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Telling the Story: Holding on to things we don’t need
BY DAWN REED It was a delicious meal, shared with good friends. We had found a retro Italian place an hour away-new for all of us. The appetizers were yummy. I had never had cheese fonduta before. Now it’s a favorite. A take on cheese fondue, we dipped chunks of sourdough bread, pepperoncini, and salami
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Telling the Story: Girded up
BY DAWN REED On the outside, I looked fabulous: a new white wig in place, pink sparkly cat-eyed glasses, and a puffy pink gown with lots of tulle and glitter. Below the surface, not so much. The fear of being pulled over or in an accident kept me driving very carefully. I have the absolute
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Comfort in times of trouble
BY DAWN REED My heart hurt over the man’s troubles. One thing after another was going wrong in his life. Loss after loss had laid him low. And he didn’t understand. He had been faithful to God. Why was he suffering so? I had known of the man’s heartaches and loss. Reading it again stirred
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Telling the Story: Stuck in the Time Machine
BY DAWN REED The timer started when the door closed. We were in a 1950s living room. Clues were hidden about; we just had to find them. Our niece, Cassie, recently stopped in Lexington on her way to Vermont. Our son thought it would be great to do an escape game while she was there.
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Telling the Story: Pondering a Heaven-iversary
BY DAWN REED Do they eat cake in heaven? That’s one of the things I’m pondering today. My mom went to heaven three years ago this morning at 7 a.m. Sometimes my brain spins with what’s going on up there. The term “heaven-iversary” seems appropriate. (You have to say it a few times for it
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The way maker chain breaker
BY DAWN REED On Sunday mornings, I worship in a warm, cozy sanctuary. I lift my frequently-offkey voice in songs of praise. I sing words that tell of chains being gone, of freedom, of God making a way, of His blessings. I sometimes raise my hands, though I am more prone to do it at
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A season for everything
BY DAWN REED My beloved spoke words to me this week that cut me to the quick. I was minding my own business, not bothering anybody, when he announced, “I believe it’s time to take down the Christmas decorations.” I did not respond. I hate this time of year: the un-decorating of all things Christmas.
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The hot cocoa do-over
BY DAWN REED Very early Sunday morning, I burned the hot chocolate. Two cups of sugar, one cup of cocoa, four dashes of salt, one cup of water, and 3 teaspoons of vanilla came to a boil and, before I knew it, began to smoke. Burnt cocoa is the worst. The stench filled the kitchen.
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Learning from the wise men
BY DAWN REED Jan. 6 was the 12th day of Christmas, Three Kings Day, Epiphany, and Old Christmas all rolled into one. This special day celebrates the arrival of the wise men in the Christmas story (Matthew 2). I’m glad to have a specific time to appreciate those sages who traveled a great distance to
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Crying out to the God of Heaven
BY DAWN REED Tuesday morning brought scary headlines about Damar Hamlin, a 24-year-old football player for the Buffalo Bills. During the much-anticipated faceoff between the Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals Monday night, in a regular play, after a regular tackle, Damar stood, staggered, then fell to the ground. The unthinkable had happened: he suffered a
