tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985258558857338642024-03-12T23:03:48.542-07:00Visions of VictoriaVictoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-13439491651050814662015-12-11T13:17:00.002-08:002015-12-11T13:27:23.820-08:002015 - A Year in Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7639Nrrrne7ie9W48ujOicqlEg4fPECttFY-xdXGYeWcB6nWjb0fD98pEMH7NxTjdderI1xV297_wbsrE_b-ifuHyki-2YxkMGrKmfku23ycWwbLvEz7N6NoPrGm6FoqnYbXoznq2iMSm/s1600/collage+of+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7639Nrrrne7ie9W48ujOicqlEg4fPECttFY-xdXGYeWcB6nWjb0fD98pEMH7NxTjdderI1xV297_wbsrE_b-ifuHyki-2YxkMGrKmfku23ycWwbLvEz7N6NoPrGm6FoqnYbXoznq2iMSm/s400/collage+of+2015.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<div style="border-image: none;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: large;">Dear Family and Friends,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The <strong>New Year</strong> started with a bang as we watched fireworks in
the San Francisco harbor on a dinner and dancing cruise with the Kelleys. We
returned back to reality, and I began <strong>the job hunt</strong> – polishing
my resume, printing business cards, and networking. It seemed like an eternity,
but within two months, I was working as a contractor at Wells Fargo. I joined a
fun team and enjoyed the work (developing a center of excellence, launching a
new software application, and creating business process models, i.e. flow
charts). Oh and in the midst of everything we moved to a condo in Dana
Point (across the street from the beach) where we have enjoyed many beautiful
sunsets this year! If you are ever in the area, you should come visit us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">To celebrate the new job we took a trip to Utah to see the snow, and after
our Prius was buried overnight in the snow, we decided it was time to get out
of town, so that we did not get snowed in. I did not want to lose my new job!
As soon as there was a break in the snow, we dug out the car and headed to Las
Vegas. We went back to Vegas two weeks later to join the Perry siblings for an
exciting weekend celebrating Cameron and Katey.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I enjoyed the work at Wells Fargo, but it was a temporary contract, so I was
delighted in April when I was offered a position at <strong>Capital Group</strong>
(an investment firm and the home of the American Funds). I am a Business
Analyst, where I work with the Operations division on strategic,
cross-departmental projects and act as their liaison with IT. I also commute to
the LA office periodically, which has been its own adventure. The position is
exactly what I was pursing, and I am delighted to work with such a great team.
Every day is unique, and I love the cycle of learning, analyzing, and
transforming the business.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">In May we flew out to Lake Lure, NC to attend <strong>Cameron and Katey’s
wedding</strong>. What a beautiful event and so much fun! We also visited the
Biltmore estate which had a temporary exhibit of Downtown Abbey costumes
(lovely!). We finished the month with the U2 Concert at the Forum in LA. They
certainly know how to rock! We also saw Mumford and Sons a few months later,
and had a great time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Over the summer you would often find us watching the sunset at the beach
after work. On the weekend we enjoyed a couple picnics and Shakespeare plays
too. Let me know if you want to join us next year! We dug out the camping gear
and joined the Donnowitz for a weekend camping trip to Big Sur – one of the
most beautiful places in the world! We also were delighted to visit Katie and
Iseah to <strong>meet our new little niece Mia</strong>. She is so adorable and
smiley! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">In July I went on <strong>my first business trip</strong> – to Geneva,
Switzerland. The work was fun – collaborating with the team and documenting
their processes, but the weekend was the best – chocolate, cheese, and castles!
And oh the delicious French food. My French is pretty rusty, but I remembered
more than I thought. Here’s hoping I have another excuse to travel very soon!
Maybe to the London or Singapore office next time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">This summer we spent some time on the beach with our families,
including my first trip to Catalina Island where we went jet skiing among the
dolphins! We concluded the summer with a weekend getaway to Carmel by the Sea
to celebrate our 4th anniversary. Wine tasting in vineyards, chatting with
local artists in their galleries, and strolling by the sea – if you have never
been, you have to put it on your calendar for 2016.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Probably some of <strong>the biggest news</strong> of the year is that Clint
is no longer teaching. After dedicating a decade to teaching the youth, he is
starting a new adventure – the world of sales. In August Clint started his new
job as Account Executive at Image 2000 where he helps businesses save money on
their copier contracts. And he would have me add that if you or your organization
have a copier, you two should talk ; )</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><strong>The craziest thing I did</strong> this year was the YMCA Stair
Climb in September – climbing to the top of the US Bank building – the
highest skyscraper east of the Mississippi - it has 76 flights of stairs. It
was quite the challenge, but a great opportunity to bond with coworkers and to
see the city. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I spent Halloween in Hemet, soaking up the cuteness of my little niece and
nephew – Iron Man and Snow White. Clint flew to Dallas to meet up with the guys
and see a Cowboys game. For the first time, we spent Thanksgiving in Dallas. It
was a fun celebration – we were all stuffed and had fun playing games and
watching football. Okay, the Cowboys football season has been more painful
than fun, but we enjoyed time with family. And we cannot wait to meet Chris and
Julia's little one - due in February. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><strong>What's next?</strong> Well, for the holidays, we will be spending
Christmas in Hemet at my sister’s, and for New Year’s we will be skiing and
drinking hot cocoa at the Heavenly resort at Lake Tahoe with Clint’s parents
and the Kelleys. We are looking forward to our 5th anniversary next summer. No
big trips planned, but we want to do something fun. No kids yet, but we know
you are eager. We are too, but with new jobs, we are just waiting for the right
time. Oh and Shiloh has had a great year too, by the way. He turned 3 this
year, and he loves being near the beach.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Sending you our love,<br /><span style="font-size: large;">
The Perrys</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
</span></span></span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "times";">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span></span><br /></div>
Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-62160627610259224222013-02-28T12:44:00.000-08:002013-02-28T12:44:08.154-08:00Life and Death and Life: Our Resurrection Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQChfJyBA2DfNe8QGDhEbq3tb6bz5pdhSpn5SDeo22ITa1nbSPImApx55BKJALKTwf-HuZxdQlozGjLInSU0YyBNJe0YA7n_v-X5SotVwOKL-DDiVx2WZhuWtFRZHhVETvXW8Ik18jYh3K/s1600/easter+lily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQChfJyBA2DfNe8QGDhEbq3tb6bz5pdhSpn5SDeo22ITa1nbSPImApx55BKJALKTwf-HuZxdQlozGjLInSU0YyBNJe0YA7n_v-X5SotVwOKL-DDiVx2WZhuWtFRZHhVETvXW8Ik18jYh3K/s200/easter+lily.jpg" width="200"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Perhaps it seems morbid, but it’s on my mind today. Is the potential loss of a loved one a good reason to not love? Is the fact that a friend might move reason not to reach out? Is the fact that a relationship might not work out reason not to date? Is the fact that a child might die reason not to have children? Is the fact that a husband might die reason to live alone? Does the existence of pain and the potential for sorrow mean that I should not love? These are the sorts of questions that I think when I witness pain. Was it worth it? Were the happy times worth this great sorrow?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">One of my coworkers lost her husband last night unexpectedly. He was not ill, and only in his early fifties. They should have had another ten or twenty years together at least. Instead, she is now grieving and arranging his funeral. Everything had been normal as she came home from a day at the office, until she found him already gone. Can life really change so quickly? Can everything be different in an instant? </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span><a href="http://victorianperry.blogspot.com/2013/02/life-and-death-and-life-our.html#more">Read more »</a>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-4510463559791308322013-02-13T14:28:00.002-08:002013-02-13T14:32:02.077-08:00And so it begins - Lent 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0T2zQ1iRD2UXbQF9s6l1eGvnJuzYM25kizsZU4t2KRjrGGh1pH5PcH-su8uizkMpEIWcpqSFu36ce3dfCn5d_4UYxzPD2rl-FoP0x9WLjxdlBztJgQweUcr9zC5-bLcDW_agEAYifwKVW/s1600/cookies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0T2zQ1iRD2UXbQF9s6l1eGvnJuzYM25kizsZU4t2KRjrGGh1pH5PcH-su8uizkMpEIWcpqSFu36ce3dfCn5d_4UYxzPD2rl-FoP0x9WLjxdlBztJgQweUcr9zC5-bLcDW_agEAYifwKVW/s200/cookies.JPG" uea="true" width="149"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I’ll begin by giving away the ending – By God's strength I did not eat the cookie.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">*****</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My initial response to the idea of Lent is generally, “Oh that sounds like a profitable exercise. I’ll lose some weight and start some healthy habits…Wait, that sounds like a bummer!” This year was no different. Strangely I had been sort of looking forward to Lent beginning – simplifying life, having more quiet time, eating less and exercising more. That is until yesterday when I realized that I would not be able to eat my favorite treats, so I proceeded to eat a bite of everything that I would miss for the next 40 days including meats, sweets and drinks. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">With the sunrise on this Ash Wednesday morning, the Lenten fast began. It seemed quite an ordinary day besides the growling of my stomach. “This whole Lent thing will be a piece of cake!” I thought. “I’m a veteran.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At work we had our weekly staff meeting, and then were called into a conference room to celebrate the completion of a year-long project. The celebration was nice and encouraging until they passed out cute, chocolaty, sugar cookies – our little treasure troves. Now it might not sound appealing to you, and sugar cookies are far from my favorite dessert, but it certainly looked good in its little plastic wrapper. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I sat there holding my cookie and staring at its glittering golden sprinkles. “Surely it would be okay if I ate this cookie. I definitely earned it by my contribution to the project. It is mine. If it is a gift, isn’t it okay? What could one cookie matter? Who makes up the rules anyway? Aren’t they a bit arbitrary? You don’t have to tell anyone at church. You could frame it that everyone was eating their cookies and it would be ungracious to decline the offer…” The thoughts, excuses, and possible schemes swirled in my mind, as I walked back to my desk.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br></div>
<a href="http://victorianperry.blogspot.com/2013/02/and-so-it-begins-lent-2013.html#more">Read more »</a>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-25761694117614404012012-12-31T08:08:00.000-08:002012-12-31T08:09:19.522-08:002012 in ReflectionOur Christmas letter this year:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UKsaCJzliM6m0gPWXhXZK9gPlz4Brmj7xOQRZ7G9AYH8QB7B-Si0LdGVH81uj0_IlKLwtFLpGDoCMn3IsKGlhcccLTXWMEFzGBhmk6Bv8XlL34NvHCmxOPwNkqj98q3H4spTmF2ggZXu/s1600/Christmas+Picture+2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2UKsaCJzliM6m0gPWXhXZK9gPlz4Brmj7xOQRZ7G9AYH8QB7B-Si0LdGVH81uj0_IlKLwtFLpGDoCMn3IsKGlhcccLTXWMEFzGBhmk6Bv8XlL34NvHCmxOPwNkqj98q3H4spTmF2ggZXu/s320/Christmas+Picture+2012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 16pt;">Dear Friends </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 14pt;">&</span><span style="font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 16pt;"> Family</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">You are all so very dear to us, and we are blessed beyond measure to have you in our lives. Although many of us are apart this Christmas, we cherish your role in our lives and are praying for you continually. As we enter this new year, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on all that 2012 held:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">*<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">January</span> </b>We launched a home school group, reading and discussing the works of the Inklings, great British authors like C.S. Lewis, Chesterton, Sayers, and Williams. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">*<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">February </span></b>Lent began.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">*<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">March</span></b> We hosted a 24 Hour Famine with our church’s youth group, fasting from food and media, and participating in a food drive to collect food for the community. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">*<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">April</span> </b>We celebrated Easter! I accompanied Clint and his class to the LA Cathedral, and lead a tour for our Inklings students at the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Norton</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Simon</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Museum</st1:placename></st1:place>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">*<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">May</span></b> I started a Book Club with a group of friends where we met to catch up and discuss our book of the month.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">*<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">June</span></b> We had a bittersweet time moving out of our first place. Clint finished teaching for the school year and then flew to Notre Dame for six weeks to continue working on his Masters degree in Church History, and I moved into the Becher’s house (a fun and generous family we met through friends at our church). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">*<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">July</span> </b>We spent the 4<sup>th</sup> apart, but both of us found a dear friend with whom to celebrate. I worked the Compassion International booth at Fish Fest and was overjoyed to see dozens of children sponsored! The highlight of our summer was celebrating our first anniversary in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city>, complete with an art museum tour, four-course meal atop the John Hancock, and a river cruise with fireworks! Clint certainly outdid himself in planning this romantic day! The next day we drove across the border into <st1:state w:st="on">Indiana</st1:state> where we spent the week at Notre Dame, then returned to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city> and enjoyed sharing some sweet time with his parents. At the end of the month I was delighted to welcome Clint home and to rejoice in his hard work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">*<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">August</span></b> Clint was named the Youth Director at our church (St Matthew’s Church in <st1:city w:st="on">Newport Beach</st1:city>) and we had a bonfire with the students at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Huntington Beach</st1:city></st1:place>. The Dallas Cowboys training camp was in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oxnard</st1:place></st1:city>, so we traveled up to see the team. On the 31<sup>st</sup> we moved into our beautiful new apartment in <st1:city w:st="on">Orange</st1:city>, which we affectionately call “Perry-dise” (a pun on “<st1:place w:st="on">Paradise</st1:place>” thanks to Coldplay). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">*<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">September</span></b> We spent the month getting settled, shopping for furniture and planting my herb garden, and Clint started his second year at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Saddleback</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Valley</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Christian</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">School</st1:placename></st1:place> where he teaches honors Bible classes, called “religious studies,” in which he reads great books with his students and discusses them in a seminar style, classical education model. We celebrated our Epic Event Weekend with the youth group which included pizza and hot dogs, bowling and an Angels’ game. Additionally, we were delighted to visit Clint’s mom at her work conference in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">San Diego</st1:place></st1:city>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">*<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">October</span></b> I was accepted into the MBA program at <st1:placename w:st="on">Concordia</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype> in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Irvine</st1:place></st1:city> and started my first course, Financial Accounting, while continuing to work full-time as a Quality Control Specialist at ECCU. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">*<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">November</span></b> I had the joy of co-hosting a jungle-themed baby shower for my sister, who is due with their first in January. Clint and I are super excited to become Uncle and Auntie very soon! The following weekend Clint’s family flew out for a delightful visit of “super fun,” visiting the beach, touring a museum, and lots of shopping!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">*<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">December</span></b> We are observing Advent by serving in an Operation Christmas Child service project with the youth group at the beginning of the month. Later we will celebrate Clint’s 28<sup>th</sup> birthday, see some of the new movies that we have been eagerly awaiting all year (anyone else exited about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Les Miserables </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Hobbit</i>??) and spend a merry Christmas with my family in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ridgecrest</st1:place></st1:city>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><span style="font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 14pt;">“Walking Briskly”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><span style="font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 14pt;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva';">A poem by Tori Perry</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 6pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" /></div>
</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;">Running through the grocery store,</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;">Well, “walking briskly” is much more</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;">Accurate to describe the feeling:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;">Appearance of decorum, concealing</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;">The stress and exhaustion that lies</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;">Under this festive, glittering guise.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;">For cookies to bake, gifts to buy,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;">Parties to plan and bows to tie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Section2">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;">Leave little time for me to muse,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;">To wonder at that glorious news<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;">Declared by angel choirs bright <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;">On that anything but silent night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;">The humble virgin did give birth,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;">Glory to God and peace on earth, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;">When divinity in manger lay – <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;">Resplendent heaven in the hay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 14pt;">Perry Reflections - Advent<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><span style="font-size: small;">Many times the weeks leading up to Christmas are hectic and exhausting with festivities galore, but we pray that it will be a time of preparation for us all, that we might sit in wonder at the glory and mystery of Christ’s coming and His promise to return again. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><span style="font-size: small;">This past Sunday (Dec 2<sup>nd</sup>) our church inaugurated the beginning of a new Christian year with the season of Advent, even as we see Christmas on the horizon with all its festivities. One of the prayers from the service captures the heart of Advent:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span class="dropcap2georgia1"><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 22pt;">A</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 11pt;">LMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. <em><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Amen.</span></em><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><span style="font-size: small;">May the Lord bless you during this season and fill you with hope as we await with expectation the coming of Christ at Christmas. Peace be with you!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 16pt;">Clint </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 14pt;">&</span><span style="font-family: 'Monotype Corsiva'; font-size: 16pt;"> Tori Perry <span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'; font-size: 14pt;">& </span>Shiloh ; )</span></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljyi7oDU5oZ0-HuU5PMYs5npOoMs4bIX3jgwaoaRJ_R_OnVVQL-rv-FGAnHkmcpfNpla0RInAVy9Gi4lOlfa83a8ND_v78z2Cb6tEc4KpcTyHc8I3YkMIjqYVjZGnHN7xBsJUJRy37zMc/s1600/Christmas+pic+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljyi7oDU5oZ0-HuU5PMYs5npOoMs4bIX3jgwaoaRJ_R_OnVVQL-rv-FGAnHkmcpfNpla0RInAVy9Gi4lOlfa83a8ND_v78z2Cb6tEc4KpcTyHc8I3YkMIjqYVjZGnHN7xBsJUJRy37zMc/s320/Christmas+pic+2012.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-25033281605175795512012-09-27T09:07:00.000-07:002012-09-27T09:07:20.647-07:00Statement of Intent<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">That's right. Four years after graduating college, I am hoping to go back in order to pursue my MBA. I am currently in the process of applying to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Concordia</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>, and as with all graduate school applications, I was asked to provide a statement of intent – “Why do you want to attend school at Concordia? What do you plan to do with your advanced degree? Explain how this new academic program will contribute to your career goals.” Thus, I began a journey of prayer, Bible reading, and silence, as I asked God to direct my path, to show me if this is what He has for me, and to gain a vision of my vocation. He met me in this place of searching just as He promises in Proverbs 3:5-6, </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluRIOAn5ep8pWOfjjk76J81FkD63mruWrsP_uf5U8fAUt3AzkB8VK5ccFJQdpy2scjDitjjJwcLZnOGKiSHtlKRpWPYO2I8S62azrSxhzTlgfp_iCxPzKfOs_8V4KmV7F_DHGPnIT0r6f/s1600/mission.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhluRIOAn5ep8pWOfjjk76J81FkD63mruWrsP_uf5U8fAUt3AzkB8VK5ccFJQdpy2scjDitjjJwcLZnOGKiSHtlKRpWPYO2I8S62azrSxhzTlgfp_iCxPzKfOs_8V4KmV7F_DHGPnIT0r6f/s320/mission.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Last Friday I sat on a bench in the courtyard at the San Juan Capistrano Mission, reflecting on the lifework of those courageous priests. Thinking of the Christians who have faithfully served the Lord for the past two millennia and further back into our Jewish heritage, I asked to be given a vision of what it means to be a Christian woman and a business woman. In His loving kindness He brought Proverbs 31 to mind (you should pause to read it if it has been awhile: </span><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2031:10-31&version=ESV"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2031:10-31&version=ESV</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> ). I was captured by the beauty of this image and how it brought together the competing viewpoints that I was entertaining of a Christian woman as gentle and kind while a </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">business woman was strong and assertive. In these verses I found my calling: I long to be a virtuous woman - a woman who tenderly cares for your family, works diligently and wisely, generously gives to the poor, and seeks to honor the Lord in all that she does<span style="font-family: Garamond;">.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well, without giving too much more away, here is my statement of intent for your reading pleasure (safely under the 500 word count maximum at a smooth 494):</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Lord has given me a passion to see the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place> grow, both through the ministry of the church and in the marketplace. Since graduating from Biola University four years ago, I have gained experience at ECCU (Evangelical Christian Credit Union in Brea, CA) working with churches, Christian schools, and non-profit ministries through banking operations and loan servicing. It is my desire to continually grow in effectiveness, as I pursue excellence coupled with efficiency in my current position as a Quality Control Specialist. In the days ahead I would like to move into a management position where I could seek continued enhancements to my unit, and be able to invest in staff, mentoring them to maximize their potential. Eventually it is my dream to work for a non-profit, particularly because they do so much good, but have so few resources. I currently volunteer as a child advocate for Compassion International, so I would love to help shape the future of that ministry. Additionally, I have a passion for museums, so it would be exciting to work as a business consultant for a struggling museum, striving to increase their effectiveness and sustainability. Finally, it is a dream of mine to partner with my husband, who is a high school teacher, in order to start a classical Christian school at our church in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Newport Beach</st1:city></st1:place>. Wherever the Lord leads, I want to be equipped for the journey.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">During a recent informational meeting I was impressed by the caliber of professors and students who are drawn to this university, and I would love to be a part of what God is doing in the business community of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Orange</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place> through this school and its alumni. I have a few years of business experience now and with a proven track record, I will continue to grow and progress over time, but the MBA program at Concordia University would equip me with unique tools to be more effective, as I seek to grow in knowledge and experience beyond my present capacity. At Concordia I would be challenged and given the opportunity to explore aspects of business like marketing and financing that I do not encounter every day, and to embrace my calling as a business woman. I am particularly fascinated by the Public Policy emphasis, as it would unite my passion for history, fascination with government, and exposure to regulations, federal legislation, and legal documentation in the banking industry. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ultimately, it is my desire to be a woman of virtue, as described in Proverbs 31 – a woman who tenderly cares for her family, works diligently and wisely, generously gives to the poor, and seeks to honor the Lord in all that she does. For the past few years I have debated and prayed, asking the Lord to direct my path. I genuinely believe that the MBA program at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Concordia</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place> is my next step on this journey to grow in grace and truth both professionally and personally.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I appreciate your prayers as I prepare for classes to begin and more fully embrace my calling. May the Lord bless you and direct your steps as you seek His face.</span></span></div>
Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-64488843486435479742012-07-23T13:06:00.000-07:002012-07-23T13:07:29.266-07:00One Year Later...Our First Anniversary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryp9WyeGGnWQFYOh4kcKD582gT4KBd464Om1hbR1EE9XxntCPTQ7lemnmzA-4E23WqIM6f8TZwzjkn9tAVVytdCZwbXf3xhlodCAd5OSMfvvyAbtvGqHn0JLx1ZI_L7_tSIx3bzFs7hAY/s1600/John+Hancock+Anniversary+Dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryp9WyeGGnWQFYOh4kcKD582gT4KBd464Om1hbR1EE9XxntCPTQ7lemnmzA-4E23WqIM6f8TZwzjkn9tAVVytdCZwbXf3xhlodCAd5OSMfvvyAbtvGqHn0JLx1ZI_L7_tSIx3bzFs7hAY/s320/John+Hancock+Anniversary+Dinner.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Last Monday we celebrated our first wedding anniversary. Wow! While engaged it seemed like the wedding day would never come, and now it has come and gone, and here we are a year later, hand in hand. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It has been quite a year! When I look at what we did just in <a href="http://www.victorianperry.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-wonderful-life-2011-in-summary.html" target="_blank">2011</a>, I laugh to think that we had no idea what we were really getting ourselves into, and then I smile at the delightful surprise and precious gift that God has given to me in my dear Clint.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our first place was a cute, but sometimes cramped, studio apartment in <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Anaheim</place></city>. It proved to be our testing grounds for this first year, as well as our little abode, our hiding place. In reflection, I think the biggest lessons of this first year for me have been about communication, vulnerability, and trust. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div><a href="http://victorianperry.blogspot.com/2012/07/one-year-laterour-first-anniversary.html#more">Read more »</a>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-88621107997409790752012-06-15T15:21:00.000-07:002012-06-18T11:05:36.768-07:00"An Ode to Our First Place"<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbcxiTP7cCvpkR26ZtofHmdXqD1hWrwGhY8z_2uXbSZ5zGc9ibeOUcJChaV9gse3qVeI09uTUbU6l4v0E1-7op8TYAlO9Lxxp5yJAIaLtqeWBJxTMNsFGYLtF8ufktb07MRr7_hoABERL/s1600/moving.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" pca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbcxiTP7cCvpkR26ZtofHmdXqD1hWrwGhY8z_2uXbSZ5zGc9ibeOUcJChaV9gse3qVeI09uTUbU6l4v0E1-7op8TYAlO9Lxxp5yJAIaLtqeWBJxTMNsFGYLtF8ufktb07MRr7_hoABERL/s200/moving.JPG" width="200"></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To you, small box of the dull white walls,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To the metal handles that always fall off</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To the jet engine fan in the bathroom</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And the angry wasps on the patio eves</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I will not miss you on the summer nights</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When the room was stifling hot</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Until the whirling air condition clicked</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Turning it into a freezing ice box</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
</div></div><a href="http://victorianperry.blogspot.com/2012/06/ode-to-our-first-place.html#more">Read more »</a>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-24463267066444223792012-06-06T14:33:00.000-07:002012-06-18T11:03:49.772-07:00Moving: Clinging to God's Promises<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrVnrNvRWbIU86lgLLRdBN_zJ5AjsAv5lgPwNGLvGM9OwOicsrdlFC0t9gkVJWc7pMtn_7XyxfLm9kQ3dWShPgry4jv_I9qNaidM24PhPZO3bK8WkTC82UUs5n8lNmk1erYTz7Old8W9H/s1600/moving-to-austin-texas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrVnrNvRWbIU86lgLLRdBN_zJ5AjsAv5lgPwNGLvGM9OwOicsrdlFC0t9gkVJWc7pMtn_7XyxfLm9kQ3dWShPgry4jv_I9qNaidM24PhPZO3bK8WkTC82UUs5n8lNmk1erYTz7Old8W9H/s200/moving-to-austin-texas.jpg" width="200"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Moving. Ugh. It happens to all of us – some more often than others. Growing up my dad was in the Navy, so we moved every three to five years. We were the “lucky” ones who lived mostly on the same coast, but no matter the distance or the noble cause, it is hard for a second grader to understand the goodness of leaving her home, best friends, church, school, and all that she knows because Dad has to report to a new boss. Perhaps I still have some unresolved issues from my childhood trauma, but I encourage you to honor the servicemen and women you know, for they and their families have sacrificed quite a bit for the freedom that we all enjoy in this land.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><a href="http://victorianperry.blogspot.com/2012/06/moving-clinging-to-gods-promises.html#more">Read more »</a>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-71647535700625440612012-05-14T09:22:00.001-07:002012-05-14T09:23:58.748-07:00The Art of Seeing: A Visit to the Getty Center<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjOrIo0WqK927nrNNxtAIz12E5k5C2YHTZuP6aalZycy_f1Acey78OAl0FPamaUzSE4oLNfhYkqcvyKc5OOOrOlYdyRWScHwya_kUu10fqum8pHzSdcQm9L6HfbSs5e2TUhQBGckxV4qC/s1600/getty+center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjOrIo0WqK927nrNNxtAIz12E5k5C2YHTZuP6aalZycy_f1Acey78OAl0FPamaUzSE4oLNfhYkqcvyKc5OOOrOlYdyRWScHwya_kUu10fqum8pHzSdcQm9L6HfbSs5e2TUhQBGckxV4qC/s200/getty+center.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A trip to the <placename w:st="on">Getty</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Center</placetype> in <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Los Angeles</place></city> is always a delightful excursion! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its vast collection could certainly keep a person occupied for an entire weekend if he simply wanted to “see” all the pieces. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My favorite visits, however, are with a single destination in mind, one gallery upon which to focus my attention. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will view one exhibit and then spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying a picnic with friends on the lawn or reading a novel and sipping a glass of iced tea on the patio overlooking the central garden with its beautiful and mysterious waterfall. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last Saturday I had just that opportunity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Getty has amassed a wide collection of illuminated manuscripts spanning from the eighth century to the sixteenth. Due to the delicacy and age of the texts (particularly the ink), the Getty rotates their collection of illuminated manuscripts on display every three months or so. In this way I have an excuse to visit four times a year at minimum. Who knows when these texts will see the light of day again? This might possibly be a once in a lifetime opportunity, so my husband and I filled up the gas tank and drove into the city.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Living in Anaheim we have our fill of traffic and concrete as we meander up and down Orange County each week, but we do not make it into L.A. County very often any more, save to catch up with friends from Biola at the La Mirada Starbucks, to jump on a plane at LAX, or to visit a museum. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, it is always obvious when entering LA County for the traffic increases instantly, even on a Saturday morning, the lanes narrow, and the square footage of concrete increases inversely to the number of trees. Along the pavement, claustrophobia increases upon merging with the 405, only to exit and be led by the florescent lights into the cave of the parking garage. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, however, is clearly seen the intentionality and psychological insight of the architect. All visitors mount a white platform in the sunshine and eagerly wait. The tram slowly arrives, the passengers glide into their seats, and the tram gently rises up the slope, passing through clusters of shady trees and emerges on top of the hill. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a clear day the skyline is visible and even the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time has slowed down on this journey of transcendence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hustle and bustle of the city has been drowned out and all are brought to the foot of the staircase, all men on equal footing and with a renewed sense of peace. We are above the worries of life and concern for our daily bread. Here we are encouraged, we are free to discover our humanity, to touch the heavens. On this hill we are free to explore, to stare at a painting, to examine a drawing under the magnifying glass, to try our hand at sketching one of the great works of art, or simply to relax and read a book or enjoy a sparkling conversation with friends. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Whether leading an epic outing of friends and family or as a solitary contemplation, the Getty has facilitated dozens of enjoyable days for me over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was here on this hill that I first fell in love with art, here where I discovered the beauty of paintings and the powerful insight of the artist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a seventh grader I was challenged here to see art for the first time, to really <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">see</i> it, to look, to view, to stare into the lines and sway with the curves of the paint, to imagine myself as one of the characters, to sense the softness of a silk dress or the warmth of the sun, to feel the hue of the paint, to squeeze between the shapes and into the blank space, passed word, shape, color, sound, gazing, or rather glimpsing for a brief moment, True Beauty.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Are you looking for something to do this Saturday? Consider a trip to the <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Getty</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Center</placetype></place>. The Villa in <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Malibu</place></city> is also a great place to view Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art. Begin to plan your trip today at </span><a href="http://www.getty.edu/museum/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">http://www.getty.edu/museum/</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> or chat with me and we can plan one together!</span></div>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-72759070905516889962012-04-19T13:35:00.001-07:002012-04-19T13:36:10.556-07:00I joined the fight against poverty: Clemence and Compassion International<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHg9bwCm8tC5R_ctnQ8I3E1FSy1OORYHUHGC4EjMNSBlUjEtrU85VT3d5AIeRjOiAujL85NkVucrS8fG8m7jaK4Vva_HDsiYKS4KMEYYzqxnPjAv8D_x2UuHaSlK8psbXcbW_gWCRso0-4/s1600/Clemence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHg9bwCm8tC5R_ctnQ8I3E1FSy1OORYHUHGC4EjMNSBlUjEtrU85VT3d5AIeRjOiAujL85NkVucrS8fG8m7jaK4Vva_HDsiYKS4KMEYYzqxnPjAv8D_x2UuHaSlK8psbXcbW_gWCRso0-4/s200/Clemence.jpg" width="158"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I joined the fight against poverty!” the white-lettered t-shirt seemed to shout from its black canvas, as I pulled it out of the cardboard box, careful not to dump the packing popcorn all over the floor. I had been waiting for this package to arrive for weeks, and it was finally here!<br>
<br>
It all began long ago, but in the spring of 2009, I finally took action. I was looking ahead to my one year review at work, my first full-time, "I’m an adult now," job, and I wanted to do something special to celebrate my adulthood and God’s provision for me. That's when it hit me - I was, for the first time in my life, financially stable, generally independent, and actually able to sponsor a child through Compassion International! I had grown up watching the commercials on TV of children in need, their empty eyes yearning for food, for hope. I had even spent a couple summers with the Continental Singers raising sponsors for the organization. I had always wished that I could do something for the poor children of the world, but I hadn’t had a steady income. Now I did! Now I could do something about it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I could change the life of a child!</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></div><a href="http://victorianperry.blogspot.com/2012/04/i-joined-fight-against-poverty-clemence.html#more">Read more »</a>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-10280150719573427052012-04-19T11:44:00.001-07:002012-04-19T11:45:20.383-07:00Praying As Our Fathers: The Book of Common Prayer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIEbNSNm117n2xmNxE_tgI9xyVcnlzNvcbIuEoIZI93PG6B5FE6eZtJoBB4SZy-J7LNxhLOY0YxXU3_fbK_8Ko2VjyoZiMT9QZHGuoAnRYx-us8yLgDo2ihBgyW7CdqoZZY0h03hADsWh/s1600/Book_of_common_prayer_1552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIEbNSNm117n2xmNxE_tgI9xyVcnlzNvcbIuEoIZI93PG6B5FE6eZtJoBB4SZy-J7LNxhLOY0YxXU3_fbK_8Ko2VjyoZiMT9QZHGuoAnRYx-us8yLgDo2ihBgyW7CdqoZZY0h03hADsWh/s200/Book_of_common_prayer_1552.jpg" width="127"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">*This morning I led the devotional time for my department at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Below is what I shared:</span></em></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br>
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have found that learning to pray is one of the hardest aspects of the Christian life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scripture exhorts us to pray, but what do we say?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do we maintain a balance in our approach between the amiable sentiment of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and the sobering “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” both talking to a trusted friend and standing before the throne addressing our almighty king?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The disciples themselves struggled with prayer, and asked Jesus for lessons in how to pray, for in that context of the Gospels is the Lord’s Prayer recorded.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br>
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Over the years I have attended many seminars and Sunday school classes on prayer, with advice ranging from “follow these five helpful tips to improve your prayer life,” to “just pray as the Spirit leads.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many times I have struggled praying consistently and finding motivation to pray for extended periods of time because I feel like I do not know what to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I do pray, it can be heavily laden with my emotions at the moment such as bemoaning my overwhelming problems, without always clearly clinging to the truth of Scripture in faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the midst of this struggle to find a balance between expressing how I feel to my Father and seeking for my will and desires to become more aligned with those of my Lord, I found a little book, written five hundred years ago by devout clergy and drawing on centuries of the Christian tradition, which has radically changed the way that I approach prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has brought a new consistency in my daily prayer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This book does not replace spontaneous prayer, but it has brought a balance to my extended daily prayer life, by equipping me with a language and structure for my prayers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has encouraged me to daily confront my sinfulness and to truly be thankful for the abundant redemption that we have in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is called The Book of Common Prayer.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";"></span></div><a href="http://victorianperry.blogspot.com/2012/04/praying-as-our-fathers-book-of-common.html#more">Read more »</a>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-64994244835313338732012-04-11T15:36:00.005-07:002012-04-11T15:51:02.898-07:00Banana Nut Bread Disaster: Learning to Laugh at Yourself<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P8AHOHd-qZ7jENImAJgbfUd9x2C0UEFigoOZeh8XTlgBBmodRLsvIFvzvETZY6-K0L3R-9pF412ZXV0C1jSZYtYPOLnOlcFa0wliZ7PRmfnyhOZjciOFeClYt4llUC18NyHis04pFB3F/s1600/Quick-breads-banana-bonanza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4P8AHOHd-qZ7jENImAJgbfUd9x2C0UEFigoOZeh8XTlgBBmodRLsvIFvzvETZY6-K0L3R-9pF412ZXV0C1jSZYtYPOLnOlcFa0wliZ7PRmfnyhOZjciOFeClYt4llUC18NyHis04pFB3F/s200/Quick-breads-banana-bonanza.jpg" width="137"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be the first one to admit that I am easily embarrassed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a reserved person, preferring to put my best foot forward and make a good impression, so I naturally tend to keep to myself, especially those things which are weaknesses or flaws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marriage, however, is helping me, well, my dear Clint, is helping me to admit my failings, apologize if necessary, and even to laugh at myself if the occasion calls for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He certainly finds some of the things that I find to be embarrassing or mildly traumatic to be cute and funny – like this morning.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br>
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let’s just say that I am not a baker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mastered baking the turtle fudge brownie box mix after many bake sales for theatre, but I am a failure with most everything else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, I'll admit that I even have a hard time with boxed cookie mixes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my defense, there is a big difference between nine and eleven minutes in the oven!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><a href="http://victorianperry.blogspot.com/2012/04/banana-nut-bread-disaster-learning-to.html#more">Read more »</a>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-78497362229024348932012-03-23T08:19:00.006-07:002012-03-23T08:27:12.758-07:00The Love of My Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgil4u_E13EephSfIEn2Sf9mGN3yA5kCX-4hLWZJFdDhRoCynXd-GNLOJYXTbQmwSKMAhL2_CfwMlbBzh7wMNuSOZyEOcGi7Op1FxtKzvkQnMDk6LAQrAZdjZXIfSmrpywH-4X5lwA4lYXa/s1600/wedding+dance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgil4u_E13EephSfIEn2Sf9mGN3yA5kCX-4hLWZJFdDhRoCynXd-GNLOJYXTbQmwSKMAhL2_CfwMlbBzh7wMNuSOZyEOcGi7Op1FxtKzvkQnMDk6LAQrAZdjZXIfSmrpywH-4X5lwA4lYXa/s200/wedding+dance.jpg" width="200"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We glided across the dance floor, my wedding gown swishing and his silver tie shimmering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having just been introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Perry, we had excitedly taken the floor and now danced to “Green Eyes,” our first dance as husband and wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The candles glowed and the lights overhead glimmered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a twinkle in his eyes, he lifted his arm, signaling a spin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smoothly twirled away from him, but in an instant our eyes met, and entranced I stepped back into his arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laughter and smiles sparkled effervescently, dancing our Rumba box step, as we floated under the twinkling lights.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br>
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Just a couple hours before I had been waiting in the foyer of our church, eager and giddy, veiled and on my father’s arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought of the pure bliss in his eyes, as the doors slowly opened and I first entered the church, the organist playing my “subtly majestic” anthem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears twinkled and a smile spread across the face of my beloved, while he watched me slowly approach the altar – approach him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br>
</div><a href="http://victorianperry.blogspot.com/2012/03/love-of-my-life.html#more">Read more »</a>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-27425104651059837662012-03-23T08:13:00.001-07:002012-03-23T08:13:42.819-07:00A Hospital Visit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5CfhFXI0Jy14Ew2mXGRVX3oKmS62Oz8ISV2KsO6n3J1TF1UrGCNwbyNPQPlF-yXIwxeL8bU_DAe6sFJiWjhsm9ZM1tj7Qb3DQDDRfInxrpDyjUNxiPqVaYh10SyVkGHldhRcI-VJ_hHp/s1600/raindrops+on+window+pane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5CfhFXI0Jy14Ew2mXGRVX3oKmS62Oz8ISV2KsO6n3J1TF1UrGCNwbyNPQPlF-yXIwxeL8bU_DAe6sFJiWjhsm9ZM1tj7Qb3DQDDRfInxrpDyjUNxiPqVaYh10SyVkGHldhRcI-VJ_hHp/s200/raindrops+on+window+pane.jpg" width="150"></a></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The walls were white, the tile a dingy grey, and the hallway smelled like sterilizing cleanser and urine. Slowly I trudged up the stairs. I knew that I was obligated to go see her, but everything within me wanted to run, to escape, for I was wracked with guilt. What would she say? Would she even look at me? Did I even <i>want</i> her to look at me? I was convinced that her eyes would bore holes through my chest. </span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br>
</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was a gloomy March Sunday morning, overcast and cloudy, not raining at the moment, but it looked as though it could begin again any minute. More significantly, it was the day after the accident.</span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br>
</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Since freshmen year, we had all been great friends, The Five of Us, as we referred to ourselves. That sunny Saturday had been our long-awaited study break – a day at <place w:st="on">Disneyland</place>! We had talked about it for months, and finally the day came. We had experienced the wonder of Fantasy Land, adventured with Indiana Jones through snake-filled caves, screamed our way down the Tower of Terror, and been transported into the future together. It was a wonderful day! After eating fajitas and kettle corn, and watching the magical fireworks display, we loaded into my green station wagon, Tommy the Taurus, and headed back to campus around midnight. We were all exhausted, but it was a smooth ride.</span></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><a href="http://victorianperry.blogspot.com/2012/03/hospital-visit_23.html#more">Read more »</a>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-81661875292877159122012-03-06T11:43:00.003-08:002012-03-08T09:50:21.766-08:00A Phone Call<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJ70EVVHtH5XXHNihINM8gNNiNgLCYVoGv8UtRR2rNt9B8VSEVanwPtZuwks7MGs6mj4qbJVrh15LbbYuSioSfZaR88zXm1AnaGNT9szkCIL5D52zbIvVpY_j0LN7vEdT-HXnJho9ZvgV/s1600/thi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJ70EVVHtH5XXHNihINM8gNNiNgLCYVoGv8UtRR2rNt9B8VSEVanwPtZuwks7MGs6mj4qbJVrh15LbbYuSioSfZaR88zXm1AnaGNT9szkCIL5D52zbIvVpY_j0LN7vEdT-HXnJho9ZvgV/s200/thi.jpg" uda="true" width="193"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Hello?” I answered the phone confidently.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br>
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Yes, hello.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is this Victoria Wade?” the masculine voice asked on the other line.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br>
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Yes, that’s me,” I replied cheerfully.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br>
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Excellent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How are you today?” he asked.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br>
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">‘Should I say that I’m great or that it depends on how this interview goes?’ I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I settled for the standard, “I’m good. And you?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br>
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Excellent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So why are you interested in joining the Torrey Honors Institute?” the Director asked, jumping through the formalities and to the heart of the conversation.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><a href="http://victorianperry.blogspot.com/2012/03/phone-call.html#more">Read more »</a>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-21102583804565634752012-03-05T14:24:00.006-08:002012-03-08T09:51:33.074-08:00Flannelgraph Faith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsfrNfguiEkV2wcIVy5si4oLgIZRGCjVfJitbE7ZRD9tmv8w3e9aVQl3ZEl-f5KbatIdGyIeFh9XokiP56PEoMgR40T5WJ2lDHnSrddwBm-gyttKOKTmF3clfQ5HutV4R9KNxTnwYPmnU/s1600/sparky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsfrNfguiEkV2wcIVy5si4oLgIZRGCjVfJitbE7ZRD9tmv8w3e9aVQl3ZEl-f5KbatIdGyIeFh9XokiP56PEoMgR40T5WJ2lDHnSrddwBm-gyttKOKTmF3clfQ5HutV4R9KNxTnwYPmnU/s200/sparky.jpg" uda="true" width="115"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It was a day like every other day, a night like every Wednesday night, yet heaven reached down to earth that day – January 19, 1994.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br>
<br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was a giddy eight year old attending my local AWANA club with my Bible memory book in hand and my little red Sparky vest ironed and buttoned neatly, bedecked with all the crowns and jewels that I had earned over the previous two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, I had just turned eight two weeks before, and my dad was to turn thirty-seven the very next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even so, the evening had been like many others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I arrived just before 6 o’clock and played with my friends until the whistle blew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had recited the Bible verses to my leader, Mrs. Campbell, which I had memorized the previous week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I sat eagerly, awaiting the beginning of “Council Time," as we called it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br>
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mrs. Peggy, as she insisted on being called, rather than Mrs. Berry, was like a grandmother to all of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was our favorite leader, and it was her time to share the lesson tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cheerfully heard the news and quieted down, sitting up straight with our legs crossed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were arranged on colored strips of Velcro by on our color team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat on the blue line, hands folded, as Mrs. Peggy approached the front of room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smiled and greeted us, encouraging us to jump up and join her in singing “Father Abraham.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entire room echoed, as we sang as loudly as we could, then as softly as we could, left arm and right foot in, turning around, and finally sitting down, laughing and smiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when she retrieved the felt board from behind the podium and propped it up beside her stool.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><a href="http://victorianperry.blogspot.com/2012/03/flannelgraph-faith.html#more">Read more »</a>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-31553685379344909742012-02-25T21:55:00.011-08:002012-03-08T09:51:51.257-08:00Noontime Nachos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXot1h5B_FsiYriW0A-UzTZJm7SagLO0EfYyaZ1pXGM6FV7yanuBfQ09ZG2S8nwz1D6-mZS1sW5qDcVFozc9-wGIx8j5w9yf0joajZ_nj7D0t2fr5hipEkF92Md-XCDJIB2v6yBQDtVQVZ/s1600/nachos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXot1h5B_FsiYriW0A-UzTZJm7SagLO0EfYyaZ1pXGM6FV7yanuBfQ09ZG2S8nwz1D6-mZS1sW5qDcVFozc9-wGIx8j5w9yf0joajZ_nj7D0t2fr5hipEkF92Md-XCDJIB2v6yBQDtVQVZ/s200/nachos.jpg" width="200"></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Delightedly munching on another cheesy chip, fingers covered in nacho sauce, I reached for a sip of my ice cold Dr. Pepper. It was Friday and that meant that my mom had given me a respite from ham sandwiches and carrots; instead, giving me two dollars and fifty cents with which to purchase my lunch. I don't know what she expected me to buy. Perhaps she envisioned a cafeteria-made lunch such as meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and peas, but those little white trays always looked gross, and the smell in the cafeteria often kept me from desiring to enter it. From time to time I would enjoy the French bread pizza or burritos that they kept stocked under the heat lamps, and I loved it when McDonald’s came to campus, but that was usually on Thursdays when I would walk by some of my peers standing in line for those coveted yellow wrapped burgers, while the rest of us walked by with our brown paper bags. Today, however, was Friday.</span><br>
<a href="http://victorianperry.blogspot.com/2012/02/noontime-nachos.html#more">Read more »</a>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-84636197504218582512012-02-24T12:41:00.011-08:002012-03-08T09:52:05.901-08:00Rest for the Weary: A Pre-Lenten Retreat at Hilltop Renewal Center<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMwmyCOoOUYGuVfDYqUudGb_FrlnyIXJaYn6m7ouOW8Z6vFDNqxb0wyeqQuiX_tj__f7WcwqAIB1VdYopij6sDKSvEG2L27rNLazqlMygxbscxV8_MU-Sj0GTbzNsXo8xtMqoHLguL6Vj/s1600/hilltop+bible+retreat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMwmyCOoOUYGuVfDYqUudGb_FrlnyIXJaYn6m7ouOW8Z6vFDNqxb0wyeqQuiX_tj__f7WcwqAIB1VdYopij6sDKSvEG2L27rNLazqlMygxbscxV8_MU-Sj0GTbzNsXo8xtMqoHLguL6Vj/s1600/hilltop+bible+retreat.jpg"></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="dropcap2"><span style="font-size: large;">O</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>GOD of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength; By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. <em>Amen</em>.</span><br>
<br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This past weekend Clint and I went on a Pre-Lenten spiritual retreat to Idyllwild, where we stayed at a beautiful cabin called <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Hilltop</placename> <placename w:st="on">Renewal</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Center</placetype></place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to their website </span><a href="http://hilltoprenewalcenter.org/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">http://hilltoprenewalcenter.org/</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">, the renewal center beckons “the weary for a rest, the reader a quiet spot among nature, and the one seeking prayer a place to converse with God in His beauty,” and that was no false advertising!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br>
</div><a href="http://victorianperry.blogspot.com/2012/02/rest-for-weary-pre-lenten-retreat-at.html#more">Read more »</a>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-38826438049927072302011-12-28T14:08:00.004-08:002012-03-08T09:52:21.601-08:00It's a Wonderful Life: 2011 in Summary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_beWhxbWNsk/TvuTDidyebI/AAAAAAAAAEU/RsMAPRmLrrI/s1600/Perry+Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_beWhxbWNsk/TvuTDidyebI/AAAAAAAAAEU/RsMAPRmLrrI/s200/Perry+Christmas.jpg" width="185"></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Even without a novel to write, it appears that December has flown by. Mind you, we had multiple parties and outings this month, but it always surprises me to see another month, especially another year, come to a close. It is that sentimental feeling, remembering the great times that I have had this year, accompanied by both a pang of sadness that those days are over, and that sense of excitement, imagining the unknown that awaits, the glorious joys that will fill the pages of 2012.</span><br>
<br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When the year began I had no idea what it would hold, but in reflection, here is what I see -</span><br>
<br>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>2011 in Summary</strong><br>
*In <strong>January</strong> I rang in the New Year with my boyfriend in San Francisco and celebrated my 25th birthday with my first surprise party.<br>
*In <strong>February</strong> my charming Clinton Perry proposed to me with our dear families witnessing at Crystal Cove and I bought my wedding dress.</span><br>
<a href="http://victorianperry.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-wonderful-life-2011-in-summary.html#more">Read more »</a>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-54988039507322345342011-11-29T21:57:00.001-08:002012-02-26T16:40:38.608-08:00Goal Accomplished!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfj9uJ1QYmQPUB4jD8k_ilE4W6YCWUSTJsfeEDpDxrJLtyVDMWF9SyndW90d6oDw7Li138lyrReOgTQ-crjAftzPs8FuVkhWJ_t3W1QEjFr_dvPFWvZGN3L2T0g-x3_NaepMGgJYOSwUy/s1600/Winner+NaNoWriMo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfj9uJ1QYmQPUB4jD8k_ilE4W6YCWUSTJsfeEDpDxrJLtyVDMWF9SyndW90d6oDw7Li138lyrReOgTQ-crjAftzPs8FuVkhWJ_t3W1QEjFr_dvPFWvZGN3L2T0g-x3_NaepMGgJYOSwUy/s1600/Winner+NaNoWriMo.png" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It has been a long month, and a perilous journey, but I have reached the once distant 50,000 word mark!! I still have a bit that I want to add before I type, "The End," but I have reached the goal! I have accomplished the seemingly impossible! Hurray!!! And a special thanks to my honey for helping me celebrate! I have the official winner's badge!</span>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-74926829799756561162011-11-09T10:37:00.001-08:002012-03-08T09:52:43.852-08:00An Excerpt from The Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrSG1c4h6wcd3mhBvu6UBx-S2I3l-Po8mS6zEMUt1VCdCzIe2Hd7gZ_hQz6-qRMIvcS_ZUQTJRWSc5jttC5hRrFVzb9rQy2-VaUKNJZbTYI4T2H6_Q4VSFAvMFaUN5f4g2wSyUbFX5ctB/s1600/nanowrimo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrSG1c4h6wcd3mhBvu6UBx-S2I3l-Po8mS6zEMUt1VCdCzIe2Hd7gZ_hQz6-qRMIvcS_ZUQTJRWSc5jttC5hRrFVzb9rQy2-VaUKNJZbTYI4T2H6_Q4VSFAvMFaUN5f4g2wSyUbFX5ctB/s200/nanowrimo+2.jpg" width="200"></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hello friends! I am still writing like the wind, nearing the twenty thousand word mark, but I have heard your pleas to read for a sample, just a little taste of what I'm working on, and I have decided that it is time to let you have it by posting the beginning of my novel. Enjoy!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br>
</span><br>
<strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">An Excerpt from <em>The Fall</em></span></span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Chapter 1 – The Pumpkin Patch</span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br>
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“That one’s good for nothing – it’s all bruised!” Madelyn laughed with a wink.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br>
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Well, I think it’s rather cute and would be perfect for pumpkin carving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just think – it already has plenty of attitude and spunk!” Evelyn replied with a grin.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br>
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Yes, just like you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You two would be an unbeatable combination at the contest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure you’ll come up with a splendid design again this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What sort of face are you considering making?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><a href="http://victorianperry.blogspot.com/2011/11/excerpt-from-fall.html#more">Read more »</a>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-81235832355012737452011-11-03T14:31:00.000-07:002011-11-03T14:38:57.247-07:00The Fall: A Synopsis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGPcGSPL4hxtikSMkcwPtiY9l9bPJ_nPI69gwHvDOwXzGugqaXHT0KkuXuv8Lp8ZDGxPohxos_gpV1e-tYEIuwzC9cwxunba_3uu6QFtika0MUi5fc_Z-ag0gT_F4pmKYmC6Gqq1bV6oQ/s1600/pumpkinpatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGPcGSPL4hxtikSMkcwPtiY9l9bPJ_nPI69gwHvDOwXzGugqaXHT0KkuXuv8Lp8ZDGxPohxos_gpV1e-tYEIuwzC9cwxunba_3uu6QFtika0MUi5fc_Z-ag0gT_F4pmKYmC6Gqq1bV6oQ/s200/pumpkinpatch.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hello, blog world! It has been 3 days of NaNoWriMo and I'm staying on track, so that's good. Well, I am not sure if I want to share an excerpt yet, but below is the synopsis that I just drafted. I'm afraid it sounds a little cheesy, but hey, it's my first novel, and I'm writing the excerpt after only having written 5,000 of the 50,000 words, so here you go:</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Madelyn Campbell is a fun-loving twenty-seven year old, studying Medieval literature and living with her quirky best friend and artist Evelyn in Fullerton. The story picks up with the girls hunting for pumpkins for a Halloween party in their local pumpkin patch, at which party Madelyn delightedly discovers that her crush, Spencer Moore, is in attendance. Progressing through their awkward first date (or is it just a hang out with just the two of them?) Madelyn discovers that despite her desire to be perfect, life is full of bumps and bruises, yet these very bumps, although painful at the moment, may lead to her greatest joy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Happy writing!!</span>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-87353819195253633952011-10-27T11:44:00.000-07:002011-11-03T14:32:49.127-07:00NaNoWriMo: 30 Days & Nights of Literary Abandon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZZK1IHtQtR-NoxRH-CnNZNI9TZu5oTfmdYcUMcm-hM2j38jDtDU_ePtOVN2bcohaUdtLV6dPPch_keIgGEo8wyAenbxIpg9vdSMwz8lxCoY9cBmUBLah7wgWyvEAFG6BkC5UIkQTUK1F/s1600/nanowrimo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZZK1IHtQtR-NoxRH-CnNZNI9TZu5oTfmdYcUMcm-hM2j38jDtDU_ePtOVN2bcohaUdtLV6dPPch_keIgGEo8wyAenbxIpg9vdSMwz8lxCoY9cBmUBLah7wgWyvEAFG6BkC5UIkQTUK1F/s200/nanowrimo.jpg" width="143" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">National Novel Writing Month (affectionately known as NaNoWriMo) is a challenge to all who have ever thought, “I’d like to write a novel someday…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, this is your chance!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the month of November hundreds of thousands around the globe (and that is not an exaggeration, as they had 200,000 participants last year) will seek to write a 50,000 word novel (this equates to approximately 175 pages).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Writing begins at 12:01 AM on November 1<sup>st</sup> and must be completed and uploaded by midnight on November 30<sup>th</sup> to count.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have heard about this for years and decided to attempt the seemingly impossible last year; however, less than a week into the month, a charming and handsome man asked me on a date, and I frankly forgot all about novel writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, it was a whirlwind, but we are married now and settled down a bit, so I have decided to once again attempt the challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made it to 10,000 words last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I can average 1,700 words a day, then I will make the goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That doesn’t sound too bad, until you think about the 2 weddings we have this month, and family vacation, and Thanksgiving…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">With hands tied until the 1<sup>st</sup>, I have a title: <em>The Fall</em>, a decent one-page outline of the basic plot, and the main characters’ names: Madelyn Campbell & Spencer Moore (yes, I will admit that I spent a couple hours looking at baby names online before I settled on these two).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">So please forgive me for being too busy in October to write (my little sister got married last weekend – see my previous post), and I’m afraid I will be a crazy, creative-writing monster for the month of November.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps, I will post some excerpts from my story if I think they are decent…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>The Challenge:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have ever thought about writing a novel, will you consider joining me in accepting the challenge?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Join the fun at </span><a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org/"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">www.nanowrimo.org</span></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having NaNo buddies is a lot more fun than doing this all on your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you do decide to participate, let me know by sending me your username, and maybe we can have a writing party!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more the merrier!!</span></div>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-50494413766473210172011-10-27T09:59:00.000-07:002011-10-27T10:08:42.832-07:00My Little Sister's Wedding: A Toast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SFBqMDJ0IYMGplu2JYTozbD_LOmX-FA2l2YXaJ09UVweRrgr-PpE-AaJVuGswC_yPuRH1_fSh88ioV7k7nv15up__ON-NgX2SS5fEyY0zIjqkfs_e6VHBLYWQ2pqrl_cPkSeFiMm_FWA/s1600/K+n+I+wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SFBqMDJ0IYMGplu2JYTozbD_LOmX-FA2l2YXaJ09UVweRrgr-PpE-AaJVuGswC_yPuRH1_fSh88ioV7k7nv15up__ON-NgX2SS5fEyY0zIjqkfs_e6VHBLYWQ2pqrl_cPkSeFiMm_FWA/s200/K+n+I+wedding.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">So three months after my wedding, I was delighted to serve as the Matron of Honor in my sister's wedding. Katie and Iseah dated for three years and have had quite the journey, so it was a joy to celebrate with them on this very special day! I'm afraid that with all the wedding events, however, I have failed to write any new posts and I have some news (coming soon) which will probably limit my entries for the month of November, but I thought that I would share my Matron of Honor Toast, dated October 21, 2011:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Good evening!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of you I have not met, my name is Tori and I’m Katie’s big sister, and on behalf of the Wade family I’d like to welcome you all, and thank you for coming to celebrate with us on this very special occasion! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">As we all know, in this world there are leaders and there are followers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although some prefer to wait in the wings, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Katie</b> has always been one of those pioneering people who led from her passions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was always on the cusp of trends, setting the bar and leading the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From shopping to school, she has never been a conformist or apologetic for who she is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather, she steps out and embraces life, especially through seeking to help those in need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Katie has been an inspiration to me for her <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">courage</b> and relentless pursuit of social justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has demonstrated her courage from youth, when she served on a missions team to Panama as a junior higher: raising money, traveling to a distant land, and joining a team when she didn’t know anyone else who would be there, and then spending another entire summer working with the homeless in Houston: distributing food and clothing, playing with the children, and even giving some pedicures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the years she has shared stories of some of the troubled youth with whom she has interacted, and it is remarkable to see how she connects with them, gains their respect, and is able to help them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even in the face of flying objects, runaway children, and outright defiance, Katie is able to keep her head and deal with the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With her fiery personality and her drive, Katie makes the best sort of advocate, as well as a great <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">friend</b>.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">You see, in elementary school Katie and I were close friends, moving often and clinging to each other, that is until, like most siblings, we began to define ourselves by what made us each unique.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We highlighted our differences and had our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">own</i> friends and ambitions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Particularly since leaving the nest, however, we have both come to realize that although we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i> markedly different, we also share some very foundational values – church, family, helping those in need, and enjoying life.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Katie has been there for me in the very times when I needed her most with a sympathetic ear, understanding my perspective and providing her support and encouragement – even canceling her own wedding planning weekend back in July to bring sanity and aid me with mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has been there when others were unable or unwilling, driving out to meet up for sushi or to just remind me with her presence that I am not alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is the kind of person who will drop everything to be there for you when you need her.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Iseah, you are truly a lucky man to have won my sister’s heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a joy it has been to see you and Katie fall in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">love</b>, and for us Wades to welcome you into the family and to share some wonderful memories these last three years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You two are such a dynamic and loving couple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pray the Lord’s very best for you, our beloved Mr. & Mrs. Angkiangco, as you begin this new and exciting journey of marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">So if you all will join me and raise your glass, I offer a toast to courage, to friendship, and to love…<strong>To Katie & Iseah!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cheers!</strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>~I love you, lil sis!</strong></span></span></div>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-198525855885733864.post-30206758720941142202011-09-02T15:36:00.000-07:002011-09-02T15:43:52.284-07:00Groundhog Day: Living for What Truly Matters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5GqUYQ98arP5OUjYsQYWNLkC8nSCKy87hsbEmi-5C-3WjA1y1WBuiqvtEEmWXov0Hkt2OJGqYTHVA3TsQsJzQ81I-CY01_3VdSwO9g5iLu7ELfXtI7JhSWeJxygZ85oBWx31kE42VKpN/s1600/groundhog+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5GqUYQ98arP5OUjYsQYWNLkC8nSCKy87hsbEmi-5C-3WjA1y1WBuiqvtEEmWXov0Hkt2OJGqYTHVA3TsQsJzQ81I-CY01_3VdSwO9g5iLu7ELfXtI7JhSWeJxygZ85oBWx31kE42VKpN/s320/groundhog+day.jpg" width="214" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000195/"><strong><span style="color: #136cb2; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Phil</em></span></strong></a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>: What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered? <br />
<b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0653959/"><span style="color: #136cb2;">Ralph</span></a></b>: That about sums it up for me. </em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">You are probably familiar with the storyline, but let me recap it for you:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Phil, an arrogant weatherman, travels to a small town to do a feature on the groundhog’s shadow, gets stuck in the town for the night due to a blizzard that he failed to predict, and goes to bed, only to discover that when he awakens in the morning, it is once again February 2<sup>nd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is made to relive the same day over and over again, giving him the torture, the license, and finally the freedom to live life however he pleases with no repercussions to follow in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is arrested, attempts to seduce his producer, Rita, and even tries to kill himself on multiple occasions, but no matter what he does during the day, he once again awakens to his alarm on February 2<sup>nd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">After having pursued selfish pleasures that failed to satisfy, Phil gradually begins to seek to help those in the small town, especially a homeless man, and in the process discovers that he has fallen in love with Rita. He lives with charity and kindness for those around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end Rita falls in love with him too, and he awakens to the joy of his alarm on February 3<sup>rd</sup>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Clint and I have been discussing showing the movie to his high school Bible classes to lay the framework for the year, posing the questions: “What is virtue?” and “What is happiness?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see in Groundhog Day that Phil discovers the meaninglessness and futility of pursuing his selfish passions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can have whatever he wants and do anything, regardless of the law, but he does not find true satisfaction in any of these pursuits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is only when he puts the needs and desires of others above his own, that he finds true happiness and a way of escape from the endless repetition of February 2<sup>nd</sup>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Though you have not been forced to relive the same day over and over again, but perhaps every day seems to blend into the next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps you feel without purpose or direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it all seems pointless and monotonous, an unending journey to nowhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or maybe it is not that extreme, but you feel stuck or you are just plain tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This film pushes the viewer to consider what truly matters in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For what are you living?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do you get up every morning?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you rolling out of bed simply desiring to fulfill your own pleasures and get your way, or do you rise seeking to love others, pursue the truth, and delight in beauty?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I think most of us would reply with the latter when the choices are so clearly stated, but what about the little things of life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about in the daily grind when you must decide between relaxing for a few more minutes in front of the tv or spending time in prayer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about giving a half-hearted effort on that project you have been putting off or devoting all your time and talent to its completion?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about simply sitting in the pew at church or getting up an hour early and volunteering to serve in the children’s ministry?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Life is composed of these little decisions, the seemingly harmless laziness or the snide remark made under your breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is of these seemingly harmless choices our habits are formed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How we spend our minutes and hours each day, and what we prioritize will come to define us in the end.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">May we choose to pursue virtue and true happiness in the everyday things of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May the Lord give us grace each morning that we might honor His name and serve Him faithfully.</span></div>Victoria Perryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03137353178252115517noreply@blogger.com0