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Feeling especially grateful today for the incredible women in my lives who constantly challenge me to reach greater heights within myself. Each of the beautiful faces in this picture are women who have played a role in doing just that and more. These women are some of the strongest and most compassionate women I know. Such blessings and warm-hearted joys they are! Each are gifted in so many ways and I am thankful for the ways in which they have shared their gifts with me. Thank you all for the friendship, sisterhood, and community that you have provided me with over the years. Thank you for the life-changing and life-giving conversations, as well as for the hearts of authenticity that each of you have. I would like to give a special thanks in honor of the following: 1) having conversations with me in really funny accents 2) letting me play my favorite song on repeat for weeks in a row 3) putting up with my spontaneous dance & song breakouts in the middle of wherever we are just because I want to 4) letting me make a non-awkward conversation awkward by saying something hilarious & ridiculous 5) putting up with my random red light videos of me singing in the car 6) writing down some of the "Emilyisms" I say just so you'll never forget them & can use to give me a good laugh when I need one 7) putting up with my excessive use of "bless" as a constant exclamation Most importantly, thanks for accepting me for who I am & sticking with & loving me despite my quirks & flaws. And thanks for always, always, always being there. What true treasures each of you are! Love you ALL. #sappyfriendsgivingpost #happyfriendsgiving #thankful #women #empower

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Compassionate action has to start with ourselves. It is unconditional compassion for ourselves that leads naturally to unconditional compassion for others. If we are willing to stand fully in our own shoes and never give up on ourselves, then we will be able to put ourselves in the shoes of others and never give up on them.

Pema Chödrön  (via godmoves)

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If God can accomplish His purposes in this world through a broken heart, then why not thank Him for breaking yours?

Utmost for His Highest Graduate Edition Devotional, Oswald Chambers, November 1st  (via jesusiswhatthisworldneeds)

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A strong woman hopes she has strength enough for the journey, but a woman of Godly strength has faith that it is in the journey where she will become strong.

(via dcvnguyen)

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I think we can find a loving relationship at any age. I don’t think you ever give up. Life’s deepest meaning is found in relationships. Let’s face it, we know that not everybody will get married, but most people will. Even if you don’t get married, deep friendships can be extremely valuable. If you’d like to be married, I don’t think you give up. I think you continue to invest your time and energy in doing something with your life that you believe is important. Particularly in helping other people – it’s typically in the context of helping other people that you discover someone else who has that same mindset. That’s what really makes a good marriage, if both of you want to invest your lives in helping people. When a husband and wife share that attitude – that I’m here to enrich your life and to help you – you both reach your potential. Don’t sit around waiting for something to happen, expend your energy in something you believe is worthwhile. It’s typically in that context that you discover someone who has the same heartbeat.

Gary Chapman

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LORD //

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I have the Lord Jesus Christ, who is more precious than every gem, more beautiful than every light, more agreeable than every fragrance, sweeter than every flavor, greater than every treasure, and higher than every power.

Blessed John Pelingotto 

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selflessness>selfishness #humility

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The new issue of #natureconservancymag’s digital edition is now available! Visit your App Store today!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nature-conservancy-magazine/id528250592?mt=8

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Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

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You don’t need another human being to make your life complete, but let’s be honest. Having your wounds kissed by someone who doesn’t see them as disasters in your soul but cracks to put their love into is the most calming thing in this world.

Emery Allen (via eternalunfolding)

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“It is easy to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after your own; but the great man is he who, in the midst of the crowd, keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.”

R.W. Emerson  (via shaktilover)

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Rend Collective Experiment - Build Your Kingdom Here OFFICIAL