zHJ-wmBQ/s320/pampered+chef.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">The last Pampered Chef party we hosted was a hit. </div><br /><div align="center">And it was suggested to me that hosting another fundraiser might be a good idea.</div><br /><div align="center">In recent days I've recieved some affirmation of this, so here we go!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><strong>What</strong>: Pamerped Chef Party Fundraiser</div><br /><div align="center"><strong>When</strong>: June 8, 7:00 pm.</div><br /><div align="center"><strong>Where</strong>: South Carrol Full Gospel Church</div><br /><div align="center"><strong>Why</strong>: Raise funds to benefit Marilyn's missions trip to ROMANIA this summer. </div><br /><div align="center">A percentage of each order will go directly towards the effort!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><strong>Other Info</strong>: ...Some of you may have recieved an "e-vite" in your inbox... If you're unable to attend you can order online (I'll send you the link) -or- I can get you a catalog and you can place your order that way. </div><br /><div align="center">I'll probably need all the orders no latter than one week after the par-tay. Thanks you guys!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Sound like a plan?</div><br /><div align="center">If you have any questions at all please let me know!!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Blessings,</div><br /><div align="center">Marilyn</div><br /><div align="center"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-48786045165299083422009-05-09T15:29:00.002-04:002009-05-09T15:33:22.116-04:00All Systems Go<div align="center">And We Have...</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">PLANE TICKETS!!!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div><div align="center">Pretty cool, huh? </div><div align="center">Oh, and get this: I have a 50 minute layover in Prague. That makes me happy :)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Wow, guys, it's in paper. I'M GOING TO EUROPE.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Hello, Beautiful.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-78550654448539598792009-05-06T13:54:00.006-04:002009-05-06T17:12:03.232-04:00...Pampered Chef...Again??<div align="center">A few of you have expressed some interest in another Pampered Chef Party fundraiser...</div><div align="center">So, I ask, should we do it?</div><div align="center">We'll do this the democratic way. All in favor of the resolution: "Marilyn ought to host another pampered chef party" - say "aye". All who stand in negation say "nay". Majority wins. Irrational ideas not supported by the majority are at the mercy of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">filibuster</span>.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">And yes, I'm a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">home-schooled</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">poli</span>-sci <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">fanatic</span> :) </div><div align="center">(<em>thank you, Miss Hidey :</em>)</div><div align="center">Does it show at all by any chance?</div><div align="center"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-90702348428394959692009-05-03T19:42:00.002-04:002009-05-03T19:47:10.464-04:00SUPRISE!<div align="center">Date Change!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">New Trip Dates: August 1-15</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">(I'm super compelled to attend DEBATE CAMP (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">woot</span>!) -- and the dates coincided just a bit. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Luckily</span> for me the kind folks at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Caminul</span> Felix are, well, <em>kind)</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-52707132531623291572009-04-15T20:40:00.014-04:002009-04-22T19:37:46.559-04:00"Peles Castel"<div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Sooooo... my last post sparked a flame. The first couple photos in the second video featured none other than Peles Castle.<br /></div><br /><div align="center">If you've ever heard of Romania, it was most likely in relation in castles of some sort. And it's no wonder why.<br /></div><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325084820807454290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 372px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 269px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSzXZyApBI-k1SRSMETLsNqT7Kb5l3t234CnKHJp0f_NturGcZIoVCt3FIpJwg4hBy0BAAkhyphenhyphentMYHJGBs8MA8eVMlVT2Fbn3H2gB-ltbqwDpxAzu-k8YqLkno3nhvULkjeygcDkbzPoWw/s320/peles.bmp" border="0" /></div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><p align="center">Say hello to just one of the homes belonging to the late King Carol I of Romania. He was a distinguished Romanian ruler and conquerer of Nation Independence. Upon visiting Sinaia, Peles' hometown, the great King fell in love with the scenery of the land. And there his home was built. It was originally destined as a hunting preserve and summer retreat for the monarch, and later served several busniess purposes aswell. As of late, Peles was donated to the Romanian government and now houses eager sight-seeing travelers.<br /></p><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><p align="center">Alright, alright, enough talk. On to the pictures:</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325089899807804322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 363px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 284px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjbc4j0eSesb_y78i9O9k5PZqEGgCo_wz8fr2N1kRDopq3y70pbhugTOE1y1Owj9C2fk3pc06KKPfldmoEKiajKTKVLPwX0m19jpkPeW-ge_8sN1Ne-K24azgQSceykA5yHwc4A6dzSo/s320/Peles-2007-bgiu.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325090993757934370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 364px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 261px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtVgXVegmfb6aseK51H2yAE_aKKU88ACigVbRWsHlHl_0ypH89n8_1UM2zCTz4DpzTKdcrN7zH8HYTS7f1yOdLzMEAqGFPFmhU-b-EUQ2sWJAzhlhOIwV-C_Zyr_uZZ0C-1fvoOu_idU/s320/Peles_Castle_courtyard.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">(Peles Courtyard)<br /></span></p><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325090169901376818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 366px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 257px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0BG2fSe3bqiKwj3kYT4wIwzKERSR2g0etJ_3B8tWJNcgPxvCAhn48pWXGMO0HlhoEF9XC7D2t0zlSwIYDfdp_LbrVhN85sLA4cpPvmSqMytmoV3NYpT87N9s_tP9u8LcCqkcT2usp_w/s320/Peles_inner_court.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">(Peles Innercourt)<br /><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><p align="center"></span><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325087333944302370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 371px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 351px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzlH1YzXUY6iENtFni5mCDE9kkr-6i-np1G8UlmJhUYsYcjTHkswVMfPfNLFu7m8mZ6RlHqnPhGCxOekjEMP1ZHM34Rj6rCL_PoyV6hSjbWe3rZK8TaU0LW4xJhMnCHXlyNwowDtwCNo/s320/THE_HALL_OF_HONOUR_-_PELES_CASTLE.jpg" border="0" /><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325089337669383122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 392px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 273px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Xu_jJPNlMy-rLYsvo7xt6Kv9O4f_4MbFvSjCgvbADIeHHJE98TRyrbDufH6p5XmD46ezsewf0L-mvMdrb3mshDtYtZM1MJtRtv2hPYIR5K4HoIVt7SNXFneXbNK79uywMaAbDwt4xSQ/s320/Courtyard_pele%25C5%259F.jpg" border="0" /><br />Gorgeous, isn't it?!<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">[anything intelligent that I may have said above came from none other than wikipedia]<br /></span><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p align="center"></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-1616822519684257002009-04-15T20:05:00.006-04:002009-04-16T09:47:32.156-04:00Oradea, YouTube Style<p align="center">It occured to me that quite a few of my readers aren't all too familiar with Romania. </p><p align="center">Or Oradea for that matter. </p><p align="center">Regrettably, pictures (even those worth a thousand words) can only do so much. Sure, they're pretty. But as for getting the quaint European feel? Not so much. </p><p align="center">And thus, YouTube:</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/o-5LGPJsbAQ&hl=" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" fs="1"></embed></p><p align="center">This one's pretty... well... thorough. Plus it gives you the feeling Romania's a little wealthier than it is. Even still, it captures the lovely Romanian architecture quite well.</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center">Oh! This one's a must. It really captures the landscape of rural Romania.... not to mention CASTLES! The first castle- "Peles"- was the one I took a tour of while sight-seeing (it actually has a fake-out wall-pretty awesome) ... and the second is indeed dracula's castle. Take a deep breath- he was no vampire. Just a king with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrombocytopenia">thrombocytopenia</a>.</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xMdzFJbSAY8&hl=" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" fs="1" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed><br /></p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center">Enjoy!</p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-24914783693645737772009-04-15T18:25:00.004-04:002009-04-15T18:36:19.590-04:00Blast Through The Past<div align="center">Here's one from last year:</div><div align="center"> </div><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325050283677352466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 210px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUMO-gsjMHT335rMCxWeCQqpl3-bE3G_ajjtd_KMU4hAVqWMHr_pITW4ZWty6MKSoJSXpHlj_PlidPGRTNzOh-tqG4zhlb91HQYdLEQDBUhN0AxNvCqPuxOnLFvApz-NGhd7TdzgOqgA/s320/Romania+pics+002.jpg" border="0" /><br />vbs. oradea. romania. poor apartment complex built in communistic era. cutest kiddos ever.</p><p align="center">enough said.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-85795082834064788822009-03-27T11:31:00.002-04:002009-03-27T11:40:53.542-04:00[Jaw Hitting Floor]I do believe there comes a point in the process of fundraising when God just reminds you that He's serious about what you're doing-- and He's going to get you there.<br />My friends, that's exactly where I am.<br />These past couple weeks, I've had donations coming out my ears. And today, today I counted them up!<br /><br />Grand Total: 1,580.<br /><em>One thousand five hundred and eighty dollars! ! !</em><br /><em></em><br />I send hugs and thanks to all you guys who are so generously supporting me both financially, and prayerfully. I can't do it without it you!<br /><br />So.... I'm off to re-explore plane tickets! And after that I'll let you know what we're looking at, as far as how much we have left to go. Even though <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">this will</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">definitely</span> cover the travel, we still have my room and board cost, which is another thousand.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Multsumesc</span>!<span style="font-size:78%;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">[Romanian for "thanks"]</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-56927369051424584722009-02-23T16:38:00.002-05:002009-02-23T16:45:43.038-05:00Concerning Donations<div align="right">Hey, it's me again. I've been getting a lot of feed back conerning my letter, and it has been brought to my attention that I didn't make the donation aspect too clear. I'm so sorry about that! Here's some clarifying:</div><div align="right">Since I am going on my own, I just figured people could make the check straight out to me. I recently discovered, however, that you can also make the check out to "South Carroll Full Gospel Church", with "missions" in the memo, and a note attached letting them know that it's for Marilyn's trip to Romania. That way it's tax deductable for you! Although, I do think it would keep things easier if you could just mail it on over to me.</div><div align="right"> </div><div align="right">Sound good?</div><div align="right">Great.</div><div align="right"> </div><div align="right"> </div><div align="right">Please let me know if there's anything more that I neglected to clarify!</div><div align="right">Thanks.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-76821531513244624072009-02-22T16:16:00.003-05:002009-02-22T16:22:01.756-05:00Heavy Sigh<div align="center">Today I finally started looking at good old plane tickets. Right. </div><div align="center">I knew flying was a costly endeavor, but seriously? It's outrageous. Over one thousand dollars. Which I don't have. Yet.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I was searching via Travelocity... not too sure if that was a good choice (?)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Ok guys, any suggestions on how to search for plane tickets?</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Marilyn needs you.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-36576034137536977872009-02-12T21:46:00.015-05:002009-02-21T16:14:48.359-05:00Banana Nut Cheerios- Review and GIVEAWAY!Cereal's great.<br />There's nothin' in the world like that grainy crunch in a splash of milk.<br />Really, there's something just so familiar and cozy about it. And its good to know that the good folks over at General Mills hold your cereal cravings high on their priority list.<br />I mean, after all, they are the ones who brought you the Cheerio. And what's not to love?<br />They have watched and observed tirelessly to discover trends in America's love for cereal snacking. And their latest discovery? Why, this: that there is nothing that goes better with a bowl of the best cereal than a little fruity flavor. I mean, come on, ya got the oats, the creaminess, and what's left? Some refreshing fruit, of course!<br />There are plenty of people who have implemented this fruit concept into their pre-cereal prep work. And now, your friendly-neighborhood Cheerio is going to relieve you just a bit :)<br /><br />Introducing.... all new, 100% naturally flavored<br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffcc;"></span><span style="color:#ffffcc;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Banana Nut Cheerios</span></span></strong><span style="color:#ffffcc;">!!!<br /></span><br />Banana Nut Cheerios combine the whole grain goodness of Cheerios with the great taste of real banana - a breakfast your whole family will love!<br />Yes, I said it- REAL BANANA. Not some fake banana wanna-be. And boy oh boy, is it tasty!<br />I have found this thing hit home with me in more than one way. So, I'm going to break it down for you.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Tasty.</span> </strong>I'm serious, these have they perfect amount of banana tastiness to perfectly compliment the already wonderful Cheerio flavor. I love it! Really, truly- my new favorite.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffcc;">Nutritionally <em>Savvy.</em></span> </strong>Not only to they taste great, there good for you! Here's the run down:<br /><br /><br /><ul><li>Each serving of Banana Nut Cheerios comes equipped with 8 grams of whole grains, only one gram of fat, and absolutely no saturated or trans fat. Yes, my friends, they call this heart <em>healthy.</em></li><li>Banana Nut Cheerios are packed full of vitamins A, C, D, B6 and B16, calcium, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc. Check plus.</li><li>Real banana. yep, the ingredients actually read (now, get ready for this) "banana puree". Enough said. </li></ul><p>So, yes, I'm sure you've gotten the hint: I'm fond of these things. Banana nutty-ness added to Cheerios is like whip cream on a latte. And that makes me smile.</p><p>So, how about you? Want to give them a try? Well, if you answered yes, keep reading!</p><p>I am giving away <strong><span style="color:#ffffcc;">3</span></strong> Banana Nut Cheerios gift baskets!</p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuv51_V72YyCR2dS3HbkLiWE9FoICanQBRLVT1uQiylbPIBvmvSBwXy95n0HIoLng6BZDja2jNkmmeVqccx9LR__AepgGlYfB8KiQlUhHDDj8cocj3bCDoCZvdXCcyKe1_QPsU2Gsjsg/s1600-h/banana+nut+cheerios.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302115358948241762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 259px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuv51_V72YyCR2dS3HbkLiWE9FoICanQBRLVT1uQiylbPIBvmvSBwXy95n0HIoLng6BZDja2jNkmmeVqccx9LR__AepgGlYfB8KiQlUhHDDj8cocj3bCDoCZvdXCcyKe1_QPsU2Gsjsg/s320/banana+nut+cheerios.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />This prize pictured to the left includes: a coupon for a <span style="color:#ffffcc;"><strong>free</strong> </span>box of Banana Nut Cheerios, a fruit basket with an attached banana tree, a bread loaf pan, and two cereal bowls! Yay!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><p><strong><span style="color:#ffffcc;">How to <em>WIN</em>:</span></strong></p><p>You have up to three chances! </p><ul><li>First, leave me a comment and tell me about what you add to your bowl of cereal to make it your own!</li><li>For another comment, give your creation a name. Yes, a creative one! <em>Have fun with this!</em></li><li>And, for a third and final comment, post a link to this giveaway on your blog! Leave a link to it in your comment. Not into blogging? Email three people (+ me) and share the fun by sending them a link to this review/giveaway!</li></ul><p>Be sure to leave me a name and email address I can send a note your way should you win!</p><p>Sound like a plan? <em>Awesome. </em>By the way, this giveaway ends on March 1st. Oh, and one more thing: visit <a href="http://www.banananutcheerios.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#ffffcc;">http://www.banananutcheerios.com/</span></a> for discount coupons, great recipes and additional information.</p><p>Have fun and I hope you win!!!</p><p>_____________________________</p><p>I decided to end this one a little early, since comments stopped comin' in. To those of you who won... CONGRATS!!!!!</p><p>Be sure to check back for more fun :)</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-65180203922702864632009-01-24T17:17:00.010-05:002009-01-27T11:48:09.983-05:00**My Fruit Roll-Ups Review... GIVEAWAY!**<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrFlizBPYuOCyo5SUX7DHBg-vHYS7J9iHzbBVgxopAr4ne3QrezrqGNiMcp4UH6DungX7s0NyBIoYUq92_9KYMSH3HgCILHGN4zwGSc5-50NbZ-UBM2iMLxT8XCnbgbMyiX51QUxNdUQ/s1600-h/mini-fruit-rollups.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295000203309188210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrFlizBPYuOCyo5SUX7DHBg-vHYS7J9iHzbBVgxopAr4ne3QrezrqGNiMcp4UH6DungX7s0NyBIoYUq92_9KYMSH3HgCILHGN4zwGSc5-50NbZ-UBM2iMLxT8XCnbgbMyiX51QUxNdUQ/s200/mini-fruit-rollups.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div>I told you guys it was coming... and here it is!</div><br /><div>Ok, here's the scoop:<br /></div><br /><div>We're all quite familiar with the popular chewy candy with it's fruity flavor... and we've all stopped to wonder how on earth the pictures they impict were selected. Well, my friends, say no more to fruit roll-ups with <em>random</em> pictures, because let me tell you- <em>that</em> idea has been defenestrated. Say hello to YOUR fruit roll-ups. Yes, you knew the day would come and now it is finally here. Your chance to design your very own custom fruit roll-ups! Fun stuff, right? Let me tell you from my own experience: YES. Yes, indeed it is.<br /></div><br /><div>I was so generously given the opportunity to create my own fruit roll-ups! What did I think? Let me tell you:</div><br /><div>The <a href="http://www.myfruitrollups.com/">"My Fruit Roll-Ups"</a> web page makes it nice and easy to pick the design for your fruity goodness. They give you several different templates to work with, and once you pick one, the fun begins. Basically, you can do this a couple different ways- you can upload your own pictures, select some they have available on the website, type in your own text, or do a little of each. If you feel like sticking with their pictures, there are also some fun and festive backgrounds to choose from. Me? I decided upload some of my own photos. You can use up to three... which I did. </div><br /><div>The title for MY fruit roll ups: Three Bugs in A Rug. Yep. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294997691491323618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 313px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCpjcC89Jz-w2KclcLa-iP1fWGKlTtlIv6tcc5aFHXXuOBRhCF7StEDJpLfc_TFMpN4fdGGSYJH9qFBJtApj6A9Vj00Fhto-qQX8xazA9eiVSFGjECI70YLxk1IMQwlMe7NoNZmfAAdY/s320/My+fruit+roll+ups!.png" border="0" /><br /><div>There we are. <em>On a fruit roll-up. How seriously awesome is that?!?!</em></div>This is a picture of my design... not an actual fruit roll-up (because it was way to hard to capture a picture on a piece of glossy candy).<br /><br /><div>True, sometimes the pictures came out a bit deformed, but I suppose that's a little predictable for a gooey kinda candy. But let me tell you, they're yummy. And even yummier when you know your picture's on it! :)</div><br /><div>All in all- I think this just may be one of the FUNNEST things EVER!! Come on you guys, seriously. You know it is.</div><br /><div>Now, I would never go on and on bulking this up just to tantalize you. As always, there's some fun to share!! </div><br /><div>If you find "My Fruit Roll-Ups" as fun as I do, leave me a comment describing how <em>you</em> would design your fruit roll-ups, and I shall randomly select a winner Saturday, February 7th at twelve noon. The winner will receive a promo code for a box of 30 individually wrapped Fruit Roll-Ups - custom designed by none other than YOU!!! Yes, for absolutely no cost whatsoever. No shipping, no nothin'. Be sure to leave your name and email address so I can notify should you win!</div><div> </div><div>Happy commenting!</div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-79984687776707807422009-01-21T20:14:00.012-05:002009-01-21T20:45:57.892-05:00Oh yeah, Way CoolIntroducing our BRAND NEW blog template!! Funs stuff, huh? I rather like it.<br />(Ok, I know this is the shortest blog entry ever, but I had to do it).<br /><br />On a slightly more constructive note, the problem with the images refusing to load on here... is still here. Apparently Blogger knows that a ton of people can't see the pictures on their blog, and they have actually reported the problem as "fixed". Right. Any suggestions here? I couldn't find an email address or something I can report issues to (but I did find one for reporting abuse, and I did send them an email. Any response? Nope. None).<br />__________________________________________________<br />By the way you all- the excitement is building. I think Europe is my second home, and I cannot wait to return home to it. I left part of me back there last time I went, and I'm glad I get to recover it so soon. And then I'll have to leave it there again. But let's not think about that aspect. It's the landing part I can't wait one more second for.<br />_________________________________________________<br /><br />Oh, and one more thing. We have a GIVEAWAY coming up, so stay tuned. It oughta be a pretty neat one, too. Hopefully by then you'll be able to see pictures...<br />________________________________________________<br />Go ahead, leave me a comment and let me know what you think about this new look we've got going :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-46040351446659575772009-01-20T10:03:00.003-05:002009-01-20T10:06:55.579-05:00Hmmm...Hi everybody...<br /> So, is it just my computer, or are the pictures not loading throughout the blog? If you could leave me a quick comment and let me know if you see pictures on here I would greatly appreciate it. If it's not just my laptop having a mind of it's own, I should probably report it to Blogger or something like this.<br /><br />Thank you!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-79023576740296794342009-01-12T16:36:00.005-05:002009-01-12T16:56:40.087-05:00Reminiscing: Episode OneWell, here it is! And no, I didn't forget as I seem to with everything else I promise I'll get to later. Pat yourself on the back, Marilyn. Way to go.<br /><br />And this is an awesome photo, too. And yeah, most likely I'll say that for every one I post up here, but that's becuase I love them all.<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290525195781553938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 209px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_viS9I2nSUXQ/SWu4opnQPxI/AAAAAAAAAEU/B6G5lR7zDGc/s320/Romania+pics.jpg" border="0" />Ok, so see that stain glass window directly to the left of the clock in the tower? I want <em>that</em> to be my bedroom window. Wake up to the chiming of a clock in a Romanian tower built hundreds of years ago in the quant city of Brasov? Oh yeah. </p><p>Ok, so the last few days of my trip were devoted to touring some Romanian territory that so many people seem to overlook. And I think that's what made it all the more daydream-ish. We had driven for about 48 hours through mountains and forests, to arrive upon this darling little town. One thing that I think holds true for every bit of Romania is that the more of it you experiance, the farther back in time it feels as though you're in. I really, really love that.</p><p>We had hiked up about 200 steps (which really isn't much for a country with no elevators) right up to this gorgeous clock tower that is neighbored by all these little shops and homes, all huddled around an uneven cobble stone lane. Priceless, right? </p><p>Yeah, I happen to think so.<br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-82522904642134390312009-01-07T16:38:00.003-05:002009-01-07T17:19:05.968-05:00UpdateHello to my wonderful readers!<br /><br />Well, I just thought I'd update you on the VERY successful fundraising accomplished at the Pampered Chef party! Twenty percent of the each order cost was donated to help support me in my efforts to venture out to Romania this summer. The Grand total? <strong>$407.01</strong>!!!! (Which means you guys spend way too much on cookware) (haha, just kidding :)<br /><br />So, altogether I have raised <strong>$795.01!!! </strong>Horaay! That puts the "awesome" in "awesome-ness". Totally.<br /><br />I hope to purchase the plane tickets some time this week. Seriously, I'm getting more stoked about this as each day goes by and brings me closer to June twenty-fourth. But that's a whole other blog entry entirely. :)<br /><br />Well, I was going to post one of my favorite photos captured two summers ago, but sadly dear old Blogger is not cooperating. However, to add a little flava to "Romanian Escapade" I will be adding a new weekly feature displaying a pic from my last hike up yonder and some reminiscing... so enjoy them! ...once they get here.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-48420681235055102632008-12-09T11:41:00.002-05:002008-12-09T11:55:24.495-05:00Again, Some Thanks Are In OrderWow. Where do I begin?<br />To all of those who were there yesterday, I don't think I need to tell you what a good time it was. For those who didn't make - so sorry.<br /><br />Of all the many times I have heard the words "pampered chef", I have to tell you I didn't know what I was missing out on. They really do offer some nice, quality cooking appliances. I mean seriously, they have thought of <em>everything. </em>And we really did have a great time playin' around with them.<br /><br />Thank you- to those who sent orders, came to the party, placed purchases to help get me on my way... to Miss Becky and Miss Yvonne for all they did to get this show on the road, and another special thanks to Mrs. Lillycrop for the lovely job she did-- THANK YOU!!!<br /><br />Now, if you're reading this and kicking yourself for not have had a chance to participate in the Pampered Chef experiance- it is certainly <strong>not</strong> too late to place an order to benefit the fundraiser! I have some order forms that we will be accepting until December 12th. Twenty percent of all purchases will go towards my missions trip to Romania this summer!<br /><br />As the Romanian would say, "Multsumesc!"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-63901504265235991402008-11-29T15:06:00.005-05:002008-11-30T20:41:33.196-05:00Pampered Chef Party<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_viS9I2nSUXQ/STGhbEScKzI/AAAAAAAAAEM/v9VteRC-9Os/s1600-h/pampered+chef.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274174125007186738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 233px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_viS9I2nSUXQ/STGhbEScKzI/AAAAAAAAAEM/v9VteRC-9Os/s400/pampered+chef.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Discover the chef in you. Support Marilyn's trip to Romania. It's got a nice ring to it, don't you think?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We are approaching another chapter of fundraising on behlaf my missions trip to Oradea this summer. Ya know, they just keep getting more and more exravagant as they come. (Thank you Miss Becky! :) </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Ok, so here's the deal: </div><div></div><div>On Monday, December 8th, we will be hosting a Pampered Chef Party in the Youth Barn at South Carroll Full Gospel Church. The time is 6:30 pm. It will feature a display of many of Pampered Chef's cookware items, as well as some appetizer samplings (Ooh la la, I know). </div><div></div><div>Alright, so you might be wondering, "how in the world is this a findraiser?" The answer is this- a percentage of all proceeds will go towards my trip to Romania. I will elaborte: if $599 or less is recieved, 10% will benefit my trip. From $599 to $1,000 I recieve 15%, and over $1000, 20%. </div><div></div><div>Everyone is welcome, so bring along a few friends! If you can't make it, but would still be interested, let me know. I have a few catalogs that do contain order forms. Orders made from the catalog will also count toward the fundraising. </div><div></div><div>So, if you're in the market for some new kitchen gadgets, from silverware, to knives, veggie pealers, serving dishes, and spices, come on by! </div><div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-33623122626239473042008-11-24T15:29:00.007-05:002008-11-29T10:29:03.192-05:00NEW Progresso Broth Recipe Basket GIVEAWAY!<div align="center">Here it is! Romanian Escapade's first ever GIVEAWAY! And I rather like it. </div><br /><div align="center"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Progresso</span> has just come out with a new line of soup broths, that I actually had the privilege of reviewing.</div><br /><div align="center">Here is the low-down:</div><br /><div align="center">The broth comes in Chicken, Reduced Sodium Chicken, and Beef. They are 100% all natural, 99% fat-free, and contain no preservatives or artificial flavors. Now, if you're like me, I get pretty happy when I'm eating something whose ingredients I can read, pronounce, and understand. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Progresso's</span> broths certainly succeeded in this. Further, it comes in convenient, re-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">sealable</span> 32 oz. containers. (If you're ever bored- the little snap lid is extremely entertaining. Sorry, just a side note). </div><br /><div align="center">My cousin and I made some potato-pea soup, just to try it out. (By the way when recipe nomenclature such as "potato-pea soup" is used, you know we need to hit the grocery store). It was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">de</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">lic</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ious</span>! I know, you're probably thinking "It's soup broth for crying out loud. What difference does it make?" Let me tell you- more than you might think. It was richer, and much more flavorful than the average powdered soup broth we normally use. It <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">complimented</span> the other <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ingredients</span> quite nicely, if I might say so myself! My only compliant is that I do wish it came in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">vegetable</span>. </div><br /><div align="center">I may not be a soup broth <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">condesour</span>, but I really do like this stuff! I love that you can add a little broth to practically any dish, just to give it a little extra "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">umph</span>". </div><div align="center">My overall rating? An "A"!</div><br /><div align="center">But don't worry my friends, it only gets better from here! You too can have the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">opportunity</span> to try it out! Here is a disocunt <a href="http://bricks.coupons.com/bstart.asp?o=54519&ci=1&c=GM&p=kIsElz3U">coupon</a> Progresso has provided for their new broth, valid through December 17th.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://bricks.coupons.com/bstart.asp?o=54519&ci=1&c=GM&p=kIsElz3U" target="_blank"></a> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Now to the Giveaway! I am giving away 3 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Progresso</span> "Perfect Recipe" gift baskets- which includes a wicker basket filled with a recipe card holder (with dividers), a set of serving spoons, a spoon rest, and a coupon for a <strong>free</strong> 32 oz. container of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Progresso</span> Broth. If you are anything like me and love new cooking gadgets- this is the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">prize</span> for you! </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272331752217305394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_viS9I2nSUXQ/SSsVy2zs4TI/AAAAAAAAAEE/V9QCEJbmkXw/s320/Progresso+Small.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">All you have to do is leave me a comment with your name, email address, and a brief description of your favorite holiday recipe! On Monday, December 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">th</span> I will use a random number <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">generator</span> to select 3 lucky winners! Have fun!</div><div align="center">Bonus:</div><div align="center">Progresso, in order to add a little extra fun would like to share with you one of their favorite holiday recipes. Here's the link for "<a href="http://progressofoods.com/?View=CelebrityChef/SignatureRecipes&SubGroup=Signature&RecipeId=1080">Mashed Potato Gratin</a>".</div><div align="center">Enjoy!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-48138499277880192082008-11-19T19:43:00.008-05:002009-02-03T15:38:59.059-05:00Giveaways Coming To A Blog Near You! Perhaps Nearer than you thought...And with the fun of blogging comes many perks... this being one of them.<br /><br />So, here's a little bit of foreshadowing on what's to come:<br /><br />I will be adding a fun new feature to this good ol' blog of mine. A way for me to say "thank you!" for supporting me in my efforts to head over to Romania this coming summer. Sporadically I will be testing out some new products, and if I happen to like them, giving a few of them away to you! So stay tuned... giveaway posts to come. This oughta be great.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-78178528591437641132008-11-17T11:15:00.002-05:002008-11-17T11:22:47.605-05:00Thank You!!<div align="center">So, I believe some serious thanks are in order here. To everyone who helped with the bake sale- the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">donors</span> of delicious treats, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Curley</span> for helping at Chick-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">fil</span>-A, Chick-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">fil</span>-A for being the only one who'd let me have a bake sale, and my Mother for helping with everything else - -THANK YOU!!!! </div><div align="center">The bake sale was a huge success. Despite the chilly weather, plenty of generous people stopped by. The profit was enormous- almost $200 towards my trip! I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">definitely</span> want to do this again... maybe this spring? Anyways, thank you, thank you, thank you to everybody. I couldn't have done it without you!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4724300490497556780.post-54093723414200458982008-11-10T18:38:00.013-05:002008-11-11T09:32:13.084-05:00Chick-fil-A CALENDERS!<div><div><div align="center">They're here... the one... the only....</div><div><br /><br /></div><div align="center">...(drum role please)...</div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Chick-fil-A 2009 Calenders!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span> </div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267407328051969282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 265px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_viS9I2nSUXQ/SRmXDpPTvQI/AAAAAAAAADA/LAx7Gcd0JtA/s320/Chick-fil-A+calender+pics+restored+cover.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><p align="center">This year's theme is "The Bovines in Blue"</p><p align="center">If you're at all familar with these calenders,</p><p align="center">every edition features those cows up to something.</p><p align="center">This year it's "protecting cows and serving chicken".</p><br /><br /><p align="center">And it's pretty stinkin' hilarious.<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267406045561862338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 303px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_viS9I2nSUXQ/SRmV4_l1uMI/AAAAAAAAACw/0l_-7ySK2Ak/s320/Chick-fil-A+calender+pics+funny+restored.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center">If you can get past the slightly bizarre nature, they really are nice calenders. Each month features one great-deal of a coupon (and December's has two!) They cost $6.00 a piece- but seriously they pay you right back with free sandwhiches, salads, drinks, shakes, and more. A friend of mine just keeps her's in the trunk of her car so she'll have them while they're out and about. Handy, ain't it?</p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_viS9I2nSUXQ/SRjJGPTGw1I/AAAAAAAAAB4/kfuSShUdruE/s1600-h/Chick-fil-A+calender+005.jpg"></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267406762830275010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_viS9I2nSUXQ/SRmWivn9IcI/AAAAAAAAAC4/FtUgCLdbebc/s320/Chick-fil-A+calender+coupons+restored.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">So, in conclusion, by purchasing a calender you are supporting me, in turn supporting Romanians, and blessing them, and feeding you. Not bad.</div><br /><br /><div align="center">If you're interested please let me know! I will be selling these at the bake sale this Friday if you want to stop by, but I'll keep them with me so that's certainly not the only place you'll find them. </div><br /><br /><div align="center">But do stop by the bake sale if ya can- it'll be fun!</div><br /><br /><div align="center">Thank you all for your support in prayers for this adventure!</div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3