tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15108561149642579422024-03-13T05:49:47.822-07:00Discovering LoveLearning to love and to be loved. And living in gratitude.Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-44746406071145633352023-11-25T22:40:00.038-07:002023-12-04T09:44:41.834-07:00Cheerful giving comes from love<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYmkz8MtZUyc8o5pd68Xi9GlPnQxrwQn7to_MIWOagHBCyqFhAb-VOult9Gs0IDLmoYBxlj7KQwd4wRJF-7bdYm5vANdoxjb6gBag7CEb9UrZPomTiyI4TGUl3MZHP7fP8h-zoe6Jty_7sdKHKzd46Ef_wTGhO1VK183KgUsAaNktq4o5m1bHxWpvkkld/s1080/cheerful%20givers.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYmkz8MtZUyc8o5pd68Xi9GlPnQxrwQn7to_MIWOagHBCyqFhAb-VOult9Gs0IDLmoYBxlj7KQwd4wRJF-7bdYm5vANdoxjb6gBag7CEb9UrZPomTiyI4TGUl3MZHP7fP8h-zoe6Jty_7sdKHKzd46Ef_wTGhO1VK183KgUsAaNktq4o5m1bHxWpvkkld/w400-h400/cheerful%20givers.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">There are many ways to give, though we usually only hear about money. Of course, money is needed to pay for expenses. But consider:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Those who are there to be willingly used for their time, talent, and enthusiasm are also givers. </li><li>Those who donate blood or platelets are givers. </li><li>Those who make food or repair teddy bears for refugee children are givers.</li><li>Those who take people to medical appointments and stay to hold their hand are givers. </li><li>Those who clean out their closets and donate "fat clothes" or "skinny clothes" are givers.</li><li>Those who are kind and uplifting are givers. </li><li>Those who enable others to give are themselves participants in giving.</li><li>Those who make chicken soup for a sick friend are givers.</li><li>Those who volunteer their professional or organizational skills are givers. </li><li>And yes, money counts. But it's not love. <i>Doing</i> and <i>Being</i> are Love.</li></ul><br />They are CHEERFUL givers — no one is pressuring them, because it's the state of their hearts.<o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkT5YotEJ2B8HcgaPnZibQjn4auBF4s33-8yWdEn5Y1EJt9VKDaUBixsP8vUlhCc-AB5GIrdYPHPFms1xHW9fDx3NVcICyWpxG8_6CCnPYILe4E9-rSijtSQp5UdeOjRGM-BkLOM45VkXF4Exz-NvHOokZZSCz6pPR7GUThyphenhyphenKlW0MZuq5Szy_Jylhem0q/s4160/Gov%20Katie%20Hobbs%20and%20Christy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="2080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYkT5YotEJ2B8HcgaPnZibQjn4auBF4s33-8yWdEn5Y1EJt9VKDaUBixsP8vUlhCc-AB5GIrdYPHPFms1xHW9fDx3NVcICyWpxG8_6CCnPYILe4E9-rSijtSQp5UdeOjRGM-BkLOM45VkXF4Exz-NvHOokZZSCz6pPR7GUThyphenhyphenKlW0MZuq5Szy_Jylhem0q/w200-h400/Gov%20Katie%20Hobbs%20and%20Christy.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Governor Katie Hobbs, <br />Christy K Robinson</b></span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Recently, I was helping at a Thanksgiving meal cooked and served to indigent seniors. People had donated money toward groceries, and some had brought whole roasted turkeys or hams, and huge pans of mashed potatoes or dressing or vegetables. One man brought large pies from the Costco bakery where he works. All brought their gifts of hospitality and service to others. And into our midst walked the Arizona's governor, Katie Hobbs, without a press team or video cameras or even letting our team know she'd be coming to help. She was dressed in a black shirt and khaki slacks, with her hair up in a ponytail, there to help serve the food, and to talk with the people who came to enjoy a delicious feast. Gov. Hobbs has a Master of Social Work degree and worked in that field for years before she served in the state legislature, as Secretary of State, and then Governor. She's a cheerful giver! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Why does God love a cheerful giver? Because God is Love, he is compassionate and merciful, and gives and forgives <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Exodus 34:6)</span>. When we do similar acts (the Golden Rule), we show that we are his children and we look like our Abba. Yes, God loves all people, when they're naughty and when they're nice. But I believe that we can give him joy, and we can expand his heart when we make him proud. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's a circle. God loves us, and we make others feel loved, which turns our faces back to the source of love. But it's not a closed circle. Givers are all about inviting you to share your presence and your love in the circle.</div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;">******* <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJ7i0xSltxkMTB7eeYV9iY2YwMYpztD-ph9HAgn26vvsECXYrVpNNupC0LTeLnZYREYxlMPaSXb5kfWy6AVT2heypxczHuTWrl85MxS2jgDmrEBVTH_EMt9FihD-RynrV_y_vpKtMLkQpKQ1jDORlANSHC_ptX32Wi7jxkQPTUcQP2-LYA0R6PDwpxxsD/s889/CK%20Robinson%2011-2023.png" style="clear: left; color: #7c171d; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="889" data-original-width="647" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJ7i0xSltxkMTB7eeYV9iY2YwMYpztD-ph9HAgn26vvsECXYrVpNNupC0LTeLnZYREYxlMPaSXb5kfWy6AVT2heypxczHuTWrl85MxS2jgDmrEBVTH_EMt9FihD-RynrV_y_vpKtMLkQpKQ1jDORlANSHC_ptX32Wi7jxkQPTUcQP2-LYA0R6PDwpxxsD/w146-h200/CK%20Robinson%2011-2023.png" style="border: medium; position: relative;" width="146" /></a></div><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Christy K Robinson</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> is author of these books (click the colored title): </span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4" style="color: purple; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">We Shall Be Changed</span></i></a><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></i>(2010)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Mary Dyer Illuminated</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Vol. 1 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">(2013) </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Vol. 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">(2014)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">The Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Vol. 3 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">(2014) </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Effigy Hunter</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">(2015) </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Anne Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding Mother</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> (2018)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;">And of these sites: </span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman";">Discovering Love</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> (inspiration and service)</span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman";">Rooting for Ancestors</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> (history and genealogy)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span> (17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;">Editornado [ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</a> (Words. Communications. Book reviews. Cartoons.)</span></div></div></div>Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-13494579756001022292023-11-18T09:48:00.000-07:002023-12-04T09:46:57.888-07:00Best thing since sliced bread<p> <b style="caret-color: rgb(101, 101, 101); color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">© 2023 Christy K Robinson</b></p><p><span style="color: #656565; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(101, 101, 101); font-size: 14.85px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2uOiKe8xP7RZcMz9FOnTy3tQQB9ST7ISnnD58SWjOz8CHe7zqmDwatGLc0lukTvqDUlE_5XjFZQ-eMf_b0ZXV85NBEIk8dJHXfppuc28sXI7flCz65Pkhc_MjSJ5ceJe3NZb37_SauZ0cYBmFwQ-AmB_rLS0OeNUKKnVrSSM8WzkW2alBZyplHH3Qa7p/s960/sliced%20bread.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="700" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2uOiKe8xP7RZcMz9FOnTy3tQQB9ST7ISnnD58SWjOz8CHe7zqmDwatGLc0lukTvqDUlE_5XjFZQ-eMf_b0ZXV85NBEIk8dJHXfppuc28sXI7flCz65Pkhc_MjSJ5ceJe3NZb37_SauZ0cYBmFwQ-AmB_rLS0OeNUKKnVrSSM8WzkW2alBZyplHH3Qa7p/w291-h400/sliced%20bread.jpeg" width="291" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">1. </span><span class="x1xsqp64 xiy17q3 x1o6pynw x19co3pv xdj266r xcwd3tp xat24cr x39eecv x2b8uid" data-testid="emoji" style="background-image: url("https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tf1/2/16/1f923.png"); background-size: 16px 16px; cursor: default; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="xexx8yu xn5pp95 x18d9i69 x2fxd7x x1yqt14a x1bhl96m">🤣</span></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Yes, it's a meme. Yes, I have a sense of humor. But...</span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">2. We all have "those" kind of people trying to steal our joy. I'm not saying to sever the relationship, but shaking the dust from your sandals and stepping back a bit is one way to live more healthfully in every way. Enjoy your accomplishment! And... </span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">3. If we're the sardonic (grimly mocking or cynical) person who makes that sort of comment, just biting our tongues allows us to celebrate and uplift others -- and leave the moment happy, before we say something toxic, even if unintentionally. There's so much dysfunction and disease and horror in this world already. Let's buck that trend and step up! </span></p><p><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;">******* <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJ7i0xSltxkMTB7eeYV9iY2YwMYpztD-ph9HAgn26vvsECXYrVpNNupC0LTeLnZYREYxlMPaSXb5kfWy6AVT2heypxczHuTWrl85MxS2jgDmrEBVTH_EMt9FihD-RynrV_y_vpKtMLkQpKQ1jDORlANSHC_ptX32Wi7jxkQPTUcQP2-LYA0R6PDwpxxsD/s889/CK%20Robinson%2011-2023.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="889" data-original-width="647" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJ7i0xSltxkMTB7eeYV9iY2YwMYpztD-ph9HAgn26vvsECXYrVpNNupC0LTeLnZYREYxlMPaSXb5kfWy6AVT2heypxczHuTWrl85MxS2jgDmrEBVTH_EMt9FihD-RynrV_y_vpKtMLkQpKQ1jDORlANSHC_ptX32Wi7jxkQPTUcQP2-LYA0R6PDwpxxsD/w146-h200/CK%20Robinson%2011-2023.png" width="146" /></a></div><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Christy K Robinson</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> is author of these books (click the colored title): </span></div><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4" style="color: purple; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">We Shall Be Changed</span></i></a><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></i>(2010)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Mary Dyer Illuminated</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Vol. 1 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">(2013) </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Vol. 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">(2014)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">The Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Vol. 3 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">(2014) </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Effigy Hunter</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">(2015) </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Anne Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding Mother</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> (2018)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;">And of these sites: </span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman";">Discovering Love</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> (inspiration and service)</span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman";">Rooting for Ancestors</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> (history and genealogy)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: blue;">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span> (17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/" style="color: purple;">Editornado [ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</a> (Words. Communications. Book reviews. Cartoons.)</span></div></div></div><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /><br /></span></p>Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-4925630675677913132023-04-26T14:52:00.003-07:002023-04-26T16:58:55.966-07:00Wisdom from the early 17th century — <p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">and how it relates to helping others in the 21<sup>st</sup> century</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><b>© 2023 by Christy K Robinson</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;">Twelve generations ago, there was an English minister who was educated at Cambridge University, which is to say that he graduated from an institution with a Church of England (Anglican) faculty, about 60 years after the split with Catholicism. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWhD6EYKPxs7uVCKxXBb1bRvLXi2oRMhPNm_KIYDvIFgdjaw3vAaAcL0L6OfQ_3k5XI7XZHkTo4n-y5PnXvCiGii7WdKB-lQqt3X2f-FDBblytMTD6DfQFrBpbJubxB9R_syLrmEJr34HKT5ZCc3uw036zJcrig5NLJbqb0lHbyx39m-YhF_D-uizDQ/s499/John%20Robinson%20book.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWhD6EYKPxs7uVCKxXBb1bRvLXi2oRMhPNm_KIYDvIFgdjaw3vAaAcL0L6OfQ_3k5XI7XZHkTo4n-y5PnXvCiGii7WdKB-lQqt3X2f-FDBblytMTD6DfQFrBpbJubxB9R_syLrmEJr34HKT5ZCc3uw036zJcrig5NLJbqb0lHbyx39m-YhF_D-uizDQ/w161-h241/John%20Robinson%20book.jpeg" width="161" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times;">But John Robinson began to preach a Separatist message, similar to what the Puritan sect taught, that the Anglicans hadn’t purified the church enough of its rituals, liturgy, pomp, and “distracting” music and art in churches. Separatists and Puritans wanted highly educated clergy, not social appointments of unqualified priests and bishops.<br /></span><p></p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;">Robinson (my direct ancestor) associated with other Separatists during the early years of his ministry, and by 1608 was one of the leaders of people who called themselves Pilgrims. The <i>Mayflower </i>Pilgrims. He and the Pilgrims moved first to Amsterdam, then Leiden, and in 1621, scores of them took ship for “Virginia,” but ended up at Massachusetts Bay. John Robinson and his wife Bridget had intended to join the Pilgrims, but between shepherding the remainder of the English flock in Leiden, and then John’s death at age 49, it was left to his children to emigrate to New England. <br /><br />Below is a paragraph I’ve copied from one of John Robinson’s numerous tracts, booklets, and correspondence, collected into three dense volumes. For those who weren’t raised on King James’ English dialect, I’ll give you a simplified, American-English version first. <br /><br />John Robinson’s ninth great-granddaughter translates: <br />God has made humans to be in community with others and has allowed us to form families and organizations (religious, political, or community, whether for-profit or nonprofit) where we can unite for the betterment of ourselves and others. But no one is so devoid of abilities or finances that you have nothing with which to help others, or to be helped by others. Like limbs of the body, or the head of the body, we can’t say, “I have no need of a foot or hand or head—I can do this on my own.” If you have health and strength and abilities, and need nothing from others, the more need others have of you and what you possess in abundance. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: times;">John Robinson originally wrote: <br /></span></p><blockquote style="border: medium; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: times;"><i>‘God hath made man a sociable creature; and hath not only ordained several societies, in which</i> <i>persons are to unite themselves for their mutual welfare; but withal so dispensed his blessings, as that no man is so barren, but hath something wherewith to profit others: nor any so furnished, but that he stands need of others to supply his wants. "The head cannot say to the foot," much less the foot to the head, "I have no need of thee." And the less need thou, by reason of thine abundance of bodily or spiritual endowments, hast of others, the more need they have of thee and thy plenty.’</i> </span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: times;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: times;">How does Robinson’s advice look in the 21<sup>st</sup> century? We can all find ways to be of service to others.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: "Apple Color Emoji";">☑️</span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"> Collect new clothes and food for your church or community to distribute<br /></span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: "Apple Color Emoji";">☑️</span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"> Cooking and baking for a homeless shelter or refugee center<br /></span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: "Apple Color Emoji";">☑️</span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"> Some can donate blood or platelets to save lives or improve quality of life for cancer, dialysis, or surgical patients<br /></span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: "Apple Color Emoji";">☑️</span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"> Volunteer at your child’s school, to help teachers or read aloud<br /></span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: "Apple Color Emoji";">☑️</span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"> Donate money to your church’s benevolence fund, to help with dental or medical bills, rent, utilities, or groceries<br /></span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: "Apple Color Emoji";">☑️</span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"> Help a food bank with distribution (filling bags and boxes, taking the groceries to the waiting cars, etc.) <br /></span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: "Apple Color Emoji";">☑️</span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"> Drive people to appointments for chemotherapy or surgery<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: "Apple Color Emoji";">☑️</span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"> Play a musical instrument at a senior center<br /></span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: "Apple Color Emoji";">☑️</span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"> Volunteer at a hospital or children’s hospital (this may require a little training, but probably not certification)<br /></span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: "Apple Color Emoji";">☑️</span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"> If you know a friend who volunteers, ask if you can come along to observe or help <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: "Apple Color Emoji";">☑️</span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"> Quilt, knit, or crochet an item to be auctioned for charity<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: "Apple Color Emoji";"><span style="font-size: x-small;">☑️</span></span><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Clean the beach, rescue animals, recycle, or plant trees for a lovelier environment</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: times;">For 40 years, I’ve been a volunteer in some of the roles listed above. For a good portion of that time, I was a state leader for an organization that had a different purpose, but which participated in volunteering as a social activity where we could serve others but also become closer friends. Even our school-age children helped. I saw people who had been sad or depressed about their own circumstances turn into enthusiastic, fulfilled helpers because they stopped gazing at their own navels and started looking into the eyes of fellow human beings. I saw kindergarten-age children learn foreign words for food so they could serve refugees at the buffet line. I saw bored retirees take on projects that gave them new hope and a new social life. I saw a friend in a power wheelchair become a valued member of a kitchen team that supplied three community feeding programs. <br /><br />Personally, I think that what God gave me as an unearned gift, I can share with others, be it donating my healthy blood, baking humble corn muffins 16 dozen at a time, or cutting vegetables and buttering bread for a charity that has religious beliefs quite different from my own. When someone is hurting, I can listen. I’ve witnessed miracles that cannot be explained. I’ve seen little children grow up to be kind, compassionate young adults. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: times;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: times;">And you can do all these things and more!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505; font-family: times;">**************** </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;">Articles I've written about John Robinson: </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://rootingforancestors.blogspot.com/2021/06/mayflower401.html">https://rootingforancestors.blogspot.com/2021/06/mayflower401.html</a> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://rootingforancestors.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-benefactor-of-world-ancestor-of.html">https://rootingforancestors.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-benefactor-of-world-ancestor-of.html</a> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://rootingforancestors.blogspot.com/2015/09/onthisday-16-september-strangers-and.html">https://rootingforancestors.blogspot.com/2015/09/onthisday-16-september-strangers-and.html</a> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://rootingforancestors.blogspot.com/2013/06/pilgrim-pastors-signature-on-seditious.html">https://rootingforancestors.blogspot.com/2013/06/pilgrim-pastors-signature-on-seditious.html</a> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;">*************** </span></p><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBkgdLS06dvcxq7MwCB8rx-IylAkXecQpHtSJvIS9A44ugysEC3gtQMENgw1VGv72XKQnjizOEJrxVECYk_tanqLP_jQ6sJapHcZVIqoMPQA6stVEE7bpNvR4W57F-pvqtahoizfe8DRzU7Hg8At__rPkP0khcf1K-r0j-W9mzEmnsm-3yXwHjQq2SQ/s2908/Christy,%20muffins,%20Feb%202023%20copy.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2908" data-original-width="2080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbBkgdLS06dvcxq7MwCB8rx-IylAkXecQpHtSJvIS9A44ugysEC3gtQMENgw1VGv72XKQnjizOEJrxVECYk_tanqLP_jQ6sJapHcZVIqoMPQA6stVEE7bpNvR4W57F-pvqtahoizfe8DRzU7Hg8At__rPkP0khcf1K-r0j-W9mzEmnsm-3yXwHjQq2SQ/w143-h200/Christy,%20muffins,%20Feb%202023%20copy.jpg" width="143" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A few of the 16 dozen <br />corn muffins to be <br />enjoyed by refugees.</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Christy K Robinson</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> is author of these books (click the colored title): <br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4" style="color: purple; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">We Shall Be Changed</span></i></a><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">(2010)</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Mary Dyer Illuminated</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Vol. 1 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">(2013) </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Vol. 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">(2014)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">The Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Vol. 3 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">(2014) </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Effigy Hunter</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">(2015) </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Anne Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding Mother</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> (2018)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;">And of these sites: </span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman";">Discovering Love</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> (inspiration and service)</span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman";">Rooting for Ancestors</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> (history and genealogy)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><span style="color: blue;">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span></u> (17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/" style="color: purple;">Editornado [ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</a> (Words. Communications. Book reviews. Cartoons.)</span></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="background: repeat white; color: #050505;"><br /></span></p><br />Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-14180078985048994032023-01-04T20:00:00.052-07:002023-06-07T10:33:48.938-07:00Remembering my mother, 30 years later<p><b style="caret-color: rgb(50, 50, 50); color: #323232; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">© 2023 by Christy K Robinson</b></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;">On Jan. 4-5, 1993, I spent the entire night in my mom's ICU room, holding her hand and reading the Bible to her as she lay in a coma. My dad had kissed her goodbye and gone home, and my brother was living two hours away, with a young family and a driving route that took him out of town. So it was down to me. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;">She'd nearly died 10 months before, and recovered. She said she'd heard me reading the Bible to her then, even in her coma, and it was precious to her, so I brought my Bible with me this time and did the same thing. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was a very intimate time, just mother and daughter at the end of one life before she began another. She saw me take my first breath, and I saw her take her last. I won't describe my thoughts then, but it wasn't the same sort of grief as when my dad died, far away, 19 years later. I still miss my mother, 30 years later, but there's so much of her in me, both in my DNA, and in who I am at my core, that there's been a reconciliation of what was and what is. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;"><i>There's so much of her in me, both in my DNA, </i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;"><i>and in who I am at my core, </i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;"><i>that there's been a reconciliation </i></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script; font-size: large;"><i>of what was and what is</i></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;">Though she still breathed another six hours, I believe her spirit left her a little after 4:00am. Something so profound took place then, that I looked up at her monitors to see if she'd awakened. But nothing had changed physically. Though I continued to hold her hand and watched her take breaths, she was no longer with me. And I was comforted anyway because I knew she was no longer in pain, and was where she wanted to be. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;">I thought I was alone there, waiting for all signs to cease before I went home and called my dad and brother. But about 7:30, my friend, Dr. Keith <a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/sherrie.mack.56?__cft__[0]=AZUIf4ALDl_LMfOGvcTUl3ZnHDCBbkk7PFDIqhxLYZAbfXwPR-kVxGKXdUTKMVollUwXYq4rbPDoGDJragRTmSIGygyL9251r8rJ0f1KW9RlyBx5XMo1uep5ho5U4DCT0Ck&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="border-color: currentcolor; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--accent); cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="xt0psk2" style="display: inline;">Mack</span></a>, came on duty and learned I was there. He came into the room and wrapped me in his arms. What a dear thing to do. It was no coincidence. God knew what I needed and his timing was flawless. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;">I remember with love, Judith Anson Robinson, 1937-1993.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6gX4GDaiFFBz5pQfDTeuy2L4v-aZQFOsoYeDEA3TI7To2O9tyuZgsfOEIvmYDhYhzlllWEap9N4J1BkyOIJ2svfjwrKu9iPTBGQkb0jLQIa8EUyW1HJkE-RUFQ7HxBF-O4a3tKCHE7q8OFbY1aI4j7Oy5mIqrELzZL1W6DjKc66XJQFHf-k1JYkK2w/s2052/4%20generations%20of%20Rowley-Hall.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1410" data-original-width="2052" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6gX4GDaiFFBz5pQfDTeuy2L4v-aZQFOsoYeDEA3TI7To2O9tyuZgsfOEIvmYDhYhzlllWEap9N4J1BkyOIJ2svfjwrKu9iPTBGQkb0jLQIa8EUyW1HJkE-RUFQ7HxBF-O4a3tKCHE7q8OFbY1aI4j7Oy5mIqrELzZL1W6DjKc66XJQFHf-k1JYkK2w/s320/4%20generations%20of%20Rowley-Hall.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJslsM1DLQYuEcPUEoC481zCTDQh1tGeo3zM7S-71cxlk9nUc898tKfHqT2PM-wa2StRrzUAh65dcH9GpUVeC3s3t0vcpIUnmFKqIUK98I1YXt-Q7a7_ldKrz15AGAO-Wd2r31A9nRLjKnChdIURT_9Y2DnYlC0ILrFlBgDEuy7SFT91jVkFpmd1B5vg/s1005/JLR%201953.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="1002" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJslsM1DLQYuEcPUEoC481zCTDQh1tGeo3zM7S-71cxlk9nUc898tKfHqT2PM-wa2StRrzUAh65dcH9GpUVeC3s3t0vcpIUnmFKqIUK98I1YXt-Q7a7_ldKrz15AGAO-Wd2r31A9nRLjKnChdIURT_9Y2DnYlC0ILrFlBgDEuy7SFT91jVkFpmd1B5vg/s320/JLR%201953.jpeg" width="319" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AjHu_vBX0abZhdwFace6zO7uUwLLnIDPfAuE1zXizYAttiTymZA6oKWfLmOdx-siREfFPxsQ5_BUYrxoE4ur6OG3nNQO0R-BW-3ZnxKEXhfPdj5EGWOSTWiqtJcyB5CoBqfeKIHCoc9j7qxdMkinBp9j_4ChK0tKHC2C-w_u3IAW1RFM3QZX7H08bg/s454/JLR%201960.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="454" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AjHu_vBX0abZhdwFace6zO7uUwLLnIDPfAuE1zXizYAttiTymZA6oKWfLmOdx-siREfFPxsQ5_BUYrxoE4ur6OG3nNQO0R-BW-3ZnxKEXhfPdj5EGWOSTWiqtJcyB5CoBqfeKIHCoc9j7qxdMkinBp9j_4ChK0tKHC2C-w_u3IAW1RFM3QZX7H08bg/s320/JLR%201960.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoeo6e6ltEJp2rJiT4AM1v80oubN05roOGxThrbTD2EkzIEX3LtPNX-GkYPl9AHCJrX2hK_jrW_SeKLZhl9xw14cMfPiGauGZv-MGm9XOQIlkheeA7LpozORfgtfYwEzkLD0l6Vuw96dhF2EbPAdEmHJetuKDYt1j6bmSV3O5LedUZCOzrZ3mIu_mWA/s350/1968-Judith,%20Ken,%20Brian,%20Christy%20Robinson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="347" data-original-width="350" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoeo6e6ltEJp2rJiT4AM1v80oubN05roOGxThrbTD2EkzIEX3LtPNX-GkYPl9AHCJrX2hK_jrW_SeKLZhl9xw14cMfPiGauGZv-MGm9XOQIlkheeA7LpozORfgtfYwEzkLD0l6Vuw96dhF2EbPAdEmHJetuKDYt1j6bmSV3O5LedUZCOzrZ3mIu_mWA/s320/1968-Judith,%20Ken,%20Brian,%20Christy%20Robinson.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HP0tAPKWGp-p6znCal2I8stA9bF4T53eY4qJdoiNC24A7s49zVICqpdMsztKuJrIvVggYePJolRa7XFVwJH2UNFdvHHCXMLvZKizHD2Qtee9oj7xnEIO_fpqXxHN-0RkNfF41Akw3g5lWu6yiWAoOyzvhCzyIqqYEr1gUV9cF9ysWDcAA6vUQ3MgnQ/s2048/JLR%201979%20June%20Corona%20del%20Mar.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="2048" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HP0tAPKWGp-p6znCal2I8stA9bF4T53eY4qJdoiNC24A7s49zVICqpdMsztKuJrIvVggYePJolRa7XFVwJH2UNFdvHHCXMLvZKizHD2Qtee9oj7xnEIO_fpqXxHN-0RkNfF41Akw3g5lWu6yiWAoOyzvhCzyIqqYEr1gUV9cF9ysWDcAA6vUQ3MgnQ/s320/JLR%201979%20June%20Corona%20del%20Mar.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YBlfNkyAmY97qQyU7hF5jE0t2szXC_SWssXXtzw34QCJS1dJTkMC-c5o7zArmrp0cqGGdFPWUJYjW7H96imeoDeHnT8EyKPgtttsZzCt4jgcbgmn1BtOxr-eQN5oIbiiGvksp0kseaoawNTgapA4sBRTBg0WTxY3kyackWrBaVGE2Ahfj6JJnpSnXw/s2048/JLR%201978%20Christmas.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1499" data-original-width="2048" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YBlfNkyAmY97qQyU7hF5jE0t2szXC_SWssXXtzw34QCJS1dJTkMC-c5o7zArmrp0cqGGdFPWUJYjW7H96imeoDeHnT8EyKPgtttsZzCt4jgcbgmn1BtOxr-eQN5oIbiiGvksp0kseaoawNTgapA4sBRTBg0WTxY3kyackWrBaVGE2Ahfj6JJnpSnXw/s320/JLR%201978%20Christmas.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmlsfkNsTjAYuk2svqmYXE74jcR7w3Ph2206H6RBcX03ElIXMm1XO1FnvNMaWQWRwErZ7I65gC5h55spodzi7qEj6KyW3baHjA8GXb_ooMvCQpg7KVGTS0YRD0brPe_Sc1QkiJNC3qhNmTU0r-Mi1YlSkZNRlNiuB-ruAmBBhmjNViXvQY3Fop_zwMA/s2048/JLR%201992%20Christmas.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1426" data-original-width="2048" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmlsfkNsTjAYuk2svqmYXE74jcR7w3Ph2206H6RBcX03ElIXMm1XO1FnvNMaWQWRwErZ7I65gC5h55spodzi7qEj6KyW3baHjA8GXb_ooMvCQpg7KVGTS0YRD0brPe_Sc1QkiJNC3qhNmTU0r-Mi1YlSkZNRlNiuB-ruAmBBhmjNViXvQY3Fop_zwMA/s320/JLR%201992%20Christmas.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QsJPnhB9WQjTfiSrJTLslDWcDOd6W4yX8ulIawjupptHIwQ7HxW_xHYd2HThij9LFX19Ckhg1PWkTAdSJr0Xaoe7Fx81eZ9H_yaD4W_GF9QBPnPlod9OiIYLn19vFbqc3IqbxK_cTUyMaCHL4Pv8SGKV864BqpJVk4GW-EiJlsP5QqMBVYcSNsz7mw/s2048/JLR%202023%20remembrance%20candle.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1556" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QsJPnhB9WQjTfiSrJTLslDWcDOd6W4yX8ulIawjupptHIwQ7HxW_xHYd2HThij9LFX19Ckhg1PWkTAdSJr0Xaoe7Fx81eZ9H_yaD4W_GF9QBPnPlod9OiIYLn19vFbqc3IqbxK_cTUyMaCHL4Pv8SGKV864BqpJVk4GW-EiJlsP5QqMBVYcSNsz7mw/s320/JLR%202023%20remembrance%20candle.jpeg" width="243" /></a></div><br /><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">******* </div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Christy K Robinson</span></b><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; white-space: normal;"> is author of these books (click the colored title): </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4" style="color: purple; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">We Shall Be Changed</span></i></a><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></i>(2010)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; white-space: normal;"><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Mary Dyer Illuminated</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Vol. 1 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">(2013) </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Vol. 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">(2014)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">The Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> Vol. 3 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">(2014) </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Effigy Hunter</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">(2015) </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7" style="color: purple;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Anne Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding Mother</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> (2018)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;">And of these sites: </span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman";">Discovering Love</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> (inspiration and service)</span></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman";">Rooting for Ancestors</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> (history and genealogy)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><span style="color: blue;">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span></u> (17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/" style="color: purple;">Editornado [ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</a> (Words. Communications. Book reviews. Cartoons.)</span></div></div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; white-space: normal;"><br /></span></div></div>Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-42413440283336709072022-05-08T14:24:00.000-07:002022-05-08T14:24:42.738-07:00Mothers Day for those who never gave birth<p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><b>©2022 Christy K Robinson</b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">It was my second Sunday as pianist at a Baptist church. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_VH5_tE2-6fu7NWtU34bVYuyYDtBVePHs2dyGHRZ11RGMPC-NjMsXVNaqr5Jz3FqncyTtDn3mUdLaW-ChKM5f7qciicSH-GQ57hTNM7RTQdH6cMWDb4Wsc7VAq0LNzwXuXj0-qb_yWOicEbNGl-Th3dsuvLewYncR72wPhnlwV8tGxuJGDhX2k5-Tw/s255/single%20carnation.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="255" data-original-width="153" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_VH5_tE2-6fu7NWtU34bVYuyYDtBVePHs2dyGHRZ11RGMPC-NjMsXVNaqr5Jz3FqncyTtDn3mUdLaW-ChKM5f7qciicSH-GQ57hTNM7RTQdH6cMWDb4Wsc7VAq0LNzwXuXj0-qb_yWOicEbNGl-Th3dsuvLewYncR72wPhnlwV8tGxuJGDhX2k5-Tw/w138-h231/single%20carnation.jpeg" width="138" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I was wished a Happy Mothers Day several times, and presented with a carnation, which I accepted as the mother of rescue pets, the teacher of hundreds, the aunt of three, the cook and server to refugees and their precious children, the supporter of the abused, and various other roles. Some mother's child (young or adult) has my plasma and platelets strengthening them this week. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">My point is, men and women who haven't given birth can at times take on needed roles to support others in love. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL.</span></p>Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-50373722012362742162022-01-10T11:27:00.006-07:002023-02-17T08:43:07.384-07:00Shower the People--Make Love Reign<p><b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #4c4c4c; font-size: 16px;">©</span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 14.85px;"> </span>2022 Christy K Robinson</b> </p><p>I've loved James Taylor's music for--yikes--more than 50 years now, and every performance is still fresh. Many of the songs he's written are wise and kind and humorous, and I imagine that they come from the heart of a human who both believes his lyrics, and practices them. </p><p>That we live in a world of </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>have and have-not, </li><li>respectful and rude, </li><li>those working for justice and those laughing because they have Teflon impunity,</li><li>kindness and greed,</li><li>mercy and vindictiveness,</li><li>desperate people escaping their ancestral homes because of war or narcotics cartels but being met with hatred, violence--and indifference,</li><li>selfishness about the "right" not to take the easiest and cost-free vaccines so <i>all</i> people can go back to relative health and safety or even attend religious services,</li></ul><p></p><p>means that we who identify with being godly (no matter what our religion or denomination is) must not only <b>speak</b> our words of love, justice, hospitality, kindness and mercy, we must put them into <b>action</b>. </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.</i> James 2:16-18</span></p></blockquote><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_Klri7nvRTOKIPep8Vk7xZrzvQ5VoKBoV4eFU4zSodMG6UiAzp6aVl-rBCSNSOm_rRatRnlCv6u7UoYK27DsoDr70gzB9xfoLzml_AuC2AWhFZzJhEC3kMMR8kzWvesNIFP9vzf4v4MXsa5uVI_0XwdxxoIjRX8lmfe8Yr7TavO_q366MuXziUiKu4A=s300" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="300" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_Klri7nvRTOKIPep8Vk7xZrzvQ5VoKBoV4eFU4zSodMG6UiAzp6aVl-rBCSNSOm_rRatRnlCv6u7UoYK27DsoDr70gzB9xfoLzml_AuC2AWhFZzJhEC3kMMR8kzWvesNIFP9vzf4v4MXsa5uVI_0XwdxxoIjRX8lmfe8Yr7TavO_q366MuXziUiKu4A" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo and article: <br /><a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/helping_others_can_help_you_feel_better_during_the_pandemic">https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/helping_others_can_help_you_feel_better_during_the_pandemic</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>"Thoughts and prayers" has become a cliche' because those saying it are substituting a meaningless phrase for meaningful action. Does this 🙏 emoji, repeated numerous times, have meaning? </p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">From ancient prophets, and Buddha, and Jesus, we have learned that <i>doing</i> our beliefs is what's important, not thinking them or discussing them endlessly. </span></b></p><p>Look at all the action verbs here! Do to others what you would have them do to you. Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God. Love your neighbor as yourself. Visit the imprisoned and sick (care for them, in other words). Feed the hungry and give them a drink. Take care of widows and orphans. Don't disrespect, kill, steal, lie, or cheat others. Treat the alien better than your own family. Work, so you can help others instead of stealing from them. Whoever believes will do the work Jesus is doing. </p><p>This is not a religion of works of trying to be perfect, that denies grace. This is "work" that sometimes breaks rules or societal expectations, but brings healing, comfort, joy, relief, safety, and uplift to strangers, along with the unexpected grace of friendship and fun with the other people in your service, outreach, or ministry. </p><p>A few days ago, I found a post on social media that was composed to match the tone of the Prayer of St Francis of Assisi ("Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace..."). This one takes a different, parallel path. </p><div style="text-align: center;">Lord, make me a channel of disturbance.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Where there is apathy, let me provoke; </div><div style="text-align: center;">Where there is compliance, let me bring questioning;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Where there is silence, let me be a voice; </div><div style="text-align: center;">Where there is too much comfort and too little action, grant disruption; </div><div style="text-align: center;">Where there are doors closed and hearts locked, grant the willingness to listen;</div><div style="text-align: center;">When laws dictate and pain is overlooked...</div><div style="text-align: center;">When tradition speaks louder than need... </div><div style="text-align: center;">Grant that I may seek rather to do justice than to talk about it;</div><div style="text-align: center;">Disturb us, o Lord. </div><div style="text-align: center;">To be with, as well as for, the alienated; </div><div style="text-align: center;">To love the unloveable as well as the unlovely; </div><div style="text-align: center;">Lord, make me a channel of disturbance. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(author unknown)</span></div><p style="text-align: left;">Why did I start this article with a James Taylor reference? So you can be reminded of this part of the song: </p><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-size: 14px;"></span><blockquote><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-size: 14px;">Just shower the people you love with love</span><br /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-size: 14px;">Show them the way that you feel</span><br /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-size: 14px;">Things are gonna work out fine</span><br /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-size: 14px;">If you only will</span><br /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-size: 14px;">Do as I say</span><br /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-size: 14px;">Shower the people you love with love</span><br /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-size: 14px;">Show them the way that you feel</span><br /><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-size: 14px;">Things are gonna be much better</span><br /><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: left;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">If you only will</span></div></blockquote><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 12px; text-align: left;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"></span></div><p style="text-align: left;">Don't only shower the people you love (though it's a worthy start), but shower people you don't even know. Shower the hungry. Shower the unloveable or the people who have hurt you. Shower the "other." Shower the helpless or the people living out of a shopping cart. Shower the refugee. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Let it rain. Make love reign. </span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;">It will come back to you, I promise.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Shower the People</i> (lyrics embedded on video)</p> <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VmRwsKTJJo8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
<div><br /></div><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10pt;">*****</span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b>Christy K Robinson</b> is author of these books (click a highlighted title):</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oa0f1RKryaI/XATg0cyz7KI/AAAAAAAAH0U/nRhp2W947mA6C5SzzFYcKU8a1tg7pwumwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_0767.jpg" style="clear: right; color: purple; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Oa0f1RKryaI/XATg0cyz7KI/AAAAAAAAH0U/nRhp2W947mA6C5SzzFYcKU8a1tg7pwumwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/IMG_0767.jpg" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="150" /></span></a></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;"><i>We Shall Be Changed</i></a><i> </i>(2010)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;"><i>Mary Dyer Illuminated</i></a><i> Vol. 1 </i>(2013) </span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;"><i>Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This</i></a><i> Vol. 2 </i>(2014)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;"><i>The Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</i></a><i> Vol. 3 </i>(2014) </span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;"><i>Effigy Hunter</i></a><i> </i>(2015) </span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;"><i>Anne Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding Mother</i></a> (2018)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;">And of these sites: </span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><u><span style="color: blue;">Discovering Love</span></u> (inspiration and service)</span></div><div style="background-color: white; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><u><span style="color: blue;">Rooting for Ancestors</span></u> (history and genealogy)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><u><span style="color: blue;">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span></u><span> (17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;"><span>Editornado [ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</span></a><span> (Words. Communications. Book reviews. Cartoons.)</span></span></div><br /></div>Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-87192708486559091512020-12-23T21:38:00.001-07:002020-12-23T21:38:13.266-07:00Bethlehem manger<p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">© 2020 Christy K Robinson</b></p><p>For hundreds of years, religious art has portrayed the manger, an animal feeding trough, as a wooden structure, a piece of furniture in a stable. They showed the stable as a ramshackle building or a cave. But the place where Mary laid her newborn baby may have been the ground floor of a two-story house, and the manger would probably have been a hollowed-out dip in the ground where animal feed was served. The New Testament uses the word <i>katalouma</i>, or family guest quarters, as opposed to the word for a hotel accommodation, <i>pandocheion, </i>where the Good Samaritan took the beat-up traveler to recuperate. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHdKXH8IW1s/X-BbmULd3LI/AAAAAAAAJrU/4DZev4lcODsKuOiRb7OPZSrD8MHivIGlgCNcBGAsYHQ/s300/2002-Tall%2Bal-Umayri.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHdKXH8IW1s/X-BbmULd3LI/AAAAAAAAJrU/4DZev4lcODsKuOiRb7OPZSrD8MHivIGlgCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/2002-Tall%2Bal-Umayri.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Excavation team at Tall al-Umayri, Jordan, in 2002, perched on the <br />ancient walls of a four-room house. </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />When I worked as a volunteer on an archaeological site near Amman, Jordan in 2002, one of the buildings our team had excavated and rebuilt over several seasons was a house. The occupants of the house would have slept on the upper floor. Below them, there was storage for food, and a hearth for cooking. The other part of the ground floor was a stable that opened out to a yard with a fence to keep a few sheep or goats safely inside the enclosure.<br /><br />When Joseph and Mary entered the town of Bethlehem to take part in the census, Joseph would probably have gone to ask cousins who could house them for the nights and days they had to be there to register--and for Mary to give birth in the township Joseph's clan had lived in for a thousand years. But other cousins had arrived earlier, and the homes were bursting at the seams. It's likely that one of Joseph's relatives told him he could camp in the guest quarters also used as an animals' dwelling under a house. The Middle Eastern hospitality ethic would <i>never</i> have turned away a stranger or a family member. They'd have offered housing and food. Mary would have had women to help her give birth.<br /><br />Was the house located within the walls of the town of Bethlehem, or was it a farm nearby? If the latter, it would be more accessible to the shepherds who had been told to look for the newborn baby. <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">And there were shepherds living out in the fields
nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the
Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be
afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the
people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he
is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a
baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”</span></p></div><div><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host
appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,</span></p></div><div><p>“<span style="font-size: x-small;">Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth
peace to those on whom his favor rests.”</span></p></div><div><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">When the angels had left them and gone into heaven,
the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see
this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”</span></p></div><div><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and
the baby, who was lying in the manger. </span></p></div></blockquote><div><p><a name="en-NIV-24984"></a></p>
</div><div><br /></div><div>Shepherds were the bluest of blue collar workers in the Middle East. The humble. The lowly. The people least likely to be invited to the nursery of the Messiah that had been promised for two thousand years. They were not required to crawl into a palace in the presence of King Herod or the Emperor Augustus. They were told to look in or near the small town of Bethlehem for a newborn baby in the feeding trough of the animals they herded and watched over: sheep and goats. That would have been a relief, after seeing a large group of bright, other-worldly beings! Seeing a helpless baby in a manger would have been an immediate slice of "peace on earth" to the shepherds.<br /><br /><p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Run, Shepherds, run where Bethl’em blest appears,</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>We bring the best of news, be not dismayed:</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>A Saviour there is born, more old than years</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Amidst Heaven’s rolling heights this earth who stayed;</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>In a poor cottage inned, a Virgin Maid,</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>A weakling did Him bear, who all upbears,</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>There is He poorly swaddled, in a manger laid</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>To whom too narrow swaddlings are our spheres:</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Run, Shepherds, run, and solemnize His birth.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>This is that night−no, day, grown great with bliss,</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>In which the power of Satan broken is;</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>In Heaven be glory, peace unto the Earth,</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Thus singing through the air the angels swam,</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>A cope of stars re-echoed the same.</i></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">William Drummond</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">from <i>Flowres of Sion</i></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span><b>William Drummond</b></span></span></span><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span><span>(13 December 1585 – 4 December 1649), called "</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span>of Hawthornden</span></span></span><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span><span>", was a Scottish poet.</span></span></span></span></span></span></p><div><br /></div><div>*****<br /><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Christy K Robinson </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">is author of these books (click the colored title): <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KNilhC1FndI/XnwMX257jaI/AAAAAAAAJI0/DCJyz_JE43sux5OyTiwahBxQbGjqywJkQCPcBGAYYCw/s1358/IMG_0523-Christy%2Bkeyboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1358" data-original-width="1017" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KNilhC1FndI/XnwMX257jaI/AAAAAAAAJI0/DCJyz_JE43sux5OyTiwahBxQbGjqywJkQCPcBGAYYCw/w149-h200/IMG_0523-Christy%2Bkeyboard.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We Shall Be Changed</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2010)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer Illuminated</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 1 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2013) </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 3 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Effigy Hunter</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2015) </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anne Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding Mother</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> (2018)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And of these sites: </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Discovering Love</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(inspiration and service)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rooting for Ancestors</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(history and genealogy)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10pt;">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10pt;"> (17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10pt;">Editornado [ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10pt;"> (Words. Communications. Book reviews. Cartoons.)</span></div></div></div>Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-91255249741449460722020-12-12T14:00:00.001-07:002020-12-18T14:15:15.578-07:00The Light<p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">© 2018 Christy K Robinson</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWF0t1CV1dw/XCKmlUibHHI/AAAAAAAAH74/U51CPkSU7xI4IKIMin4PkpZMYd4eS3q8ACKgBGAs/s1600/sparkling%2Bwater-cropped.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWF0t1CV1dw/XCKmlUibHHI/AAAAAAAAH74/U51CPkSU7xI4IKIMin4PkpZMYd4eS3q8ACKgBGAs/s640/sparkling%2Bwater-cropped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Early Quakers like Mary Barrett Dyer, John Copeland, Christopher Holder, Humphrey Norton, William Robinson and Marmaduke Stevenson referred to their religious experience of Christ in their hearts as <i>The Light.</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">They understood the words of Jesus, that while he was in the world, he was “the Light of the world.” <span style="font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(John 9:5)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">But Jesus also said, "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You</i> are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">let your light shine before men</i>, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” <span style="font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(Matthew 5:14-16)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, wrote from prison on 13 August 1656, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Now our Friends being come to this light which comes from Christ</i>, and having received power from him by whom all things were created, to whom all power in heaven and earth is given, who is the wisdom of God; we have received wisdom and power from him, by which the Lord does give us to know how to use and order the creatures to the glory of him, the creator of all things.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Back in America, Mary Dyer wrote to the General Court at Boston in 1659: “Search with the light of Christ in you and it will show you … as it hath done me and many more.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ABdXxVK4Rts/XCKhE57einI/AAAAAAAAH7k/M0f_nEt3XZ07smOvoIFf331N8CEqw8ffgCLcBGAs/s1600/Mary%252C%2BSearch%2Bwith%2Bthe%2BLight%2Bfragment.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="114" data-original-width="1600" height="44" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ABdXxVK4Rts/XCKhE57einI/AAAAAAAAH7k/M0f_nEt3XZ07smOvoIFf331N8CEqw8ffgCLcBGAs/s640/Mary%252C%2BSearch%2Bwith%2Bthe%2BLight%2Bfragment.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><i>Fragment from Mary Dyer's letter to the General Court in 1659.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">“Turn inward to Christ the light, which shows you the secrets of your hearts, and the deeds that are not good. Therefore, while you have the light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of the light,” wrote Copeland, Holder, and Doudney from the Boston prison in 1657. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it... The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.”</i> <span style="font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(John 1:4, 5, 9 NIV)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Because Mary Dyer and others lived in such dark times of religious persecution even unto death, the Light that was real and tangible to them<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">—</i>was life itself. It was light in their mortal lives, even in prison suffering from whippings and unheated, unlit winter. And it was a light shining from the eternal life that has been promised to the children of God.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i><blockquote><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those who lived in a land of deep shadows— light! sunbursts of light! You repopulated the nation, you expanded its joy. Oh, they’re so glad in your presence! Festival joy! The joy of a great celebration, sharing rich gifts and warm greetings. The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants— all their whips and cudgels and curses— Is gone, done away with, a deliverance as surprising and sudden as Gideon’s old victory over Midian. The boots of all those invading troops, along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood, Will be piled in a heap and burned, a fire that will burn for days! For a child has been born—for us! the gift of a son—for us!</span></b></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-size: 8pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(Isaiah 9:6 The Message paraphrase)</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></blockquote><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Though Quakers, Puritans, Baptists, and other religious groups of the time did not celebrate winter solstice or Christmas, they did treasure the Light in their lives and desired above all things to share that Light.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">I hope that you will store these things in your heart, as Mary Dyer and her Friends did, and let God, Yahweh, Jesus, the Universe, or Higher Power—whatever you choose to label it—have a chance with you. Don’t remain in darkness or deep shadows: step out into Light.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">May the Light burst forth in your life and bring you peace, kindness, mercy, grace, and compassion.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Happy holy-days! </b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6b889U9BeAE/X90axkSTS4I/AAAAAAAAJqA/J9OvVUkBrHAUphFt-DRTh8qC7dXPIk8dgCNcBGAsYHQ/s384/Christy%2B%2526%2BMali%2BChristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="384" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6b889U9BeAE/X90axkSTS4I/AAAAAAAAJqA/J9OvVUkBrHAUphFt-DRTh8qC7dXPIk8dgCNcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/Christy%2B%2526%2BMali%2BChristmas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Christy K Robinson </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">is author of these books (click the colored title): </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We Shall Be Changed</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2010)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer Illuminated</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 1 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2013) </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 3 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Effigy Hunter</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2015) </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anne Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding Mother</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> (2018)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And of these sites: </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Discovering Love</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(inspiration and service)</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rooting for Ancestors</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(history and genealogy)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10pt;">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10pt;"> (17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10pt;">Editornado [ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10pt;"> (Words. Communications. Book reviews. Cartoons.)</span></div></div>Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-13520830044313253942020-11-10T19:50:00.004-07:002020-11-10T19:50:59.386-07:00You Are My Only One<p><b style="background-color: white; color: #323232; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">© </span> 2020 Christy K Robinson</b><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">This song has been one of my favorites for 35 years. It strikes me that it doesn't have to be a love song to "Only One" person, but a love song to every friend, every relative, every work associate, every church brother or sister, every person in your circle. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most people, if they're not psychologically damaged, understand that our capacity to love stretches and grows. We're not given a fixed amount of love to apportion to partner or child or parent or pets; we add more space in our hearts as we grow into relationships. We love our dad with all our hearts, and we love our partner with all our hearts, and we love our dog or cat with all our hearts. It's not a lie or exaggeration to love a few or love many, with fullness of commitment, emotion, friendship, loyalty, and passion.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everyone, because of their individual qualities or quirks, can be your "only one" if you're willing to open your heart. </span></span></p><br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pR4xmSj14nw" width="560"></iframe>Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-52627302327158384202020-03-24T12:00:00.003-07:002022-01-10T14:37:56.624-07:00Do what you can with what you have<b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">© </span></span> 2020 Christy K Robinson</b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KNilhC1FndI/XnwMX257jaI/AAAAAAAAJIw/-RllD2dVmGknMKqFSd3dGKDuwS7_eMg6ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_0523-Christy%2Bkeyboard.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1358" data-original-width="1017" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KNilhC1FndI/XnwMX257jaI/AAAAAAAAJIw/-RllD2dVmGknMKqFSd3dGKDuwS7_eMg6ACNcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0523-Christy%2Bkeyboard.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another piano video, <b>Love Medley</b>, is here: <span data-offset-key="7v7a7-0-0"><span data-text="true"><br /><<a href="https://www.facebook.com/christy.k.robinson/videos/10221806668096498/">https://www.facebook.com/christy.k.robinson/videos/10221806668096498/</a>> <br />Hope you are blessed by the music. </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
COVID-19 home quarantine isn't for the faint of heart, especially if you live alone. Even more so when you love and miss the fellowship of like-minded people at your house of worship. I play keyboards for several churches, and while those churches are closed to "flatten the curve" of new infections, I miss my colleagues and choir friends, my usual huggers, the people I respect, and the people who are wallflowers and need a kind word and handshake.<br />
<br />
I've lost my business in the quarantine: teaching piano students, accompanying the choir or ladies' ensemble, playing the prelude before the service, playing the hymns or offertory. All gone. No income. The services I played for so joyfully for 51 years have become livestream or YouTube videos by the minister, a scripture reader, and the worship leader playing a guitar. The Holy Week cantata we were practicing is canceled, and Easter services will be watched on a computer screen. <br />
<br />
As I watch the Facebook posts of my friends, many are lonely and sad that they're isolated in their apartment or house. I noticed that celebrities and pop or country stars have made videos for the fans when concerts were canceled because of crowds and quarantine. I figured I could do the same on my shoestring-budget. I strapped my phone into the tiny desktop tripod, dressed in nice clothes instead of my Apocalypse Nightie (I thought I invented the term, but apparently many people don't bother to get out of their jammies!), and started playing on Facebook Live. I told friends to play the video for themselves, or share with their loved ones.<br />
<br />
Then a funny thing happened. People started commenting, while I was still playing, that they were comforted or soothed, that they'd started or ended their day (depending on their time zone around the world) with a blessing, or they'd replayed the piece again and again. Several have requested specific pieces. People who don't participate in organized religion wrote that the music is the only thing they missed about church. One friend sent me a donation through PayPal. Another, whose family members are sick and cannot be visited because of the infection risk, said I made her cry.<br />
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"><b>His Eye is on the Sparrow</b><br /><i> </i></span><br />
<i><span class="text_exposed_show">Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,<br /> Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,<br /> When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:<br /> His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;<br /> His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.<br /> <br /> I sing because I’m happy,<br /> I sing because I’m free,<br /> For His eye is on the sparrow,<br /> And I know He watches me.<br /> <br /> “Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,<br /> And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;<br /> Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;<br /> His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;<br /> His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.<br /> <br /> I sing because I’m happy,<br /> I sing because I’m free,<br /> For His eye is on the sparrow,<br /> And I know He watches me.<br /> <br /> Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,<br /> When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,<br /> I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;<br /> His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;<br /> His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.<br /> <br /> I sing because I’m happy,<br /> I sing because I’m free,<br /> For His eye is on the sparrow,<br /> And I know He watches me.</span></i> <br />
<i>***** ***** *****</i><br />
<br />
I'm reminded of the President Teddy Roosevelt quotation in this graphic. I have little money, but I can do what I can do. Playing the piano, I can do. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9vcDsvXtjE/XnwMuWVJ9kI/AAAAAAAAJI4/SdBnPKfNQJ8l99ROW2j7KfgiVVVl4xDEgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/do%2Bwhat%2Byou%2Bcan.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9vcDsvXtjE/XnwMuWVJ9kI/AAAAAAAAJI4/SdBnPKfNQJ8l99ROW2j7KfgiVVVl4xDEgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/do%2Bwhat%2Byou%2Bcan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm not in business now. God has been faithful and he has provided for me before. He will again. His eye is on <i>this</i> sparrow.<div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD5h5rMhKGI" target="_blank"> His Eye is on the Sparrow, played by Christy Robinson</a><br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HD5h5rMhKGI" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> <div> </div><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>For the entire playlist, which I will add to as time goes by, visit:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> <a href="https://bit.ly/ChristysPianoPlaylist" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/ChristysPianoPlaylist </a></b></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10pt;">*****</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Christy K Robinson</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> is author of
these books (click the colored title): </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3JQD3RW7E8A/Xnw5IOcqhsI/AAAAAAAAJJE/EiutglepRWElqhoBjfsEy6jHD4kDw1y6QCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/sparrow.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="480" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3JQD3RW7E8A/Xnw5IOcqhsI/AAAAAAAAJJE/EiutglepRWElqhoBjfsEy6jHD4kDw1y6QCNcBGAsYHQ/s200/sparrow.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We Shall Be Changed</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2010) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer Illuminated</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 1 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2013) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 3 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Effigy Hunter</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2015) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anne Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding
Mother</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
(2018)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And of these sites:
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Discovering
Love</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(inspiration and service)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rooting
for Ancestors</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(history and genealogy)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10pt;">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10pt;">
(17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10pt;">Editornado
[ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10pt;"> (Words. Communications. Book reviews.
Cartoons.)</span></div>
</div></div>Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-83242069546483210502020-01-16T21:11:00.001-07:002022-01-10T18:29:22.252-07:00Of carousel stiffs, asses, and false prophets<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">© 2020 Christy K
Robinson</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>After Trump, in an attempt to be a wartime President ahead of the 2020 election, assassinated the Iranian general, Solemani, the "prosperity gospel" televangelists are blowing the trumpets to carry the United States into another endless war, with countless deaths including women and children, families torn apart, and economic ruin for all but a handful of war profiteers. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jmMvIYw43TI/XiEqEwOXeJI/AAAAAAAAJCU/NNZY6rhnhOAY35cMkFa_evycrnH-8_eCwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Paula%2BWhite.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="1100" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jmMvIYw43TI/XiEqEwOXeJI/AAAAAAAAJCU/NNZY6rhnhOAY35cMkFa_evycrnH-8_eCwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Paula%2BWhite.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Trump and White</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Both Mike Pompeo [Secretary of State] and Mike Pence [Vice President] who have pushed Trump towards
aggressive action towards Iran believe that there is a battle between
good and evil that will end with ‘the Rapture’. A key belief of the
evangelical Christian extremists is the establishment of a ‘greater
Israel’ before the end of days,” according to the British website <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jcs/article-abstract/61/4/551/5450058?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank">Church and State</a>. <br />
According to spiritual shyster and Trump advisor Paula White, Trump will have a role in the final battle.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“God came to me last night and showed me a vision of Trump riding
alongside Jesus on a horse made of gold and jewels,” </span><br />
said White in
<i>Charisma</i>, a fundie publication. “This means he will play a critical role
in Armageddon as the United States stands alongside Israel in the
battle against Islam.” <span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: <a href="https://thebiznews.org/2020/01/08/white-i-saw-trump-riding-golden-horse-alongside-jesus-during-armageddon/?fbclid=IwAR0n0uhCZj3s7KHm26ROCyMunKOLEavX2Dabkf2z_7o-hb6eeT9i501I1wg" target="_blank">The Biz News </a></span></blockquote>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uh4xJ8Qmnog/XiEjn3pUaiI/AAAAAAAAJCI/3NP6b1ADZHIcYRUIVL8nhAriCx7XvGuVgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Carmel-Borrelli-partial-armor-jeweled-bust-bllt.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uh4xJ8Qmnog/XiEjn3pUaiI/AAAAAAAAJCI/3NP6b1ADZHIcYRUIVL8nhAriCx7XvGuVgCNcBGAsYHQ/s400/Carmel-Borrelli-partial-armor-jeweled-bust-bllt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="irc_su">There's your horse of gold and jewels. It only goes in circles. <br />Carousel ride, Ca. 1915 Carmel-Borrelli Jeweled Jumper, Outside row jumper. <br />Partial armor. Double scabbard war horse. Over 400 jewels. $15,900.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div data-contents="true">
<span data-offset-key="a433q-0-0"><span data-text="true" style="font-size: medium;">The ONLY time Jesus rode instead of walked in his life, it was on a donkey foal, six days before his crucifixion. Which ride was better? The fake-jeweled wooden one that goes around in circles, or the humble, living one that took a Savior into the city where he would suffer and die to provide eternal life for his friends? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-offset-key="a433q-0-0" style="font-size: large;"><span data-text="true"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q11HJVUmWo0/XiEwzfYhSUI/AAAAAAAAJCg/_Tsta6C_Vyw62H0yTlBHJKXKUhkAFv4bQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/wild%2BAsian%2Bdonkey.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1023" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q11HJVUmWo0/XiEwzfYhSUI/AAAAAAAAJCg/_Tsta6C_Vyw62H0yTlBHJKXKUhkAFv4bQCNcBGAsYHQ/s400/wild%2BAsian%2Bdonkey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>When I visited the ancient city of Petra in southern Jordan, Bedouin boys <br />offered me donkey transport, begging me to hire them. <br />"Taxi, Madame?" was their repeated plea.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span><br />
<div data-block="true" data-editor="c4c5c" data-offset-key="a433q-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="a433q-0-0">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Nd2yksMo_4/XiEitEoh0OI/AAAAAAAAJCA/BVLatzkJkSIHYwuBaldOtBJyVp0a6t4OwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Jesus-donkey-palms.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="1200" height="334" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Nd2yksMo_4/XiEitEoh0OI/AAAAAAAAJCA/BVLatzkJkSIHYwuBaldOtBJyVp0a6t4OwCPcBGAYYCw/s640/Jesus-donkey-palms.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">Article from Sojournors: </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">At King Jesus International Ministry, several prosperity gospel
pastors and leaders hosted the president for a political rally and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-to-court-latinos-in-miami-as-part-of-launch-of-evangelical-group/2020/01/03/db2e85b8-2dc1-11ea-be79-83e793dbcaef_story.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">prayed publicly on stage beforehand</a>.
After the prosperity pastors laid their hands on Trump in prayer and
political support, the president of the United States openly said this:
“I really do believe that God is on our side. I believe that. I believe
that ... or there would have been no way we could have won, right?
People said, how do you win? You don't have the media, you have so many
things against you, and we win. So, there has to be something, has to be
something."<br />
Apparently, Trump does believe that. And, apparently, so do
the “leaders” who were with Trump on stage or are part of the new
evangelical coalition.<br />
<br />
It is <b><i>blasphemy</i></b> for Donald Trump
— or any political leader — <b>to suggest that God is on his side or
favors his candidacy or political party.</b> That blasphemy must be named
for what it is. To imply that Trump won his election because of divine
intervention — as some of his court evangelicals have said — is to
essentially bestow on Trump the divine right of kings, an idea that is
antithetical to the principles upon which the United States was founded <i>and</i>
to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It also shows again that Trump thinks of
himself as a monarch, as so many of his words and actions prove.<br />
<br />
Abraham
Lincoln spoke words of wisdom that are as timely today as they have
ever been: <b>"Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my
greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right."</b>
Donald Trump and his supporters would like to believe that God is on his
(or their) side. But every one of them must now ask, "Are we on God's
side?” Are Trump’s statements and policies of racial bigotry and
division on God’s side? Are his policies that dehumanize immigrants and
separate migrant families at the border on God’s side? Is Trump’s
lifelong demeaning, exploiting, and betrayal of women, including his own
three wives, on God’s side? <br />
Source: <a href="https://sojo.net/articles/international-bonhoeffer-society-calls-ending-donald-trumps-presidency-statement-concern?fbclid=IwAR1GIdOGi7WLbHrmzywiufhMrCQMybiVjZlj7uOv9lvTjx_BrZZ-SAqpH9o" target="_blank">article by Jim Wallis, president of Sojourners, 16 January 2020.</a></blockquote>
<span data-offset-key="a433q-0-0"><span data-text="true"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span data-offset-key="a433q-0-0"><span data-text="true"></span></span></div>
<span data-offset-key="a433q-0-0"><span data-text="true"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="c4c5c" data-offset-key="74g5r-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="74g5r-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="74g5r-0-0">Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, explained the danger of false shepherds or false prophets--and their fate. </span></div>
</div>
<div data-block="true" data-editor="c4c5c" data-offset-key="39bdd-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="39bdd-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="39bdd-0-0"><span data-text="true"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%207:15%E2%80%937:20&version=CEV" target="_blank">Matt. 7:15-20</a> <i>“Watch out for false prophets! They dress up like sheep, but inside they are wolves who have come to attack you. You can tell what they are by what they do. No one picks grapes or figs from thornbushes. A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. Every tree that produces bad fruit will be chopped down and burned. You can tell who the false prophets are by their deeds." </i><br /></span></span><br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10pt;">*****</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Christy K Robinson</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> is author of
these books (click the colored title): </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We Shall Be Changed</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2010) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer Illuminated</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 1 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2013) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 3 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Effigy Hunter</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2015) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anne Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding
Mother</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
(2018)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And of these sites:
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Discovering
Love</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(inspiration and service)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rooting
for Ancestors</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(history and genealogy)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman";">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
(17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">Editornado
[ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> (Words. Communications. Book reviews.
Cartoons.)</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-15823648691702670132019-11-25T09:39:00.000-07:002019-11-28T09:30:53.898-07:00Thanks-sharing<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">© 2019 Christy K
Robinson</b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">May this season bring all the things that you not only receive from others, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">but that <i>you</i> have the power to share: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">love, health, peace, joy, prosperity. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C9nZCTOrphE/Xdv7l-pDbKI/AAAAAAAAI14/dHSUdb3vN2c5naiQOmXPqHsQhs-52LGDwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/helping-rain.NPR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C9nZCTOrphE/Xdv7l-pDbKI/AAAAAAAAI14/dHSUdb3vN2c5naiQOmXPqHsQhs-52LGDwCNcBGAsYHQ/s640/helping-rain.NPR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You can share: <br /><span style="font-size: small;">a compliment to a stranger, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">listening without advising, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">giving from your abundance, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">giving your last two cents, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">writing a business letter for a friend, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">lending your muscles, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">donating goods to charity, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">helping the helpless, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">carrying large items in your pickup truck, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">donating blood if you're healthy,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">babysitting kids (no charge) so a single parent can have free time, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">preparing food for immigrants, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">driving a friend to a medical appointment,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">volunteering at your house of worship, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">serving at a homeless shelter, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">pulling weeds or babysitting pets... </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Beefw-tWho/Xdv9f_zhBVI/AAAAAAAAI2E/dgP9lFD9xVY0AI3SKr5AtaK1Th4bs8SigCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Volunteer3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Beefw-tWho/Xdv9f_zhBVI/AAAAAAAAI2E/dgP9lFD9xVY0AI3SKr5AtaK1Th4bs8SigCNcBGAsYHQ/s400/Volunteer3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We think of Thanksgiving, even more than Christmas or Easter, as a day
for families. More people travel to be with family on Thanksgiving than any other
holiday.<br />
<br />
You have traditions, whether the specific foods you eat (no
giblets-- <span class="_47e3 _5mfr" title="tongue emoticon"><img alt="" class="img" height="16" role="presentation" src="https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/tf8/1.5/16/1f61b.png" width="16" /> </span>
ack!) on china or paper plates, hiking a scenic trail, watching sports,
going camping and RV-ing at the sand dunes, holding someone's new baby,
going through the newspaper ads for Black Friday deals, learning to
make your grandmother's best recipe... and especially, counting your
blessings and saying out loud what you're grateful for.<br />
<br />
<span data-offset-key="eplt2-0-0"><span data-text="true">ThanksGIVING
is a way of life, far more than saying words about being grateful for
your abundance, but paying forward some kindness and mercy to both loved
ones and strangers. Thanksgiving is so much better when we're
thanks-sharing. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"It is wired within us that when we care and nurture it affects our
physiology in a very positive way," says neuroscientist James Doty. "That is the reward for caring."</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/12/17/460030338/be-kind-unwind-how-helping-others-can-help-keep-stress-in-check">https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/12/17/460030338/be-kind-unwind-how-helping-others-can-help-keep-stress-in-check</a></span><br />
<br />
One of many
things I'm grateful for, is friends who treat me, a singleton, as
family. You've come to my place or invited me to yours, not only on the
Thanksgiving holiday, but throughout the year. I thank you, and I thank
God for putting us in each others' lives.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">*****</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Want some Thanksgiving lore and humor to share at this year's celebrations?</b> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Check out one of my history blogs at</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> <a href="https://marybarrettdyer.blogspot.com/2015/11/early-colonial-thanksgiving-customs-and.html">https://marybarrettdyer.blogspot.com/2015/11/early-colonial-thanksgiving-customs-and.html</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">*****</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ5Pli8uwXk/XS-8k6m-5PI/AAAAAAAAIlI/i31bZs4_vdkiXnEbh8eJdCrCAK5DvADAwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B2019-06-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="402" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ5Pli8uwXk/XS-8k6m-5PI/AAAAAAAAIlI/i31bZs4_vdkiXnEbh8eJdCrCAK5DvADAwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Photo%2Bon%2B2019-06-30.jpg" width="167" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Christy K Robinson</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> is author of
these books (click the colored title): </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We Shall Be Changed</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2010) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer Illuminated</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 1 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2013) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 3 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Effigy Hunter</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2015) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anne Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding
Mother</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
(2018)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And of these sites:
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Discovering
Love</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(inspiration and service)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rooting
for Ancestors</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(history and genealogy)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">
(17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Editornado
[ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (Words. Communications. Book reviews.
Cartoons.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-21823870373017044002019-11-06T13:06:00.001-07:002019-11-13T11:09:46.444-07:00That'll leave a mark--we hope<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">© 2019 Christy K
Robinson</b></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Whoa, horsey! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rqaKuJWnjf0/XcLxkbdRktI/AAAAAAAAI0Y/axNoSZbF5lMzjP9xmrX0Un4eCHfPgPMXACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/A.B.FROST-1904-WHOA%2Bthere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="973" height="278" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rqaKuJWnjf0/XcLxkbdRktI/AAAAAAAAI0Y/axNoSZbF5lMzjP9xmrX0Un4eCHfPgPMXACNcBGAsYHQ/s400/A.B.FROST-1904-WHOA%2Bthere.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Artist A.B. Frost, "Whoa, there!" 1904</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />I've apparently reached the age where my friends' parents are passing away, my late parents' friends are passing away, and people in my age range are passing from illnesses. Maybe this has happened all along, for years or forever, or maybe I just notice it because I see the posts in Facebook, where the spouse or adult child of a friend writes to say that their loved one passed a few days ago and there will be a memorial service in the near future. </span><br />
<br />
I played the keyboard for a small family memorial service this evening.
Usually at memorials, there are people who will stand up and give a
short testimony of what the deceased person meant to them, or share a
sweet or funny story. This time, I learned from the widow that the
deceased man had several copies of his tools because his garage work
area was cluttered and he couldn't find them when he needed them; and
his grandson remembered the time when he intentionally hit a suc<span class="text_exposed_show">cession
of traffic hazard cones on the freeway just to hear the thud. A friend
said that the man had a good sense of humor (but gave no examples). And
that was about it. I'm not sure if the man was unremarkable or that his
family were unskilled in services of this nature. Did no one know him
well?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">In the 1980s and 1990s, my dad's elderly cousin, Goldie, corresponded with my parents several times a year in addition to the annual Christmas card. She always filled the envelope with obituary clippings for people she knew in her county in Iowa, and maybe folks she thought were related, but who <i>we</i> didn't know. She was fascinated with the cause of death of these people: crash on icy roads, cancer, stroke, murder, falling off a ladder, Alzheimer's, overdose, or any number of fatal incidents. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LlnVt9XgHdo/XcMOkxAqdSI/AAAAAAAAI0k/WFSZxucH6oQdk_KpjSlhw422yAt4NpDDwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Goldie%2BGriffin%2Btombstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LlnVt9XgHdo/XcMOkxAqdSI/AAAAAAAAI0k/WFSZxucH6oQdk_KpjSlhw422yAt4NpDDwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Goldie%2BGriffin%2Btombstone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">In some years, the twice-widowed Goldie would fly from Iowa to Phoenix, where my parents lived, and live the snowbird life during the warm winters. My dad would pick her up at her rental house and take her to church, or bring her back to his home for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. She had rather severe asthma, and she took taxis to doctors, but my dad would take her to the pharmacy after work. While I lived in California, she asked for my address and started mailing her weird obituaries to me. <br /><br />Goldie died at age 87 in 2005, having outlived two husbands and a daughter and son-in-law. She had no grandchildren. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Thanks to Ancestry and 23andMe DNA tests, I've connected with second and third cousins I never knew I had. One of them said that she remembered Goldie in a negative light, at the passing of a mutual relative. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">But the strangest thing we discovered in our research is that after decades of scouring the county obituary notices and passing them along to relatives and strangers, Goldie herself had no obituary, at least none that we can find in several sources online. There's only the tombstone to give a name and dates, but no fine details about who the deceased was in the lives of loved ones, or that they volunteered for a cause, or was a member of a church, or that they belonged to a union or civic organization, or served their country. Those are the things that personalize the dead, and leave an imprint on our memories.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Have you thought about what you'd like to be remembered for? An encouraging manner, that you were an excellent teacher or loyal friend, that you influenced young people to be givers or to be moral adults, that you were a mentor to someone who admired you, that your handiwork or art will remain after you're gone, that you were a blessing to people or animals, that you gave [time, money, gifts, blood, talents] to friends or strangers from your heart? </span><span class="text_exposed_show">Have you
thought about the legacy you're leaving in the world? Can anyone say
that you mattered, that you tossed "nice-bombs" of words or actions at
them, or that you taught them something they'll never forget? Can they
remember a time when you fell down but came back stronger, or that you
sacrificed something to bless another person? What sort of stories would
people tell at your "celebration of life?" </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children</i>.</span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+13%3A22&version=NIV" target="_blank">Proverbs 13:22 NIV</a></span> </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">And if you don't have children of your body, don't think you're off the hook! You should leave a legacy for the children of your relatives, your church, your community, your country, your world. Leave a mark, and let it be a good one! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">*****</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ5Pli8uwXk/XS-8k6m-5PI/AAAAAAAAIlI/i31bZs4_vdkiXnEbh8eJdCrCAK5DvADAwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B2019-06-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="402" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ5Pli8uwXk/XS-8k6m-5PI/AAAAAAAAIlI/i31bZs4_vdkiXnEbh8eJdCrCAK5DvADAwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Photo%2Bon%2B2019-06-30.jpg" width="167" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Christy K Robinson</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> is author of
these books (click the colored title): </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We Shall Be Changed</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2010) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer Illuminated</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 1 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2013) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 3 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Effigy Hunter</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2015) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anne Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding
Mother</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
(2018)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And of these sites:
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Discovering
Love</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(inspiration and service)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rooting
for Ancestors</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(history and genealogy)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">
(17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Editornado
[ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (Words. Communications. Book reviews.
Cartoons.)</span></div>
Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-26330273354392596002019-08-02T10:40:00.000-07:002019-08-02T11:17:20.475-07:00Interviews with asylum seekers--Gabriel and Magdalena<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
h1
{mso-style-link:"Heading 1 Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
mso-outline-level:1;
font-size:24.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
font-weight:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;}
p.MsoCaption, li.MsoCaption, div.MsoCaption
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-next:Normal;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
color:#4F81BD;
font-weight:bold;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.Heading1Char
{mso-style-name:"Heading 1 Char";
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Heading 1";
mso-ansi-font-size:24.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Times;
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-font-kerning:18.0pt;
font-weight:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;}
span.3l3x1n4g
{mso-style-name:"_3l3x _1n4g";}
span.3l3x
{mso-style-name:_3l3x;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">© 2019 Christy K
Robinson</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="3l3x">This is a comment I see daily in social
media: “They aren't fleeing persecution. They are fleeing poverty and crime.
They’re coming here for money. Even your hero president, Obama, said crime and
poverty were not valid grounds for asylum.”</span><span class="3l3x1n4g"> </span><span class="3l3x1n4g"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="3l3x1n4g">"Poverty and crime."
THAT IS PERSECUTION. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mpXqhCz2wDE/XUR4hVgAl5I/AAAAAAAAIqI/JAAkL781jAIEKAKw2EhKCCkN-4kZ26aBACLcBGAs/s1600/Ankle_Monitor_Texas%2BTribune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="850" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mpXqhCz2wDE/XUR4hVgAl5I/AAAAAAAAIqI/JAAkL781jAIEKAKw2EhKCCkN-4kZ26aBACLcBGAs/s320/Ankle_Monitor_Texas%2BTribune.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Asylum seeker released (minus shoelaces) with ankle monitor.<br />Source: Texas Tribune.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span class="3l3x1n4g">I work with Central American asylum seekers released by ICE. They have no land
for crops of their own, and no employment to be found working for the mega-corporation
fruit and coffee agrobusiness because of the five-year (so far) severe drought
in Central America. The palm oil plantations pay about $1 per hour if they can
even get a 3-month contract to work. The plantation owners have killed
peasants who resist having their land confiscated. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span class="3l3x1n4g">The governments and police are hand-in-hand with the
corporations and organized crime, not the people. If they try to start a
business like a fruit stand at the outdoor market, the local gangs extort protection money from them, or just steal it.
They could find jobs in the narcotics trade, but choose not to for both moral
reasons, and because the narcos are death squads in which they'll be trapped
until they die in a hail of bullets. The women are under constant threat of
rape from said gangs. The children—yes, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">children</i>—are
kidnapped by gangs for extortion; the girls are raped and killed or left for
dead, and the boys are impressed into gangs, also with the possibility of rape.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="3l3x1n4g">“Why do they have so many children that
they can’t support?” is another comment I’ve heard. Central American
women have numerous children because their own fathers can no longer support
them, and must marry off their daughters to get them out of the house. Then the
girls, as young as 15 or 16, start having babies because they have no money for
birth control, and abortion (even a natural miscarriage) is grounds for a
murder charge. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span class="3l3x1n4g">These stories have been told to me by refugees in
different groups over many months. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Magdalena</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Magdalena is 30 years old, but her plain, leathery face
looks 40. She was born in Guatemala in 1989. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oXf_TqCgv18/XURlSzGibMI/AAAAAAAAIoU/ORwiWxXVadkhQOGXrfgNBCroxKVmZcEyQCLcBGAs/s1600/Central%2BAmerica.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="1600" height="207" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oXf_TqCgv18/XURlSzGibMI/AAAAAAAAIoU/ORwiWxXVadkhQOGXrfgNBCroxKVmZcEyQCLcBGAs/s400/Central%2BAmerica.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Google Maps--Central America</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Guatemala is a war-torn Central American country through
which refugees from war-torn Nicaragua, war-torn Honduras, and war-torn El
Salvador must pass when fleeing torture, rape, poverty, and death in their
native countries.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In 1970, Carlos Arana assumed the presidency [of
Guatemala]. He is famous for saying, ‘If it is necessary to turn the country
into a cemetery in order to pacify it, I will not hesitate to do so’ – and this
phrase was a largely accurate characterisation of his time in office. …
According to Amnesty International, over 7,000 civilian opponents of the
security forces were ‘disappeared’ or found dead in 1970 and 1971, followed by
an additional 8,000 in 1972 and 1973.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><br />
Source: </span><a href="https://thepanoptic.co.uk/2016/11/19/american-intervention-guatemala/"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Devastating Effects of
American Intervention in Guatemala: The Panoptic.</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another 3,000 Guatemalan peasants were massacred by their
own government in 1979 and 1980. Before the mid-80s, villages were bombed and
looted by soldiers, and villagers raped, tortured, and executed. The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Panoptic</i> writer, Billy Perrigo, said
that children were taken outside after their parents were executed, and beaten
to death against rocks. The result was that 150,000 more Guatemalan civilians were
exterminated and a quarter-million fled to Mexico. Magdalena was born four
years later.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Magdalena says she’s an evangelical Christian who has 10
siblings. Her father had a small piece of land, but had nothing to pass to so
many children, particularly daughters who could marry and be supported by a
husband. She has never “studied,” and cannot read or write because there was no
money to send her to school. Magdalena could not know that Guatemala was a
neo-feudal economy with only two percent of its resources owned by the
indigenous people of her country. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The 1970s saw expansions in cattle ranching and
mineral mining as well as oil, industries which all required Maya be forced
from their land in order to make way for ‘progress.’ And to which economy were
the cattle, minerals and oil (all in their unrefined, and therefore cheap,
forms) sold in their majority? The United States, of course.<br />
Source: </span><a href="https://thepanoptic.co.uk/2016/11/19/american-intervention-guatemala/"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Devastating Effects of
American Intervention in Guatemala: The Panoptic.</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5Z9PcpMFEg/XURnt2ZJHFI/AAAAAAAAIog/5gMAVIVUdoI6iHdYzCFOD0ZCO9FGAMTlQCLcBGAs/s1600/Magdalena%2Band%2Bkids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="576" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C5Z9PcpMFEg/XURnt2ZJHFI/AAAAAAAAIog/5gMAVIVUdoI6iHdYzCFOD0ZCO9FGAMTlQCLcBGAs/s320/Magdalena%2Band%2Bkids.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She married as a teenager and had her first child at age 17.
After she’d borne seven children, Magdalena was abandoned by her husband. She
doesn’t know if he’s alive or dead, in Guatemala or the United States or
somewhere else. There were no jobs, no work to support her children, and she
said the government would not help her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One man told a <i>USA Today</i> photographer, “There are people who
will kill you for a quetzal [13 US cents] or your cell phone. People board the
bus with a gun and rob everybody. It’s hard to live there.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Magdalena said her oldest child, a daughter, “escaped”
Guatemala. The girl is 13 and walked 2,400 miles from Guatemala, across two
national borders, over mountains and rivers, through deserts, without either
parent. She’s staying in a southern state with a friend she met somewhere in a
Mexican desert. The girl was an unaccompanied minor, but may have eluded
capture at the US border, because she’s not being held in a detention camp.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As Magdalena answered questions and told her story, a
one-year-old boy nursed at her breast and five other children played with a
plastic ball and blew soap bubbles from the bottles we gave them. She bore her
children at a rate of one every 17 months.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She borrowed money from an American family to get her to the
United States where her 13-year-old could babysit while Magdalena worked. She
did not know that a 13-year-old in the United States would be required to
attend school and not be able to babysit during school hours.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What kind of work could Magdalena hope for? She didn’t know.
But she has to pay back the loan, she said. She was adamant that she had been loaned
US $9,800, but she also gave a figure of 100,000 Guatemalan quetzales, which is
US $13,700. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since Magdalena hasn’t been to school and would not be able
to calculate money values, she is sadly vulnerable to exploitation by the
American “friend,” or employers, or the people who got her and her family out
of Guatemala. She could be forced into a modern form of slavery. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How did she move six young children 2,700 miles? By bus, she
said. How did she cross the border between Guatemala and Mexico? She paid a
coyote, a trafficker of migrants, and he paid the border patrol guards in both
Mexico <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and the United States</i> to look
the other way. American border agents take these bribes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Migrants who cross at
Gracias a Dios, Guatemala, typically pay coyotes to arrange transport all the
way to the U.S.-Mexico border [at Texas] — 1,800 miles away. The going price is
$5,000 to $7,000 for a package deal for an adult and a child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/04/08/710348088/coyotes-boomtown-picking-up-the-migrant-trail-on-the-way-to-the-u-s-mexico-borde"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">NPR: Coyote Boomtown</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite the high price of transport and bribes, Magdalena
and her children slept on the bus over eight days and nights, and she bought
food along the way. She kept her spending money in her backpack, which was
stolen in Mexico. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When they reached the US-Mexican border at San Luis, a small
town near Yuma, Arizona, where the dry sands of the Colorado River are not
fenced, it was the end of the line for Magdalena and her children. They walked
about half an hour to a building where the trafficker bribed the United States Border
Patrol officers to allow them across the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">linea</i>,
the borderline. Once inside the US, they were arrested and could surrender and
claim asylum. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L7g7uz6cNhw/XURojrfFb3I/AAAAAAAAIos/d46Hv-C0acIDDv8rDhPfYWMH5ildywLJQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Guatemala%2Bto%2BYuma.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L7g7uz6cNhw/XURojrfFb3I/AAAAAAAAIos/d46Hv-C0acIDDv8rDhPfYWMH5ildywLJQCEwYBhgL/s640/Guatemala%2Bto%2BYuma.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bus route from Guatemala to Yuma suggested by Google Maps</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From there, the little family, penniless and with only a
plastic trash bag to carry the children’s few clothes and the baby diapers, was
taken by bus to the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) migrant detention center in
Yuma, 30 miles to the north. She said that the Border Patrol agents confiscated
her bag of belongings. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CBP and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) put the
detainees in a very cold room, supposedly for quarantine, to “kill the germs”
migrants might carry. Several journals speculate that the cold rooms are
punitive in nature, since the detainees are not allowed to shower and change
clothes from their journey, and a 60- or 65-degree temperature doesn’t kill
germs or stop disease. The room has a single toilet in it, with no screen
around it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Migrants call the very cold room the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hielera</i>, or icebox. Border Patrol has these cold rooms at stations
across the Southwestern border, from Texas to California. In the small room,
it’s so crowded that people can only stand, not sit or lie down on the cold
concrete floor. They’re given flimsy Mylar foil blankets to try to hold in body
heat, but when the detainees are already freezing cold, what will the foil do? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After 10 hours, Magdalena said they were taken to a place
where they had mats to sleep on. They were fed three meals a day, which
consisted of “instant noodle soup” (probably ramen), crackers, juice, and “very
small burritos” containing refried beans. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>ICE or for-profit detention? </b></span>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
h1
{mso-style-link:"Heading 1 Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
mso-outline-level:1;
font-size:24.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
span.Heading1Char
{mso-style-name:"Heading 1 Char";
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Heading 1";
mso-ansi-font-size:24.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Times;
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-font-kerning:18.0pt;
font-weight:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
CBP and ICE centers are not the same as the for-profit
detention centers run by corporations such as GEO, Southwest Key, and CoreCivic.
The former are funded and administered by Department of Homeland Security,
while the latter are contractors with Homeland Security and the Office of
Refugee Resettlement. The contractors take children separated from their
families and unaccompanied minors, as well as single adults and small families.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h1 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 2018, federal spending on immigration detention and processing reached $7.4 billion, compared with total expenditures of $5.3 billion four years earlier. Over that period, CoreCivic’s take rose by $85 million; GEO’s went up by $121 million, according to an <a href="https://about.bgov.com/news/immigration-spending-surges/">analysis of contract data by Bloomberg Government</a>. <br /> Source: <a href="https://qz.com/1586161/private-prisons-make-big-profits-from-ice/">QZ.com: As US communities resist ICE, private prison companies are cashing in</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></h1>
<a href="https://qz.com/1586161/private-prisons-make-big-profits-from-ice/"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 10.0pt; font-weight: normal;"></span></a><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the tent cities of Texas for unaccompanied juveniles, the
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">per diem</i> paid by our government to
the private, for-profit contractors is <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/20/cost-us-immigrant-detention-trump-zero-tolerance-tents-cages.html">$775
per child per day.</a> For a “family bed” for mother with children or babies, <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/20/cost-us-immigrant-detention-trump-zero-tolerance-tents-cages.html">the
cost is $319 per day</a>. They serve ramen noodles and small bean burritos
three times a day to adults, children and toddlers. Toothpaste costs $11,
though. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the ICE detention centers, mothers and children were kept
in detention for three days, then given an ankle monitor and court papers, at
which point they are no longer undocumented aliens—now she’s a documented
asylum seeker. The Homeland Security buses delivered Magdalena and 70 others to
a host church where they received donated clothing, showers in a parked trailer,
overnight accommodation in the church, a nourishing hot meal made by
volunteers, and snack bags to feed them on the next phase of their journey.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Magdalena's future </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Magdalena’s plan was to travel by bus to reunite with her
daughter, get a job, and support her children. I asked how she managed to keep
six little children, including a nursing infant, together and behaving on an
international bus trip, and the five additional days she’ll need to be reunited
with her teenager. She said that the children are obedient and sense the
importance of what they’re about.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She needs to earn enough money to pay back her benefactor,
and she’d like to save money to return to Guatemala and buy a piece of land for
a farm. Because she’s illiterate, speaks no English, has no money and no work
permit, she and her seven children are at the mercy of her sponsor. If the
oldest girl was an unaccompanied minor who entered this country without
claiming asylum, she could be deported, or placed in a detention center
anywhere in the country, separated from her mother. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Without knowing if her husband is alive or dead, Magdalena
can’t marry or divorce or hope for child support. Her best hope would be for a
faith group to take her on in mercy. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A26-27&version=ESV">The
Bible defines “pure religion”</a> as caring for widows and orphans—the most
helpless of society. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She will have to find (and pay for) legal representation,
and meet her asylum court dates. Grants of asylum are rare, about 10 to 15
percent of cases. Magdalena’s family journey is likely to end in deportation. Back
to hell. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Gabriel</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gabriel, who chose his name for this story because he’s a
Christian, is a young man in his late 20s or early 30s. He’s married and left
his wife and three-year-old daughter at home in Honduras, and brought his
five-year-old, Angela, with him on his month-long 2,700-mile trek to the
Arizona-Sonora border. He wants to find work so he can send money home to his
wife and bring her here, if possible. He broke into tears when he spoke of his
wife. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He said that his daughter walked most of the way, but he
carried her across his chest when she was tired. He also carried water, but
they had little food. What did he do when his daughter was hungry? He gave her
water to drink. Sometimes they walked up to 48 hours at a stretch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gabriel must have walked for longer than a month, or he
found rides at times, because he and Angela would have had to walk nearly 100
miles a day, expending thousands of calories. Neither father nor daughter
appeared emaciated. Some asylum seekers have mentioned that they rode freight
trains when they could. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some of his answers were unclear because of the background
noise and confusion of where we were interviewing, his Spanish, perhaps reflecting regional dialect, differed from our Arizona bilingual volunteers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Several times, Angela ran up
to her Papi and pulled his arm to go play with her. Their love and shared experience made it obvious that Angela was no "prop" or trafficked child that was his ticket to Paradise. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Jobs: hazardous agricultural or narco gangs </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gabriel described employment conditions in Honduras. A few times, he’d
had three-month contracts to work as a laborer on “palmas” (palm oil) plantations.
But with the end of the contract, he’d be jobless for six months or more, with
no income. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He didn’t know about the economic or climate impact of the
palm oil industry, nor did I enlighten him. The palms that are native to West
Africa displace the native tropical forest, and contribute to climate
change—and palm plantations destroy habitat of endangered species, including
orangutans in Indonesia and Malaysia, and animals and birds in Central and
South America. The business of palm oil is also dangerous to humans, as large
companies deliberately and violently drive out small landowners. Palm and palm
kernel oil is used in 50 percent of foods and personal care items on American
supermarket shelves. <br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dinant, which produces about </span><a href="http://www.wwf.org.au/news_resources/archives/"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">60
percent</span></a><span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> of the palm oil in Honduras, is at the
center of what has been called “the most serious situation in terms of violence
against peasants in Central America in the last 15 years.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Owned by </span><a href="http://www.dinant.com/index.php/en/biografia-don-miguel-facusse"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Miguel Facussé,</span></a><span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> one of the
wealthiest men in Honduras, Dinant has been associated with the killings of
over </span><a href="https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/related_material/World%20Bank%20Human%20Rights%20Status%20Report%20and%20Action%20Plan_June%202014%20Final_0.pdf.7"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">100 peasant farmers</span></a><span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, and
appears to be involved in a virtual terror campaign to ensure control of a
large swath of land in the Lower Aguan Valley near the Caribbean coast of
Honduras.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
Source: </span><a href="https://truthout.org/articles/palm-oil-and-extreme-violence-in-honduras-the-inexorable-rise-and-dubious-reform-of-grupo-dinant/"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Palm Oil and Extreme Violence in Honduras: Truthout</span></a><span style="font-family: "cambria"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">…around 60 people have died during the last four
years [2008-2012] in the conflict pitting peasants against private security
guards employed by the palm-oil barons, according to the National Human Rights
Commission. <br />
Source: </span><a href="https://news.co.cr/palm-oil-plantation-conflict-in-honduras-claims-another-victim/11486/"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Palm Oil Plantation
Conflict: Costa Rica Star News</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abbnrZOF7n0/XURrwjTUlVI/AAAAAAAAIo4/gBS7kKZuV6kSKBrHmD0uuy5zJB41atLoQCLcBGAs/s1600/GuatemalaPalmOil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="699" height="267" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-abbnrZOF7n0/XURrwjTUlVI/AAAAAAAAIo4/gBS7kKZuV6kSKBrHmD0uuy5zJB41atLoQCLcBGAs/s400/GuatemalaPalmOil.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="page-break-after: avoid; text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoCaption" style="text-align: center;">
Workers apply
pesticide to young palm oil trees. <br />
Photo from Tico Times, <br />
https://ticotimes.net/2014/05/10/palm-oil-guatemalas-newest-biggest-cash-crop</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">An Oxfam report on
Guatemalan palm oil plantations </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
“also
disputes the industry’s wage claims, adding that palm oil harvesting is
dangerous work, with risk of exposure to injuries, insect bites and pesticides
– and often no medical assistance for miles around.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
“Payment
depends on productivity, and minimum goals demand a strenuous effort. Most of
the men do not earn more than 60 quetzales (about $7.50) per workday, and the
women earn less than 40 quetzales (about $5.00),” it says. “The day begins at 6
a.m., and ends at 3 p.m. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
Source:
<a href="https://ticotimes.net/2014/05/10/palm-oil-guatemalas-newest-biggest-cash-crop">https://ticotimes.net/2014/05/10/palm-oil-guatemalas-newest-biggest-cash-crop</a>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gabriel said that the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">narcos,</i>
the illicit drug industry, were offering jobs. We didn’t know the word for
“gangs” (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pandilla</i>), but we asked
about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">grupos de gente mala</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, he answered, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">narcos</i> were not only unchecked by law
enforcement, but the police and government officials were in partnership with
them. The various gangs are at war with each other over territory or turf, and
there is “lots of death” because of the gangs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He also said that entrepreneurship was impossible. “If you
start your own business, the police and criminals would extort protection money
from you, like the mafia.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What about personal safety, for women? He said that his
cousin had been harassed and molested at her job, and was violated (raped) on
her way home from work. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He felt relatively safe on the journey through Guatemala and
Mexico, he said. They worried about venomous snakes, but not about other
animals or people. He said that Angela sometimes cried for her mother, asking
why Papi had left her behind. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9KNX_6V8bRo/XURsnBJlWnI/AAAAAAAAIpE/bDltMq-GdY48YTgoZ7as9x1AQpYHTEDjACLcBGAs/s1600/Honduras%2Bto%2BYuma%2Bmap.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9KNX_6V8bRo/XURsnBJlWnI/AAAAAAAAIpE/bDltMq-GdY48YTgoZ7as9x1AQpYHTEDjACLcBGAs/s400/Honduras%2Bto%2BYuma%2Bmap.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Google Maps suggested walking path from Honduras to Yuma, Arizona</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some Americans ask why asylum seekers don’t just move into Mexico
and stay there, rather than going thousands more miles to the United States.
Mexico has a similar history with drug violence, government corruption, and
grinding poverty, and they’re as adverse to immigrants as many Americans are.
At some border crossings into Mexico, caravan immigrants and their children are
tear-gassed. In an eastern state of Mexico, government militia opened fire on a
pickup truck of migrants, which ended in the death of a 19-year-old Central
American woman.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Arrival at the Mexico-US border</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gabriel said that when he and his fellow immigrants arrived
at the Arizona border, they paid coyotes to keep them in a stash house and then
bribe the Border Patrol officers to let them cross the border. At that point,
they peacefully surrendered and were arrested. But the treatment they received
was far from hospitable—it was hostile.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The American <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">federales</i>
said we’re coming here to ruin the United States. They cursed us under their
breath. They grabbed and pinched us, physically dominating us. They wanted the
last of our money. They know we come with a little money to live on, and they
demand whatever we have.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j26_FkpKMoA/XURwDKcrHpI/AAAAAAAAIpQ/qYKZATawfCku2CvLweebyEEZZk5ZP7nyQCLcBGAs/s1600/child%2Bdrawings%2Bof%2Bcages%2Bfrom%2BCBS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="620" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j26_FkpKMoA/XURwDKcrHpI/AAAAAAAAIpQ/qYKZATawfCku2CvLweebyEEZZk5ZP7nyQCLcBGAs/s320/child%2Bdrawings%2Bof%2Bcages%2Bfrom%2BCBS.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Drawing of children in detention. <br />Source: CBS News</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Border Patrol’s policy is to put their immigrant prisoners
into a very cold room for hours or days, ostensibly to suppress germs. They’ve
also said that their agents come in from the burning-hot desert clad in hot
uniforms and hot body armor, and they need 60- or 65-degree refrigeration for
their own comfort. (Arizona had an unusual extended spring season in 2019, with
high temperatures in the 70s and 80s well into late May.) And still other
officers have said that the cold detention is one of the deterrents to
immigration.<br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gabriel described the reception for him, his daughter, and
the people he walked with. “In the cold room,
it’s a bare concrete floor. There is one toilet for many people. We had to sleep
standing up because the room was so full of people. I felt humiliated. Why are
we treated like criminals? They want us to give up and turn back because
America is tired of receiving people.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He said that the cell he stayed in was very cold, and they
were not fed there. They were told that they could drink water from the faucet
but they had no cups—only their unwashed hands to catch water and drink from. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-piDvGbwlwOM/XUR1EGDbTRI/AAAAAAAAIpc/s8aRm0AyaZYK6qDsOePmSxS2igBzQ6BEACLcBGAs/s1600/el-paso-detention-center.InspectorGeneral%2BMay%2B2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="744" data-original-width="992" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-piDvGbwlwOM/XUR1EGDbTRI/AAAAAAAAIpc/s8aRm0AyaZYK6qDsOePmSxS2igBzQ6BEACLcBGAs/s400/el-paso-detention-center.InspectorGeneral%2BMay%2B2019.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Men jammed into a cell at the El Paso ICE facility. <br />Photo by Office of Inspector General, May 30, 2019.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The burritos they were given upon release from the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hielera</i> were frozen. Not thawed. Not
warmed. Frozen solid. When a man in the group asked for the burritos to be
warmed, the guards yelled at them, saying that being detained wasn’t the Border
Patrol’s fault—that the asylum seekers <i>chose</i> to leave their countries and enter
the U.S. illegally and this should be expected.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As Gabriel told his story, the men and women around him
nodded solemnly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After they had been processed with ankle monitors and given
court-appearance papers in Yuma, they were bused by the Department of Homeland
Security to a small Hispanic church in the Phoenix-metro area. Those are the
lucky people. How many are dropped penniless at the Greyhound station is not
known, but it happens regularly all over the Southwest. DHS was dropping
busloads of <a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/05/san-antonio-immigrant-families-central-america-trump/?fbclid=IwAR3V21n_aCMnRWiafwEyCBGlTC1A3cZlWKlfUvUM-oNJCqCv_5KS-vueWrw">families
at a San Antonio, Texas</a>, bus station in the middle of the night with no
phones and no money, and they dropped busloads of people in the small town of
Blythe, California, on the Arizona-California border. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the past, hate groups have shown up to harass and
threaten the bewildered refugees, so host locations and arrival times are
coordinated with ICE and kept secret. But sometimes, volunteer helpers have
formed human shield lines to get the refugees safely into the church buildings.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The pastor and some of his members receive between 50 and
100 refugees each week, mostly women with small children and infants, but also
some young fathers with children. An ICE officer explains what is required of
the refugees during the months while they await their court dates in the United
States. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The refugees take showers, some for the first time in weeks,
in a shower trailer in the rear of a rented industrial space near the church.
They receive help with short phone calls to their sponsors or family members,
and arranging transport (usually commercial buses) to the sponsor. At some host
churches, the refugees can “shop” for donated clothing, new underwear and
socks, new shoes, new backpacks, and hygiene items including baby diapers. Some
volunteers have made it their job to buy used stuffed toys and rehab them for
the young children. The pastor and staff will hold a religious service while
volunteers are setting out supper. Then the refugees sit down to wait.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Homeland Security confiscated shoelaces from all detainees,
so if their cheap athletic shoes or boots didn’t have Velcro closure, they
shuffled around slowly. When volunteers noticed this, they brought twine, cut
it, and burned the ends to stop any fraying. When we announced that shoelaces
were available, 100 people immediately moved to the church courtyard to take
the strings, lace them into their own and their children’s shoes, and walk
normally again. Such happiness, for so little, can both break volunteer hearts
and stir them to greater compassion.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The volunteers come bearing beverages, fruit, desserts, and
home-cooked foods still hot in their foil pans or crocks. Some churches have
fellowship halls with kitchens, and others must serve food on picnic tables in
the wind, rain, or heat. Most of the refugees sit at the picnic tables,
watching us warily as we set up the buffet of foods, while some of the men will
come out to where our cars are parked, and cheerfully help carry in the food,
crates of bottled water, pop-up shades, and other supplies. They’re quick to
respond to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Ayudame, por favor?”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But once we’ve served the food that we make as if for guests
in our homes, and distribute the snack-filled bags they’ll need for the next leg
of their journeys, the refugees relax. If there is leftover food after everyone
is served, anyone can come back for a second helping of rotisserie chicken or
rice, or try Rice Krispy Treats for the first time. Their children run and play
delightedly with their teddy bears or bubbles or coloring books. The nursing
moms take a seat on a quiet bench and feed their babies while we clean up and
take down our tables or pop-ups. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One week, a refugee gathered the rest of her group in a semi-circle
around the volunteers, and she began speaking about how they’d been treated
badly after their many difficulties on the road. They worried about the
American gringos who knew little Spanish and might have bad feelings or
intentions toward them. But they had seen our courtesy and hospitality, and for
the first time in weeks or months, felt welcome. She thanked us, and prayed
that God would bless us. After she prayed, the guests filed past and thanked
us, hugged us, shook our hands, and said <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dios
los bendigo</i>, God bless you. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was a bit mind-blowing, the volunteers admitted later.
After all those people have gone through and have yet to endure, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they</i> prayed for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">us. </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Gabriel's future</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As Gabriel told his story after supper the following week,
he stressed that he wasn’t coming to America to harm its people or steal jobs.
He just needed honest agricultural labor to provide for his wife and daughters, and safety for his family. He was headed to live with a relative in Central California.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He seemed eager to communicate with us, and when our
conversation was done, he hugged us, as did several others who had been
listening. After we left, there was an evening religious service, and the
refugees slept on cots until morning, when the church would arrange rides to
the Greyhound station. They’d have to make their snack bags last them for two
to four days. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">*****</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Christy K Robinson</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> is author of
these books (click the colored title): </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We Shall Be Changed</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2010) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer Illuminated</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 1 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2013) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 3 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Effigy Hunter</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2015) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anne Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding
Mother</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
(2018)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And of these sites:
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Discovering
Love</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(inspiration and service)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rooting
for Ancestors</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(history and genealogy)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">
(17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Editornado
[ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (Words. Communications. Book reviews. Cartoons.)</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lISwyvVMPic/XUR-FHlMV3I/AAAAAAAAIqU/BxBNs_0-Lq0POCyh4lWeIq8Xb2dzhDnXwCLcBGAs/s1600/Facebook%2Bcover%2Bbanner%2B2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="236" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lISwyvVMPic/XUR-FHlMV3I/AAAAAAAAIqU/BxBNs_0-Lq0POCyh4lWeIq8Xb2dzhDnXwCLcBGAs/s640/Facebook%2Bcover%2Bbanner%2B2018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-38184192514428965852019-07-17T17:27:00.000-07:002019-07-17T17:27:34.670-07:00God's child, our child
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">© 2019 Christy K
Robinson</b></div>
<br />
After cooking and serving lunch to the asylum seekers, I took care of a
baby boy from Central America while his young mother chose new clothes,
underwear, and was given hygiene supplies and a towel, and took her
first shower in several weeks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QutvOrJdk9I/XS-7ykC8oQI/AAAAAAAAIk0/cUz-K9ioF-0GVCa5zIEUXE5T80ZaSFnRQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0857-adorable%2Bbaby1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1441" height="460" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QutvOrJdk9I/XS-7ykC8oQI/AAAAAAAAIk0/cUz-K9ioF-0GVCa5zIEUXE5T80ZaSFnRQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0857-adorable%2Bbaby1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The baby was a merry little soul. At
lunch, he'd been chuckling and snorting while his mom tried to spoon
orange-colored baby food into his mouth and the spoon nailed his nose
instead. (His mom laughed, too, when I did.) He was laughing and
wiggling when he was handed over to me, and instantly grabbed my green
jade heart pendant.<br />
<br />
When another volunteer readied the baby's bath and
we stripped him down to his brown skin, he giggled. When we put some
tear-free bubbles in the water and I sang "Rubber Ducky, you're the
one," he grinned toothlessly and splashed and tried to do a header into
the 6-inch-deep water upon seeing the drain at the bottom of the little
tub. After the rinse cycle and a gentle towel drying, we put him on the
changing table, and he laughed at the freedom of being Nakie Baby. He
cried at the diaper and onesie dressing, perhaps because he'd had such a
long, exciting day without a nap. <br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pr_-fkyTQpE/XS-8ELI7vEI/AAAAAAAAIk8/bhh1b6xegRYUfygnlaYa-Af7pCpKGxOcQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0858-adorable%2Bbaby2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1098" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pr_-fkyTQpE/XS-8ELI7vEI/AAAAAAAAIk8/bhh1b6xegRYUfygnlaYa-Af7pCpKGxOcQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0858-adorable%2Bbaby2.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
This is a lucky baby. He wasn't
separated from his mommy and he wasn't caged or institutionalized. He
can't tell you his story, but I will testify that this precious child
with his smiles and wiggles, his joy at splashing in the bath, and
staying with his mother, should be repeated with <b>EVERY BABY, EVERY CHILD</b>
in the care of our country. He's not a political pawn or illegal
immigrant.<br />
<br />
He's God's child. He's <i>our</i> child.<br />
<br /> God bless them all.<br />
<br />
<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">*****</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Christy K Robinson</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> is author of
these books (click on the highlighted titles): </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ5Pli8uwXk/XS-8k6m-5PI/AAAAAAAAIlE/6KUmJvt7CeIo2j0_k4j5yD1yYytOnBeHwCLcBGAs/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B2019-06-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="402" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ5Pli8uwXk/XS-8k6m-5PI/AAAAAAAAIlE/6KUmJvt7CeIo2j0_k4j5yD1yYytOnBeHwCLcBGAs/s200/Photo%2Bon%2B2019-06-30.jpg" width="167" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We Shall Be Changed</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2010) </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer Illuminated</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 1 </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2013) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 3 </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Effigy Hunter</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2015) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anne Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding
Mother</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
(2018)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And of these sites:
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Discovering
Love</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(inspiration and service)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rooting
for Ancestors</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(history and genealogy)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
(17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Editornado
[ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> (Words. Communications. Book reviews.
Cartoons.)</span></div>
Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-22666341472046856822019-07-09T00:00:00.000-07:002019-07-27T10:32:22.027-07:00How you can help the refugees and asylum seekers<span style="font-size: large;">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">© 2019 Christy K
Robinson</b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Many people have asked how they can help support the great needs of the men, women, and children who are fleeing government violence, drug gangs, rape, extortion, kidnapping for ransom, climate-caused drought, and grinding poverty in Central America. </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Here are my suggestions. </span></b></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TtgR8ZhkN4s/XTAgA0QF11I/AAAAAAAAIlQ/2oLjUr2KnCk9djwvSzoIgMB2w6q5JRkUgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0852-kitchen%2Bvolunteers%2Bcopy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1506" height="404" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TtgR8ZhkN4s/XTAgA0QF11I/AAAAAAAAIlQ/2oLjUr2KnCk9djwvSzoIgMB2w6q5JRkUgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0852-kitchen%2Bvolunteers%2Bcopy.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Volunteers of all ages, even children, are eager to prepare and serve food to the asylum seekers. <br />Bilingual volunteers help us "un poquito Espanol" folks to communicate with our guests.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
These are suggestions for tax-deductible charities that directly work with asylum seekers who have been processed and released by ICE. <i>Click the colored links to go to their donation pages</i>.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.rescue.org/page/donor-help-how-make-tax-deductible-donation" target="_blank"><b>International Rescue Committee</b></a><b>: "</b>Since 1994, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Phoenix has
worked to provide vital services for refugees, immigrants, vulnerable
populations, and the Phoenix community as a whole. America’s proudest
moments have always been when we welcomed those fleeing life-threatening
violence and persecution and offered them an o pportunity to restart
their lives." Website: <a href="https://www.rescue.org/united-states/phoenix-az">https://www.rescue.org/united-states/phoenix-az</a> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.lss-sw.org/6719-reception-welcome" target="_blank"><b>Lutheran Social Services</b></a> organizes volunteers, works with ICE to route buses to host churches, solicits in-kind donations, accepts new clothing and underwear, <span data-offset-key="9ha26-0-0"><span data-text="true">provides travel assistance and social work, and much more. </span></span><span data-offset-key="9ha26-0-0"><span data-text="true">Some local
groups have an Amazon wishlist for supplies that you can pay for and
have delivered here, where they're needed. There's a group that provides
"burner" phones, and another that fills backpacks with essential
supplies for immediate travel to sponsor families. </span></span><br />
<span data-offset-key="9ha26-0-0"><span data-text="true"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sj8uzVB2NE4/XTAlBdbhOBI/AAAAAAAAImM/qKjQwPdybPo9JkZsvy6g17aQrJMbsV0KQCLcBGAs/s1600/showers1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sj8uzVB2NE4/XTAlBdbhOBI/AAAAAAAAImM/qKjQwPdybPo9JkZsvy6g17aQrJMbsV0KQCLcBGAs/s400/showers1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The mobile showers trailer is set up at host sites so immigrants can have their first shower in weeks.</i> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span data-offset-key="9ha26-0-0"><span data-text="true"><br /></span></span>
<a href="https://onehundredangels.org/" target="_blank"><b>One Hundred Angels</b></a> provides medical checkups and treatment.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7Kjzi1vnu4/XTAhfOhg6UI/AAAAAAAAIl0/_ys53ZGpuGM7JkbnXzZcySGt0sDAn6iCwCLcBGAs/s1600/medical.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="1338" height="242" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G7Kjzi1vnu4/XTAhfOhg6UI/AAAAAAAAIl0/_ys53ZGpuGM7JkbnXzZcySGt0sDAn6iCwCLcBGAs/s320/medical.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Doctor interviews a family just released from ICE detention. <br />Faces have been obscured for their security.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span data-offset-key="9ha26-0-0"><span data-text="true"><a href="https://www.redcross.org/local/arizona-new-mexico-el-paso/about-us/locations/greater-phoenix.html" target="_blank"><b>Red Cross</b></a> provides cots, blankets, towels, hygiene packs, diapers, etc. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QF7wOpwZHLE/XTAgHDX6bGI/AAAAAAAAIlU/tfSOgEA85scqBVR4Xmi6d6disiNCtHdbACLcBGAs/s1600/cots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="631" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QF7wOpwZHLE/XTAgHDX6bGI/AAAAAAAAIlU/tfSOgEA85scqBVR4Xmi6d6disiNCtHdbACLcBGAs/s400/cots.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3SGbT9vmAF0/XTAgN-oyrgI/AAAAAAAAIlY/zzSBmCEuQCAn5xXUHpAhiUXmbVTyVaVywCLcBGAs/s1600/cot%2Bblankets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3SGbT9vmAF0/XTAgN-oyrgI/AAAAAAAAIlY/zzSBmCEuQCAn5xXUHpAhiUXmbVTyVaVywCLcBGAs/s320/cot%2Bblankets.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
One of the greatest needs of asylum seekers and immigrants is for <i>pro bono</i> or low-cost immigration legal services. <a href="https://www.ilrc.org/donate-now" target="_blank"><b>Immigrant Legal Resource Center</b></a> is one of many such agencies, and they have a high rating with Charity Navigator.<br />
If you’re not quite sure where to donate, <b>ActBlue</b> has set up a couple of donation portals to <b><a alt="" class="" data-type="" href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/kidsattheborder" rel="" role="" tabindex="" target="" title="">help kids at the border</a> </b>and <b><a alt="" class="" data-type="" href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/scfamilies" rel="" role="" tabindex="" target="" title="">families separated and detained</a>.</b> Your donation will be split between roughly a dozen organizations all at once.<br />
<br />
<span data-offset-key="9ha26-0-0"><span data-text="true">There's a group that is <i>unrelated</i> to what we do (we help asylum seekers processed and released by ICE) that has been in the news lately, namely, <a href="http://forms.nomoredeaths.org/donate-money/" target="_blank"><b>No More Deaths</b></a>. You may recall that some of their volunteers have been arrested and tried for their humanitarian efforts and for trespassing on federal land. They leave jugs of lifesaving water along desert trackways, so immigrants who are walking through the harsh Sonoran Desert can find sustenance. Border Patrol and "hatriot" groups are known for destroying these water caches. </span></span><br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="336" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eqaslbj5Th8" width="597"></iframe>
<span data-offset-key="9ha26-0-0"><span data-text="true"></span></span>
<span data-offset-key="5ukja-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-offset-key="5ukja-0-0"><span data-text="true">On a more local level, my local group of volunteers has a PayPal account for the purchase of rotisserie chickens, boxes of fresh fruit, and ziploc bags for the travel food packs. Most of the cost of the food we prepare comes from our own wallets, though. And the time necessary to cook the food, drive it to the host site, and serve it is not something we seek compensation for--it's our privilege.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBeQZV6-LUI/XTAhJW2W4jI/AAAAAAAAIls/rX9w2PQJRy8nriAXkIoLrw9GZOHE1R1QgCLcBGAs/s1600/food-fruit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBeQZV6-LUI/XTAhJW2W4jI/AAAAAAAAIls/rX9w2PQJRy8nriAXkIoLrw9GZOHE1R1QgCLcBGAs/s400/food-fruit.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XydyRuDE2E/XTAi-HmI3QI/AAAAAAAAImA/7q5de2hRSXER1LD5HxIw7xY5jxB4aUa5QCLcBGAs/s1600/snacks1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1506" height="237" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XydyRuDE2E/XTAi-HmI3QI/AAAAAAAAImA/7q5de2hRSXER1LD5HxIw7xY5jxB4aUa5QCLcBGAs/s320/snacks1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span data-offset-key="9ha26-0-0"><span data-text="true"><br /></span></span>Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-82847510923702713712019-05-13T21:15:00.000-07:002019-06-18T21:27:39.643-07:00Mi hermana<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5R8TQ2CVfQ/XPx8q8JdrxI/AAAAAAAAIg0/i0G23XQNzyAsyIEa8XyhvN9nhezxMP81wCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0629-3%2Bblurred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="705" height="391" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5R8TQ2CVfQ/XPx8q8JdrxI/AAAAAAAAIg0/i0G23XQNzyAsyIEa8XyhvN9nhezxMP81wCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_0629-3%2Bblurred.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Faces are blurred for privacy and security.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">© 2019 Christy K
Robinson </b><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>I don’t speak much Spanish. Never did, even in the two years
of high school Spanish class (back in the days when dinosaurs roamed the
earth). I could read news articles fairly well, and at one time had at least
some vocabulary squirreled away in my brain, but conversation was never my forte.
(Wait. “Forte” is Italian. I know lots of Italian terms, some of which are
cognate to Spanish, because I use them daily in music.) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8vUFxMpipI/XPxlRXWCVII/AAAAAAAAIgc/whh6urjiKBMkvdZLC-9x-2xCALqmXWpPwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0360%2Btables%2Bset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8vUFxMpipI/XPxlRXWCVII/AAAAAAAAIgc/whh6urjiKBMkvdZLC-9x-2xCALqmXWpPwCEwYBhgL/s400/IMG_0360%2Btables%2Bset.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Living in Arizona and southern California all my life, I have a few phrases to
get me by in a pinch, most of which begin with “No comprende, pero…” or “Mi
español es malo.” I also know quite a few words connected with food, since
that’s what I need when volunteering with an interfaith ministry that helps refugees fleeing
from the horrors of Central American drug cartels and gangs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance, I can ask if they want red
or white rice on their plate: “Quieres arroz rojo o blanco?” I even Googled how
to say Rice Krispy Treats so I could distribute dessert: “Tratas de arroz y
marvavisco.” <br />
<br />
One of our Spanish-speaking volunteers told me that some of our guests don't use Spanish that they can understand, but may be speaking an indigenous dialect. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wuow4C9HvNQ/XNt_L08kncI/AAAAAAAAIeA/wYkNlwllzZs8lWE1EWtjWYpDzATZaMkCQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1512" height="468" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wuow4C9HvNQ/XNt_L08kncI/AAAAAAAAIeA/wYkNlwllzZs8lWE1EWtjWYpDzATZaMkCQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0631.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The menu includes beans, white or red (Mexican-style) rice, rotisserie chicken, tortillas, chips, bananas and oranges, and cookies or Rice Krispy Treats, plus lemonade, milk, apple juice, and bottled water. On the tables in the background, volunteers assemble ziploc bags of apples, juice boxes, chips, cracker/cheese sandwiches, jerky, and cookies for the next stage of the refugees' journey to family or sponsor homes while they wait for their immigration court dates.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="clay-paragraph" data-editable="text" data-uri="www.thecut.com/_components/clay-paragraph/instances/cjpwuejh5003v2c65pibxdlwc@published" data-word-count="78">
We served nearly 100 young men and women, most with children
and babies. Two of the mothers sat on a bench in the shade and nursed their
babies without shame (for there is no shame in feeding one’s child). One of the
babies had a fever and cough, and with the help of a Spanish speaker, I asked
if the baby was sick. The mother said when she was detained by immigration
after 15 days of walking through Mexico without chance of a shower, and with
little food or water, she and her baby were put in what the detainees call the<i> hielera</i> or
“cold room,” where it’s refrigerated for some reason that the US agencies will not reveal. This is a regular
practice of Customs and Border Patrol that takes place in Texas and California, as well as here in Arizona.
Instead of two to three hours, she was left there for five
days with only a foil blanket and the concrete floor before she could enter the
system of cots and food in the for-profit detention center.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XqdC3G3zO5I/XPxnVaAGDUI/AAAAAAAAIgo/_K2OGuG26gwa8igoX-fY__Mmq3q5NjX7gCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0693-moms%2Bnursing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="943" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XqdC3G3zO5I/XPxnVaAGDUI/AAAAAAAAIgo/_K2OGuG26gwa8igoX-fY__Mmq3q5NjX7gCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0693-moms%2Bnursing.jpg" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I've obscured faces for privacy and security.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="clay-paragraph" data-editable="text" data-uri="www.thecut.com/_components/clay-paragraph/instances/cjpwuejh5003v2c65pibxdlwc@published" data-word-count="78">
The conditions inside of <i>hieleras</i> [what detainees call "the icebox"] are notoriously bad. <br />
According to a February 2018 <a href="https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/uscrd0218_web.pdf">report from the Human Rights Watch</a>, the conditions in the detention run by CBP centers are abysmal. In addition to the frigid temperatures, migrants are reportedly subjected to intense overcrowding, forced to sleep on concrete floors, and denied showers, soap, and toothpaste. The first photos of a <i>hielera</i> were only <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/news/archive/2016/08/border-patrold-holding-cells-immigrants/496607/">publicly released</a> in 2016; they show over a dozen people sharing a tiny, concrete room in a Tucson facility, huddled under foil blankets. “They took us to a room that was cold and gave us aluminum blankets,” a Guatemalan woman who had been held in an Arizona detention center in 2017 told Human Rights Watch. “There were no mats. We slept on the bare floor. It was cold, really cold.” <a href="https://www.thecut.com/2018/12/what-are-las-hieleras-iceboxes-used-by-cbp-at-the-border.html" target="_blank"><i>The Iceboxes at the Border</i> in The Cut</a></div>
</blockquote>
This worried mother had
seen a doctor before coming to the host church, without any medication administered
to her baby, and she expected to be reunited with her husband in California
tomorrow. As she talked, she touched the back of her hand to her baby’s
forehead and petted his damp hair. My heart broke for her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAVThM7aXug/XNt6X3StQ3I/AAAAAAAAIdk/-BZ3EFJZSdI-qyvyfx7qNIn1s93rlspCgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0690-thanks%2Band%2Bprayer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1280" height="384" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAVThM7aXug/XNt6X3StQ3I/AAAAAAAAIdk/-BZ3EFJZSdI-qyvyfx7qNIn1s93rlspCgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0690-thanks%2Band%2Bprayer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today, after we volunteers had served every morsel of the
food and drink we’d prepared at home and brought to the host location, we were
standing around in the 90-degree shade, cleaning up and socializing. I looked
up to see our guests silently gathering around us in a semi-circle in the hot
sun.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the women in the group spoke in Spanish, which did
not contain words like rice or beans or cookies. It was not a slow speech that I
could translate at my comprehension speed. But I did hear words for God’s hands and feet,
heart, blessing, thanks, smiles, and God. I also heard words that might have
meant that they’d been mistreated on their journey, and they’d feared the
gringos (Americans), but with our food and our hospitality they had been surprised.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_LH_fCvV5I/XPx9ywnkSVI/AAAAAAAAIhA/-Nkrl63SxAYv9S9-gx0L4Cna7kNhHS3ywCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0689-thanks%2Band%2Bprayer%2Bblurred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t_LH_fCvV5I/XPx9ywnkSVI/AAAAAAAAIhA/-Nkrl63SxAYv9S9-gx0L4Cna7kNhHS3ywCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0689-thanks%2Band%2Bprayer%2Bblurred.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I leaned over to Mike, who speaks fluent Spanish, and
whispered, “I’m going to need a transcript later.” He answered, “I think your
heart understands.” <br />
<br />
The woman gave her impassioned speech and then fervently prayed for her
fellow refugees and gave thanks to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for the
volunteers. The group of men, young children, and women with toddlers or babies
on their hips filed past us and hugged us or shook our hands, saying “Gracias.
Dios los bendiga.” (Thank you. God bless you.) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You know what? God <i>has</i> blessed me beyond measure, and
continues to surprise me with new adventures in loving and being loved. When a penniless,
homeless refugee has the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">corazon</i> to
bless me and love me in a foreign language, I’ll take it as God’s voice. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t know her name, this kind woman, but she’s my sister,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mi hermana</i>. Godspeed her to safety,
security, and a peaceful, happy life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The video below was posted about one of the host church locations were I've volunteered. I love what they have to say about why we do what we do. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gFsJEsdgKoc" width="560"></iframe>
<a href="https://youtu.be/gFsJEsdgKoc"><br /><br />https://youtu.be/gFsJEsdgKoc</a>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">*****</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Christy K Robinson</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> is author of
these books: </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We Shall Be Changed</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2010) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer Illuminated</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 1 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2013) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 3 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Effigy Hunter</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2015) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anne Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding
Mother</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
(2018)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And of these
sites: </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Discovering
Love</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(inspiration and service)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rooting
for Ancestors</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(history and genealogy)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">
(17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Editornado
[ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (Words. Communications. Book reviews.
Cartoons.) </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KGmV4W80DDw/XO4mmD-Uh3I/AAAAAAAAIeo/LNdw9W8rrO4PN8V6RiHLRPcqnSkmbPDRgCLcBGAs/s1600/Facebook%2Bcover%2Bbanner%2B2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="235" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KGmV4W80DDw/XO4mmD-Uh3I/AAAAAAAAIeo/LNdw9W8rrO4PN8V6RiHLRPcqnSkmbPDRgCLcBGAs/s640/Facebook%2Bcover%2Bbanner%2B2018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-69393021741720107052019-05-06T02:14:00.001-07:002019-05-28T23:32:14.608-07:00Real Christians, real Jews, real Muslims, real God-followers<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:serif;
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-alt:Cambria;
mso-font-charset:77;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:auto;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">© 2019 Christy K Robinson</span></b></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have you read comments on social media? They're pretty
embarrassing for those of us who call ourselves God-followers or
"spiritual" people. Some of that verbal abuse is deserved. I don't
have to repeat it, because you've seen it and heard it.<br />
<br />
There are people who claim to be Christian, but support the separation of
children and parents in concentration camps, or call legal asylum seekers
"illegal aliens" and demand that they be deported. But there are also
people who, from the abundance of divine love in their souls, are doing the
work of God.<br />
<br />
The friend of a friend posted this graphic, criticizing people of faith (faith
he doesn't have) for being hypocrites. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ipiq7mpaW4Y/XM03MESM6_I/AAAAAAAAIcM/7cDvp9FVVUcEnZgW3PXEtdzoDfYqLbyqACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Real%2BChristians.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="600" height="230" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ipiq7mpaW4Y/XM03MESM6_I/AAAAAAAAIcM/7cDvp9FVVUcEnZgW3PXEtdzoDfYqLbyqACPcBGAYYCw/s320/Real%2BChristians.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
</div>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
--> </style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our mutual friend chimed in, saying "I know groups in
Arizona that are there to help asylum seekers who arrive. The good ones are
definitely there helping." <br />
<br />
She messaged me, saying "Totally mentioned you without saying your
name." <br />
<br />
Since her friend had a public setting on his Facebook post, I wrote an answer, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">which he immediately deleted</i>, probably
because it didn't fit his agenda that Christians ought to be "doing
something" to back up their "pro-life" rhetoric. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fqg_Y1a3OVk/XEe8X6U-AgI/AAAAAAAAH-s/AYAhfVdaWRwNgLKhF_OQ39OEoCkiT4qLgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_0354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fqg_Y1a3OVk/XEe8X6U-AgI/AAAAAAAAH-s/AYAhfVdaWRwNgLKhF_OQ39OEoCkiT4qLgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_0354.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Volunteers form a line of human shields along the police<br />
caution tape, as they welcome refugees and asylum seekers<br />
coming off the Homeland Security buses. How's that for meeting<br />
the caravans with food, water, clothing, etc?</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I work with an interfaith
group that does what the meme said, and much more. The volunteer coordinator
brought her fellow members of a synagogue or two; there are mosque members who
serve the refugees on Passover/Easter and even during their own Ramadan fast,
numerous Protestants (Methodist, Baptist, nondenominational, Lutheran,
Presbyterian, Episcopalian, etc.) and Catholics (Catholic Charities welcome
volunteers of many faiths); and yes, people of no religion who are
compassionate, kind, and merciful. <br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.azmirror.com/2019/05/02/amid-refugee-crisis-volunteers-show-what-truly-makes-america-great/?fbclid=IwAR09PGuPt-QGOeHLE4R5pHQ8pQlf_fSNkEPOl-h38N06LRZNq5GY0LjvdnE">The
network of volunteers are not often seen or known to the public</a></b> because
of racist and militia vigilante types who picket, scream at, and threaten
violence to our refugee guests and us. The Department of Homeland Security
buses bring the refugees to host churches around the Phoenix-metro area,
hundreds (perhaps thousands) per week, and drop them with court papers and
ankle monitors. Out of our own pockets, and what we solicit from our home
church choirs or Bible study groups, we provide showers and cots, hot food,
bottled water and milk/coffee/lemonade at the meals, bags of snacks and fruit
for travel to their sponsor homes across the country, diapers, clothing, shoes,
a doctor if needed, etc.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yB1XhFVFW_8/XM_2eF-NapI/AAAAAAAAIck/6qWUD4ScDyshwXXP_8qjqB3I-DT4xYgRACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_0400%2Bother%2BChristy%2Bretrieves%2Brice%2Bfrom%2Bcorner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yB1XhFVFW_8/XM_2eF-NapI/AAAAAAAAIck/6qWUD4ScDyshwXXP_8qjqB3I-DT4xYgRACPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_0400%2Bother%2BChristy%2Bretrieves%2Brice%2Bfrom%2Bcorner.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Volunteer climbs over storage boxes
to <br />
reach bags of rice. </span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It's wide-scale, we have a charitable designation, and we're working with
DHS. I'm told that there are similar groups in California, Texas, New Mexico,
etc. But we have to do it quietly for security's sake. Some of us have had to
be human shields to protect our guests (young parents with babies and toddlers)
from screaming racists and vigilantes.<br />
<br />
Beyond groups like ours, there are non-religious organizations that make water
and food drops in the desert trackways to save the lives of migrants. Some are
serving prison time for helping. I read a comment recently that bragged about
"shooting holes in the water jugs to save the cactus and trees"
rather than save the lives of human beings.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">You want to know whose faith is real? </span></b><br />
That is where the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real</i> Christians
are, and not only Christians, but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real</i>
Jews, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real </i>Muslims, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real</i> secular humanists: doing it
generously, quietly, and secretly with open arms, open homes, open bank
accounts, unlike Franklin Graham and Jerry Falwell Jr., spewing hatred for the
refugees within our borders, and raking in donations by the tens of millions
every year.<br />
<br />
"To be sure, some evangelical leaders, such as Franklin Graham, the
president and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic
Association, voiced criticism of the Trump administration’s policy of
separating asylum-seeking children from their parents at the border. Yet
evangelical leaders have shown no signs of ceasing to give Trump their full
support, while Attorney General Jeff Sessions and White House press secretary
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, both right-wing Protestants, defended his immigration
policies as “biblical.” Indeed, in criticizing the “zero tolerance” policy,
Graham deflected the blame from Trump and attempted to place it on former
President Barack Obama."<span style="font-family: "times";"><a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/10/29/white-evangelicals-have-turned-on-refugees/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> White
evangelicals have turned on refugees,</span></i><span style="font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Foreign Policy</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 7.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tzKS-iD4m2w/XNADNIPaJhI/AAAAAAAAIcw/UktPJ2PM2Pg7TRmzIZe4pplDeO_Toe7pQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_0362%2Bkitchen%2Bservers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tzKS-iD4m2w/XNADNIPaJhI/AAAAAAAAIcw/UktPJ2PM2Pg7TRmzIZe4pplDeO_Toe7pQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/IMG_0362%2Bkitchen%2Bservers.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Volunteers from several religions
bring food and drink<br />
and other life necessities to a Baptist church where <br />
Homeland Security drops 100 young parents and babies <br />
several times every week.</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></i><span style="color: #c0504d; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
"Graham’s willingness to abandon Christian principles when it’s
politically expedient has cost the church dearly. It’s hard to think of a
single prominent American Christian who better illustrates the collapsing
Evangelical public witness than Franklin Graham, Billy Graham’s son. His
commitment to the Christian character of American public officials seems to
depend largely on their partisan political identity." <span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 7.5pt;"><a href="https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/04/franklin-graham-and-the-high-cost-of-the-lost-evangelical-witness/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Franklin
Graham and the High Cost of the Lost Evangelical Witness</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">, National Review</span></a> </span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
<br />
</span>“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Woe to you ... hypocrites</b>!
For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters
of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done,
without neglecting the others. You blind guides. ... For you are like whitewashed
tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s
bones and all uncleanness. So <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">you also
outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and
lawlessness</b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 10.0pt;">."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times"; font-size: 7.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 7.5pt;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/esv/matthew/23.htm"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Matthew 23:23, 24, 27, 28 ESV</span></a> </span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
The "evangelical"
Christian participation in politics is not furthering Christianity or the good
news of God's boundless grace. It is a testimony to greed, isolationism, fear,
arrogance, racism and nationalism, and discrimination. You, personally, may not
notice it, but countless people around the world see it and are disgusted.
Evangelical used to mean that we told the good news of God's love and
salvation. Now, many of us avoid the negatively loaded word and call ourselves
Christ-followers or God-followers.<br />
<br />
What is the remedy? It's very simple.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JqeNOlQvMWE/XM02shMv4lI/AAAAAAAAIcE/jSaNp9amfYoLKD0ZpVECJ0Fz_eMA2UA0gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/love%2Bone%2Banother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JqeNOlQvMWE/XM02shMv4lI/AAAAAAAAIcE/jSaNp9amfYoLKD0ZpVECJ0Fz_eMA2UA0gCPcBGAYYCw/s320/love%2Bone%2Banother.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
</div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">You want to find a REAL
godly person? </span></b>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roll up your sleeves, get involved in an other-centric
project, and you'll see that godly people are all around you. No one will
preach at another, ever, because we believe that God's Spirit is there in our
midst.<br />
<br />
When we die, there isn't some final exam on pre-millennialism, imputed or
imparted righteousness, prophetic timelines, or a host of theology-speak terms.
There are only a few requirements, and they don't involve the Ten Commandments
or any other list. Through the ages, people of many cultures want to know how
to be right with God, and what he requires of us. It's very basic, so everyone
can understand. "Love one another."</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
He has told you, O
man, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">what is good</b>;<br />
and what does the Lord require of you<br />
but to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">do justice</b>, and to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">love kindness</b>,<br />
and to <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">walk humbly</b> with your God? <a href="https://biblehub.com/esv/micah/6.htm"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Micah 6:8 ESV</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And the people who God brings into his kingdom? The ones who
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">fed and watered the hungry and thirsty, welcomed
the foreigner, clothed the naked, visited the sick and the prisoner</b>. <a href="https://biblehub.com/esv/matthew/25.htm"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew 25:40 </span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
In other words, those who love and give up their own comforts sometimes, to
help others. <span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">***** </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukj9HZAWi3A/XKaIalSuHiI/AAAAAAAAIWc/qZMt2_mMrfstkT3RTU6dpA6chx3btwW8gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/CKRobinson2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1160" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukj9HZAWi3A/XKaIalSuHiI/AAAAAAAAIWc/qZMt2_mMrfstkT3RTU6dpA6chx3btwW8gCPcBGAYYCw/s200/CKRobinson2019.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Christy K Robinson</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> is author of
these books: </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We Shall Be Changed</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2010) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer Illuminated</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 1 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2013) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 3 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Effigy Hunter</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2015) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anne Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding
Mother</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
(2018)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And of these sites:
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Discovering
Love</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(inspiration and service)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rooting
for Ancestors</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(history and genealogy)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">
(17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Editornado
[ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> (Words. Communications. Book reviews.
Cartoons.)</span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KGmV4W80DDw/XO4mmD-Uh3I/AAAAAAAAIes/1KdN8eel9W4RxJwQEGZm3rO1fB5cn8c7QCEwYBhgL/s1600/Facebook%2Bcover%2Bbanner%2B2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="851" height="236" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KGmV4W80DDw/XO4mmD-Uh3I/AAAAAAAAIes/1KdN8eel9W4RxJwQEGZm3rO1fB5cn8c7QCEwYBhgL/s640/Facebook%2Bcover%2Bbanner%2B2018.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-35518091905858082862019-05-01T22:31:00.002-07:002022-02-07T16:22:55.392-07:00Telling My Secrets
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Courier New";
panose-1:2 7 3 9 2 2 5 2 4 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:2;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:0 0 65536 0 -2147483648 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
span.textisa-46-3
{mso-style-name:"text isa-46-3";}
span.indent-1-breaks
{mso-style-name:indent-1-breaks;}
span.small-caps
{mso-style-name:small-caps;}
span.textisa-46-4
{mso-style-name:"text isa-46-4";}
span.5yl5
{mso-style-name:_5yl5;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:537133325;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:913451530 -1520824726 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-start-at:10;
mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@list l1
{mso-list-id:815534971;
mso-list-template-ids:132916228;}
@list l1:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">© 2019 Christy K
Robinson</b>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sexual assault, in whatever form it takes, is not about sex.</b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1510856114964257942#_edn1" name="_ednref" style="mso-endnote-id: edn;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;">[i]</span></span></a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Courier New";
panose-1:2 7 3 9 2 2 5 2 4 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-font-alt:Cambria;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:auto;
mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Georgia;
panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:Cambria;}
h1
{mso-style-link:"Heading 1 Char";
mso-style-next:Normal;
margin-top:24.0pt;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan lines-together;
page-break-after:avoid;
mso-outline-level:1;
font-size:24.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-font-kerning:0pt;}
h2
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-link:"Heading 2 Char";
mso-style-next:Normal;
margin-top:.25in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:4.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan lines-together;
page-break-after:avoid;
mso-outline-level:2;
font-size:18.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;}
h3
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-link:"Heading 3 Char";
mso-style-next:Normal;
margin-top:14.0pt;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:4.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan lines-together;
page-break-after:avoid;
mso-outline-level:3;
font-size:14.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;}
h4
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-link:"Heading 4 Char";
mso-style-next:Normal;
margin-top:12.0pt;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:2.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan lines-together;
page-break-after:avoid;
mso-outline-level:4;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;}
h5
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-link:"Heading 5 Char";
mso-style-next:Normal;
margin-top:11.0pt;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:2.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan lines-together;
page-break-after:avoid;
mso-outline-level:5;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;}
h6
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-link:"Heading 6 Char";
mso-style-next:Normal;
margin-top:10.0pt;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:2.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan lines-together;
page-break-after:avoid;
mso-outline-level:6;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;}
p.MsoCommentText, li.MsoCommentText, div.MsoCommentText
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-link:"Comment Text Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:Cambria;}
span.MsoCommentReference
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-ansi-font-size:8.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:8.0pt;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:Cambria;}
p.MsoTitle, li.MsoTitle, div.MsoTitle
{mso-style-link:"Title Char";
mso-style-next:Normal;
margin-top:24.0pt;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:6.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan lines-together;
page-break-after:avoid;
font-size:36.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:Cambria;
font-weight:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;}
p.MsoSubtitle, li.MsoSubtitle, div.MsoSubtitle
{mso-style-link:"Subtitle Char";
mso-style-next:Normal;
margin-top:.25in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:4.0pt;
margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan lines-together;
page-break-after:avoid;
font-size:24.0pt;
font-family:Georgia;
mso-fareast-font-family:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;
color:#666666;
font-style:italic;
mso-bidi-font-style:normal;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p.MsoCommentSubject, li.MsoCommentSubject, div.MsoCommentSubject
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"Comment Text";
mso-style-link:"Comment Subject Char";
mso-style-next:"Comment Text";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:Cambria;
font-weight:bold;}
p.MsoAcetate, li.MsoAcetate, div.MsoAcetate
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-link:"Balloon Text Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.Heading1Char
{mso-style-name:"Heading 1 Char";
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Heading 1";
mso-ansi-font-size:24.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:24.0pt;
font-weight:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;}
span.Heading2Char
{mso-style-name:"Heading 2 Char";
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Heading 2";
mso-ansi-font-size:18.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:18.0pt;
font-weight:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;}
span.Heading3Char
{mso-style-name:"Heading 3 Char";
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Heading 3";
mso-ansi-font-size:14.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:14.0pt;
font-weight:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;}
span.Heading4Char
{mso-style-name:"Heading 4 Char";
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Heading 4";
font-weight:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;}
span.Heading5Char
{mso-style-name:"Heading 5 Char";
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Heading 5";
mso-ansi-font-size:11.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-weight:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;}
span.Heading6Char
{mso-style-name:"Heading 6 Char";
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Heading 6";
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-weight:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;}
span.TitleChar
{mso-style-name:"Title Char";
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:Title;
mso-ansi-font-size:36.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:36.0pt;
font-weight:bold;
mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;}
span.SubtitleChar
{mso-style-name:"Subtitle Char";
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:Subtitle;
mso-ansi-font-size:24.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:24.0pt;
font-family:Georgia;
mso-ascii-font-family:Georgia;
mso-fareast-font-family:Georgia;
mso-hansi-font-family:Georgia;
mso-bidi-font-family:Georgia;
color:#666666;
font-style:italic;
mso-bidi-font-style:normal;}
span.CommentTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Comment Text Char";
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Comment Text";
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;}
span.CommentSubjectChar
{mso-style-name:"Comment Subject Char";
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-parent:"Comment Text Char";
mso-style-link:"Comment Subject";
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-weight:bold;}
span.BalloonTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Balloon Text Char";
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Balloon Text";
mso-ansi-font-size:9.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-locked:yes;
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;}
span.UnresolvedMention
{mso-style-name:"Unresolved Mention";
mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:#605E5C;
background:#E1DFDD;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.25in;
mso-footer-margin:.25in;
mso-page-numbers:1;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;
mso-endnote-numbering-style:arabic;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:317996617;
mso-list-template-ids:1503030044;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:●;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ascii-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ascii-font-family:"Courier New";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Courier New";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:▪;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ascii-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:▪;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ascii-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:▪;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ascii-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:▪;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ascii-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:▪;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ascii-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:▪;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ascii-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:▪;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ascii-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Noto Sans Symbols";}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
--></style><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s about
violence, power, and betrayal. Keeping the secret that one has been violated
can prevent healing and recovery.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It happened to me when I was learning
to walk, at the age I was coloring Noah’s animals in Sunday school and learning
to ride a tricycle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I had to be mature far too quickly. I
didn’t learn to play or dance or be silly. Adults praised me for my maturity,
for having such polite manners, and for being a caregiver to my chronically ill
mother when my father was at work. When she was having an asthma attack and
struggling for air, I pushed a chair up to the five-foot-high oxygen tank,
climbed up and turned the valve, then put the mask on her face. I wasn’t yet 2
years old.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I was sexually molested by my mother’s
uncle from a time before I could remember. He lived in Los Angeles, and we
lived in Phoenix, but he’d come to visit for holidays and long weekends. He was
a veteran living on disability for his arthritis, so he came often. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-532V7TfATc4/XhlanBRK1OI/AAAAAAAAJBs/56f5Fctv-Z0rQlfUQl4OQBeEpr6HQPXlgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Toddler%2BChristy%2Band%2Babuser%2Buncle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="566" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-532V7TfATc4/XhlanBRK1OI/AAAAAAAAJBs/56f5Fctv-Z0rQlfUQl4OQBeEpr6HQPXlgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/Toddler%2BChristy%2Band%2Babuser%2Buncle.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He groomed
me with a Pixie doll and took me to the drugstore for decaf coffee at the soda
counter. (Yes, I drank Postum and Sanka as a preschooler because my parents,
and Uncle John, were from Minnesota, where coffee was the elixir of life.) For
years, I remembered only that he had touched my private areas, and that was
bad, and I hated it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Reporting
the Molester</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One day when I was in fifth grade, I
told my mother that Uncle John was touching me, had done every time he visited,
and I was very uncomfortable about it. I had been embarrassed to tell until I
wore my first flat bra and John invaded that space, too. Perhaps John
threatened me: I don’t remember. A lot of things have disappeared from memory.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My parents had a terse conversation
outside with John and banished him. They called the police, and we were sent a
female officer who was probably a secretary or dispatcher, since there were few
female police officers in the late 1960s. She asked a few dispassionate
questions of me, took a report, and that was it. Since I held back on how
intrusive Uncle John had been, saying merely that he’d touched me under my
panties, neither my parents nor the policewoman considered it a sexual assault.
Uncle John was a “sick” man with a dirty mind, and we didn’t discuss it again.
They probably thought I’d forget.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What John did to me is what the Stanford swimmer, Brock Turner, did to a
woman--and served only three months in jail. John molested me (technically, it was rape) on
every visit, until I was almost 11 and on the verge of puberty. Using his
superior authority as an adult, he used his adult power to overwhelm my own
self-worth and right to privacy and dignity and personal space.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lingering
Consequences</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My mother and father tried to protect me
from the fallout, not wanting to put guilt on me, but my experience affected
the whole family. When they reported my molestation to police, Uncle John’s
siblings (the aunts and uncles who had helped raise my mother) gave <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">her</i> the cold shoulder, and while the
police were half-heartedly looking for John, his siblings sent him to Hawaii to
live for a few years. This wounded my mom very deeply, and she wept about it. One of John's siblings was a law-enforcement officer. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My brother remembered that our family
had an anonymous bomb threat, and that Uncle John may have stalked our
neighborhood once or twice. He’d injured his back years before, and arthritis
had given him a deep hunch, so he was easy to spot. As an 11-year-old, I would
stand in the dark behind the sheer curtains of my bedroom window and watch the
street and sidewalks under the streetlight, fearful that one of those neighbors
walking their dog might be him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My parents did the best they knew to do
in those days. Our denomination believed that psychologists and
psychiatrists could control your mind and implant in it ungodly things—or urged
false memories. Only recently have we learned that sexual abuse lies dormant or
festers for years or decades if not treated in therapy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In school I was a serious child, not
one to play with the other kids much, because I wasn’t good at playing games and
was afraid of not being good enough. Several teen girls asked if I was
pregnant, because I was one size larger than they were. I heard them in the
restroom, saying I was stuck up. I changed for physical education in the
restroom stalls, from elementary school through college. And because these schools
were conservative Christian schools, I never learned to dance.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I didn’t understand it until I was
40-something, but I never learned to play. I mistook play for practicing the
piano and reading books. I wasn’t interested in making up stories about dolls
or toys, and I didn’t play sports or even enjoy board games.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span>Considered Easy Prey</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My mother warned me to never tell
family secrets—not to friends, not to other relatives, and definitely not to
people at the school or church. But I’d already had a sense that knowledge was
power and that revealing my secrets would render me powerless. I kept a stoic
face when teased or criticized, and I never let a tear fall that might give
away my pain and let someone dig deeper. Telling sexual secrets would make me
appear to be damaged goods, or a slut, in the eyes of a potential husband.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When I went to a new high school, I had
to have a physical exam. Because we didn’t have much money that year, Mom took
me to the county health clinic instead of our family doctor. I was only 13, but
the male doctor did a “breast cancer exam” and said something derogatory about
my areolas as he pinched my nipples.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In later years, health providers taking
my medical history would ask about physical or sexual abuse, which I denied
because I discounted, even to myself, Uncle John’s assaults as “molestation” since
he hadn’t raped me with his penis.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Imagine my shock when I learned
recently that Uncle John had not only finger-raped, but also penis-raped
several of his nieces and great-nieces and their friends, from 1947 until at
least 1969, when my mother blew the whistle among the family members. We don’t
know if he continued to prey on girls outside the family, because only one
woman will talk about it. She was 6 years old when John raped both her and her
friend. “He was inside my body,” she said. Her little, innocent, first-grader
body. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Her mother was one of the siblings who sent John to Hawaii to hide from
police. This cousin grew up to be promiscuous and had strained relationships
with the enablers. At age 78 now, she has no desire to forgive John, who has
been dead for 30 years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Today, perhaps because of the #MeToo
movement, sexual abuse survivors have come forward by the millions, and there’s
power in numbers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There’s also a lot more enlightened sympathy, for what it’s
worth. But misconceptions persist. In 2017 and 2018, the women who made
allegations of sexual assault by Judge Roy Moore and Judge Brett Kavanaugh were
ripped apart for not reporting their assaults decades ago. Yet at that time, in
the ’70s and ’80s, keeping secrets was the sensible thing to do because abusers
prey on the vulnerable—women and children who are already traumatized or
helpless. If the victims had reported the attacks back then, they’d have risked
further harm to themselves or their families; they would likely have been
shamed for leading a man on; and other abusers would have found them easy prey.
Telling the secret is why many assault victims are abused again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span>A Self-Protection Tactic</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A kept secret is like a thin blister of
skin over an abscess. Keeping the secret meant that I couldn’t heal and grow.
It meant that in order to protect myself, I gained weight. A <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">lot</i> of weight, despite constant dieting,
fasting, and using artificial sweeteners. When you live a temperate Christian
lifestyle, you don’t self-medicate with alcohol or drugs, you comfort with
food. It doesn’t have to be a lot of food or fattening food to gain weight.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I didn’t want to be fat. I prayed for
healing. I wanted to be beautiful and intelligent and desirable. I wanted to
marry a godly man and have children. But I gained anyway and, as a consequence,
was not asked on dates. I was told I had a pretty face (implying that the rest
of me was not pretty) and that men thought of me as a sister, but not a
girlfriend or wife. The jobs I might have been offered were given to others who
“fit in” with societal norms of beauty.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Peer-reviewed medical research has
shown that adult “women with documented histories of sexual abuse were more
than twice as likely to be obese as their non-abused peers.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1510856114964257942#_edn2" name="_ednref" style="mso-endnote-id: edn;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;">[ii]</span></span></a>
Based on a meta-analysis of 23 studies with a total of 112,000 participants, one
research team calculated that “the risk of obesity was 34 percent higher among
adults who had been subjected to abuse as children than among non-abused
adults.”<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1510856114964257942#_edn3" name="_ednref" style="mso-endnote-id: edn;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;">[iii]</span></span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Medical research also shows that childhood
sexual abuse survivors often have lifelong sexuality issues (promiscuity,
celibacy, fear of intimacy), substance abuse problems, and eating disorders
(self-medicating with food is part of it). It’s not because we’re lazy and eat
a dozen donuts every day. It’s because some part of our brain packs on the
weight and refuses to let us lose it, despite our best efforts. Stress adds
pounds. Actress Rosie O’Donnell realized, after her heart attack, that she had
gained weight as a result of being raped by relatives. Over her vulva was a
fold of fat called an apron, which she felt protected her from later assaults.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span>Our Deepest Desires</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Keeping family secrets repels love and
acceptance and makes abuse victims feel that we must please others at all
costs. I’ve spent most of my life trying to compensate for not being “enough”—whether
that meant being the popular girl in school, or a wife to be chosen and
cherished, or a high wage earner, or the best church musician, or the best
author—the best <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">something.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I worked my way through university with
long hours and academic scholarships. After a serious injury, I began teaching
and freelancing from home. When my mother died and my father remarried, he
devoted himself to the new wife and put his and my mom’s estate into the new
wife’s name, disinheriting me and emotionally distancing himself from me
because I’m so much like my mother. I worked longer hours and earned less pay
than a man in my position, and the chairman of the board still wanted to know
which man I was related to so he could place me in a niche. Rejection and not
being accepted (or hired) because of physical appearance is part of the
experience of abuse survivors.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Keeping secrets also makes survivors of
abuse try to prove ourselves useful and lovable in human eyes—and in God’s
eyes. As a single woman, I was lectured again and again on the verses in Psalm
34 about delighting in God and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">then</i>
being given the desires of one’s heart, as if God is holding out on me until I
attain some benchmark of faith.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dutch professor and theologian Henri
Nouwen wrote in </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011H5ISKA/ref=pe_385040_118058080_TE_M1DP"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span color="windowtext" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Life of the Beloved</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: “Aren’t you, like
me, hoping that some person, thing, or event will come along to give you that
final feeling of inner well-being you desire? Don’t you often hope: ‘May this
book, idea, course, trip, job, country, or relationship fulfill my deepest
desire.’”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My deepest desire has been to be
cherished. To be loved for every reason and no reason.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Finding
Health and Healing</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Donald Trump’s tape boasting about his grabbing
women’s genitals and trying to “f---” a married woman gave me waking
nightmares. Comments by those who affirmed his speech and actions filled me
with anxiety, fear, hatred, and physical pain. I suspect it was a form of
post-traumatic stress. This brought back memories I’d banished for 45 years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then, as I was making my low-calorie
breakfast one morning, I had a momentary vision of a grizzly bear standing on
her hind legs. God spoke to me in that flash: I’m a grown woman now, strong and
fierce, and I can fight back attacks. I can protect my tender, wounded inner
child. I no longer need the body armor I’ve put on since my teen years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I began to tell my secret to a few
close friends, then a few who were also #MeToo survivors. There are millions of
us, men and women.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Although I didn’t realize it then, I
began to lose weight. I wasn’t trying any harder than I had already. I didn’t
weigh myself for two months, by which time I’d lost 20 pounds. After
age-related medical tests and some serious oral surgeries that required a
high-protein liquid diet for several weeks, I lost another 20 pounds. With most
of my medical issues resolved, my meds were reduced or eliminated, which let me
lose more weight.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I continued to tell my secret, and
friends have congratulated and validated my weight loss progress and improved
health status. Although I keep hitting plateaus, my doctor is pleased with my
overall progress. I’ve lost the equivalent of an adult person’s weight, and I still
need to lose a child’s body weight. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Empowered
to Help Others</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One of the many debilitating effects of
childhood sexual abuse was my perceived disconnect with God. I didn’t know how
to love him or other people. I vowed that I would obey God and honor him the
best I could, though my emotions were drained. He slowly healed that problem,
however, as I volunteered with an interfaith group that helps Hispanic
refugees, and as I donated plasma and platelets to strangers, and as I got
involved in other outward-focused activities. I’ve cultivated gratitude for the
many ways my friends and my God have blessed me, and that has brought me to a
place where I can add passion to being a blessing to others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: Times;">The
following scripture contains a powerful promise from God:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">You <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">survivors</i> in
Israel,</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> listen to me, the <span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Since the day you were born,</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I have
carried you</i> along.<sup> </sup></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><sup><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></sup><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I will still be the same</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">when you are old and gray,</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I will
take care of you</i>.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I created you. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I will carry you</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt;"><br />
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> and always
keep you safe</span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-field-code: "HYPERLINK \0022https\:\/\/www\.biblegateway\.com\/passage\/?search=Isaiah+46%3A3-4&version=CEV\0022 \\t \0022_blank\0022";"><u><span style="color: blue;">Isaiah 46:3-4 CEV </span></u></span></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; background: white;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m a cherished daughter of God who can think and act for
myself, and can be fierce as a bear. My God-given talents and intelligence are “enough.”
I can, by telling my secret, help others heal and learn to protect themselves.
That, in turn, strengthens my own recovery. </div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="edn" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1510856114964257942#_ednref" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;">[i]</span></span></a> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Lyn
Yonack, “Sexual Assault Is About Power,” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Psychology
Today</i> (Nov. 14, 2017). Online at www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psychoanalysis-unplugged/201711/sexual-assault-is-about-power</span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1510856114964257942#_ednref" name="_edn2" style="mso-endnote-id: edn;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;">[ii]</span></span></a> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Aaron
Levin, “Obesity, Childhood Sex Abuse Show Strong Link,” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Psychiatric News</i> (Aug. 3, 2007). Online at
psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/pn.42.15.0023.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1510856114964257942#_ednref" name="_edn3" style="mso-endnote-id: edn;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;">[iii]</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Erik Hemmingsson, “Childhood Trauma Could Lead to Adult Obesity,” Karolinska
Institutet (Sept. 2, 2014). Online at
ki.se/en/news/childhood-trauma-could-lead-to-adult-obesity.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> This article appeared in the May 2019 issue of <i>Adventist Today</i> magazine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* A few of dozens of peer-reviewed articles on childhood
sexual abuse and obesity:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">
<a href="https://ki.se/en/news/childhood-trauma-could-lead-to-adult-obesity">https://ki.se/en/news/childhood-trauma-could-lead-to-adult-obesity</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">
<a href="https://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/pn.42.15.0023">https://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/pn.42.15.0023</a>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">
<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2941402/">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2941402/</a>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>COMMENT MADE THROUGH MY WEBSITE CONTACT FORM: </b></div><div class="MsoNormal">"<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(17, 17, 17); color: #111111; font-family: gdsherpa, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">What power you possess, Christy. You deserve every good thing God has for you. Live well. H.A."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">
********* </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ5Pli8uwXk/XS-8k6m-5PI/AAAAAAAAIlI/i31bZs4_vdkiXnEbh8eJdCrCAK5DvADAwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B2019-06-30.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="402" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pZ5Pli8uwXk/XS-8k6m-5PI/AAAAAAAAIlI/i31bZs4_vdkiXnEbh8eJdCrCAK5DvADAwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Photo%2Bon%2B2019-06-30.jpg" width="167" /></a></div>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Christy K Robinson</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> is author of
these books (click the colored title): </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We Shall Be Changed</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2010) </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer Illuminated</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 1 </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2013) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> Vol. 3 </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Effigy Hunter</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2015) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Anne Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding
Mother</span></i></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
(2018)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And of these sites:
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Discovering
Love</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(inspiration and service)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rooting
for Ancestors</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(history and genealogy)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
(17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Editornado
[ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> (Words. Communications. Book reviews.
Cartoons.)</span></div>
Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-50588127137363798472019-04-29T04:43:00.000-07:002019-10-23T22:40:27.285-07:00Golden anniversary of being a two-talent person<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-48uRVMjqESU/XMbPa22_gcI/AAAAAAAAIbU/o6PCYp2BDk0g-sAKXP60Vk0En2_MlLpTwCLcBGAs/s1600/HolyHolyHoly%2Bchoir%2Bmusic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-48uRVMjqESU/XMbPa22_gcI/AAAAAAAAIbU/o6PCYp2BDk0g-sAKXP60Vk0En2_MlLpTwCLcBGAs/s400/HolyHolyHoly%2Bchoir%2Bmusic.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A choir score with piano accompaniment: Holy, Holy, Holy</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">© 2019 Christy K
Robinson</b></div>
<br />
I don't usually give personal details about age, health matters, or other things that can be harvested by data miners for nefarious purposes. But here's a factoid that I'm a little proud of: 2019 is my golden anniversary (50 years) of serving as a church worship pianist.<br />
<br />
My mom was my first and best piano teacher, and she encouraged my love for religious music of all kinds. I played "special music" as a piano soloist, and accompanied school choruses and choirs, and a terrible little ensemble of instruments that really don't "go together" (for instance, a Flutaphone and a saxaphone).<br />
<br />
My mother and I played piano and organ duets, and I accompanied vocalists from strained croakers to fine musicians. Rather than watch the soloist over the written music, I listened for the intake of breath, or the sign that they were running out of air, and adjusted my playing to accommodate them. Further, I learned that the accompanist should enhance the ensemble or soloist, not overtake it, and piano solos and piano accompaniment are very different animals.<br />
<br />
I was elected one of the church pianists at age 10, and in rotation, I played congregational hymns on the piano along with the organist, as well as took my turn playing offertories and preludes.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7snlet-NDe0/XMbjFy7MpmI/AAAAAAAAIbg/TlPtLVJhYac6kHTx78rPn-r-cQsKSqoGACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20140601_095420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7snlet-NDe0/XMbjFy7MpmI/AAAAAAAAIbg/TlPtLVJhYac6kHTx78rPn-r-cQsKSqoGACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_20140601_095420.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One of those pipe organ thingies. <br />This one has only two manuals, but most have<br />three or four manuals in addition to the pedalboard. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My teachers wouldn't teach chording and improvisation (they trained me classically), so I taught myself to play from lead lines so as to play the Christian Contemporary music then in its early years. I memorized chords in every key, and practiced playing them in inversions, in several styles.<br />
<br />
About eight years ago, listening to a recording of Carole King and James Taylor, I realized that my contemporary improv was very much like theirs, that playing along with my vinyl records when I was 13 had developed that style, as well.<br />
<br />
I wasn't the only kid to be nurtured in music ministry at such a tender age. My schoolmate Ronnie was a year older than I, and for a while we shared the same piano teacher, but he was always a better pianist than I. When a mutual friend lost his father a few years ago, Ronnie played the piano for the memorial service--and he's still better! I don't envy him (much) because of the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A14-30&version=ESV" target="_blank">Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30)</a>.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span class="text Matt-25-14"><span class="woj">For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-25-15" id="en-ESV-24020"><span class="woj">To one he gave five talents,<sup> </sup>to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-25-16" id="en-ESV-24021"><span class="woj">He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-25-17" id="en-ESV-24022"><span class="woj">So also he who had the two talents made two talents more... </span></span></i><i><span class="text Matt-25-17" id="en-ESV-24022"><span class="woj"><span class="text Matt-25-23" id="en-ESV-24028"><span class="woj">His
master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been
faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of
your master.’</span></span></span></span></i></blockquote>
<span class="text Matt-25-17" id="en-ESV-24022"><span class="woj"></span></span>The Master gave Ronnie five talents where I received two talents. Both of us invested wisely by practicing and giving back, but Ronnie got the larger deal. It wasn't our deal to make. The Master decided who got what, and we accepted the gifts and didn't squander them. <br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xbGWiWqBSX8" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
In addition to formal piano and organ lessons from age six through university, I often sat with accomplished keyboardists to turn pages for them in worship services, funerals, weddings, and evangelism campaigns. The best of them had a small stack of books with them that they could quickly turn to if the service changed direction unexpectedly, and this has stood me in good stead many a time! (Thanks to those early mentors, Mrs. Doris Starkey, Herbert Work, and my mom, who coached me on expression and phrasing by noticing the lyrics as I played through.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NL9j47W5jjc/XbEy2l3K3tI/AAAAAAAAIxw/u901E1-qOAAwZKpuET1IoFt-wOfgykkiQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1969-Glenview%2Bgrades%2B5%25266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="993" height="277" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NL9j47W5jjc/XbEy2l3K3tI/AAAAAAAAIxw/u901E1-qOAAwZKpuET1IoFt-wOfgykkiQCNcBGAsYHQ/s400/1969-Glenview%2Bgrades%2B5%25266.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
And thanks to those little monsters who were my classmates at Christian school. We had worship in our classroom every school day, and the teacher would take requests from our old, beat-up hymnals. The kids would invariably search for the most difficult hymns to make me play, like "Onward Christian Soldiers" in four sharps, or "For All the Saints" with its walking bass, or "Once to Every Man and Nation," with its long phrases of triplets in a minor key. I practiced every hymn of the 600+ numbers so the little monsters couldn't embarrass me when they tried. Mwahahaha! <br />
<br />
I learned to listen carefully to the scripture readings, the sermon, and to surreptitiously read the reactions of the congregation, though my face was generally turned to the pulpit. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMe6ZAFJa9E/XbEzHhEVfiI/AAAAAAAAIx4/6QQsOLN9of4pnugt23UJrb_zQccUf3WkwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/1974-April%252C%2BChristy%2Bat%2BTAA%2Bpiano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="511" data-original-width="475" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMe6ZAFJa9E/XbEzHhEVfiI/AAAAAAAAIx4/6QQsOLN9of4pnugt23UJrb_zQccUf3WkwCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/1974-April%252C%2BChristy%2Bat%2BTAA%2Bpiano.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This was me as a teenager, playing at my <br />Christian high school.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By the time I was a teenager, I was playing for small weddings, and when I was in my 20s, I began playing professionally with many denominations. I've played massive pipe organs, pianos from Yamaha to Steinway to clunky old uprights, and synthesizers with more knobs and buttons than the 88 keys. There have been a fair number of what I call "cha-cha" organs, the spinet with buttons for bossa nova and foxtrot percussion that people had in their homes in the early 1970s and then donated to the church when they moved or Grandma died. I never used the percussion settings in services, but confess that I thought it hilarious to use it when playing the Bach Invention No. 8 in my practice time. It was a metronome with attitude.<br />
<br />
I saw the look of alarm on the faces of the 80-year-old pillars of the church when a digital synthesizer keyboard was purchased, and I chose settings like plucked harp or piano and strings to soothe their fears that a rock band was taking over. At other churches, I played with a "praise band" and it's a blast to work with others after practicing piano as a sort of solo sport for so many years.<br />
<br />
One of the benefits of playing for churches (besides the much-needed income) is the fellowship of like-minded musicians and directors. Another is the professional development as I enhance the worship experience by expressing the music a certain way or knowing to jump from accompaniment to vocal parts and back during rehearsal.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DBIIzjyu9VU" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
The church I currently work for has been such a blessing to me, not only in terms of income, but in fellowship and service. I love the church, love the musicians, love the director and his talented wife, and can't imagine that my experience could be better. OK, it could be better in this way: we only sing from September through April because of the extreme heat in summer with people escaping on vacations, and I only get paid for playing for choir, which means I need keyboard substitute jobs to help pay my living expenses. I hope you'll join me in prayer about summer "gigs" at area churches.<br />
<br />
Are you a five-talent, two-talent, or one-talent person? I'm satisfied with what God gave me, and the many ways he's sustained and blessed me over the last 50 years. <br />
<br />Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-149348822245810802019-04-23T13:25:00.001-07:002019-04-23T13:29:26.133-07:00Will my pet go to heaven? <style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">© 2019 Christy K
Robinson</b>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7dtBUrHCuwc/XL9vnovNDEI/AAAAAAAAIaM/Q0PoUNg5OqE41HN8ZjEdYkJ5iXqKDEEegCEwYBhgL/s1600/1960-Christy%2B%2526%2BKiwi%252C%2BEaster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="490" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7dtBUrHCuwc/XL9vnovNDEI/AAAAAAAAIaM/Q0PoUNg5OqE41HN8ZjEdYkJ5iXqKDEEegCEwYBhgL/s400/1960-Christy%2B%2526%2BKiwi%252C%2BEaster.jpg" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Baby me, on Easter, with my tabby kitten.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was two or three years old, my tabby cat didn’t come
home one day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a four-year-old,
I’d stand in the driveway and call for him to come home. Of course, he never
did. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the years, our family had several pets that we treated
well, fed well, and protected with a fenced yard or taking them out on a leash.
They lived long lives with annual checkups and vaccinations. If they sickened
with age, we gave them their thyroid medication or kidney-health special diet
until we were sure it was time to let them go in euthanasia. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was a child, I asked if my guinea pig or rabbit would
go to heaven so I could have them again when it was my turn to go to heaven.
Lacking a Bible proof text, thinking that animals have no souls, and that pets
can’t accept salvation in Christ, my church and my parents told me that sadly,
we only have their short lives on earth to enjoy our pets. This made me cry all
the harder as we buried the beloved cat under the apple tree or the jasmine
vine. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dxuKcYdD9Fk/XL9wAg15EKI/AAAAAAAAIaQ/FoUcSgaY9hwogBYng7GFa5-b2QALiv1PgCLcBGAs/s1600/Dog-Gypsy%2Bsculpture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1374" data-original-width="1168" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dxuKcYdD9Fk/XL9wAg15EKI/AAAAAAAAIaQ/FoUcSgaY9hwogBYng7GFa5-b2QALiv1PgCLcBGAs/s320/Dog-Gypsy%2Bsculpture.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Glazed clay sculpture of our dog, <br />made by my mother.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember my mother saying that in heaven, she wanted to
have tigers and otters and elephants for house pets.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O3Abh3yexbo/XL9we1Ahl4I/AAAAAAAAIac/VbO71v7JN780SWn46PcHDmg0CSQz2IyBgCLcBGAs/s1600/assistance%2Banimal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="398" height="214" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O3Abh3yexbo/XL9we1Ahl4I/AAAAAAAAIac/VbO71v7JN780SWn46PcHDmg0CSQz2IyBgCLcBGAs/s320/assistance%2Banimal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">God gave animals to
us for so many reasons besides food or clothing: love, joy, delight, companionship,
life lessons in caretaking or our proper place in master-servant relations, to be
God’s “spokesman” to our lives, to make us laugh, to let us cry, to guide or
assist in our disabilities, to rehabilitate prisoners or wounded warriors, to
rescue us in danger, to comfort in our sorrow or fear, to teach us or remind us to play, and
to be family members. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Remember how Balaam
beat his poor donkey when she saw an angel blocking their way? <a href="https://christykrobinson.blogspot.com/2016/08/words-that-mean-something.html">The
donkey spoke to Balaam. </a>And 3,300 years later, we can still learn from the
donkey. (<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://christykrobinson.blogspot.com/2016/08/words-that-mean-something.html">Click
this link</a></b>.) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I believe our domestic
pets will be in heaven. God loves us so much that he gave us these "angels in dog or cat suits" to enhance and bless our lives.<br /><br />God said in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+49:25&version=NIV" target="_blank">Isaiah 49:25</a> that he would save our children. For those who have traditional families, but particularly those of us who did not give birth, our animals <i>are</i> our children. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Your righteousness is
like the mighty mountains, <br />your judgments are like the great deep; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br />you save humans and animals alike, O Lord</i>."</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+36%3A6&version=NRSVA">Psalm
36:6</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">***** </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukj9HZAWi3A/XKaIalSuHiI/AAAAAAAAIWc/qZMt2_mMrfstkT3RTU6dpA6chx3btwW8gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/CKRobinson2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1160" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ukj9HZAWi3A/XKaIalSuHiI/AAAAAAAAIWc/qZMt2_mMrfstkT3RTU6dpA6chx3btwW8gCPcBGAYYCw/s200/CKRobinson2019.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Christy K Robinson</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> is author of
these books: </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4">We
Shall Be Changed</a> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2010) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8">Mary
Dyer Illuminated</a> Vol. 1 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2013) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y">Mary
Dyer: For Such a Time as This</a> Vol. 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z">The
Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</a> Vol. 3 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson">Effigy
Hunter</a> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2015) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7">Anne
Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding Mother</a></span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> (2018)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And of these sites:
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Discovering
Love</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(inspiration and service)</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rooting
for Ancestors</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(history and genealogy)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">
(17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/">Editornado
[ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</a> (Words. Communications. Book reviews. Cartoons.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-37988404780211140512019-04-14T17:51:00.000-07:002019-06-08T18:49:20.767-07:00Where is your line in the sand? <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-265TDq8GwQU/XLPPfMuF8AI/AAAAAAAAIZQ/sx4OsIUXydYWGFj5-sxb7PNru941Qr0tQCLcBGAs/s1600/immigration.crying%2Bchild.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1275" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-265TDq8GwQU/XLPPfMuF8AI/AAAAAAAAIZQ/sx4OsIUXydYWGFj5-sxb7PNru941Qr0tQCLcBGAs/s400/immigration.crying%2Bchild.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This photo of a Honduran child crying as her mother is arrested <br />won the <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/image-of-child-crying-at-border-wins-world-press-photo-award" target="_blank">WorldPress Photo of the Year</a>, <br />at a ceremony held in Amsterdam on April 11, 2019. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">© 2019 Christy K Robinson</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In a world filled with terror and cruelty, we are called to be kind, compassionate, merciful, and fair. We help the helpless, we free those in cages, we protect the abused and neglected, we feed the hungry, we comfort the mourning, we reconcile the separated, we provide hospitality to the traveler and alien. These are virtues in every society, no matter which religion or denomination you espouse, or if you're a secular person. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>We know what is right and good.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>We must do it.</b></span><br />
<br />
<b>We must do it, even if it means that we disobey a corrupt, vicious political authority. We find our humanity and our own healing when we open our hearts to the downtrodden. </b></div>
<br />
That is why I help with a loose-knit but well-organized network of volunteers, to feed, clothe, protect, and comfort the refugees coming from violent, corrupt Central American countries.<br />
<br />
The following essay was written by an immigration attorney working in Colorado, and posted to Facebook on April 11, 2019. The <b>bold highlights</b> are mine, because I want to bring those to the attention of people who criticize the morals of the girls and young women who make up the majority of those we serve in the Phoenix area. "If they're good parents or love their kids, why would they subject their babies, toddlers, or older children to the dangers of a 2,500 mile journey?" Here's your answer. It's not like I haven't written it over and over again. But OK, if you want to talk "family values," "sexual abstinence," or "pro-life," then you need to read this. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NRNHDomgvZY/XLPSaxTgPLI/AAAAAAAAIZc/GTeLgZZJ4lEJfYrkvTJ6Lb2SxxyY943egCLcBGAs/s1600/immigrants.Guardian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="860" height="192" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NRNHDomgvZY/XLPSaxTgPLI/AAAAAAAAIZc/GTeLgZZJ4lEJfYrkvTJ6Lb2SxxyY943egCLcBGAs/s320/immigrants.Guardian.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo: The Guardian</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/eric.pavri?__tn__=%2CdCH-R-R&eid=ARBF9Km28SikoX9BEGKkOUaKEdj3LGMXLv0wPFNxVrWFbkaNk31J5JVt_JPMqe2FBu9pfZ8iYVYJrWpA&hc_ref=ARRvkqBW4VoAMQRdXgxRZOXEbseM2OHzIGRD2fk8QUyfJoxR4dzKxl-lVK1eG0gjvYM&fref=nf"><span style="color: blue;">by Eric Pavri</span></a></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/eric.pavri/posts/10157292739931180"><span style="color: blue;">April 11 at 9:51 PM</span></a></span></div>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
I am an immigration lawyer (Colorado bar # 44591) at a nonprofit organization, and I wish to say something.<br />
<br />
Recently, with the forcing out of DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen for not being “tough enough” on immigration, President Trump has resurrected the idea of separating families who arrive at the U.S./Mexico border to seek asylum, including those who present themselves at Ports of Entry to seek admission <b>according to the proper procedures spelled out in U.S. immigration law.</b><br />
<br />
This afternoon, I met with a single mother and her 14-year
old daughter from Honduras. The daughter had a 4-month old baby boy, dressed in
a purple dinosaur onesie, who grasped my finger and blew raspberries at me.<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>The daughter had gotten pregnant at age 13 when five members of the MS-13 took turns raping her. </b>They came three nights in a row before the mother finally fled to her sister’s house in another town. There, the mother went to ask police to help. But the police, who are themselves on the payroll of the gang, reported their location to the local gang hierarchy, who cross-checked with the MS-13 cell in their hometown and verified that they had tried to escape. In broad daylight, <b>unmasked men with guns broke down the sister’s doors, dragged them into a car, drove them to an auto repair shop, and raped all three. </b><br />
<br />
Four months later, the mother had managed to borrow enough money from a cousin in the United States to pay a smuggler to take them through Guatemala to Mexico.<br />
<br />
Two months later, in early December 2018, mother and daughter made it to the U.S. border in Laredo, Texas. <b>The daughter was now seven months pregnant.</b> They presented themselves at the Port of Entry and the mother said that they were afraid to go back to Honduras. They were put in separate rooms, where male Border Patrol officers interrogated both mother and daughter. They were then held in separate cells in what is known as the “hielera” (Spanish for “freezer”) for 4 days. Neither received news of the other.<br />
<br />
The pregnant daughter was in a cold room where the only place to sleep was a concrete floor. She was given only a thin Mylar blanket that looked like aluminum foil. She and 10 other girls shared one toilet with no privacy curtain. The fluorescent lights were never turned off. She could not eat the food. She only drank water. The water came from a faucet on top of the shared toilet.<br />
<br />
When the contractions began, she thought she just had stomach cramps. She was given aspirin. The next morning, when she was taken to a hospital, her mother was not informed. She did not give birth there. A male Border Patrol agent waited on a chair on the other side of the curtain in the emergency room waiting area. When the doctors determined that she was stable and released her, the agent drove her back to the concrete holding cell. One day later, mother and daughter were brought into a room together, given papers to sign, and driven to a local bus station where they were released. At that station, volunteers took them to a temporary shelter for migrants. They stayed there for one night until the same cousin arranged to buy tickets on a Greyhound bus. They traveled two days from Texas to reach Colorado.<br />
<br />
<b>Five days later, the girl gave birth</b>. The baby was born at 7½ months. The two women don’t know the medical term for what is wrong with him. They just know that he has “a hole in his heart.” That is not a metaphor. The baby boy has a hole in the wall of one of the chambers of his heart.<br />
<br />
<b>This mother and child likely won’t win their asylum case.</b> It doesn’t matter how unfair that seems to you, or if “that can’t be right,” or if you’re thinking any of the other phrases that most Americans who aren’t immigration lawyers (or immigrants) think when they hear stories like this and can’t believe them. The harm that these women suffered, and are likely to suffer again if they are deported to Honduras, is a “private harm.” They won’t be able to prove that it was perpetrated by a government actor or agent, specifically motivated by their membership in a particular social group, under the near-impossible standards for asylum made mandatory for all U.S. immigration judges by Attorney General Jeff Sessions (a political appointee and not a judge) in Matter of A-B- in June 2018. Nor will they be able to prove that their rapists were motivated by their (the victims’) race, religion, national origin, or political opinion.<br />
<br />
In the perverse world of asylum law, what matters is not so much THAT you will be harmed, but WHO will harm you and WHY they will harm you. In a way, we are telling these two women that <b>even here in the United States, the country that they believe will protect them, those men who hurt them are more important.</b> Let me rephrase that. I had to tell them that, to their faces, today. I had to tell them in so many words that because their rapists didn’t rape them for the right reasons, they will likely be sent back to be hurt again.<br />
<br />
<b>For all those who say they should have come here legally: they did.</b> There was no “line” for them to get into for a visa to immigrate to the United States. They didn’t have a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident family member to petition for them, nor a U.S. employer to sponsor them. So they made the only lawful choice they could. They walked up to an official Port of Entry on the Texas border, stood in a line, and asked for protection. They did exactly what they were supposed to do under the law.<br />
<br />
It seems to me that almost all evil in the world, from playground bullying to sexual abuse to genocide, results from valuing some human beings more than others. <b>We repeatedly and willingly forget the most basic lesson that most of the world’s religions teach: that because every single human being is a child of God, every single human being has equal value.</b> In fact, each human life has value far greater than we can comprehend, because God loves us all equally and infinitely – just as we love our own children beyond measure.<br />
<br />
When we value a child born on one side of a human-drawn line on a map more than a child born on the other side, we have forgotten what every prophet through the ages has tried to teach us. We have failed both children.<br />
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: center;">
<i>_________ end of Pavri's essay _________ </i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
So, what do you think? Is this issue, repeated tens of thousands of times over the last two years, important enough for you to use the privilege of your citizenship, your race, your economic status, your political party affiliation, your very conscience, and resist the evil that you see in the world? If it's not enough, what is enough for you? What is your priority? Where is your line in the sand? Do you have one? <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0in; mso-para-margin-right: 0in; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd;">
For other articles on refugees seeking asylum in this site, click here -->> <b><a href="https://christykrobinson.blogspot.com/search?q=asylum">https://christykrobinson.blogspot.com/search?q=asylum</a></b></div>
Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-9236100997305573412019-04-11T15:05:00.001-07:002019-05-18T23:39:26.523-07:00Reaching out in person<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">© 2019 Christy K
Robinson</b></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Please consider this. All over the United States, there are churches,
shelters, charities, clinics, food banks, and many other outlets for you
to help with. It's more than politics, more than writing a check or
swiping a credit card, it's about being <i>personally involved</i> in helping
human beings.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GivoGVHX6zA/XK-mpYsL-sI/AAAAAAAAIX4/x-2gjOyE4Wk3lwJRgl0jd5lWittt9zbxwCLcBGAs/s1600/Honduran%2Brefugees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="960" height="346" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GivoGVHX6zA/XK-mpYsL-sI/AAAAAAAAIX4/x-2gjOyE4Wk3lwJRgl0jd5lWittt9zbxwCLcBGAs/s400/Honduran%2Brefugees.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
They are not sub-human. They are not gang members. They are <b>NOT</b>, <b>repeat NOT</b>, drug runners. They aren't "murderers and rapists" -- they're actually trying to escape that violence. They aren't stealing your job or "using up" medical care and other resources in a country that's "full."<br />
<br />
Trump has been outspoken about how dangerous he believes undocumented immigrants are, once referring to some of them as “<a data-rapid-parsed="slk" data-rapid_p="6" data-v9y="1" data-ylk="subsec:paragraph;cpos:9;elm:context_link;itc:0" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/16/us/politics/trump-undocumented-immigrants-animals.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">animals</a>.” His claims come despite the <a data-rapid-parsed="slk" data-rapid_p="7" data-v9y="1" data-ylk="subsec:paragraph;cpos:9;elm:context_link;itc:0" href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/fact-check-trumps-claims-illegal-immigrant-crime-rates/story?id=60311860" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lack of evidence</a> that the presence of undocumented immigrants leads to an uptick in crime. --<a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/white-house-detainees-sanctuary-cities_n_5cafdcd3e4b0ffefe3aded52?fbclid=IwAR3VjRKaruSXvXzTqiSB6hdSIzHCpSBp0nqXt-PjIRvKjbt3rx5ishjuVoE" target="_blank">HuffPost</a>, April 2019 <br />
<br />
They're not coming here, like Trump says in his condescending voice, to go to Disneyland (single-day tickets <span class="st">at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure cost $97 on value days, $110 on regular days, and $124 on peak days). These are people who don't have shoelaces, much less mad money.</span><br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SecD4kg7Ia0" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
The refugees and asylum seekers are young parents with little children. They are members of the Central American caravans
who are fleeing gang and drug cartel violence, rape, and massacre. They risked death at the borders, at bridges and river crossings, by riding on dangerously overcrowded vehicles, and from exposure to harsh weather when they were exhausted from walking 20 miles or more for a day, carrying a baby or a toddler. But all of the risks they incur are worth it, to escape the horrors of their home countries.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Her home in a rural area of El Salvador’s La Paz region became a death
trap when a relative testified against a local gang member, Alvarado
said. Uncles, nephews, classmates and others have been kidnapped or
murdered in retaliation, she added. At the news conference, she held up a
photo of a young girl, a neighbor, left for dead on a dirt road close
to her home. --<a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Eleven-year-old-ordered-deported-without-her-13760566.php?cmpid=trend&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=referral&fbclid=IwAR228m8hnxNOQn3x-U9Ga080NDkzLoBxtxOJEm6FVOQimq_HTYMQPkXFKEA#photo-17212353" target="_blank">Houston Chronicle</a>, 2019. </blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
HUIXTLA, Mexico — As thousands of Central American migrants renewed
their trek Wednesday through Mexico toward the hoped-for, but still
far-distant U.S. border, the physical toll was beginning to show in
sickness and exhaustion, especially among the children toddling along,
being pushed in strollers or carried in the arms of adults.<br />
And
for their parents, it was their hope for their children’s futures, and
fears of what could happen to them back home in gang-dominated Honduras,
that were the main motivation for deciding to leave in the first place.<br />
“They
can’t be alone. … There’s always danger,” said Ludin Giron, a Honduran
street vendor making the difficult journey with her three young
children. “When (gang members) see a pretty girl, they want her for
themselves. If they see a boy, they want to get him into drugs." <br />
And it is well known that refusing either can be deadly. Honduras has a
homicide rate of about 43 per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the highest in
the world for any country not in open war.” --<a href="https://www.abqjournal.com/1236896/migrants-set-out-anew-on-quest-to-reach-distant-us-border.html" target="_blank">Albuquerque Journal</a>, October 24, 2018 </blockquote>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iaXGU2fCBFs/XK-twEUHEoI/AAAAAAAAIYE/X_BGwPHtd7YEfdGFTJV5HkbUugWVGpxsACLcBGAs/s1600/Caravan%2Bmom%2Band%2B2%2Bgirls%252C%2BThe%2BColumbian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iaXGU2fCBFs/XK-twEUHEoI/AAAAAAAAIYE/X_BGwPHtd7YEfdGFTJV5HkbUugWVGpxsACLcBGAs/s400/Caravan%2Bmom%2Band%2B2%2Bgirls%252C%2BThe%2BColumbian.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Central American mother and two daughters, part of a caravan of asylum seekers.<br />Photo: The Columbian, Google Images</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6_mykod0vTA/XK-wClk4jhI/AAAAAAAAIYQ/8CIM8V1V2iAP3Jm3raUZMBVMtw1CpUHNgCLcBGAs/s1600/Caravan.%2Btear-gassed%2Bboy%2Band%2Bfather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="976" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6_mykod0vTA/XK-wClk4jhI/AAAAAAAAIYQ/8CIM8V1V2iAP3Jm3raUZMBVMtw1CpUHNgCLcBGAs/s400/Caravan.%2Btear-gassed%2Bboy%2Band%2Bfather.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A Honduran boy and his father were tear-gassed, attempting to cross <br />from Honduras into Mexico. <br />Photo: <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-45944166" target="_blank">Encarne Pindado, BBC.</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1SpnRll6r5c/XK-3mEuRWmI/AAAAAAAAIYc/GyV_9A_L2l0b6wTzF5ms6GN8ekHlEYfHgCLcBGAs/s1600/blurred%2Bfaces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1SpnRll6r5c/XK-3mEuRWmI/AAAAAAAAIYc/GyV_9A_L2l0b6wTzF5ms6GN8ekHlEYfHgCLcBGAs/s400/blurred%2Bfaces.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One of the Central American mothers who made it out <br />of her dangerous country, through Mexico, <br />and into the United States seeking asylum. She and her <br />daughter stayed for three weeks in a detention camp <br />before being dumped in Phoenix by the Department of <br />Homeland Security, with no money, no clothes or shoes but <br />what they were wearing, and no food for the journey to her <br />sponsor where she would stay until her immigration court date. <br />Volunteers provided for her immediate needs. <br />Photo: Christy K Robinson</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span class="text Lev-25-35" id="en-NIV-3505">In the culture of our spiritual ancestors, hospitality was a great virtue. "Strangers" (travelers, aliens) were treated even better than family members! <i> </i></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="text Lev-25-35" id="en-NIV-3505"><i>‘If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you.'</i> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+25:35&version=NIV" target="_blank">Leviticus 25:35 NIV </a></span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Lev-25-35" id="en-NIV-3505">I urge you to not just be outraged at the evil that has been unleashed by racism and bigotry, but to do something about your outrage. Don't sit at home and tap out frownie faces in social media. Find a way to <i>act</i>. Find a way to <i>do something</i> that engages you personally with those who are "the least of these." It will change another human being's life. And yours. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Lev-25-35" id="en-NIV-3505"> </span><span class="text Lev-25-35" id="en-NIV-3505"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u_P3cFRTEn8/XOD58lEla2I/AAAAAAAAIeY/BVGBNhRzSOkzXYhJETuqOBSh1X9WfFnQACLcBGAs/s1600/Do%2Bthings%2Bfor%2Bothers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="760" height="425" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u_P3cFRTEn8/XOD58lEla2I/AAAAAAAAIeY/BVGBNhRzSOkzXYhJETuqOBSh1X9WfFnQACLcBGAs/s640/Do%2Bthings%2Bfor%2Bothers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="text Lev-25-35" id="en-NIV-3505"><br /></span>
<br />
<span class="text Lev-25-35" id="en-NIV-3505">Want to be an influential person, a person of substance and character, who is admired and respected by others? Here's how: <a href="http://christykrobinson.blogspot.com/2010/02/influential-people.html">http://christykrobinson.blogspot.com/2010/02/influential-people.html</a> </span>
<br />
<span class="text Lev-25-35" id="en-NIV-3505"><br /></span>
<br />
<span class="text Lev-25-35" id="en-NIV-3505">For other articles on refugees seeking asylum, click this link: <b><a href="https://christykrobinson.blogspot.com/search?q=asylum">https://christykrobinson.blogspot.com/search?q=asylum</a></b></span>
<br />
<span class="text Lev-25-35" id="en-NIV-3505"><br /></span>
<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">*****</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Christy K Robinson</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> is author of
these books: </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4">We
Shall Be Changed</a> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2010) </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8">Mary
Dyer Illuminated</a> Vol. 1 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2013) </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y">Mary
Dyer: For Such a Time as This</a> Vol. 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z">The
Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</a> Vol. 3 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson">Effigy
Hunter</a> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2015) </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7">Anne
Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding Mother</a></span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> (2018)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And of these sites:
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Discovering
Love</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(inspiration and service)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rooting
for Ancestors</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(history and genealogy)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">
(17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"><a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/">Editornado
[ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</a> (Words. Communications. Book reviews. Cartoons.)</span></div>
<br />Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-46153548936415072482019-04-03T00:31:00.001-07:002023-02-17T09:09:29.630-07:00Vaccinations are not about you<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">©2019 Christy K
Robinson</b>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">[Edit in 2023: This article was written and published 9 months before COVID-19 appeared in the United States. The facts are unchanged.]</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I'm
annoyed at the selfish comments by people who say a preventable disease is no
big deal, or they had it and survived, or similar dreck that's all about <i>them. </i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CqiPKUN9ZiI/XKRc_WWr1iI/AAAAAAAAIVc/hpWNU6T0LXUisNkFZekJ1yjIemecrRIvgCLcBGAs/s1600/measles.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CqiPKUN9ZiI/XKRc_WWr1iI/AAAAAAAAIVc/hpWNU6T0LXUisNkFZekJ1yjIemecrRIvgCLcBGAs/s320/measles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I’m
annoyed by the crazy conspiracies that originate on mommy blogs and “health”
websites that are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> written by
physicians, scientists, and immunologists. I hate the fact that there are
parents who intentionally infect their children with diseases-- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">because it’s child abuse. </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Why would you make a child suffer, ever, if it can be prevented? </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I’m
annoyed—and repulsed—by the religious fundamentalists that say vaccines are
formulated using the cells of aborted fetuses. They are not. And vaccinations
do not cause autism. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">My
mother was chronically ill from her birth, and she took a veritable cocktail of
meds that allowed her to live but suppressed her immune system. Because people
would go to church sick, or send kids to school sick, she was often a prisoner
in our home. We kids had to take precautionary measures. Mom belonged to a
support group of others who had similar illness, and they were also restricted.
They often caught colds or flu because they were breathed upon in the doctors'
office, and would have to be hospitalized for pneumonia a short time later. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Our
family always "patriotically" got the flu shot, the smallpox and
polio shots, or whatever vaccinations were available so we wouldn’t experience
life-threatening diseases ourselves, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we
would not be carriers to others.</i> I had the chickenpox and the measles and
mumps as a child before the vaccinations were developed, and yes, I obviously
survived. But some children do not survive the high fevers, scarring, the
blindness, the brain damage from encephalitis. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Now,
in this age, we have many more people, both adults and children, who have
fragile health during or after chemotherapy or congenital illness. Some of them
can't have vaccinations because of their compromised immunity. Just because you
might not recognize their illness, vulnerability, or disability, doesn’t mean
they don’t suffer. When my mother would park in the blue disability spaces that
she had a permit for, people would criticize her for looking healthy and
parking there anyway. Because she put on makeup and styled her hair and wore
attractive clothes, she didn’t “look” like an invalid unless she was sitting in
a wheelchair. Yet my mother suffered every day of her life, and died at age 54.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Should
immune-compromised people be forced to live in a virtual bubble so healthy
people can avoid the tiny needle prick of a vaccination, or indulge a fantasy
that has been disproved time and time again by scientists with eight or more
years of postgraduate education? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">As
an adult who enjoys rather high immunity anyway, I still get the shots for flu,
pneumonia, and shingles because I'm a music teacher and church musician who
circulates with many people, shakes hands, and sometimes hugs, and I don't want
to carry diseases from one person to another. When my niece was pregnant, I got
the DPT (diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus) so I couldn't pass whooping cough from
some stranger through me to her newborn. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b-7wGHVQ_DM/XKRdmHy2ofI/AAAAAAAAIVk/E2-CyeFqW-QVhkvfYMliWyS1sDDVpy9ZgCLcBGAs/s1600/vax.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="1155" height="179" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b-7wGHVQ_DM/XKRdmHy2ofI/AAAAAAAAIVk/E2-CyeFqW-QVhkvfYMliWyS1sDDVpy9ZgCLcBGAs/s320/vax.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Think
about your community: your family, your friends (and their vulnerable kids),
your church, your neighbors who shop or work where you do. We cannot be
"rugged individualists" and call ourselves caring, compassionate, godly
people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "times";">If
we know we can help stop the spread of disease, permanent damages, and misery, <b><i>why
would we not?</i> </b> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><i><span class="text Phil-2-5-Phil-2-8" id="en-MSG-12483">Think of
yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status
with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the
advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time
came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a
slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human.
It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special
privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a
selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a
crucifixion. <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A5-8&version=MSG" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Philippians 2:5-8 MSG</span></a></span></i> </span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">It’s not about being some rebellious adolescent. It’s
about the people you love, and the people you don’t love, who breathe the same
air and touch the same produce in the supermarket, and sit behind you in church
or the movie theater. It’s about your children’s friends and their teachers.
It’s about compromised children who have recently overcome cancer, or who need
organ transplants.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">This is not some what-if dystopian fantasy: this has actually happened. A terminally ill boy was taken to the UC Davis medical center with seizures: he had been exposed to measles by an unvaccinated child. <a href="https://www.abc15.com/news/national/terminally-ill-boy-exposed-to-measles-while-at-california-hospital?fbclid=IwAR0EKsMrcvArcUDgIkBOLNFfM33KIqOmDQrNk7TtwMQFSoRrCIkpx4g2ZIM" target="_blank">The story is <b>HERE</b>.</a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><b><i>But
it’s not about you. Get over yourself.</i> </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">It's about being selfless because it's what God does and we want to be like him. We don't have to suffer crucifixion. But we can get a tiny vaccination for ourselves or our kids because it's right for our loved ones, and it's right for the community at large. Preventing disease and suffering is a godly, kind, merciful thing to do. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10pt;">***** </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UbbGs0WH2S8/XKRgyJ60HCI/AAAAAAAAIVw/Qy0-AX0-zOon4RVToww_NHiRkCL_pG8SACLcBGAs/s1600/CKRobinson2019.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1544" data-original-width="1160" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UbbGs0WH2S8/XKRgyJ60HCI/AAAAAAAAIVw/Qy0-AX0-zOon4RVToww_NHiRkCL_pG8SACLcBGAs/s200/CKRobinson2019.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Christy K Robinson</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> is author of
these books: </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4">We
Shall Be Changed</a> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2010) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8">Mary
Dyer Illuminated</a> Vol. 1 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2013) </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y">Mary
Dyer: For Such a Time as This</a> Vol. 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z">The
Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</a> Vol. 3 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson">Effigy
Hunter</a> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2015) </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7">Anne
Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding Mother</a></span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> (2018)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And of these sites:
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Discovering
Love</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(inspiration and service)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rooting
for Ancestors</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(history and genealogy)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman";">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
(17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/">Editornado
[ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</a> (Words. Communications. Book reviews. Cartoons.)</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1510856114964257942.post-52280335737060995532019-03-15T21:46:00.001-07:002022-09-22T08:20:42.454-07:00Toy rehab for refugee children<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span class="3l3x"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I've
made 2019 the year of helping/assisting/loving/donating/volunteering
on my <b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Discovering Love</span> </b>inspirational
site. Most of the articles will be mine, but I’ve asked friends for guest
articles on how they’re working in their circles of influence. Stay tuned! </i></span></span>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yh9QMviJT-A/XIg9kNucmHI/AAAAAAAAIO0/eg7yMIg39t8IZAhRnU4eKeZR7EE3LKcowCLcBGAs/s1600/pink%2Bteddy%2Bfor%2Bboy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="1225" height="524" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yh9QMviJT-A/XIg9kNucmHI/AAAAAAAAIO0/eg7yMIg39t8IZAhRnU4eKeZR7EE3LKcowCLcBGAs/s640/pink%2Bteddy%2Bfor%2Bboy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A Central American boy chose a hot-pink teddy bear from the large bag of soft toys.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-haBDt1Pu58M/XJCXI_rnCjI/AAAAAAAAIRY/-GEmjDXd-yAJk_xZHiAjAELruXr6K9FXgCLcBGAs/s1600/kids%2Bw%2Bbears.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="968" height="296" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-haBDt1Pu58M/XJCXI_rnCjI/AAAAAAAAIRY/-GEmjDXd-yAJk_xZHiAjAELruXr6K9FXgCLcBGAs/s400/kids%2Bw%2Bbears.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I blurred the faces for security's sake. The smiles under the blurs <br />showed their excitement at having their own soft toys to love.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">© </span>2019 Christy K Robinson</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">One of the least important, useless services we can provide for refugees who lack the basics of food and shelter and clothing is providing toys for kids, right? If parents really loved their children, they wouldn't have brought them on such a hazardous journey, right?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">NO!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The moms who set out on the 2,000-mile journey with a toddler and another child are women who are fleeing gang and drug cartel violence, and grinding poverty. Their husbands and boyfriends (or maybe rapists) were either recruited, voluntarily or involuntarily, to the gangs or they may be dead because of the cartels that drive through the ramshackle neighborhoods and shoot them up with automatic weapons, or kidnap older children for their drug gangs.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The young mothers we see appear to be 18-30 years old. There are a few men with older children, but they are vastly outnumbered by the women. I haven't seen any middle-aged or older refugees. This may be because the busloads of refugees that Department of Homeland Security (ICE) drops at the host churches are from family detention centers and not from the centers where adults without children are housed. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://christykrobinson.blogspot.com/2019/01/on-front-lines-with-refugees-seeking.html" target="_blank">See my article</a> on an interfaith group who host and feed refugees</b></span></blockquote>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">These Central American families come from horrific societal conditions we could hardly imagine, if not for the efforts of journalists -- <a href="https://www.nbcsandiego.com/investigations/Source-Leaked-Documents-Show-the-US-Government-Tracking-Journalists-and-Advocates-Through-a-Secret-Database-506783231.html?fbclid=IwAR14pB-k4R3_TpyfXCqRlBLjYVJYfndLvFCRGNCs38sxQGutq3Xa3BQuJOE" target="_blank">journalists whose passports and travels have been flagged</a> by Homeland Security because the narratives they publish vary from the agenda of the Trump administration that insists that the United States is being invaded by "illegals:" liars and thieves who want to steal American jobs and American benefits but who have been advised to claim asylum so they'll have a better chance at successful immigration. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Whereas in the past, most immigrants were adults who came for low-paying agricultural jobs, now the majority of immigrants are coming with their children. The Trump administration blatantly said in 2017 that their policy of family separation was meant as a deterrent to immigration. Public outcry at children kept in cages and fences and federal courts eventually resulted in many families being kept together. But not all. Thousands of unaccompanied minors remain in concentration camps and residential detention centers.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UNMuua_Wvm0/XIiQDWUDY5I/AAAAAAAAIPA/3yOAREetLjsGF_dFnWgfgsnd2bpIra2NwCEwYBhgL/s1600/children%2Bsleep%2Binside%2Bcage.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UNMuua_Wvm0/XIiQDWUDY5I/AAAAAAAAIPA/3yOAREetLjsGF_dFnWgfgsnd2bpIra2NwCEwYBhgL/s400/children%2Bsleep%2Binside%2Bcage.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>BBC story and photo: <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44531187">https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44531187</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">When the families are released from Border Patrol and bused to a host church or the Greyhound bus station with ankle monitors, but no shoelaces, no money, no food, no tickets to host families, who could think of a luxury like a toy for a toddler? </span><br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18pt;">With all the needs that refugee families have, why is it
important for children to have fluffy bunnies and colorful teddy bears?</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 18pt;">For joy. For love. For comfort.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0QfdUMv5Mxc/XIinw51bY_I/AAAAAAAAIPI/7sQolK3_jwsqxgtdk_dLjOP2yE2vh_psQCLcBGAs/s1600/boy%2Bhugs%2Bteddy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1430" data-original-width="1207" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0QfdUMv5Mxc/XIinw51bY_I/AAAAAAAAIPI/7sQolK3_jwsqxgtdk_dLjOP2yE2vh_psQCLcBGAs/s640/boy%2Bhugs%2Bteddy.jpg" width="540" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Look at this child's joy, as a volunteer gives him a soft toy of his own. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3BsFPvdR6eU/XJCQbNi8oTI/AAAAAAAAIRQ/LjPVUmduP6Qcu7XGP25Uv0O_DlqPRMtbwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0481.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3BsFPvdR6eU/XJCQbNi8oTI/AAAAAAAAIRQ/LjPVUmduP6Qcu7XGP25Uv0O_DlqPRMtbwCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_0481.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Many of the ositos (little bears) have tags for FAO Schwartz, Build a Bear, and Gund.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3W4SI7aQbJA/XIx18cil2FI/AAAAAAAAIQU/-KvxDUvjjDAgHj1dVq-gJ21or1EAawwBwCLcBGAs/s1600/toys5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="467" height="390" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3W4SI7aQbJA/XIx18cil2FI/AAAAAAAAIQU/-KvxDUvjjDAgHj1dVq-gJ21or1EAawwBwCLcBGAs/s400/toys5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Monkeys and bunnies about to be re-homed to a refugee child.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Meet Sherry, the stuffed animal veterinarian</b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">No,
Sherry isn't stuffed! Nor is she a veterinarian. She's a retired CRNA, certified registered
nurse anesthetist by profession, and by avocation, the fixer, healer, redeemer, and nurse of stuffed animals. Her husband and helper declines to be
named, but loves the work they've embarked upon.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><b>How did you see a need and proceed to fill it?</b> </span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;">Sherry: "At the first place we went to volunteer, the refugees were coming off the Homeland Security bus with just the clothes they were wearing. The children had no toys. We wanted to give them some safety and security and something to hold onto, that could be theirs. The little faces just really light up when they get them. Their lives have been turned upside down. </span><span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;">Getting the bears is comforting." </span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><b>Why do children need stuffed toys?</b></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aJtMXIZAW_U/XFx5xNXzJBI/AAAAAAAAID0/frjc55kgYvIepy4KUo71Mg-w6ajDWwY9QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_0370%2Bnina%2Bwith%2Bbear.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aJtMXIZAW_U/XFx5xNXzJBI/AAAAAAAAID0/frjc55kgYvIepy4KUo71Mg-w6ajDWwY9QCPcBGAYYCw/s400/IMG_0370%2Bnina%2Bwith%2Bbear.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>She loves her pink, fluffy bear. So does the <br />little girl in the background.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><span class="_5yl5">Sherry: </span>"I can remember when I was a student in nursing school, the nursing department of this large hospital had toys donated for abused or burned children coming in. We tried to give them plush toys to hold onto for comfort." </span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><b>Where do you get the stuffed toys? </b><span class="_5yl5"><b>What is your rehab process? </b></span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><span class="_5yl5">Sherry: </span>"I go to Goodwills and all the thrift stores, and I pick teddy bears, dogs, cats, animals in good condition </span><span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><span class="_5yl5"><span class="_5yl5"><span class="_5yl5">for maybe $1.50</span></span></span>. </span><span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><span class="_5yl5"><span class="_5yl5">Sometimes I come home with one, or three or four or 10. We
don't buy big toys like a shark or elephant. We buy small toys because
we give them to small children. </span></span></span><span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><span class="_5yl5">I take the clothes off, because some come in fancy
clothes and some have no clothes. I don't want some children to have fancy
bears and others not. </span>Some church members have been giving new
toys, but it's not about buying new toys, it's about giving new life to
toys that are donated. There was a bear that we decided not to give away
because it looked like it was frowning. We give happy bears.</span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><span class="_5yl5"><span class="_5yl5">We buy only the ones in good condition.
No battery-operated pieces, unless it's a good buy, and then I cut it
out. We make sure there's nothing sharp on it. I've had to do some mending
where the seams have torn.</span> </span></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;">We put plenty of Downy in the wash, because I like them to smell good, and they do. </span><span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><span class="_5yl5">We have two sofas full of toys ready to go. </span>" </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EWIdkWQVMKw/XIxtJE3-G4I/AAAAAAAAIP0/TH7g6fah_pIF5Wea_nd0Z7ulBPLfbBCPQCLcBGAs/s1600/toys1.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EWIdkWQVMKw/XIxtJE3-G4I/AAAAAAAAIP0/TH7g6fah_pIF5Wea_nd0Z7ulBPLfbBCPQCLcBGAs/s320/toys1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>An array of rehabbed animals on Sherry's sofa.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="_5yl5"><br /></span>
<span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><b>Do you have helpers? Are you one of several people who do this?</b> </span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><span class="_5yl5">Sherry: </span>"It's our project. My husband says it's a full-time job. You have to be retired! </span><span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;">He helps clean bears and cuts tags." </span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><b>How many stuffed animals do you distribute each week? </b> </span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><span class="_5yl5">Sherry: </span>"It depends on how many I get. </span><span class="_5yl5"><span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;">Last week, we had about 40 animals to give out, but we needed more for the number of children who were there. </span><span style="font-size: small;">One week we passed out everything we had, and 15 children didn't have any, so I ran home, washed and dried some more, and brought enough then for the rest of the children. We had about 75 last week." </span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-slNFM-Egihc/XIxtWIfN5UI/AAAAAAAAIP4/5MlW7G0qxAYfsflLM1gd1IXm3ZfkNbG0gCLcBGAs/s1600/toys2.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-slNFM-Egihc/XIxtWIfN5UI/AAAAAAAAIP4/5MlW7G0qxAYfsflLM1gd1IXm3ZfkNbG0gCLcBGAs/s320/toys2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Even a hard heart would melt for this lineup!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><b>How does this volunteer work bless you?</b> </span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><span class="_5yl5">Sherry: </span>"This is our mission. Children are what interest us, and just being around these people who have gone to such lengths to keep their children safe. The trip they've taken, the protection they give them. [Doing this] warms my heart tremendously. It's God's work, that's what we're doing. Jesus said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me." I hope it's meaningful and comforting to them." </span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H2vRDsUu1Sc/XJHaYV6eaFI/AAAAAAAAISI/5BUWQaV4vpc81L0iAr5G4dPknqj9GAP8gCLcBGAs/s1600/toys%2Bin%2Blaundry.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H2vRDsUu1Sc/XJHaYV6eaFI/AAAAAAAAISI/5BUWQaV4vpc81L0iAr5G4dPknqj9GAP8gCLcBGAs/s320/toys%2Bin%2Blaundry.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Everybody into the hot tub! </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b><b> </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>How you can help</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Look at your child's or grandchild's toy
collection, and note the soft, fluffy stuffed toys they don't use now.
Talk to them about sharing with children who need a toy to love.</span></li>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">You might have Easter bunnies or Valentine
bears you've decorated with over the years or received as gifts.
Remember that the families you're donating to have been very poor and
giving something ostentatious or excessive would be too great a contrast
between "rich Americans" and indigent refugees. Allow the parents the
dignity of providing for their children.</span></li>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Collect stuffed toys from your friends and
church members. Visit thrift shops. Remember that the toys should be 15
inches or smaller because the children will be carrying them, and the
parent may need to stuff it in a pack while the child sleeps or while
traveling.</span></li>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Spot-clean and vacuum the toys to remove dust
or pet fur. Wash them very gently, and fluff the fur when they're dry.
Make sure there are no small parts that could choke a child. Mend any
burst seams that could leak stuffing. </span></li>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Take the toys to a host church or hospital for
distribution. Wherever you live, be it Phoenix-metro where we are, or
Denver, Atlanta, Modesto, or Minneapolis, there are hospitals or refugee
centers, homeless shelters, and preschools in an economically
disadvantaged area that would welcome your help. </span></li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CVNF81Fn6_w/XIlTG-UMsLI/AAAAAAAAIPc/dpZKodoo1nkDJeKJ8sOJjfHR7p51nRxxgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0374%2Bsoft%2Btoys.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CVNF81Fn6_w/XIlTG-UMsLI/AAAAAAAAIPc/dpZKodoo1nkDJeKJ8sOJjfHR7p51nRxxgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0374%2Bsoft%2Btoys.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">These bears have already been chosen by children who are being fitted for new shoes. The bears will be loved. <br /><br /></span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj38DoBUXbMsVdqxH8NBPNbuff8bmiwu6WgSMPOgX52Fw6irRpkccOhNJ2JOrloGC9ZpUFJIiAnqYCJIE8L5lPHPz0UueMB5YZXylbIYvxtJ3Spem7_R247XUfsk4VnTrgDqaYH-Q0v2HkJJe-Dw76N8RgHJeeQ1Pu5raNmwHryk4yz7hUsRv8OU__aA/s960/Sherry%20Barlow%20Cooper-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj38DoBUXbMsVdqxH8NBPNbuff8bmiwu6WgSMPOgX52Fw6irRpkccOhNJ2JOrloGC9ZpUFJIiAnqYCJIE8L5lPHPz0UueMB5YZXylbIYvxtJ3Spem7_R247XUfsk4VnTrgDqaYH-Q0v2HkJJe-Dw76N8RgHJeeQ1Pu5raNmwHryk4yz7hUsRv8OU__aA/s320/Sherry%20Barlow%20Cooper-1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Sherry Barlow Cooper didn't want her photo to be used<br />with this article, but I just learned that she'd passed away<br />in 2022. This is Sherry, serving food to indigent people<br />in Phoenix. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><div><span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;"><b>Nice bombs</b></span><br />
<span class="_5yl5" style="font-size: small;">If God calls you to minister to others,
it probably won't be in a way that you would hate or be embarrassed to
do. If you have a horror of "witnessing" or preaching, please do not
inflict that fear on others! Instead, Ask God to open your eyes to the
needs of the people right there near you. You might drive a cancer
patient to and from a chemo or physical therapy appointment. If you're
good at woodworking or carpentry, someone needs your help repairing furniture. If you're a
good cook, invite a single person or the friend of your kid over to
dinner (especially on a holiday). If you have a green thumb, plant
tomato seedlings in paper cups to give away, or grow fruit and
vegetables in your garden to donate to others. If someone is moving
house, pack some boxes or carry them out to the truck. </span><br />
<span class="_5yl5"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="_5yl5"><span style="font-size: small;">You don't even need to mention that you belong to XYZ Church and you're doing this as evangelism or charity work. Really. <i><b>Do not do that!</b> </i>Just
live your life dropping what I call "nice bombs." Give a compliment.
Take a few hours to help where needed. Go through closets and
storage and donate your stuff to a thrift shop or charity. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="_5yl5"><span style="font-size: small;">This is<i> not </i>why volunteers do what they do: to get something out of it, to enlarge their congregation, or
to feel good about themselves. But ask any volunteer if they feel
blessed or privileged to do the work for others, and they will all agree. It warms the heart. It's the feeling that you <i>belong</i> to something bigger than yourself. In an increasingly hostile, divisive, and insular world, kindness and compassion bring us back together. Don't let the Karma Bus squash you flat, but instead, let it pick you up and take you to a happy place.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="text Lev-25-35" id="en-NIV-3505">For other articles on refugees seeking asylum, click this link: <b><a href="https://christykrobinson.blogspot.com/search?q=asylum">https://christykrobinson.blogspot.com/search?q=asylum</a> </b></span><br /><span class="text Lev-25-35" id="en-NIV-3505"><b><br /></b></span>
**********************<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
p
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Times;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Times;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Christy K Robinson</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> is author of
these books: </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0828025053/sr=1-4/qid=1427858318/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1427858318&sr=1-4">We
Shall Be Changed</a> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2010) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-1/dp/1492848034/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8">Mary
Dyer Illuminated</a> Vol. 1 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2013) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Dyers-Volume/dp/1496026136/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y">Mary
Dyer: For Such a Time as This</a> Vol. 2 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/DYERS-London-Boston-Newport-Volume/dp/1500539465/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_z">The
Dyers of London, Boston, & Newport</a> Vol. 3 </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2014) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Effigy-Hunter-Christy-K-Robinson/dp/1516982509/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443282537&sr=1-1&keywords=Effigy+Hunter%2C+by+Christy+K+Robinson">Effigy
Hunter</a> </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(2015) </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: .1pt; margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0692190813/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i7">Anne
Marbury Hutchinson: American Founding Mother</a></span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> (2018)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And of these sites:
</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Discovering
Love</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(inspiration and service)</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Rooting
for Ancestors</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(history and genealogy)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10pt;">William and Mary Barrett Dyer</span></u><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 10pt;">
(17th century culture and history of England and New England)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"><a href="https://editornado.blogspot.com/">Editornado
[ed•i•tohr•NAY•doh]</a> (Words. Communications. Book reviews. Cartoons.)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span><br /></div>Christy K Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05988458745832012138noreply@blogger.com0